Best Banana Bread Recipe: Using Frozen Bananas (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to use frozen bananas for banana bread? ›

Absolutely! You can save all ripe bananas and collect them in your freezer until you're ready to bake with them. They work well in all kinds of banana baking recipes like banana chocolate caramel bundt cake, banana muffins, and, of course, this (frozen) banana bread.

Freeze Bananas Whole (If Using for Baking)

But to use in baking recipes, you need to thaw the frozen bananas first, because you need to mash them for your recipe.

I have found that about ¾ – 1 cup of ½ inch slices of banana equal close to 1 large banana. After freezing the slices, do a quick measure to see how many cups 1 banana equals for easier measurement for recipes.

The first is to seal them in a ziplock bag, fill a bowl with lukewarm water and set it out on the counter. At most, this should take a few hours. And if you really need them thawed immediately, you can use the defrost setting on the microwave.

Frozen bananas should be used within 3 months. To prevent the bananas from turning brown in the freezer, make sure to use an airtight container, or freezer-safe plastic bag. Exposure to air is what causes bananas to brown, so as long as they're sealed tightly, you won't have any issues with browning.

Note: When frozen fruit thaws, it tends to release quite a bit of excess liquid. (Thawed bananas look slimy, brown, and unappealing, but don't let this scare you.) You can use the liquid they release in baking recipes that call for mashed bananas because fresh bananas contain the same moisture.

Many people have concerns about the flavour and consistency of frozen bananas. While it is true that bananas will lose their firmness when thawing takes place, the flavour and nutritional value will remain the same as fresh bananas.

It is best to use the defrosted bananas the same day, as they will continue to deteriorate and turn brown. Defrost three peeled whole bananas, mash and use in this all-in-one banana bread.

Mashed banana

Whichever fruit you choose to use, you can replace each egg with half of a large banana. Baked goods made with puréed fruits may not brown as deeply, but they will be very dense and moist. This substitution works best in cakes, muffins, brownies, and quick breads.

In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

What happens when you thaw frozen bananas? ›

You can freeze unpeeled bananas, if you want—you'll just need to thaw them and peel them when they're ready. But keep in mind that bananas frozen that way get mushy when they're thawed, so you'll need to use them only for recipes that require mashed bananas.

Changes in texture, such as becoming mushy or slimy: Frozen bananas should maintain their firmness and texture. If they become mushy or slimy, it's a sign that they have deteriorated and are no longer suitable for consumption.

Not only do frozen bananas work for baking, but they arguably work better for baking than fresh bananas. Not only does the freezing process not affect the taste or the nutritional value of the bananas, but defrosting bananas makes them softer and therefore easier to mix into batter.

While it's okay if the banana peel is dark brown or even black, if the inside is too, then the fruit is beyond ripe and now on its way to rotten. Another sign that bananas have gone bad is if they start leaking any fluids. When in doubt, just toss the bananas out.

Let the bananas ripen (and overripen) at room temperature. Depending on the weather, this could take a few days, or up to a week. The best bananas for banana bread aren't yellow; they're black. Or they're at least streaked with black/brown, with just the barest hint of green at the stem.

I've baked banana bread plenty of times but need reassurance- I froze the bananas whole, inside the peel without a ziploc bag. Are they okay? They're fine, just a bit of a pain to remove from the skins when you do that haha.