Can you Freeze Bananas at Home?

Absolutely! Learn how to freeze bananas in this article to help save you money, time, and food waste. Frozen bananas are a great ingredient for many different types of recipes. From baby food, smoothies, to baking, frozen bananas are a win-win.

You will never waste another ripe, or semi ripe banana again once you discover how easy it is to freeze bananas.

One of my favorite ways to use frozen bananas is by covering them in chocolate and sprinkles.

This easy healthy snack makes my kids feel like they are having a treat. It’s even something I pull out when I have a sweet tooth.

Why you will love freezing Strawberries at home.

Takes 5 Minutes
Reduces Food Waste
Saves Money
Easy Healthy Snack
Always have Bananas on Hand

How to freeze bananas.

There are three great methods to freeze bananas. You can freeze bananas in slices, freeze them whole, or freeze them mushed up.
Which method should you choose when freezing your bananas at home?
Which method you chose to use depends on how you plan to use your frozen bananas.
Will you be using it in banana bread or baking recipes? Will you be making baby food in bulk? Or is it going to be used for some delicious homemade smoothies?
However you plan to use your frozen bananas, one of the methods below will work wonders for you.

What do I need to Freeze Bananas?

Bananas (Preferable very ripe)*
Parchment Paper
Baking Sheet (with a lip)
Gallon/Quart sized freezer bags. (Ziplock are my favorite).

*Once frozen, bananas will not ripen anymore, so if you freeze your bananas too soon, you may get a less than desirable flavor upon using.

How long does it take for a banana to freeze?

This mainly depends on the method you choose, but on average, a banana will be frozen in about 2-4 hours.

If your banana is cut up and in smaller pieces the freezing will occur closer to 2 hours. If your banana is whole it may take closer to 4 hours.

Method #1: Freeze Sliced Bananas

Freezing sliced bananas is great for making smoothies, or desserts.

Plus, it also helps when you are in a time crunch and need to get bananas frozen quickly.

Step 1: Prepare a Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper

Cover a baking sheet (with a lip) with parchment paper. This will keep your bananas from sticking and make it easy to transfer once frozen.

Step 2: Peel and cut bananas into slices.

I like to cut them to about 1/2-3/4 inch but you can go as thick or thin as you would like. The thicker the slice the longer it will take to freeze.

Step 3: Place banana slices onto parchment paper and freeze.

Set baking sheet with bananas into the freezer for about 2 hours. Do not freeze too much longer than 2 hours otherwise bananas may develop freezer burn.

Bananas will be mostly frozen with a couple spots that may still have to freeze completely.

Don’t worry if they still have a little way to go. They will finish freezing in step 4.

Step 4: Transfer frozen banana slices into a freezer bag.

Once banana slices are in a freezer bag remove as much air as possible and seal.

TIP: Don’t forget to label the freezer bag and write an expiration date on the bag. (Today’s date plus 6 months).

Method #2: Freeze a Banana Whole

Freezing a banana whole can be the fastest prep method. If you are really busy or tight on time you can throw a whole banana peel on right in the freezer.

Although I recommend peeling the bananas if you have the time, so you don’t have to peel the banana once frozen.

Whole frozen bananas also work well for smoothies, ice cream, or any recipes that require you to blend up a banana.

You can also use whole bananas in baking recipes. As they thaw the bananas will become very easy to mush.

Step 1: Get a freezer bag ready for bananas.

Be sure to label and add an expiration date. (Today’s date plus 6 months.)

You can use a permanent marker to label the bag or find a printable freezer label online.

Step 2: Peel bananas and stick into freezer bag.

Pretty simple. Just throw the whole peeled banana into your labeled freezer bag.

Be sure to remove as much air as possible from the bag before freezing. This will help preserve freshness and prevent freezer burn.

Step 3: Freeze bananas

Now pop that freezer bag into the freezer and leave it until you need it.

That’s the best part about a freezer. You do not have to give your ingredients much thought until you’re ready to make your favorite recipes.

Method #3: Freeze Banana Mash

If your bananas are on the ripe/almost unusable then mashing them is the way to go.

You can cut off any extra brown spots and mash up the rest of your bananas.

This is also the best method of freezing bananas to be used for baby food. You can freeze mashed bananas in an ice cube tray or silicone trays for perfect baby portions.

Step 1: Get a freezer bag ready for bananas.

Because your bananas will be a mash, it is best to use quart size freezer bags for this method.

(Dealing with a huge chunk of mashed bananas in a gallon freezer bag would not work out too well.)

Step 2: Peel and mash your ripe bananas.

Now just peel and mash your bananas. Be sure to portion them out as desired. If you are using them for cooking you can do 1 cup of mash in each bag. This may help when you have a recipe to make, so you do not have to thaw too much or too little.

Step 3: Place Mash in labeled quart freezer bags.

Now pop those freezer bags with your banana mash into the freezer and you’re all done.

*See FAQ’s and specific tips following recipe card below.

*Frozen bananas will last for 4-6 months in the freezer, if frozen properly. Be sure to use freezer bags when storing or any other air tight container.

3 Methods on How to Freeze Bananas? ????

How to Freeze Bananas

Learn how to freeze bananas in this article to help save you money, time and food waste. Frozen bananas are a great ingredient for many different types of recipes. From baby food, to smoothies, to baking.

Prep Time5

Active Time2

Total Time2 5

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Frozen Bananas

Equipment

Freezer Bags (Ziplock are my favorite)

Materials

bananas as many as you want to freeze

Instructions

Method #1: Freeze Slicced Bananas

Prepare a Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper
Cover a baking sheet (with a lip) with parchment paper. This will keep your bananas from sticking and make it easy to transfer once frozen.
Peel and cut bananas into slices.
I like to cut them to about 1/2-3/4 inch but you can go a thick or think as you would like. The thicker the slice the longer it will take to freeze.
Place banana slices onto parchment paper and freeze.
Set baking sheet with bananas into the freeze for about 2 hours. Do not freeze too much longer then 2 hours otherwise bananas may develope freezer burn.
Bananas will be mostly frozen with a couple spots that may still have to freeze completely.
Don’t worry if they still have a little way to go. They will finish freezing in step 4.
Transfer Frozen Banana slices into a freezer bag.
Once banana slices are in freezer bag remove as much air as possible and seal.
TIP: Don’t forget to label freezer bag and write an expiration date on the bag. (Today’s date plus 6 months).

Method #2: Freeze a Banana Whole

Get a freezer bag ready for bananas.
Be sure to label and add an expiration date. (Todays date plus 6 months.)
You can use a permanent marker to label the bag or find a printable freezer label online.
Peel Bananas and stick into freezer bag.
Pretty simple. Just throw the peeled bananas whole into your labeled freezer bag.
Be sure to remove as much air as possible in the bag before freezing. This will help preserve freshness and prevent freezer burn.
Freeze Bananas
Now pop that freezer bag into the freezer and leave it until you need it.
Thats the best part about the freezer is you do not have to give your ingredients much thought until your ready to make your favorite recipes.

Method #3: Freeze Banana Mash

Get a freezer bag ready for bananas.
Because your bananas will be mash It is best to use quart size freezer bags for this method.
Peel and mash your ripe bananas.
Now just peel and mash your bananas. Be sure to portion them out as desired. If you are using them for cooking you can do 1 cup of mash in each bag. This may help when you have a recipe to make so you do not have to thaw too much or too little.
Place Mash in labeled quart freezer bags.
Now pop those freezer bags with your banana mash into the freezer and youre all done.

Freezing Bananas FAQ’s

How to peel a frozen banana?

If you have a frozen banana with the peel still on, this is how you can peel it easily.
If you have the time to thaw then let the banana sit out in room temperature for 15-30 minutes. The banana will thaw quickly and be thawed enough for you to easily remove the peel.
If you do not have the time to wait, try running the banana under warm water as you remove the peel.

7 of the best frozen banana recipes?

Here are some of the best recipes for frozen bananas:
Banana Ice Cream
Banana Bread
Baking
Baby Food
Smoothies
Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
Muffins

How to freeze bananas for smoothies?

The best method to use when freezing bananas for smoothies is method #1. By freezing sliced bananas you can easily use as many or as few as you like in your smoothies.

How to freeze bananas for banana bread?

If you like making banana bread with frozen bananas this is how you should freeze and store your bananas.
The best method to use when freezing bananas for banana bread is method #2 or method #3. Whole bananas will mash very easily for any baking recipe. Banana mash can be pre-measured when freezing to make it very easy to use in any baking recipe.

Best way to freeze banana bread?

The best way to freeze banana bread is to wrap it in plastic wrap once or twice and then cover completely in aluminum foil.
This will keep your banana bread fresh and away from freezer burn.
Banana bread is great to make in bulk and then freeze for later. It thaws quickly and tastes delicious.

How to freeze ripe bananas?

The best method for freezing super ripe bananas is banana mash.
This allows you to freeze only the best parts of your super ripe bananas and use anytime.

Is it important to peel bananas before freezing?

The only reason to peel your whole bananas before freezing is to save time when you need frozen bananas for a recipe.
It is not necessary, but a lot easier to have the whole banana peeled already once frozen.

How to thaw frozen bananas?

So you know how to store bananas but how do we thaw them?
Now that you have perfectly frozen bananas in your freezer you need to use them!
The best way to thaw frozen bananas is to let them sit out in room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
You may not even need to thaw the frozen bananas depending on what you are using them for.