How to Use Frozen Bananas for Baking Banana Bread

Can you use frozen bananas for banana bread? Yes! Here's how...

Few things are as comforting as a warm slice of freshly baked banana bread, but having ripe bananas when you need them can be a challenge.

Freezing and baking with frozen bananas is easy if you know how!

Keep reading to learn my favorite method for freezing brown bananas and my tips for getting the best results when using frozen bananas for baking!

How to use frozen bananas for banana bread

1. Thaw bananas- Let your frozen bananas come to room temperature
2. Remove extra moisture- When baking with thawed frozen bananas,  pour off any excess liquid that separates before adding the bananas to your recipe. 
3. Mix- use thawed bananas one for one like fresh bananas

How to freeze bananas

If you've ever found yourself with too many ripe bananas, then you've probably solved the problem by making banana bread, right? But what if you need to make banana bread and there are no spotty bananas to be found?

The solution is to stock your freezer with frozen bananas! 

When your bananas start to develop brown spots, it's the perfect time to use them for baking. Here's how to prepare them:

Whole frozen bananas

Freezing whole bananas is a good option to use when your bananas are still firm, but have a few brown spots. Just remove the banana peel and lay the whole banana on a parchment-lined tray in a single layer. Place the bananas in the freezer for 24 hours, until frozen solid, and put the frozen bananas in a freezer bag to use later. 

Frozen mashed bananas

Are your bananas extra ripe and mushy? (mmm. extra sweetness for baking!)

To freeze very ripe bananas, you can peel and mash the bananas before freezing.

First, mash the bananas thoroughly.

Then portion the mashed bananas into silicone ice cube trays and freeze for later.

Be sure to make a note about how many cubes equals one banana.

Once the banana cubes are frozen solid you can place them in a plastic bag and remove as much air as possible.

I like to use silicone trays for portioning mashed bananas. (you can find them in my Amazon store) 

Frozen unpeeled bananas

I don't recommend freezing unpeeled bananas.  While the peels protect the banana flesh from freezer burn, banana peels can become difficult to remove once they are frozen.

Frozen banana slices

Freezing banana slices is another great way to prevent overripe bananas from going to waste. Plus, you can use frozen banana slices in your smoothies!

Just peel and slice your ripe bananas on a parchment paper-lined tray in a single layer. Freeze for 24 hours, until frozen solid, and put the frozen bananas in a freezer-safe bag to use later. 

As you can see, There are several different ways to freeze bananas for baking. The best way to freeze bananas depends on how ripe your bananas are and how you plan to use them later. 

The best banana bread recipe for frozen bananas

I've been making this banana bread recipe for years. It's the most popular quick bread I make and It comes out perfectly every time!

My Favorite Banana Bread Recipe

Craving the comforting aroma of freshly baked banana bread? This easy banana bread recipe has you covered!

• First, In a medium bowl, combine wet ingredients: Bananas(fresh or defrosted), melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and yogurt.
• Next, Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and fold in the wet ingredients. 
• Then, fill your prepared loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 55 minutes. 

The full recipe can be found on the recipe card below. 

My Favorite Banana Bread

This is the only banana bread recipe you'll ever need. It's super moist and buttery and turns out perfect every time.

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Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Keyword: Banana, Quick bread

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 loaf

Equipment

• 1 loaf pan (8.5x4.5x2.75)

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 ½ Cups All Purpose Flour 217g
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Cornstarch 9g
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Baking Soda 6g
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Salt 3g
• ▢ ½ Cup Granulated Sugar 100g
• ▢ ½ cup Brown Sugar 100g
• ▢ 8 tablespoon Butter, melted 1 stick, 113g
• ▢ 2 Eggs
• ▢ 3 Bananas 350g
• ▢ ½ Cup Plain Yogurt 122g
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Vanilla 4g
• ▢ ½ Cups Walnuts- optional Toasted and Chopped

Instructions

• Defrost 3 frozen bananas and drain any excess liquid.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare the loaf pan. by spraying it with pan spray or lining it with parchment paper.
• Measure the flour, baking soda, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
• Using your fork and a medium bowl, mash the bananas until no large lumps remain. If using frozen bananas, drain any liquid that has formed.
• In a microwave-safe dish, melt the butter until it is fully melted and liquid.
• Into the bowl of mashed bananas, add melted butter, yogurt, and eggs. Mix to combine.
• Fold the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients( add optional nuts if desired) and mix until there are no more spots of dry flour.
• Pour batter into a sprayed, non-stick bread pan and bake for approx.. 55 min at 350 degrees. Check for doneness by gently touching the center of the bread. It should spring back and not feel mushy below the crust.

Notes

For a richer and more decadent banana bread, you can replace the yogurt with sour cream. 

For an extra crunch and nutty flavor, you can add ½ cup of walnuts and make banana nut bread.

 

Can you use frozen bananas for banana bread?

No more waiting for bananas to get spotty! Now that you know how to bake with frozen bananas, you can freeze your ripe bananas and have the best banana bread anytime you want!