How to Freeze Bananas to Use in Everything From Smoothies to Baked Goods

There are few fruits more versatile than bananas. You can blend them in smoothies, bake them in everyone's favorite quick bread, or use them as a topping for cereal, yogurt, and more. Bananas can even be used as an egg substitute in baking and, of course, eaten as is.

If you often find yourself with overripe bananas (or perhaps you bought too many), freezing them is a helpful solution. To determine the best method, we talked to a cooking instructor and chef about how to freeze bananas properly, plus whether or not you should slice or peel them first.

How Long Fresh Bananas Last

The shelf-life of fresh bananas depends on their ripeness upon purchase and storage method. For example, unripe green bananas will ripen at room temperature within a few days; once the fruit reaches your desired level of ripeness, you can store them in the refrigerator for about a week. The peels might turn brown, but the actual fruit will be safe to eat. However, if you're unable to eat the bananas within this time frame, you may want to freeze them instead.

How to Freeze Sliced Bananas 

It's a simple process:

1. Remove the peels and cut the banana into coins or chunks.
2. Arrange the banana pieces, uncovered, on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single, even layer. (Line the sheet with a silicone mat rather than parchment if you prefer.)
3. Put the baking sheet on a level surface in the freezer until the banana pieces have frozen, about three to four hours.
4. "Once they're hard, transfer them to a freezer bag, press out the air, and seal for long-term freezing," says Jay Weinstein, chef-instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education.
   

Using Sliced frozen bananas: There are lots of ways to use frozen sliced bananas. Smoothies are an obvious one, but they're especially great for garnishing dishes (such as banana tarts or muffins), says Weinstein.

How to Freeze Whole Bananas

Bananas can also be frozen whole. This is the best way to freeze bananas if you will be using them for applications like making banana bread or using the fruit as an egg replacement. "Peel [the bananas and] place them in a single layer in a freezer bag," says Weinstein. "Set the bag on a tray, such as a toaster oven pan, anywhere in the freezer." Once the bananas are solid, remove the tray.

How Long Frozen Bananas Last

"Whole, peeled frozen bananas keep for three months," says Weinstein. If they're frozen together, you can simply snap them apart. "Sliced bananas won't last as long, [about] two months tops," he says. This is due to the increased amount of surface area exposed to damaging air, which starts as soon as they're cut, he explains.