Among many things that you would like to have on hand, bananas top the list. Not only are they cheap but they are available year-round. Moreover, they fit perfectly in banana pancakes, taste delicious in smoothies (fruit), and prove to be the essential ingredient in banana bread. Among many such things that I like about them, frozen ripe banana is the best. In this blog, we will unlock many other ways you can use bananas.
When should you freeze a banana?
The ripeness of the fruit is decided by the one who wants to eat it—many like it when the freckles set in while others consider it until it completely changes its color. In the case of the banana, the color is brown. People like me, prefer it when the speckles have covered 1/3 of the banana. It’s like smelling the banana halfway across the room.
To peel or not to peel
Never leave the banana unpeeled. If you don’t peel it, you will have to wait until the whole banana is defrosted. However, a defrosted one limits its use as it becomes a slimy mess. Solidified bananas are best in smoothies and creams, so we need to ensure that there’s no peel when kept in the freezer.
After peeling the banana, decide the size which you want. Generally, 1/2″ to 3/4″ rounds are considered as they easily blend in the food processor. Also, this size quickly defrosts when you want to bake it.
Use parchment!
It is vital to ensure that the baking sheet fits in the freezer. After that, line it with a nonstick silicone mat or parchment paper. Don’t forget to arrange the banana rounds in one layer. The parchment will guarantee a single discharge and smooth exchange into a resealable plastic pack once the bananas are solidified. It is recommended to use bananas with three months of keeping them in the freezer.
Ingredients needed
Five ripe bananas
How to freeze bananas?
- This process will result in 3 cups. The preparation time is 10 minutes, and the total time is 2 hrs, 15 minutes.
- Start by peeling the bananas and remove the tip which is black along with the stringy fibers. With the help of a knife, cut the bananas into 1/2″ or 3/4″ rounds.
- After that, spread the baking sheet with parchment paper. The bananas should be laid on in a single layer. Leave them in the freezer for 2 hours and let them solidify.
- Once the bananas have frozen, shift them to a resealable plastic bag. Make sure there is no air left in the bag. After that, seal it and keep them frozen until you want to use them.