Menu Ideas

10 Ways to Use up Mushy Bananas (That Aren't Banana Bread)

July 20, 2015

They're one of the most popular—if not the most popular—fruits in the world. They're cheap and delicious and sweet and good for you. They're so beloved they have songs written about them (sort of). Chances are good that there's a bunch getting freckly (or worse) on your countertop now. Shake off your banana bread habit and tackle your mushy bananas with these 10 recipes.

Banana Cake with Penuche Frosting by Lindsay-Jean Hard

Cake

Shop the Story

 

Gluten-Free Banana Flapjacks by Weird & Ravenous

Flapjacks

 

Frozen Banana Daiquiri by Erik Lombardo

Daiquiri

 

Frozen Bananas Dipped in Mexican Chocolate Ganache and Spicy Honeyed Peanuts by indieculinary

Frozen

 

Morning Date Smoothie by AGIRLANDAPIG

Dates

More: Go for the green with this avocado-banana smoothie.

 

Roasted Banana Paletas by Nicholas Day

Pops

 

Lil's Favorite One Bite Banana Cookies by gingerroot

Cookies

 

Chocolate-Date Cake Topped with Roasted Banana Ice Cream by Sarah Jampel

Cake

 

Banana Butterscotch Pudding by Yossy Arefi

Pudding

More: Merrill's take on a classic banana pudding.

 

Bananas, Brown Sugar, and Cream by Posie Harwood

Cream

What do you do with bananas headed south? Tell us in the comments.

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • Asenath Silverman
    Asenath Silverman
  • Kelly Paulemon
    Kelly Paulemon
  • Karen Rose
    Karen Rose
  • Barbara Wright
    Barbara Wright
  • Kent
    Kent
Writing and cooking in Brooklyn.

11 Comments

Asenath S. August 7, 2017
Banana pancake: 1 banana, 1 egg, 30 grams flour, cinnamon.
 
Kelly P. July 10, 2016
as soon as my bananas look even a little bit overripe, i try to freeze as many as i can, and use them for smoothies or baking banana bread. but for those i can't freeze (or if i have free time), i make crepes, using a whole banana as an egg replacer. the crepes taste like banana beignets! very yummy.
 
Karen R. August 3, 2015
I don't like bananas as soon as they start tasting like, well, bananas.....as soon as the get soft and mushy I make banana bread using whatever is around to spice up the flavor, raisins, apples, carrots, ginger, nuts, anything that will make the bread tasee less like, well, bananas!
 
Barbara W. July 26, 2015
Banana Cream Pie is BETTER with over-ripe bananas and actually preferred by some master chefs!
 
Kent July 26, 2015
I peel and freeze overripe bananas, then pop one in a fruit smoothie.
 
btglenn July 25, 2015
Try a spicy banana soup Caribbean style: 3 or 4 bananas in chunks, 2 cups milk, i cup chicken broth, 2-3 tablespoons whipped cream cheese or whipping cream, grated ginger and hot sauce to taste, Salt and pepper to your taste.
Put all in the blender and puree to smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Serve as is, or with grated coconut or sour cream for a topping. You can use ripe or green bananas. Green ones will make a thicker consistency.
In Tanzania they make a banana beef meat stew - browning a pound of stew beef in diced, with onion, then sa;t. [e[[er. and curry powder to taste for a few minutes more. Then, add 1/4 cup water to deglaze, a couple of tomatoes, chopped, grated ginger, and 2 greenish bananas. cook until meat is tender. A similar dish is made with chicken, adding broth and coconut milk to make a spicy and delicious stewy soup. Bananas don't always need to be for desert.
 
terre August 1, 2015
please send recipe for double chocolate banana bread.

thank you
 
BlackMagwitch May 22, 2016
Wow! Thanks. I had only eaten fish stew with banana plantains. I'm gonna try the non-meat one. W00t!
 
Angie July 22, 2015
I make healthy-ish double chocolate banana bread!
 
Laura K. July 26, 2015
I'd like to see that recipe!
 
JadeTree July 20, 2015
Be Bold with Bananas! (Been catching up with Burned Toast eps, heh.)