Bananas are a widely popular fruit that are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients. However, as bananas ripen, they tend to become too soft and sweet for some people’s liking, leading to them being discarded.
This is a shame because overripe bananas are actually perfect for baking and can be used in a variety of healthy recipes.
In this article, you will find out some of these creative uses and recipes for old bananas that are both delicious and nutritious.
5 Healthy Ways to Use Old Bananas
Do you want to know what to do with those old bananas in your kitchen? Not to worry! There are plenty of healthy ways to use old bananas. Now, we will be looking at the top healthy ways to use old bananas. They can be classified into four sections.
1. Banana Smoothie Recipes
When bananas get too ripe to eat alone, they are perfect for adding to smoothies! Bananas are a great source of natural sweetness and can add a creamy texture to smoothies. Here are a few delicious and healthy smoothie recipes to try:
- Banana and Peanut Butter Smoothie: To make a banana and peanut butter smoothie, combine one ripe banana, two tablespoons of peanut butter, one cup of almond milk, and a handful of ice. Blend until smooth, and enjoy with your favorite meal.
- Chocolate Banana Smoothie: Combine one ripe banana, one tablespoon of cocoa powder, one cup of almond milk, and a handful of ice and blend carefully to make a chocolate banana smoothie. Blend until smooth and top with dark chocolate chips or coconut flakes for a delicious treat.
- Green Banana Smoothie: Mix one ripe banana, one cup of spinach, one tablespoon of chia seeds, one cup of almond milk, and a handful of ice into a blender and leave till it is smoothh. Enjoy the nutrient-rich benefits of this green smoothie!
- Tropical Banana Smoothie: Combine one ripe banana, one cup of frozen pineapple, one cup of coconut milk, and a handful of ice into a blender and leave it until it is perfectly smooth.
2. Banana Pancake Recipes
Pancakes are a classic breakfast favorite, but did you know you can add some extra flavor and nutrients by incorporating old bananas into your pancake batter? Here are some tasty banana pancake recipes to try out:
- Banana Oat Pancakes: Mash up 1-2 ripe bananas and mix them with 1 cup of oats, 1/2 cup of milk, 1 egg, and a dash of cinnamon. Cook the pancakes on a skillet until the batter is golden brown and serve with your favorite toppings.
- Peanut Butter Banana Pancakes: Mix 1-2 ripe bananas with 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1 egg, and 1/4 cup of flour. Cook on a skillet until done and serve with additional peanut butter and sliced bananas.
- Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes: Add some sweetness to your pancakes by mashing up 1-2 overripe bananas and mixing them with 1 cup of flour, 1 egg, 1 cup of milk, and a handful of chocolate chips. Cook on a skillet until the pancakes are golden brown, and serve with more chocolate chips.
- Blueberry Banana Pancakes: Mash up 1-2 overripe bananas and mix them with 1 cup of flour, 1 egg, 1 cup of milk, and 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries. Cook on a skillet until done and serve with additional blueberries on top.
3. Banana Cake Recipes
Banana cake is a delicious and easy way to use up old bananas. Here are a few recipes to get you started:
- Classic Banana Cake: This recipe is a simple and delicious way to use those old bananas. Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, and mashed bananas, and bake in a preheated oven until golden brown.
- Banana Walnut Cake: This recipe adds crunch to your classic banana cake with chopped walnuts. You can also sprinkle some cinnamon on top for an extra flavor.
- Chocolate Banana Cake: Try this rich and decadent chocolate banana cake recipe if you have a sweet tooth. Mix cocoa powder and chocolate chips into the batter for a chocolatey twist.
- Banana Cream Cheese Cake: This recipe is excellent for those who love a creamy, tangy frosting. Mix cream cheese, sugar, and mashed bananas to make a creamy frosting top of your cake.
- Gluten-Free Banana Cake: For gluten-free people, try this recipe using almond flour, coconut flour, and mashed bananas for a fluffy and delicious cake.
4. Banana Bread Recipes
If you are a bread lover, here are some healthy ways to use old bananas to make tasty bread.
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Follow the classic bread recipe, but add overripe mashed banana and 1/2 to 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter to produce a delightful chocolatey twist.
- Nutty Banana Bread: Add chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, and mashed overripe banana to the bread recipe. The crunch and flavor of the nuts complement the moist banana bread beautifully.
- Vegan Banana Bread: To make a vegan version, substitute the eggs with 1/4 cup of mashed bananas for each egg. Replace the butter with an equal amount of coconut oil. Use non-dairy milk, such as almond or soy, instead of regular milk.
- Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour for a gluten-free option. You can find pre-mixed gluten-free flour blends in most grocery stores. Ensure all other ingredients, such as baking soda and vanilla extract, are gluten-free.
5. Banana-Blueberry Muffins
Banana-blueberry muffins are another delicious and healthy way to use old bananas.
Rather than throwing away overripe bananas, they can be mashed and used to make muffins. Adding blueberries to the muffins not only adds flavor but also boosts the nutritional value.
Many recipes for banana-blueberry muffins use whole wheat flour, natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and yogurt instead of butter or oil, making them a healthier option for breakfast or snacks.
What’s more? Banana-Blueberry Muffins can be frozen and reheated for a quick and easy breakfast or snack on-the-go.
Conclusion
Feel free to experiment with these variations and adjust them to your taste preferences. Banana bread is quite versatile; you can always customize it to suit your liking. Enjoy baking!
