Freezing Bananas (Whole or Sliced)
Freezing is a great way to use up leftover bananas. You can use frozen bananas in smoothies, or if you have one of those trendy frozen fruit dessert makers, you can turn them into creamy, 100% fruit-based mock ice cream that is low in calories and loaded with nutrients. However, it is not a good idea to freeze bananas if you plan on simply eating them after thawing because the freezing and thawing processes make bananas mushy.
The easiest way to freeze a banana is to freeze it whole in its peel. When you are ready to use it, thaw it on the counter, and then peel and use for smoothies and the like. However, although freezing a banana with the skin on takes a little less initial effort than freezing peeled and sliced banana, it has a few downsides: it takes longer to thaw a whole banana than a sliced banana, and you will have to use the entire fruit.
If you freeze banana slices instead of a whole banana, you will be able to scoop out just a handful from a freezer bag or container for use in smoothies and frozen fruit desserts. Below, we provide step-by-step instructions on how to freeze banana slices. By following these simple steps, the frozen banana slices won't stick together, and you won't have to chisel into a hard block of frozen fruit when you want to whip up a smoothie or make a frozen dessert.
How to Freeze Banana Slices Using the Tray Method
- Clear some space in your freezer.
- Line the baking tray with parchment paper or a freezer-safe silicone baking mat.
- Peel and slice the bananas, and arrange the slices in a single layer on the baking tray, making sure they don't touch. Cover the sheet with plastic wrap, and place it in the freezer.
- Once the slices are thoroughly frozen, remove the baking tray from the freezer and peel the slices off of the parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Put the slices in freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving no headspace, and place the closed bags or containers immediately back in the freezer.
Frozen Banana is Perfect for Smoothies and Vegan "Ice Cream"
Using peeled frozen banana in smoothies is a great way to create silky, refreshing drinks without the use of ice cubes of dairy. Here are some recipes for vegan smoothies that get their wonderful creamy texture from frozen banana:
- Green Smoothie with Romaine Lettuce and Frozen Banana
- Carrot & Mango Smoothie with Turmeric Powder
- Carrot & Ginger Smoothie
- Mango & Banana Smoothie with Turmeric Powder
- Gingery Green Smoothie with Spinach and Mango
- Mango Kiwi Smoothie with Kale Powder
- Easy Vegan Spinach Smoothie with Frozen Banana
- Green Frozen Banana Smoothie with Microgreens
Another great way to use frozen bananas is turn them into healthy, 100% fruit-based mock ice cream by squashing or puréeing them. To do this, you can use a dedicated frozen fruit dessert maker such as the Yonanas, or a blender or food processor. The most basic recipe for this type of vegan banana "ice cream" only calls for frozen ripe bananas, but if you think that's too boring, check out these recipes for dairy-free frozen desserts.
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