Bananas are a staple in many kitchens. They’re probably one of the most frequently purchased produce at the grocery store, but we don’t do much cooking with the bunch. For most bananas, their destiny is simple: to be eaten whole or sliced raw over yogurt. Otherwise, they’re baked into a loaf of banana bread.
Well, we have good news for banana lovers everywhere! Cooking banana is perhaps the best-kept kitchen secret you’re missing out on—until now.
Why Cook Bananas?
Cooking Bananas is a great way to amplify their flavor. When bananas cook, their sugars begin to caramelize, which brings out their natural sweetness and enhances their overall flavor. It helps make a healthy treat or quick dessert.
Editor’s Tip: Don’t throw the banana peels away!
How to Choose the Best Bananas at the Store
When shopping, be careful not to confuse bananas with their cousin, the plantain. These two fruits look similar; however, they taste different. This is mostly because plantains contain less of a naturally occurring hormone found in bananas (and other fruits) called ethylene. This plant hormone is responsible for converting a banana’s starches to sugars and for changing the color of a banana’s peel as it ripens.
How do you know if a banana is ripe? Look for bananas that are bright yellow and starting to show just a few brown spots on the peel. If you need to ripen a banana quickly, here’s how to do it.
How to Cook Bananas
It seems they’re green one day and then brown and mushy the next. Not to worry! There’s a way to cook bananas at just about every stage. For some methods, underripe or green bananas are best because they retain their shape better throughout the cooking process. In other instances, ripe bananas are ideal because they contain more sugar and, thus, a sweeter flavor.
How to Roast Bananas
To roast bananas, preheat your oven to 300°F. Then place four to six unpeeled, ripe bananas on a lined baking sheet. With a fork, pierce the skin of each banana a few times on all sides and then bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the bananas when the skin has turned black and shiny. Let cool and then split open the peels and scoop out the roasted banana. We bet these Banana Oat Pancakes would be simply divine with roasted bananas mixed into the batter.
How to Bake Bananas
To make baked banana chips, preheat your oven to 200°F. Then peel and thinly slice six to eight slightly underripe bananas. Next, toss the banana slices in lemon juice and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 2 hours and then gently flip with a spatula. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 60 to 90 minutes. Remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Add your homemade banana chips to this Bananas Foster Crunch Mix for a snack on the go.
How to Saute Bananas
For quick bananas Foster, saute bananas. Simply peel and slice slightly underripe bananas either in half lengthwise or into thick coins. Next, in a medium skillet, melt 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter with 1/4 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Cook over medium-low heat until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Then, add the sliced bananas and coat them gently with the caramel sauce. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the bananas are tender.
Editor’s Tip: Adventurous cooks can also flambe the bananas with a few tablespoons of dark rum. If you’re wondering how much alcohol really gets cooked off in the process, read this.
How to Boil Bananas
You can make a powerful sleeping tonic from bananas. Research shows that magnesium-rich bananas may help you sleep more soundly (in addition to these other surprising health benefits). To make a cup of banana tea, bring a pot of water to a boil. Then, leaving the peel intact, cut off both ends of a banana and carefully place it in the boiling water. Let the banana steep for about 10 minutes, and then strain the tea through a colander into a mug. Drink at least 60 minutes before bed.
How to Grill Bananas
To grill bananas, preheat the grill to medium-low. Meanwhile, with the peel intact, slice each banana in half lengthwise. Brush the cut sides of the bananas with lemon juice and then generously coat them with brown sugar and cinnamon. Place the bananas on a well-oiled grill cut-side down and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the bananas when they’re tender to the touch and caramelized. Serve warm with ice cream and sundae toppings. Considering eating a banana peel? Find out if it is safe to eat banana peels.
These Hot Quick Banana Boats are another great way to cook bananas on the grill.
How to Pan-Fry Bananas
To fry bananas, warm a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Then add 1/2-inch thick slices of banana to the pan. Let cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side and remove when the slices are golden and caramelized. Eat plain, as a snack or on top of toast with peanut butter. For another option of frying bananas, try out some tasty air fried bananas.
Still have bananas on the brain? Don’t miss this collection of healthy banana recipes.
Banana Recipes to Use up That Bunch
Best Ever Banana Bread
Calls for: 2 ripe bananas
Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of my best banana bread recipe. It really is that good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
You’ve probably heard of mug cakes, so you get the idea. There's no need for kneading with this
banana bread in a mug recipe, try it out today!
Banana Bread Snack CakesCalls for: 1 ripe banana
This cake doesn't need any frosting—just a dusting of powdered sugar. Guests are always amazed that I made this treat from scratch. —Denise Loewenthal, Hinckley, Ohio
Wondering if you have enough bananas to bake with? Read more about
how many bananas are in a cup.
Pecan Banana Bundt CakeCalls for: 2-3 ripe bananas
My daughter, Liz, often made this banana bundt cake for us. It was delicious and different. She discovered five-spice powder during a culinary class field trip. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Also, learnÂ
how to store bananas so they last longer for you to make these interesting recipes.
Banana Oat MuffinsCalls for: 2 ripe bananas
Chopped pecans add pleasant crunch to these hearty banana oatmeal muffins with rich flavor. The muffins are low in cholesterol, but you’d never know it. My husband and I love them. —Marjorie Mott, Galatia, Illinois
Banana Split BrowniesCalls for: 1 ripe banana
How's this for a dish—all the joy of a banana split without the mess. Everything in my recipe fits into one pan of delectable brownie bars. —Connee Sheckler, Chestertown, Maryland
Banana Nut PancakesCalls for: 1 ripe banana
I enjoy these versatile banana nut pancakes. Besides being a satisfying breakfast, they can be a deliciously different dessert. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
Banana Orange BarsCalls for: 3-4 ripe bananas
I have been making these treats for many years. I no longer remember where the recipe came from, but one thing is certain—the bars are always a hit at family get-togethers and parties. The secret to tasty
banana desserts is the ripeness of the bananas—the riper, the better. —Mary Sturgis, Hingham, Massachusetts
Bananas ‘n’ Cream Tube Pan CakeCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
This absolutely scrumptious banana Bundt cake needs no icing...just a dusting of confectioners' sugar. Even though the recipe has been a family secret for years, I'm delighted to share it with my fellow home cooks. —Oma Rollison, El Cajon, California
Cranberry Banana Coffee CakeCalls for: 2 ripe bananas
I make this moist cake for Christmas morning every year. It tastes like banana bread but has a sweet golden topping with a nutty crunch. —Gloria Friesen, Casper, Wyoming
Banana Chocolate CakeCalls for: 2 ripe bananas
This light-as-air chocolate cake has a yummy banana flavor. It’s scrumptious as is, but you can also dress it up with nuts or light frostings. —Tina Bellows, Racine, Wisconsin
Banana Pound CakeCalls for: 2 ripe bananas
I adapted a basic pound cake recipe from my great-aunt for this treat. It makes a moist cake that pops out of the pan perfectly. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Banana Oat Breakfast CookiesCalls for: 2 ripe bananas
I use to buy name-brand breakfast cookies from the supermarket, but since I found this recipe I've enjoyed making my cookies more than buying them.—Linda Burciaga
Chocolate Banana BundlesCalls for: 2 ripe bananas
Banana and chocolate are such an irresistible combo that I make this quick dessert often. You can also top them with the butter and brown sugar mixture left over from coating the bananas, or sprinkle on a dash of sea salt. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Pumpkin Banana BreadCalls for: 2 ripe bananas
I came across this recipe in a local newspaper about 10 years ago, and I still make the bread on a regular basis. The recipe conveniently yields a number of mini loaves, making gift-giving easy. —Linda Wood, Roanoke, Virginia
Peanut Butter-Banana Yogurt ParfaitsCalls for: 2 ripe bananas
For a lightening-fast breakfast, I layer vanilla yogurt with bananas, peanuts and multigrain cereal. It’s crunchy, easy and perfect for kids. —Teresa Miller, Hamilton, Indiana
Banana-Nut Bundt CakeCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
Each slice of this cake has a temptingly tropical twist. If you'd like, sprinkle confectioners' sugar over the top. —June Yeates, Bradley, Illinois
Banana SquaresCalls for: 2-3 ripe bananas
When we were first married, my husband was in the Navy. Stationed in Puerto Rico, we had banana trees growing in our yard, so I found ways to use dozens of ripe bananas at a time. I made these banana squares often. They freeze well and make a great snack to have on hand when friends drop in for coffee. —Susan Miller, Raleigh, North Carolina
Southern Banana PuddingCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
This old southern banana pudding recipe features a comforting custard layered with sliced bananas and vanilla wafers, then topped with meringue. I serve it year-round. —Jan Campbell, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Egg-Free Double Chocolate Banana MuffinsCalls for: 2-3 ripe bananas
I am always looking to use up the brown bananas on my counter. My usual go-to was banana nut bread, but when my youngest developed an egg allergy I had to come up with something different. Since bananas and chocolate are so good together I decided to make these muffins. You would never be able to tell they are egg-free. —Danielle Siero, Farmington, Michigan
Roasted Banana & Pecan CheesecakeCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
We keep bananas on hand, but with just two of us in the house they ripen faster than we can eat them. That makes them perfect for roasting and baking into this cheesecake with a nutty crust. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
Brown Sugar & Banana OatmealCalls for: 1 ripe banana
Oatmeal is a favorite breakfast food, quick, easy and filling. I came up with this version by using some of the same ingredients from my favorite breakfast smoothie. Add bran cereal for a heartier taste and more fiber. A brown sugar substitute and soy milk also blend in well. —Jessi Rizzi, Odenton, Maryland
Potluck Banana CakeCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
I found this recipe more than five years ago and have been making it for family gatherings ever since. The coffee-flavored frosting complements the moist banana cake. —Kathy Hoffman, Topton, Pennsylvania
Banana Macadamia MuffinsCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
These muffins taste even better the next day, so to save time, I often make them the night before. They stay moist for days. —Stasha Wampler, Clinchport, Virginia
Banana Split Cake BarsCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
Summer isn’t summer without a banana split or two, and these fun bars bring that same delicious flavor in potluck-perfect form. —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming
Pear-Blueberry Ambrosia with Creamy Lime DressingCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
This dessert is delicious and decadent, yet is chock-full of healthy fruit with a creamy lime dressing; the blueberries provide a lovely pop of color. —Laura Stricklin, Jackson, Mississippi
Banana Oatmeal CookiesCalls for: 2 ripe bananas
My mom made these oatmeal banana cookies when I was young. Now my children like making them just as much as I did, and we quadruple the recipe to serve our large family. You can't eat just one of these goodies packed with chocolate morsels. —Jaqueline Wilson, Armstrong Creek, Wisconsin
Banana Blueberry PancakesCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
This blueberry pancakes recipe is a favorite in our home. My kids don’t even realize how healthy it is! —Kelly Reinicke, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Cast-Iron Chocolate Chip Banana BreadCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
I love this cast-iron banana bread because it cooks evenly every time. The end result is so moist and delicious! —Ashley Hudd, Holton, Michigan
Frosted Banana BarsCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
These bars are always a hit at potlucks in the small rural farming community where my husband and I live. I also like to provide them for coffee hour after church. They're so moist and delicious that wherever I take them, they don't last long. —Karen Dryak, Niobrara, Nebraska
Quick Bananas FosterCalls for: 3 ripe bananas
Guests are always impressed when I ignite the rum in this delicious bananas Foster dessert. Use perfectly ripe bananas for best results. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah
Banana PuddingCalls for: 4 ripe bananas
I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and burst out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia
Gluten-Free Banana BreadCalls for: 4-5 ripe bananas
This gluten-free banana bread recipe isn't dry and crumbly—it tastes like the real thing. I hope you try it! —Gladys Arnold, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Air-Fryer Breakfast CookiesI used to buy brand-name breakfast cookies from the supermarket, but since I found this recipe, I've enjoyed making my cookies more than buying them. —Linda Burciaga, tasteofhome.com
Apple Banana BreadCalls for: 4-5 ripe bananas
My children love to bake (and eat) all kinds of banana bread. They make this all by themselves, with just a little help from me to put it in the oven. —Kristin Metcalf, Charlton, Massachusetts
