How Many Bananas Are in a Cup? Here’s How to Measure Bananas
Updated: Jan. 07, 2024
From the perfect loaf of banana bread to banana pudding, having the right amount of bananas matters. Here's how to measure them!
Bananas are one of the most versatile ingredients for baking, whether you’re using them to add flavor and texture or as a baking substitution. From classic banana bread to other treats like banana bars, banana cake or banana oat muffins, they’re the star of the show. But how exactly do you measure bananas for a recipe?
Often, a recipe will call for an amount of mashed banana or chopped or sliced bananas. But how many bananas does that come down to? It’s tricky to tell just by looking at them!
How to Figure Out How Many Bananas Are in a Cup
To help determine how many bananas you need, use the guide below:
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- 1/2 banana: 1/3 cup chopped | 1/4 cup mashed
- 1 banana: 2/3 cup chopped | 1/2 cup mashed
- 1-1/2 bananas: 1 cup chopped | 3/4 cup mashed
- 2 bananas: 1-1/3 cups chopped | 1 cup mashed
- 3 bananas: 2 cups chopped | 1-1/2 cups mashed
- 4 bananas: 2-2/3 cups chopped | 2 cups mashed
Hoping for a loaf of banana bread that’s bursting with flavor? Don’t add more banana than the recipe calls for. Mixing in an additional banana can cause banana bread or another banana bake to become too dense or mushy. Use incredibly ripe bananas for best results.
Using less banana in a recipe can also change its flavor and texture. Multiple bananas add great flavor and moisture to a recipe, but they also help bind together ingredients and provide body.
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!
Tips for Measuring Bananas
What size banana should you use?
You’ll find a range of banana sizes at the grocery store. To use the measurements above, it’s best to select medium bananas that are 7-8 inches in length. If you end up with larger bananas, resulting in more mashed or sliced bananas, simply save the remaining bananas for another recipe.
Can you mash or slice bananas ahead of time?
Want to prep part of your banana recipe ahead of time? Go for it! Bananas do begin to oxidize (aka turn brown) after being introduced to air, but an airtight bag or container can eliminate that. Once you have overripe bananas, peel them, mash them up or slice them, toss them in a resealable bag and put them in the freezer. You’ll have mashed or sliced bananas ready to go when it’s time to bake, or even to use in smoothies.
What if I don’t have enough bananas?
For many recipes, you can use a substitute for bananas. While you won’t be able to achieve the same flavor for banana bread or banana pudding, you can use a substitute in other banana desserts. Use 1/2 cup of applesauce to replace one banana or Greek yogurt instead of mashed banana.
Recipes That Call for Ripe Bananas
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 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 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 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
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
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
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
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
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
Originally Published: March 18, 2022
