This Is The One Food Ree Drummond Never Eats

I’m sure everyone has a food that they absolutely despise. For me, it’s mashed potatoes. Not fried potatoes or twice-baked potatoes or crispy thin-sliced potatoes that usually come in a bag, but the kind that is mashed and whipped up in a large bowl. It brings me back to some traumatic nights eating mashed potatoes as a kid, and I still can’t seem to eat them with pleasure.

Just like the rest of us, Ree Drummond also has a particular food that she despises. Even after becoming an iconic food television star, writing her blog The Pioneer Woman and opening up her own restaurant, Ree still can’t stand to eat bananas. In her opinion, it’s a food that she “hates, abhors, loathes, and recoils at the sight of.”

Wait, bananas, really?

Really. In a blog entry where she reluctantly shares a recipe for Bananas Foster, Ree shares that she has disliked bananas ever since she was a baby. She claims that it could be genetic, given that her brother and father both share this dislike for the fruit. She admits that in her entire life she has never eaten a whole banana, and if she finds herself accidentally taking a bite of it, she’ll spit it right out into a napkin.

Although she grew up with a fiery dislike of this fruit, her kids haven’t expressed the same dislike. In an interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader, Drummond admits that her kids constantly have to remind her to grab bananas when she’s at the store. Otherwise, she would never remember to grab them and stay far, far away.

But does she ever cook with bananas?

Not usually. Before sharing the recipe for Bananas Foster on her blog, Ree shared only one other recipe containing bananas: Her mom’s banana bread. Even in that blog entry, she mentions how much she despises bananas and “wouldn’t mourn their passing” if they disappeared from the earth forever.

Harsh? When I think about my dislike for mashed potatoes, I can’t help but agree with Ree’s dramatic claim. However, I am sad that Ree will never be able to truly enjoy one of these amazing frosted banana bars. Because wow are they good!

Get more banana recipes.

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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 Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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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

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Also, learn how to store bananas so they last longer for you to make these interesting recipes.

Banana Oat Muffins Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Banana Split Brownies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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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

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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

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Banana Bundt Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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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

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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

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Banana Pound Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Taste of Home

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

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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

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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

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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

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Banana-Nut Bundt Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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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

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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

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Egg-Free Double Chocolate Banana Muffins Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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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

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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

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Potluck Banana Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Taste of Home

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

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Banana Split Cake Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Taste of Home

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

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Banana Oatmeal Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Banana Blueberry Pancakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Cast-Iron Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Frosted Banana Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Quick Bananas Foster Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Banana Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Gluten-Free Banana Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Air-Fryer Breakfast Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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Apple Banana Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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

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