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In case you’re wondering if you can freeze bananas?  The short answer is – yep, you sure can! Learn How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies, oatmeal, banana nut bread and muffins with this easy hack.A plastic freezer bag filled with sliced fruit.

Freezing bananas is super easy and it’s great to have them on hand to toss into smoothies to make them ultra rich and creamy! 

Several slices of frozen banana on a cookie sheet.

Can You Freeze Bananas?

Yes!!  You absolutely can!  You’ll want to use organic bananas that are fully ripe with a little browning.  These add so much flavor and just the right amount of sweetness to smoothies, oatmeal, banana bread and more.

How to Freeze Bananas

  • Peel the bananas: Peel  ripe organic bananas and discard the peel
  • Slice bananas:  Slice bananas into in 1/2 – 1-1/2 inch pieces (they don’t have to be perfectly sized)
  • Cookie sheet:  Lay the banana slices in a single layer on a cookie sheet (you can lay down a piece of parchment paper first if you want).
  • Freeze:  Put the cookie sheet with the banana slices in the freezer for 2o minutes 
  • Loosen banana slices:  After 20 minutes lift the banana pieces up from the baking sheet with a spatula so they won’t stick during the remaining freeze time. Then pop them back in the freezer to freeze for about 2 hours
  • Transfer to freezer bag:  Use a spatula to loosen the frozen banana slices from the cookie sheet and transfer them to a plastic freezer bag
  • Store in freezer: Store in an air-tight container or bag in the freezer for up to 6 months.

A freezer bag filled with slices of frozen bananas. A knife and a peeled banana sits next to the plastic bag.

How Do You Use Frozen Bananas?

  • Add a fistful to your morning smoothies
  • Blend them in a blender or food processor to make “ice cream”
  • Add to banana nut bread or muffin batter 
  • Toss them in oatmeal as it simmers on the stove
  • Add them to pancake batter 

How Do You Thaw Them?

If you will be using them to bake with, then you’ll want to thaw them first. 

  • Remove the amount of frozen bananas you’ll be using.
  • Place them in a bowl to thaw on their own or keep the frozen slices in baggie and soak baggie is a bowl filled with warm water.
  • Mash with a fork or potato masher before they are fully thawed

A freezer bag filled with frozen banana slices.

Are Bananas Good For You? 

Bananas are rich with fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin C and antioxidants.  One medium size banana contains approximately 422 mg of potassium.

Smoothies with Frozen Bananas

More Cooking Resources

A freezer bag filled with frozen banana slices.
Yield: 2 servings

How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies

Prep Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Here’s an easy hack on How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies.  Adding frozen organic bananas to your smoothies makes them deliciously rich and creamy.

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced in 1/2 to 1-1/2 inch pieces

Instructions

  1. Spread the banana pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet
  2. Freeze for 20 minutes then using a spatula - lift them from the cookie sheet so they don't stick
  3. Freeze uncovered for 2 hours
  4. Using a metal spatula, loosen the banana pieces from the cookie sheet
  5. Transfer to a freezer safe bag or container
  6. Store in the freezer

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 105Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 3gSugar: 14gProtein: 1g

theharvestkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate information, however, this nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. The nutritional information provided comes from online sources and calculations.

© Deborah @The Harvest Kitchen
Cuisine: Healthy / Category: Resources