• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Simple Green Smoothies
  • Recipes
  • Challenge
  • About
  • Protein
  • Meal Plans
  • Ingredients
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Challenge
  • About
  • Protein
  • Meal Plans
  • Ingredients
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Challenge
  • About
  • Protein
  • Meal Plans
  • Ingredients
×

Home » How to

How to Freeze Bananas

Published on 5.17.2022 by Jen Hansard

INSTRUCTIONS RATE IT
fresh bananas on a table ready for freezing

Bananas are for sure a staple in my house. The ones that don't get eaten immediately get tossed into smoothies, snacks, baking, etc. Yet this Florida heat makes them ripen quickly, and I can't always enjoy them before they get too spotted for my liking. So I learned how to freeze bananas.

Freezing bananas allows you to use them when you need them and not worry about having a recipe ready when they ripen. I love adding frozen banana pieces to smoothies, and I love the banana peels in my compost!

chopped banana pieces on a parchment lined tray

How to Freeze Bananas

This is such a simple trick to making sure you've always got perfectly ripe bananas on hand.

I like to chop up my peeled bananas before storing them in the freezer, making them easier to keep and easier to add to the blender.

I use a parchment-lined baking tray with sides when freezing bananas since I don't want to find them in the bottom of the freezer the next time I clean it out. Make sure you let them freeze for at least 30 minutes before storing them.

putting frozen banana pieces into a freezer save bag with date

Store the pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container until you're ready to use them. Then take out what you want when ready for a smoothie or baking.

If you are prepping smoothies ahead of time (placing all fresh smoothie ingredients aside from liquid in a jar and freezing), then no need to freeze the bananas before you prep. They will do just fine in your jars, fresh or frozen.

freezing fresh fruit for smoothies

Freezing Whole Bananas

While sliced bananas are easier to store, you can freeze them whole. Peel them, then freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet for at least 30 minutes. Make sure you have a freezer-safe storage bag big enough for whole bananas.

When you're ready to use them, take out the quantity you need and allow them to thaw at least slightly before use. Pro tip: if you aren't using a high-powered blender, that whole, frozen banana may have a hard time blending. I recommend freezing bananas in pieces to help out that blender.

4 bananas in a row, the far left one is yellow with slight green on it, next is yellow with some spots, third is half brown and half yellow, the fourth is completely brown and visibly smaller.

When to Freeze Bananas

How ripe are your fav bananas? Are we talking green and hard to peel or brown and questionable? If I want to eat a banana on the go, it needs to be yellow, with no brown spots, and I'm not mad if it is slightly green. Yet if I'm freezing bananas for smoothies, baking and more, then riper is better.

Even if your bananas look like the all brown photo on the far right, you can still freeze them! They will be super sweet editions to whatever you are making. Unripe or green bananas have a lower glycemic index (30 out of 100), while riper bananas score around 60 out of 100. Green bananas still have nutrients, yet they can be harder to digest. The riper the banana, the easier it is on your digestive system.

The Healthy Side of Bananas

Bananas are loaded with potassium, fiber and B vitamins, so if you freeze them when ripe, you'll lock in many of those key nutrients.

Every banana contains three different kinds of sugar. Glucose and fructose are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, so they’ll give you an energy boost fast. Sucrose is slower to break down, keeping your blood sugar level stable and ensuring you don’t suffer the crash of other sweet treats like candy and soda.

How to Freeze Bananas FAQs

What is the best way to freeze fresh bananas?

I peel + roughly chop the bananas. Then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes. Once frozen, place them into freezer-safe bags until you're ready to use them.

Can you freeze whole bananas?

Definitely. I like to freeze whole bananas when I'm saving them for banana or zucchini bread. That way, I grab the correct quantity when I'm ready to use them.

Can you put fresh bananas in the freezer?

Yes! Just peel them beforehand, so you don't have to mess with a frozen peel.

smoothie recipes that use bananas

Recipes with Bananas

Bananas are super versatile. Use them in virtually any smoothie you want and baked goods and snacks. They can replace eggs in some recipes, enhance flavors, fluff up cookies and make delicious bread.

Smoothies

Banana Smoothie

Blueberry Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Blackberry Smoothie

Chocolate Protein Shake

Almond Smoothie

Almond Butter & 'Jam' Smoothie

Flaxseed Smoothie

Snacks

Chocolate Covered Banana Bites

Protein Bars

Overnight Oats

How do you like to use bananas? Leave a comment and let me know!

how to freeze bananas

How to Freeze Bananas

5 from 2 votes
Leave a Review Print Version
This no-fail way to freeze bananas allows you to always have perfectly ripe bananas on hand for smoothies, baking and more.
Total Time40 minutes
Yields5 bananas

Equipment

  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper

Supplies

  • 5 bananas

Instructions

  • Once your bananas have reached your preferred ripeness, peel each banana and slice in 1-2 inch pieces.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper then place the sliced bananas on the sheet so that they aren't touching each other.
  • Freeze banana slices for 30 minutes or until completely frozen. Store in a freezer-safe container until you're ready to use.

Notes

  • Labeling the storage containers with how many whole bananas are in them, or how many pieces make up a whole banana can be useful when needing a certain measurement.
  • Freeze for up to 6 months.
  • You can freeze the peeled bananas whole, yet note you may need to wait for them to thaw to use.
  • Bananas may turn brown in the freezer and that is OKAY. They didn't go bad or get too ripe, that's just what happens. 

How-To Recipes

Love learning how to use more plants in your life? Then you'll want to learn how to:

Freeze Spinach

Make a Smoothie Thicker

Make a Flax Egg

Cut a Mango

Clean a Blender

« 15+ Healthy Fruit Smoothies
Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Honesti

    May 20, 2022 at 8:51 pm

    Frozen bananas are amazing and I've been freezing them for years as well. Since there is so much plastic waste damaging this planet and wildlife, especially single use plastic, I do what I can to avoid using disposable plastic anything. I use reusable/recyclable Ziploc screw top containers. I've used the same containers for 5+ years and they've been great. I use a small piece of paper masking tape to write the date on for reference. I've found no need to freeze them separately. Just peel them, leave them whole and only cut them to size to fit in the quart container. To use them, I just cut the chunk sizes needed.

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      May 23, 2022 at 2:44 pm

      Hey Honesti,

      That's a great suggestion and I love that you're so mindful of our amazing planet and keeping it green! You Rawk!

  2. Erin

    May 17, 2022 at 1:42 pm

    5 stars
    This is helpful! I've frozen my bananas for years, but usually just toss them in a bag and deal with the frozen clumps later. Now I'm going to add the step of freezing on parchment paper first, so they won't all freeze together!

    Reply
  3. Aletia

    May 17, 2022 at 11:36 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for the information on how to freeze bananas!

    Reply

Leave a Comment & Rating! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate the Recipe




Primary Sidebar

Jen hansard blogger at Simple Green Smoothies About

I'm Jen Hansard, mom of two, plant-based foodie, adventure junkie + cookbook author.

ABOUT ME
COOKBOOK
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS Feed
  • Best Green Smoothie Recipe
  • Classic Vegan Pizza Recipe
  • Austinite Vegan Tacos
  • Healthy Blueberry Smoothie
  • Anti Inflammatory Smoothie
  • Fat Burning Smoothies for Weight Loss

Get my brand new, FREE 10-Day Smoothie Plan delivered to your inbox. Sign up →

  • How to Meal Prep Smoothies
  • How to Freeze Spinach
  • Top 10 Superfoods List of 2022
  • Best Blenders for Smoothies
  • How To Make Almond Milk
  • Plant Based Protein Powder for Smoothies

Top-quality smoothie supplies to make this healthy habit stick and transform your life.
Shop now →

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Footer

RECIPES

CHALLENGE

TOP BLENDERS

SMOOTHIE SHOP

MEAL PLANNER

CONTACT

©Simple Green Smoothies

Affiliate | Privacy | Terms