Here’s How To Keep Your Bananas For Longer Even After They’ve Started Getting Mushy
If you've been discarding your overripe bananas, this is especially for you! Food waste remains a worldwide concern and although it may sound cliche, the change starts from you! Bananas are one of the most commonly wasted food items because browning typically sets in as soon as they start ripening. Below, we have outlined the appropriate way to store overripe bananas so you'll always have some on hand for yummy smoothies and of course, banana bread!
The secret is freezing! Freezing overripe bananas requires little to no know-how and has proven very effective in curbing the wastage of bananas. Frozen bananas can be used in numerous recipes; some of them are ice cream, smoothies, breakfast yogurt bowls, cakes, homemade banana bread and so many others. What's not to love?!
Here is a step-by-step guide to freezing bananas:
1. Peel the bananas
Peeling is the first step to storing your bananas and it must be done cleanly and swiftly, no technical knowledge required.
2. Choose whole or sliced bananas
Next, you may choose to keep your bananas while or slice them for easy use. This will help you manage freezer space but it is not a necessity as some people prefer their frozen bananas while. Although whole bananas take up more storage space, they're a smidgen easier to freeze and you'll know exactly how many you have, making it easier to follow specifications required by recipes.
3. Freezing
To freeze whole bananas:
- Place a piece of parchment paper in between each banana to prevent them from sticking together.
- Transfer to a freezer bag
Freeze.
To freeze banana slices:
- Arrange the slices on a piece of parchment paper that's been placed on a plate or a half sheet pan.
- Place the banana slices in the freezer for two hours or until they are completely solid.
- Once solid, transfer frozen banana slices into a resealable freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as possible.
- Freeze.
Following these steps prevent the bananas, whether whole or in slices, from clumping together to form a mass during storage.
On a final note, here are two important tips to keep in mind when freezing bananas.
1. Always label and date all containers
Like other food items, make sure to label your bags of whole or sliced bananas before placing them in the freezer. This way, you'll be able to monitor freshness and also determine whether they're still safe for consumption.
2. Freeze the bananas IMMEDIATELY after peeling
Preparing your bananas for freezing takes little time and rightly so too! Once you have peeled your bananas, wrap them quickly and transfer to a freezer as overripe bananas tend to brown quickly if left out in open air. However, in a situation where your bananas have already been exposed for too long to open air, drizzle some lemon juice over them to eliminate bacteria and browning.
Goodluck!
