The humble banana – it’s a fruit that’s always there for us, waiting to be eaten, baked, or… well, let’s be real, turned into a million different delicious things. But what happens when our bananas get a little too ripe? We’ve all been there – staring down at a bunch of brown, spotty bananas, wondering what on earth to do with them. Well, wonder no more, friend! Today, we’re talking about 20 unexpected ways to use overripe bananas, and I’m excited to share these ripe banana recipes with you.
So, what makes these recipes so special? For starters, they’re all super easy to make, and they’re perfect for using up those overripe bananas that would otherwise go to waste. Plus, they’re all pretty versatile – you can freeze bananas and use them in smoothies, or bake them into sweet treats. The possibilities are endless!
Recipe 1: Banana Oat Pancakes
These fluffy pancakes are the perfect way to start your day, and they’re made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- Optional: chocolate chips or nuts
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Add in the oats, egg, and milk, and stir until combined.
3. Cook on a griddle like regular pancakes.
Why You’ll Love It:
These pancakes are moist, delicious, and packed with banana goodness. Plus, they’re a great way to use up those overripe bananas – just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 2: Banana “Nice” Cream
This one’s a game-changer for all you banana lovers out there.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 frozen bananas
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- Optional: honey or maple syrup
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Blend those frozen bananas into a creamy consistency.
2. Add in the cocoa powder and blend until combined.
3. Taste and add sweetener if needed.
Why You’ll Love It:
This banana “nice” cream is a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream, and it’s made with frozen bananas. Just freeze bananas and blend – easy peasy!
Recipe 3: Banana Chia Seed Pudding
This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy breakfast or snack.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 1 cup almond milk
- Optional: honey or vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mix the chia seeds and almond milk in a jar.
2. Mash in that ripe banana and stir until combined.
3. Refrigerate until thickened.
Why You’ll Love It:
This pudding is packed with banana goodness and chia seed benefits. Plus, it’s super easy to make – just freeze bananas if you want to make it ahead of time.
Recipe 4: Banana Bread French Toast
This recipe is a fun twist on traditional French toast.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 slices of bread
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- Optional: cinnamon or nutmeg
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Dip your bread slices in the banana mixture and cook in a skillet.
3. Top with syrup, honey, or fresh banana slices.
Why You’ll Love It:
This French toast is moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 5: Banana and Peanut Butter Smoothie
This smoothie is a classic for a reason – it’s creamy, delicious, and packed with banana goodness.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- Optional: honey or protein powder
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Blend those bananas and peanut butter until smooth.
2. Add in the almond milk and blend until combined.
3. Taste and add sweetener if needed.
Why You’ll Love It:
This smoothie is a great way to use up those overripe bananas – just freeze bananas and blend. Plus, it’s packed with peanut butter and banana flavor.
Recipe 6: Banana and Honey Muffins
These muffins are the perfect way to start your day, and they’re made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- Optional: nuts or chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the flour, sugar, and honey until combined.
3. Scoop into muffin tin and bake until golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These muffins are moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 7: Banana and Avocado Salsa
This salsa is a fun twist on traditional salsa recipes.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 avocado
- 1/2 cup red onion
- 1 jalapeño pepper
- Optional: cilantro or lime juice
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas and avocado in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the red onion and jalapeño pepper until combined.
3. Taste and add lime juice if needed.
Why You’ll Love It:
This salsa is creamy, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those overripe bananas – just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 8: Banana and Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and they’re made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Optional: nuts or oats
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the flour, sugar, and chocolate chips until combined.
3. Scoop onto baking sheet and bake until golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These cookies are moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 9: Banana and Cinnamon Swirl Bread
This bread is a fun twist on traditional banana bread recipes.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar
- Optional: nuts or chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the flour, sugar, and cinnamon sugar until combined.
3. Scoop into loaf pan and bake until golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
This bread is moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those overripe bananas – just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 10: Banana and Peanut Butter Bars
These bars are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and they’re made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- Optional: nuts or chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the peanut butter, sugar, and honey until combined.
3. Press into pan and refrigerate until set.
Why You’ll Love It:
These bars are creamy, delicious, and packed with peanut butter and banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 11: Banana and Coconut Cream Pie
This pie is a fun twist on traditional cream pie recipes.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- Optional: nuts or chocolate shavings
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the coconut cream, sugar, and honey until combined.
3. Pour into pie crust and refrigerate until set.
Why You’ll Love It:
This pie is creamy, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those overripe bananas – just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 12: Banana and Oat Crumble
This crumble is the perfect way to use up those overripe bananas, and it’s made with frozen bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- Optional: nuts or cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the oats, sugar, and honey until combined.
3. Top with crumble mixture and bake until golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
This crumble is moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 13: Banana and Chocolate Chip Muffin Tops
These muffin tops are the perfect way to start your day, and they’re made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Optional: nuts or oats
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the flour, sugar, and chocolate chips until combined.
3. Scoop onto baking sheet and bake until golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These muffin tops are moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 14: Banana and Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
These donuts are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and they’re made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar
- Optional: nuts or chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the flour, sugar, and cinnamon sugar until combined.
3. Fry until golden and dust with cinnamon sugar.
Why You’ll Love It:
These donuts are moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 15: Banana and Peanut Butter Granola
This granola is the perfect way to start your day, and it’s made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- Optional: nuts or chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the oats, peanut butter, and honey until combined.
3. Bake until golden and crunchy.
Why You’ll Love It:
This granola is crunchy, delicious, and packed with peanut butter and banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 16: Banana and Coconut Macaroons
These macaroons are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and they’re made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- Optional: nuts or chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the coconut, sugar, and honey until combined.
3. Scoop into balls and bake until golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These macaroons are moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 17: Banana and Oat Energy Balls
These energy balls are the perfect way to fuel your day, and they’re made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- Optional: nuts or chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the oats, peanut butter, and honey until combined.
3. Roll into balls and refrigerate until set.
Why You’ll Love It:
These energy balls are no-bake, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 18: Banana and Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
This coffee cake is the perfect way to start your day, and it’s made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Optional: nuts or cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the flour, sugar, and chocolate chips until combined.
3. Scoop into pan and bake until golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
This coffee cake is moist, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 19: Banana and Peanut Butter Crepes
These crepes are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth, and they’re made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- Optional: nuts or chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the flour, peanut butter, and honey until combined.
3. Cook in a skillet until golden and roll up.
Why You’ll Love It:
These crepes are delicate, delicious, and packed with peanut butter and banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
Recipe 20: Banana and Cinnamon Sugar Waffles
These waffles are the perfect way to start your day, and they’re made with overripe bananas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar
- Optional: nuts or chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
2. Mix in the flour, sugar, and cinnamon sugar until combined.
3. Cook in a waffle iron until golden and crispy.
Why You’ll Love It:
These waffles are crispy, delicious, and packed with banana flavor. Just freeze bananas and thaw when you need them.
In conclusion, these 20 unexpected ways to use overripe bananas are perfect for anyone looking to reduce food waste and get creative in the kitchen. From banana bread to banana “nice” cream, there’s something on this list for everyone. So next time you’re staring down at a bunch of brown, spotty bananas, don’t throw them away – get baking (or blending, or cooking…), and enjoy the delicious results! These ripe banana recipes are not only delicious, but they’re also convenient, easy to make, and packed with banana flavor. So go ahead, give them a try, and see what you can create with those overripe bananas!
