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Bananas are one of the most popular fruits on the planet, which can be used in a variety of ways. If you have a bunch on your counter right now, try one of these easy banana recipes today! From bread to muffins, cakes to pudding, there’s a simple and delicious option for every occasion.
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What can I do with a lot of bananas?
Bananas are incredibly versatile! Mash up the overripe fruit to use in baked goods like banana nut bread or one-bowl banana chocolate chip muffins; layer the sliced fruit in a classic banana pudding; or freeze bananas to enjoy in healthy smoothies for breakfast.
How to Quickly Ripen Bananas
If your recipe calls for overripe bananas, but your fruit isn’t there yet…no worries! You can ripen the bananas in the oven.
To do so, preheat the oven to 300°F. Place bananas (in their peels) on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until mushy and sweet. The banana peels will turn a black, shiny color (and look really weird!), but don’t worry — the insides will be perfect.
Let the mashed banana cool completely before using in your recipe.
Easy Banana Recipes
Let’s get to the recipes! Whether you’re looking for an easy banana bread recipe, an easy banana cake recipe, or an easy banana pudding, then you’ve come to the right place…
Best Ever Banana Nut Bread Recipe
This very moist Banana Nut Bread recipe will soon become a staple in your kitchen! The flavorful, sweet loaf is full of mashed bananas, crunchy walnuts, and a hint of warm spices for the perfect make-ahead breakfast or afternoon snack. File this one away, because it is truly the best!
Easy Banana Dump Cake
Calling all banana lovers! This easy and delicious banana dump cake is moist and flavorful. Like a cross between a cinnamon streusel cake and a crisp or cobbler, the warm dessert is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Hummingbird Cake Recipe
This classic Southern Hummingbird Cake is the perfect easy dessert, tea time snack, or sweet breakfast treat! The moist spice cake is full of crunchy pecans, juicy pineapple, and fresh mashed banana, and then finished off with a rich homemade cream cheese frosting. Prepare the old fashioned hummingbird cake recipe as a sheet cake, or as a classic layer cake for your next Sunday supper, potluck meal, or holiday celebration!
One-Bowl Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Have some overripe bananas sitting on the counter? Let’s bake a batch of muffins! These tender and moist banana chocolate chip muffins are a quick and easy breakfast or snack. With just 10 minutes of prep and a single bowl, you can even make them in advance and keep them stashed in the freezer for grab-and-go mornings.
Chunky Monkey Protein Smoothie
Loaded with chocolate, peanut butter and banana, this 5-Minute Chunky Monkey Protein Smoothie is a healthy breakfast or satisfying snack to fuel you through your day!
Zucchini Banana Bread
This moist zucchini banana bread will soon become a staple in your kitchen! The flavorful, sweet loaf is full of mashed bananas, flecks of fresh summer zucchini, and plenty of warm spices, for the perfect make-ahead breakfast or afternoon snack. File this one away, because it is truly the best!
Bananas Foster Protein Shake
A low calorie Bananas Foster Protein Shake is a healthy breakfast to start the day! Bananas, rum extract, warm spices and caramel sauce give this smoothie all of the flavors of your favorite Southern dessert — minus the guilt!
Buttermilk Banana Bread
Buttermilk banana bread is light, fluffy, moist, and flavorful. With a tender crumb and a sweet cinnamon-sugar topping, it’s the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, snack, or dessert!
Banana Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Banana Peanut Butter Overnight Oats with Greek yogurt are thick, creamy, and incredibly delicious! The healthy breakfast is loaded with protein, fat and fiber for a satisfying and nutritious meal that you can prepare in advance for busy mornings.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
This healthy Strawberry Banana Smoothie is made with yogurt, fruit and milk for a simple and satisfying breakfast or snack that your kids will adore! It’s a great way to take advantage of those overripe bananas that are sitting on the counter, and it comes together in less than 5 minutes!
The Perfect One Bowl Whole Wheat Banana Bread
This low calorie One Bowl Whole Wheat Banana Bread comes together in about 10 minutes with just a handful of basic pantry staples! It’s a quick and easy make ahead breakfast or snack that the whole family loves.
3-Ingredient Healthy Banana Pancakes
In search of healthy breakfast ideas? These 3-Ingredient Healthy Banana Pancakes — are the perfect easy breakfast and your kids will love them!
Banana Blueberry Smoothie
A simple and healthy Banana Blueberry Smoothie is an easy breakfast or snack that the kids go crazy for! Made with fruit, Greek yogurt and milk, the quick and refreshing smoothie is full of good-for-you protein, fiber and nutrients. Perfect way to start the day!
Easy Banana Muffins
Put those overripe bananas to good use with the best recipe for Easy Banana Muffins! These simple, one-bowl, moist banana muffins are a perfect make-ahead breakfast or snack — and they’re freezer-friendly, too! Best of all, they rise high and have tall, puffy, sugar-coated domes. Add chocolate chips, nuts, or blueberries for the ultimate bakery-style treat!
Quick and Easy Banana Pudding
This quick and easy Banana Pudding just might be the perfect dessert! The no-bake treat requires only 5 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep for a cool, creamy, sweet treat that you can assemble in advance. With Nilla wafers, Jello instant pudding, ripe bananas, and Cool Whip, this semi homemade banana pudding recipe is ideal for those days when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen!
Whole Wheat Banana Blueberry Muffins
With one taste of these nutritious whole wheat banana blueberry muffins, you’ll never buy a boxed mix again! Combine the batter in about 10 minutes for a warm batch of tender, bakery-style muffins that are studded with sweet, juicy berries, oatmeal, warm spices, and a hint of maple syrup. This is truly the best blueberry muffin recipe that you will ever make!
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
This moist chocolate chip banana bread will soon become a staple in your kitchen! The flavorful, sweet loaf is full of mashed bananas and studded with rich chocolate chips for the perfect make-ahead breakfast or afternoon snack. File this one away, because it is truly the best!
So there you go — a collection of our favorite ripe banana recipes! I’d love to know if you give one of these a try. Leave a comment below to share your favorite ways to use bananas, too! We can all use some more options…
Thank you for the tip about ripening them in the oven. I never heard of that before! Then I can freeze them til I’m ready to make something. How do I know when they’re ‘done”?
Hi Marion,
You’ll know the bananas are ready when the fruit is soft and the peel is black.
You are really amazing.
I love your cookings.
Thank you!