10 recipes to make with overripe bananas (besides banana bread)

four images of banana recipes
Simplemost

Once ripe, bananas are only good for a matter of days. I’ve always struggled with using up a full bunch of bananas before they go bad, and I have learned the hard way not to let ripe bananas sit on the counter for too long (my family won’t soon forget the Great Fruit Fly Infestation of 2015).

Rather than throw those overripe bananas away, here are some ingenious and delicious recipes that can help you to get the most of nature’s candy. We also recommend storing your ‘nanners on a banana stand to keep them fresher for longer!

rose gold banana stand
Amazon

$15.99 at Amazon

1. Banana Fritters

These easy fritters are a delectable cross between a sweet hushpuppy and a miniature beignet. Get the recipe from Small Town Woman:

banana fritters
Small Town Woman

MORE: Banana bread brownies combine two tasty treats

2. Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding

New York’s Magnolia Bakery is world-famous for its banana pudding. Fortunately for all of us, food blogger Christy Denney — aka “The Girl Who Ate Everything” — recreated the recipe at home so we can make it, too!

banana pudding
The Girl Who Ate Everything

3. No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake

This is a great dish to make when you are craving dessert but you don’t want to crank up the oven to bake something. From Beyond Frosting, this recipe is straightforward and easy-to-follow, and it combines vanilla wafers, heavy cream, bananas and cream cheese for a dish that is as decadent as it sounds. Perfect for a summer splurge!

No-Bake-Banana-Pudding-Cheesecake-033
Beyond Frosting

4. Banana Curry

Overripe bananas can help bring some Caribbean flavor to a boring weeknight dinner. With this recipe from British grocer Tesco, you can combine bananas with apples, curry powder, cashew nuts and cilantro to transform dinner into something truly memorable.

banana curry
Tesco

5. Homemade Banana Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips

Cooks in the know are well aware that frozen bananas can be a simple way to create homemade ice cream. With this recipe for banana ice cream with chocolate chips from Well Plated, you can satisfy your sweet tooth while still getting a boost of potassium.

homemade banana ice cream
Well Plated by Erin

Or check out this vegan option for 2-Ingredient Strawberry Banana Ice Cream from Two Peas and Their Pod.

strawberry banana ice cream
Two Peas and their Pod

MORE: ‘Invisible’ banana French toast recipe has flavor you can’t see

6. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

OK, the title alone probably has you drooling, right? Well, this recipe gets even better! According to author and food blogger Chocolate Covered Katie, this smoothie tastes just like a peanut butter milkshake. A delicious, icy treat with no guilt? Yes, please.

peanut butter protein shake
Chocolate Covered Katie

7. Coconut Lime Banana Bread with Lime Glaze

Sure, everyone makes banana bread with overripe bananas, but this recipe from Good Life Eats is a decadent and grown-up twist on the classic. Lime, coconut and banana are three of nature’s most epic flavors, and when combined together, they pack a palatable punch.

coconut lime banana bread
Good Life Eats

8. Banana Chips

Banana chips are the treat you never knew you wanted, but once you have them, you will never reach for a bag of Doritos again. (Okay, well, maybe you will, but you will probably wind up wishing you had banana chips instead!) Check out this recipe from YouTube channel Grandma’s Menu:

MORE: Make banana oatmeal cookies with your overripe bananas

9. Moist Chiquita Banana Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe

I know it sounds strange, but bear with me. The bananas in this recipe don’t compete with or mask the traditional red-velvet flavor, but rather they keep the cake moist and succulent. Get the recipe from Preppy Kitchen:

banana red velvet cupcakes
Preppy Kitchen

10. Banana Espresso Chocolate Chip Muffins

These muffins are heavenly and pair perfectly with a morning cup of coffee. This recipe by Tessa Arias of Handle the Heat calls them tender, moist and loaded with flavor. Say no more!

banana espresso chocolate chip muffins
Handle the Heat

Desserts, Food, Recipes
, ,

Related posts

Souper Kitchen Saver
22 products that will make cooking so much simpler
Caraway cookware review: Is the set worth it?
bananas on kitchen table
How to keep bananas fresh so they don't turn brown
woman cooking
You can get paid $2,000 to make delicious desserts at home

About the Author
Bridget Sharkey
Bridget Sharkey is a freelance writer covering pop culture, beauty, food, health and nature.

From our partners