Don't throw bananas out if you have too many to use.Bananas make a great addition to baked goods.If you want to use your bananas for a smoothie, slice them into coins and freeze them on a baking sheet.If you are going to bake with bananas, you can save yourself some time by freezing them whole.
Step 1: Before you freeze them, let your bananas mature.
Bananas look yellow when they are ripe.It is okay to let the bananas get spotted or brown before you freeze them, but not when they are still green.
Step 2: The bananas need to be removed.
Bananas will turn black and slimy in the freezer if you leave the peel on them.You can get the peel off with a knife, but it will be very difficult.
Step 3: The bananas are about 2.5 cm thick.
If you slice your bananas thicker, they will take a little longer to freeze, but it will save you time on the slicing.You can cut your bananas in any way you want.
Step 4: The slices should be placed on a baking sheet.
When the pieces freeze, try to have a little space between them.If you are trying to freeze a bunch of bananas, you may need more than one tray.If you line the baking sheet with paper, it will be easier to remove the banana slices.The reason we freeze them on a baking sheet is so they don't form a lump of frozen banana.
Step 5: Bananas can be frozen for an hour.
Place the baking sheets in the freezer.To get the trays to fit, you may have to rearrange the items in the freezer.The bananas should be back in about an hour.Check again after another half an hour if they are not frozen solid.If you poke a piece, you can see if they are done.It needs more time if it is squishy.
Step 6: You should put the frozen banana pieces in a bag labeled with the date.
Remove the air from the bag and put the coins in a freezer safe.You don't want to leave bananas in your freezer for years if you label the bag with the date you froze them.You should use a spatula to remove the bananas from the baking sheet.
Step 7: You can use your frozen bananas in a smoothie within 6 months.
Pull a few pieces of frozen banana from the bag in your freezer the next time you make a beverage.They will turn into a cold, creamy treat if you stick them in the blender.
Step 8: If you let your bananas get ripe, they will be over ripe.
If you want a green banana, don't freeze it.Use a yellow or spotted banana.You can freeze an over-ripe banana if the peel is brown, because they are so sweet.If your banana is too ripe to be liquid, you should toss it.
Step 9: Put all of your bananas in a container.
Don't freeze a banana.The peel will turn black and slimy, which will look gross, and you will have to use a knife to slice it off.Your future self will appreciate the small amount of extra work you have put in.If you have compost, compost your peels.
Step 10: The bananas should be kept whole or mashed first.
You can leave the bananas whole and mash them later.If you prefer, you can mash them now.Put your bananas in a bowl and mash them with a fork.If you want to preserve the banana's color, add a few drops of lemon juice.The color doesn't matter since this is for baking.If you have a lot of bananas, it may be easier to puree them in a food processor or blender, but they are soft enough to be mashed by hand.
Step 11: You can freeze your bananas in a freezer bag.
Place the bananas into a freezer bag.Before you seal it, make sure the air is out of the bag.If you want to know how long the bananas have been in your freezer, write the date on your bag with a permanent marker.Just put the bag in the freezer.
Step 12: Within 6 months, use your bananas in baked goods.
Before you bake, take your bananas out of the freezer and put them on a plate on the counter.If you haven't used your frozen bananas in 6 months, it's time to toss them.You can bake banana bread or banana muffins with your bananas.The bananas should be easy to mash with a fork if you stored them whole.