Ripe bananas, even one that has turned brown, are still useful for a variety of purposes. So sit back, and read about ways to use ripe bananas.

Have one or two overripe bananas that you keep forgetting to eat? The riper a banana gets, the sweeter and more intense its flavor will become, making it ideal for use in a wide variety of dishes. They are a popular fruit because they are nutritious, affordable, and widely available.

Keep in mind, though, that these delicious fruits don’t have the longest shelf life and can go bad in a matter of days, depending on their ripeness when you bought them and your storage conditions.

Unlike some other fruits, bananas keep ripening even after they’ve been stored for a while. This nutritious fruit begins its life with a green skin that gradually turns yellow as it ripens. The yellow pigment in its’ skin decays and turns brown as they ripen, a process triggered by the production and release of ethylene gas. 

Here Are 10 Ways to Use Ripe Bananas

1. Blend them into a smoothie

Bananas are a common addition to smoothies. Smoothies made with brown bananas are just as delicious as those made with fresh ones. Brown bananas typically contain more sugar than yellow bananas, which is why they taste sweeter when blended into a smoothie. The only difference you might notice is a slightly darker color and a sweeter flavor.

2. Include them in your bowl of oatmeal

Brown bananas are a natural source of sweetness, and adding them to your oatmeal is a simple way to sweeten it without using white or brown sugar. They are nutrient-dense, which means they’ll supplement your meal with extra fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Brown bananas are a delicious addition to overnight oats, instant pot oatmeal, or instant oatmeal packets.

3. Serve them alongside pancakes

Pancakes and bananas are a common breakfast combination. Cut and adding on top is one method while being folded in during the baking process is another. Some people claim that brown or very ripe bananas make the sweetest, fluffiest pancakes when mixed directly into the batter.

4. Bake them

If you’re a fan of bananas, you probably already know that brown bananas produce the best results when baking banana bread. Enjoy these whole baked bananas and feel the blissful union of soft bananas and chocolate. One of the most typical applications for overripe bananas.

5. Brew banana tea

Bananas and tea might not be the first things that come to mind, but banana tea is a delicious and warming way to get some healthy nutrients, like potassium and magnesium. When deciding whether to include the peel in your banana tea, keep in mind that the peel contains many of the fruit’s healthful antioxidants.

6. Convert them into a frozen dessert

Frozen banana pops are best made with unripe bananas. A firm yellow banana will keep its shape better than a mushy brown one. Good news is that frozen brown bananas can be made into delicious ice creams and enjoyed in other ways besides eating them straight from the freezer.

You can make the best vegan ice cream by freezing banana slices until you have a good amount and then blending them. You can also use those frozen slices to flavor a traditional ice cream recipe.

7. Cook them up

Unlike their close fruit relative to the plantain, they can be cooked on the grill or stovetop. Plantains are sometimes eaten raw but are more commonly cooked. Grilling, sautéing, and baking are just some of the conventional methods that can be used to prepare bananas that have turned brown. However, since these recipes typically call for additional sugar, they should probably be enjoyed in moderation and saved for dessert.

8. You can substitute them for eggs

If you don’t have any eggs on hand, are allergic to them, or are trying to stick to a vegan diet, you can use other ingredients such as applesauce, ground flax seeds, and even mashed brown bananas in their place. Brown bananas, which have been mashed, are the best egg substitute in baking because of their sweetness and binding properties. One small brown banana or half of a large banana can be mashed and used in place of one egg in a recipe.

9. Integrate them into your personal care practices

Most people will throw away the banana’s peel before eating it. Banana peels are often thrown away without a second thought, but you may want to rethink that decision after learning about all the purported benefits they provide for your skin, hair, teeth, first aid, cleaning, and even gardening. Consult your doctor before using banana peels in any kind of treatment or beauty routine. It’s possible they know of other, all-natural options you can explore.

10. Use it as a base for a pudding

Seriously, though, who doesn’t adore pudding? Pudding is the first thing that comes to mind whenever a sweet treat is mentioned. A wide variety of common kitchen items can be used to create this dish. Banana pudding requires only a handful of simple ingredients and can be made and served in a flash.

Brown bananas may look less appetizing, but they are just as nutritious as their yellow counterparts. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all of which are present in brown bananas, are still good for you. Pick ones with a bit of green at the tips if you want to eat them all week long; you can ripen them in your own kitchen. Small black spots on the skin of the banana are an indication that it is ripe and ready to eat. Keep out of the fridge, as the cold will cause the skins to turn black, and instead in a fruit bowl. Also, they’ll impart a distinct banana aroma to the rest of your refrigerated goods.

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only.

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Source: Healthline

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