Bananas freeze well and it is the best use for ones that have gone too far. Peel them first, because a frozen banana skin is almost impossible to remove.
Freezing turns bananas black and soft, which looks like failure and is not. The flesh is fine and sweeter than before, because the starches have continued converting to sugar. What you lose is the texture, so frozen bananas belong in smoothies, baking and ice cream rather than in a lunchbox.
| Keeps for | Three months for best flavour, six months safely |
|---|---|
| Peel first | Always, frozen skins do not come off |
| Best for | Smoothies, banana bread, one-ingredient ice cream |
| Not for | Eating whole, slicing onto cereal |
| Expect | Black skin before freezing is good, not bad |
How to freeze them
- Peel first, always. This is the part people regret skipping.
- Slice into chunks if you want them for smoothies, or leave whole for baking.
- Freeze the pieces spread on a tray so they do not fuse into one lump.
- Bag them once solid and label with the date and the number of bananas.
- Thaw in a bowl rather than on the counter, because they release a surprising amount of liquid.
What happens when you get it wrong
- Frozen with the skin on. The skin turns leathery and welds to the flesh. You end up cutting it off with a knife.
- One solid brick of banana. Freeze on a tray first and this never happens.
- Watery mess on thawing. Normal. Keep the liquid for baking; it carries flavour.
- Freezer burn. Air contact dries the surface. Squeeze the air out of the bag.
Frozen banana chunks blitzed alone make a genuinely good one-ingredient ice cream.
For banana bread, freeze them whole and thaw on a plate. The liquid that runs out goes into the batter.
Frequently asked questions
Can you freeze bananas?
Yes, for up to six months. Peel them first, because frozen banana skins cannot be removed. Frozen bananas are ideal for smoothies and baking, not for eating fresh.
Should you peel bananas before freezing?
Always. A frozen skin becomes leathery and sticks to the flesh, and removing it means cutting it away with a knife while it thaws.
Why do my frozen bananas turn black?
The skin oxidises and darkens, and the flesh browns too. It affects appearance rather than safety or flavour, and the fruit is usually sweeter.
Can you freeze banana bread?
Yes, and it freezes very well. Wrap it tightly, or slice it first so you can take out one piece at a time.
How do you use frozen bananas?
Straight from frozen in smoothies, thawed for baking, or blitzed on their own into ice cream. They are not suitable for eating whole.