If you’ve ever wondered what to make with ripe bananas, these easy banana recipes can help you out. With everything from banana breads to protein smoothies and more, you’ll find tasty recipes to fit with your macros.
It never fails.
One week, I buy two bunches of bananas, and they’re all gone within a couple of days.
So the next week, I buy THREE bunches. And no one touches them.
What are the best banana recipes to use up all of these ripe bananas?
Whether you freeze them for future baking, use them to top pancakes, or make delicious banana muffins or banana bread, there are so many yummy overripe banana recipes to choose from!
WHY MAKE RIPE BANANA RECIPES
Why make banana recipes? Well, aside from using up those bananas that no one ate, there are plenty of reasons to include bananas in your meals.
- They’re cheap. Bananas are one of the most affordable fruit options, often coming in well below $0.99 per pound.
- You can find them year-round. Bananas are a grocery store staple.
- Add sweetness without adding sugar. As they ripen, yellow bananas get sweeter, making them a great option to naturally sweeten food without adding sugar.
- They go with lots of different foods. I love the combination of banana and peanut butter, but bananas pair nicely with all sorts of flavors. Especially rich chocolate flavors!
- Bananas are good for you! With plenty of fiber, potassium, and several vitamins, bananas are a great option to add to your day
And of course, bananas just plain taste good! If your bananas have gone from green to yellow to speckled to brown, these banana recipes are for you!
BREAD RECIPES BANANA
When you make quick bread recipes banana-based, you get natural sweetness from the ripe bananas. These are some of my favorites!
Bananas also make a great egg substitute in baked goods like quick breads and muffins – just mash the banana into the batter.
MUFFIN RECIPES WITH BANANAS
Like quick breads, making muffin recipes with bananas is a quick and easy way to enjoy a grab-and-go breakfast option that the kids will love. From chocolate chips to pecans to oats, these easy recipes are so tasty!
- Banana Nut Muffins with Crumb Topping
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Blender Banana Bread Muffins
- Banana Protein Muffins (choose chopped or pureed bananas as your fruit option)
- Banana Oatmeal Muffins (add bananas to your buttermilk oat muffins)
BREAKFAST RECIPES USING RIPE BANANAS
Bananas make a great addition to your morning meal, and these breakfast recipes using ripe bananas are no exception!
- Toasted Coconut Sourdough Banana Pancakes
- High Protein Pancakes
- High Protein Oatmeal
- Banana Baked Oatmeal (use bananas instead of blueberries)
- Banana Bread Instant Oatmeal Packets
BANANA DESSERT RECIPES
Bananas aren’t just for breakfast – try them in these banana desserts!
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Ice Cream
- Homemade Fudgesicles (optional but recommended for creaminess)
- Healthy Fruit Pizza
- Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
BANANA SMOOTHIE RECIPES
Bananas are one of my favorite additions to smoothies. They really bump up the creaminess in the smoothie. Use a green banana for less noticeable banana flavor.
- Gingerbread Smoothie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Cheesecake Blueberry Smoothie
- 7 Days of Green Smoothie Recipes
- Beginner Green Smoothie Recipe
- Frozen Smoothie Packs
- Green Maca Smoothie
- 5 Day Smoothie Fast
- Pumpkin Smoothie
- Eggnog Smoothie
RECIPES THAT USE RIPE BANANAS AS A TOPPING OR ADDITION
If you only have one ripe banana, you can enjoy it as a topping. My favorite is with oatmeal.
Add to:
- Overnight Chia and Oats
- PB Banana Overnight Oats
- Overnight Steel Cut Oats
- Waffles with Protein (add sliced bananas as a topping)
- Cinnamon Oatmeal Blender Waffles (add as topping)
- Strawberry Pancakes (use a banana in addition to the strawberries or in place of them)
- Chocolate Pancakes (add as topping, especially with a drizzle of peanut butter)
- Single Serving Slow Cooker Oatmeal (add as topping)
- High Protein Trail Mix (dried banana chips make a tasty, crunchy mix-in)
- Leftover Oatmeal Cakes (mash into the cakes themselves or add as a topping)
MACRO-FRIENDLY RIPE BANANA RECIPES
Bananas get their calories mostly from carbohydrates, with a small amount of protein and very little fat.
That means they’re perfect for pairing with a healthy fat, like peanut butter or full-fat yogurt.
If you have carbohydrates available, bananas taste amazing on oatmeal or pancakes. Or make a PB banana roll-up in a pita for lunch!
Don’t forget the protein! Bananas are perfect for adding to Protein Shakes, with Greek Yogurt, or in protein-based baked goods.
Eating foods made from simple ingredients is a great start, but it’s not enough. You also need to make sure you’re including all of the nutrients your body needs. That means getting enough protein to fuel your body. Try one of my favorite High Protein Recipes on Repeat – these are the meals I return to again and again to hit my protein goals!
BANANA RECIPES FAQS
What are the simplest recipes for using ripe bananas?
The easiest way to use bananas is simply to have them as a healthy snack or side dish. They’re a great option for Homemade Lunchables or other School Lunch Ideas.
How do I know what to do with overripe bananas when I have A LOT of them?
Freezing bananas for future use is always an option. Peel them first, and flash freeze them on a baking sheet before storing them in a resealable bag or container. They’ll turn brown in the freezer, but it doesn’t affect the taste. Chop them small and use them frozen in smoothies or freeze them whole and thaw before using them in baking recipes.
Are there non-food recipes of ripe bananas?
Yes! You can use a banana to make a DIY Face Mask or even Homemade Hair Conditioner. One of the first places to shop for homemade skin and beauty products is in your kitchen!
MORE DELICIOUS FRUIT RECIPES
- 28 Delicious Easy Apple Recipes
- 39 Amazing Recipes Made With Strawberries
- Crock Pot Poached Pears
- Homemade Fruit Leather
- Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler
- Mango Salsa
- Kale Salad with Blueberries, Walnuts, and Feta
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