How to Freeze Bananas (for Smoothies and More)

Sliced bananas on a baking sheet with banana peels on the side.

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How to Freeze Bananas (for Smoothies and More)

Freezing bananas and preventing them from sticking together is an easy task that only takes a few minutes of hands-on time. This ingredient prep technique makes it convenient to add bananas to smoothies or baking recipes whenever you need them!

Prep Time10

Freezing time2

Total Time2 10

Servings: bananas

Calories: 105kcal

Author: Elcy Wang

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INGREDIENTS

▢ 4 bananas yellow or green

INSTRUCTIONS

Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
Peel the bananas and place them on a cutting board. Using a knife, slice the bananas vertically into 1-inch rounds.
Place the sliced bananas onto the lined baking sheet and spread them out in a single layer. Make sure to space them apart so that the slices do not freeze together.
Freeze for at least 2 hours, then transfer the banana slices to a freezer-safe container.
Cover with an airtight lid and store them in the freezer for up to three months.

NOTES

For smoothies:

If your freezer temperature is set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (which is the recommended temperature for freezers in home refrigerators), do not thaw the bananas before using.
If your freezer temperature is closer to -5 degrees Fahrenheit (which is often the setting for upright freezers and freezer chests), you will need to remove the frozen banana slices from the freezer approximately 5-10 minutes before blending, so that your blender doesn't struggle.
If you thaw the bananas for too long, your smoothies will not turn out as thick.
Note: these recommendations are based on using a high-speed blender, which is more powerful than a regular blender.

For baking:

Thaw the bananas at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes before using. At this point, they should be easy to mash if needed.

NUTRITION