The Right Way to Freeze Bananas

There are few fruits more versatile than bananas. You can blend them in smoothies, bake them in quick breads, or use them as a topping for cereal, yogurt, and more. Bananas can even be used as an egg substitute in baking, and of course, eaten as is.

However, if you often find yourself with overripe bananas (or perhaps bought too many), freezing them is a helpful solution. To determine the right method, we asked a cooking instructor and chef how to freeze bananas properly, plus whether or not you should slice or peel them first.

How Long Fresh Bananas Last

The shelf-life of fresh bananas depends on their ripeness upon purchase and storage method. For example, unripe green bananas will ripen at room temperature within a few days; once the fruit reaches your desired level of ripeness, you can store them in the refrigerator for about a week. The peels might turn brown, but the actual fruit will be safe to eat, per research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. However, if you're unable to eat the bananas within this time frame, you may want to freeze them instead.

How to Freeze Sliced Bananas 

To freeze sliced bananas, take the following steps:

1. Remove the peels and cut them into coins or chunks.
2. Arrange the banana pieces, uncovered, on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single, even layer. (You can also line the sheet with a silicone mat.)
3. Put the baking sheet on a level surface in the freezer until they're frozen, about three to four hours.
4. "Once they're hard, transfer them to a freezer bag, press out the air, and seal for long-term freezing," says Jay Weinstein, chef-instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education.
   

Sliced frozen bananas can be used for recipes like smoothies, but they're especially great for garnishing dishes (such as banana tarts or muffins), says Weinstein.

How to Freeze Whole Bananas

Bananas can also be frozen whole, which is best for applications like making banana bread or using the fruit as an egg replacement. "Peel [the bananas and] bag them like a row of open parentheses in a single layer," says Weinstein. "Set the bag on a tray, such as a toaster oven pan, anywhere in the freezer." Once the bananas are solid, remove the tray.

How Long Frozen Bananas Last

"Whole, peeled frozen bananas keep for three months," says Weinstein. If they're frozen together, you can simply snap them apart. "Sliced bananas won't last as long, [about] two months tops," says Weinstein. This is due to the increased surface area exposed to damaging air, which starts as soon as they're cut, he explains.