I know there are always bananas that go from yellow to a little questionable with spots on them overnight. Instead of throwing bananas away, let's make something your entire family will want to have on their plate. Ranging from breakfast to dessert, here are 18 recipes that use those speckled bananas.
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1) Banana Pancake Bites
Breakfast got less messy! Your little ones can grab these tiny pancakes and go!
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Banana Pancake Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a mini muffin tin.
- In a bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, egg, milk, and melted butter.
- Stir in the pancake mix until just combined.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Spoon the batter into the muffin cups about three-quarters full.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until set and lightly golden, then cool slightly before serving.
Notes
2) Chocolate Banana Smoothie
This smoothie with a hidden vegetable and sneaky fruit, tastes just like a milkshake! You'll feel proud about this breakfast smoothie.
Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
Method
- Add the frozen bananas, cocoa powder, and milk to a blender.
- Add the honey and peanut butter.
- Toss in the ice.
- Blend on high until thick and completely smooth.
- Taste and add a little more honey if needed.
- Pour into glasses and serve right away.
Notes
3) Banana Oatmeal Cookies
They are great for lunch boxes and are nice and soft and chewy and sweet enough that you won't crash from the sugar.
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a bowl, mash the bananas, then stir in the honey and vanilla.
- Add the oats and cinnamon and mix until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet and flatten slightly.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until set, then cool on the pan.
Notes
4) Frozen Banana Pops
Here's the treat for summer that also keeps little hands busy. They can dip them in the sprinkles and freeze them. Simple!
Frozen Banana Pops
Ingredients
Method
- Insert a popsicle stick into the cut end of each banana half.
- Place the bananas on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate chips with the coconut oil until smooth.
- Dip each frozen banana into the chocolate to coat.
- Immediately roll in chopped peanuts or sprinkles.
- Return to the tray and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
Notes
5) Grilled Banana Sandwich
They are like a campfire treat that you can make on a stovetop any night! They are warm, gooey, and way too easy!
Grilled Banana Sandwich
Ingredients
Method
- Spread peanut butter on two slices of bread.
- Layer the banana slices over the peanut butter and drizzle with honey.
- Top with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
- Butter the outsides of each sandwich and dust with cinnamon.
- Grill in a skillet over medium heat until golden, then flip.
- Cook until the second side is golden and the filling is warm, then slice and serve.
Notes
6) Banana Muffins with Streusel Topping
Bakery-style muffins with that irresistible crumbly top. Your kitchen will smell like a cozy little cafe.
Banana Muffins with Streusel Topping
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a muffin tin.
- Whisk the mashed bananas with the egg, sugar, and half the melted butter.
- Stir in 1 3/4 cups flour with a teaspoon of baking soda until just combined.
- For the streusel, rub the remaining flour and butter with the cinnamon into crumbs.
- Divide the batter among the cups and top each with streusel.
- Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes
7) Caramelized Banana French Toast
The energy of weekend brunch on a Tuesday! The caramelized bananas on top take it over the edge.
Caramelized Banana French Toast
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the eggs and milk together in a shallow dish.
- Dip each bread slice into the custard, coating both sides.
- Cook in a buttered skillet over medium heat until golden on both sides.
- In a separate pan, melt butter with the brown sugar.
- Add the banana slices and cook until caramelized and glossy.
- Spoon the caramelized bananas over the French toast and serve.
Notes
8) Banana Bread with Walnuts
A classic that always remains in style. There is no greater way to save those over-ripe bananas.
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Banana Bread with Walnuts
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a loaf pan.
- In a bowl, mix the mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, and eggs.
- Stir in the flour with a teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean, then cool before slicing.
Notes
9) Banana and Peanut Butter Ice Cream
No ice cream maker? Not a problem! This nice cream recipe only has two ingredients and is so simple to make it will blow your mind!
Banana and Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Ingredients
Method
- Add the frozen banana slices to a food processor.
- Blend, scraping down the sides, until crumbly.
- Add the peanut butter, milk, vanilla, and salt.
- Blend again until thick, smooth, and creamy.
- Fold in the chocolate chips if using.
- Serve immediately as soft-serve or freeze briefly for a firmer scoop.
Notes
10) Banana Crepes with Nutella
Crepes may seem complicated but in reality they are very simple. They are thin and soft and can be filled with many delicious options.
Banana Crepes with Nutella
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the flour, eggs, and milk into a smooth thin batter.
- Heat a buttered nonstick pan over medium heat.
- Pour in a thin layer of batter, swirling to coat the pan.
- Cook until the edges lift, then flip and cook briefly.
- Spread each warm crepe with chocolate hazelnut spread and add banana slices.
- Fold or roll the crepes and serve warm.
Notes
11) Banana Foster's Delight
Making this dessert only takes a few minutes and is an absolute dream with the combination of warm caramel sauce over cold ice cream!
Banana Foster's Delight
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon until bubbly.
- Add the banana slices and cook until softened and glazed.
- Stir in the vanilla and let the sauce thicken slightly.
- Scoop the vanilla ice cream into bowls.
- Spoon the warm bananas and sauce over the top and serve immediately.
Notes
12) Banana and Blueberry Parfait
Pretty enough for company but easy enough for a random Tuesday. The kids can layer these on their own.
Banana and Blueberry Parfait
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the vanilla and honey into the Greek yogurt.
- Spoon a layer of yogurt into the bottom of each glass.
- Add a layer of banana slices and blueberries.
- Sprinkle with granola.
- Repeat the layers until the glasses are full.
- Finish with a few berries on top and serve.
Notes
13) Banana Chocolate Chip Blondies
It's tough to have just one of these chewy bars. They taste like banana bread mixed with brownies. What a delightful combination!
Banana Chocolate Chip Blondies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8x8 pan with parchment.
- Whisk the melted butter and brown sugar together until smooth.
- Stir in the mashed bananas and egg.
- Fold in the flour with a pinch of salt until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and spread into the pan.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the edges are set, then cool and cut into bars.
Notes
14) Banana Coconut Rice Pudding
Imagine yourself sitting on the comfy sofa, sipping on a delicious, creamy dessert that transports you to a tropical destination, picking fresh coconuts. We all know how comforting it can feel to have a dessert like this after a long day.
Banana Coconut Rice Pudding
Ingredients
Method
- In a saucepan, combine the cooked rice, coconut milk, and sugar.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until creamy and thickened.
- Stir in the cinnamon.
- Gently fold in most of the banana slices.
- Spoon into bowls and top with the remaining bananas.
- Sprinkle with toasted coconut and serve warm or chilled.
Notes
15) Banana Split with a Twist
The classic sundae gets a fun makeover! Build it towering and let everyone dig in!
Banana Split with a Twist
Ingredients
Method
- Place the halved bananas along the sides of a long dish.
- Add three scoops of assorted ice cream down the center.
- Drizzle generously with caramel and chocolate sauces.
- Sprinkle with crushed pretzels for a salty crunchy twist.
- Top with whipped cream.
- Serve immediately with two spoons.
Notes
16) Banana and Honey Waffles
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and sweetened naturally with bananas, weekend mornings have just gotten better!
Banana and Honey Waffles
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat and grease a waffle iron.
- Whisk the flour with a tablespoon of baking powder and a pinch of salt.
- In another bowl, mix the mashed bananas, milk, eggs, and melted butter.
- Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined.
- Cook the batter in the waffle iron until golden and crisp.
- Serve warm with a generous drizzle of honey.
Notes
17) Banana Cinnamon Rolls
I promise that every minute these cinnamon rolls have to rise will be worth it when you finally get to sink your teeth into the delicious gooeyness and taste the surprise banana filling!
Banana Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a baking dish.
- Roll out the dough and spread with softened butter.
- Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, then layer on banana slices.
- Roll up the dough and slice into rolls, placing them in the dish.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Whisk the powdered sugar with a splash of milk and drizzle over the warm rolls.
Notes
18) Banana Cream Pie
Make it in advance and allow it to chill before serving for a perfect way to end a gathering. An old-fashioned pie is dreamy!
Banana Cream Pie
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the pudding mix with the milk and vanilla until it begins to thicken.
- Arrange a layer of banana slices in the bottom of the pie crust.
- Pour half of the pudding over the bananas.
- Add another layer of bananas and the remaining pudding.
- Chill the pie in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.
- Spread whipped cream over the top before slicing and serving.