17 Recipes That Make the Most of Overripe Bananas (2024)

The Right Way to Freeze Bananas

Banana Lumpia (Turon)

Mashed bananas are seasoned with a bit of cinnamon and brown sugar before being placed in an egg-roll wrapper, rolled into cylinders, and fried for this riff on the popular Filipino delicacy. This is a great recipe to make with any young chefs in the house; while they assist with the rolling process, you can work the fryer station.

Bananas-Foster Milkshake

Perhaps the best part about any banana recipe that calls for using a blender is that you can use up your stash of frozen bananas. Here, they're whirled into a decadent shake reminiscent of the classic rum-based dessert.

Gluten-Free Banana-Almond Butter Muffins

These completely flourless muffins are ultra-moist, and the easy batter calls for ingredients you probably already have in the house like almond butter and eggs.

Banana Whoopie Pies

Just because those bananas are too brown and mushy to garnish the top of a fancy tart or pie doesn't mean you can't bake something beautiful. These whoopie pies are a fun project to take on and even more fun to eat and share with friends.

Banana-Nut Buttermilk Waffles

This recipe will perfume the whole house with the smell of delicious toasted waffles, a guaranteed way to wake the sleepyheads up for family brunch.

Test Kitchen's Favorite Banana-Chocolate Chip Bread

Banana bread is usually the first destination for overripe bananas, and in the case of this proven winner of a recipe, it's also the best choice. What sets this one apart? It uses the natural banana syrup that collects from thawed frozen bananas. This elixir is also known as "liquid gold" and imparts a pure, concentrated banana flavor to baked goods.

Banana-Blueberry Smoothie

Bananas bring thickening power and a natural sweetness to all kinds of smoothies. If you already keep a bag of peeled bananas in your freezer, then you're well on your way to this easy three-ingredient smoothie snack.

Banana-Walnut Chocolate-Chunk Cookies

If you're a little bored with banana bread, these cookies are the rut-buster you need in your life. Moist—almost cake-like—and studded with toasted nuts and dark chocolate, they're a wonderful way to use up overripe bananas.

Chocolate, Banana, and Graham Cracker Icebox Cake

Make-ahead, no-bake desserts like icebox cakes have been around so long they inspire a sense of nostalgia in every slice. This playful version has you layer slices of ripe bananas into a loaf pan with graham crackers and chocolate pudding.

Streusel Banana Bread

Part coffee cake, part banana bread, this is the kind of baked good that—if set on the counter unprotected—will be gone by the end of the day due to walk-by grazing.

Vegan Baked Banana Donuts

You often see plant-based baking recipes call for ripe bananas because they make a great substitute for eggs. In this donut recipe, they join forces with coconut oil and nut milk to keep the cake donuts moist and rich.

Banana-Apple Puddings with Toasted Almonds

If you're looking for dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth but keeps the calories on the lighter side, look no further than this pudding; it's filled to brim with the wholesome fruit of bananas and apples. Tapioca and yogurt provide body and creaminess to the pudding, while toasted almonds on top add a pleasant crunch.

Banana Rum Raisin Ice Cream

Making no-churn ice cream is an easy and worthwhile activity to try, especially in the summer when hotter temperatures bring forth cravings for an ice-cold scoop. Fresh bananas added to a traditional rum raisin flavor bring a tropical feel.

Banana Sheet Cake with Passion-Fruit Frosting

The passion fruit juice that is added to the frosting is a tart and refreshing counterpoint to this dense and rich banana cake. It's a stunning bake to make for all sorts of occasions, and no one has to know that you were just trying to use up some old bananas!

Banana-Buttermilk Pancakes

No list like this is complete without a recipe for banana pancakes. This recipe uses sliced bananas, buttermilk, and a blend of whole-wheat and all-purpose flour to make a wholesome and delicious batter that is well worth heating up your griddle for.

The Best Banana Bread

Our list of recipes for overripe bananas wouldn't be complete without our best banana bread recipe. Featured in Martha's first book, Entertaining, it's been her go-to ever since. The secret ingredient—sour cream—gives the bread a subtle tang and moist texture. Try it once, and it's sure to be your favorite too.

Banana Cake

This simple snacking cake uses ripe bananas and buttermilk to create a moist, fluffy, flavorful texture. Topped with a delicious crumb topping, it pairs well with coffee or tea, or as an afternoon snack.