It only takes 5 minutes, and these techniques on how to freeze bananas make it so they pull apart easily every time! Frozen bananas are delicious for smoothies, snacks, and ice cream!
Do you have ripe bananas and wondering how to freeze bananas to preserve them for smoothies in the morning, or to turn them into frozen banana ice cream or strawberry nice cream? And if you have green or under-ripe bananas around, check out how to ripen bananas!
Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🌡️ Freeze Time: 1 to 2 hours on a sheet pan
- ⏳ Total Time: about 1 hour 5 minutes
- 🍽️ Yield: 1 banana, about 1 cup of slices
- ⚡ Calories: 105kcal per banana, per the recipe card
- 🔪 Tools: knife, cutting board, sheet pan, spatula and freezer zip-lock bags
- 🌶️ Best For: smoothies, nice cream, oatmeal and banana bread
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, freeze the slices apart first
Quick Answer
Peel ripe bananas and cut them into ¼-inch to ½-inch slices. Spread the slices on a sheet pan that fits in your freezer, keeping them apart and not touching, and freeze for 1 to 2 hours. Lift each slice off with a spatula into a zip-lock freezer bag, press out as much air as possible and keep frozen. Use within 3 to 6 months.
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I share step-by-step instructions to peel, slice, and save the fruit for the perfect frozen treat that thaws quickly! Frozen bananas are also the secret to my creamy chocolate Shakeology shake.
Why Freezing Slices Apart Works
Click to see why it works
- Freezing apart first keeps the slices from freezing into one block, so they pull apart easily.
- Thinner slices thaw faster. ¼-inch to ½-inch is the sweet spot.
- Air is the enemy. Remove as much air from the bag as possible.
- Ripe bananas only. Green bananas taste bitter and do not peel well.
- One banana per bag makes smoothie portions easy.
Why You'll Love This Method
- Only 5 minutes of hands-on time.
- Slices pull apart easily every time.
- Saves ripe bananas before they go to waste.
- Ready for smoothies, nice cream and baking.
- Keeps for months in the freezer.
What Goes Into Freezing Bananas
Ripe bananas! Use bananas that are about to start to brown, or are ready to eat. It is not suggested to use green bananas as they have a bitter taste and do not peel well since they are not ready to eat.
- Baking sheet - small or large depending on what fits in the freezer and how many bananas are being frozen.
- Knife and cutting board.
- Spatula.
- Freezer zip-lock bags.
- Sharpie marker - to write the date.
See recipe card for the full steps.
Ways to Use Frozen Bananas
Frozen fruits are a healthy snack to nibble on when craving something sweet! After you freeze bananas, blend them into smoothies, strawberry banana nice cream, vegan ice cream with bananas, stir into peanut butter oatmeal, chia hemp oatmeal, or thaw and mash it into chocolate banana bread or traditional banana bread.
Frozen banana bites are also delicious to top with peanut butter and a few chocolate chips for a quick healthy snack!
How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies
1Peel. Peel the banana or bananas and place them on a cutting board.
2Slice. Using a knife, cut the banana into ¼-inch to ½-inch thick slices. Note that the thinner the slice, the faster the banana thaws. My slices range between this thickness.
3Spread. Place the banana slices on a sheet pan (that fits in your freezer), keeping the slices apart and not touching.
4Freeze and bag. Freeze for 1-2 hours then using a spatula, lift each slice and place the slices in the zip-lock bag. Remove as much air as possible and keep in the freezer until ready to use.
As always, be sure to check out the full details in the recipe card below.
Tips, Thawing and Storage
- Portion them. If freezing a bunch of bananas, they can be placed all in one bag, or put 1 banana per freezer bag to separate the servings for smoothies. A good rule of thumb is about 1 cup of banana is about 1 whole banana.
- How to thaw. Remove the bananas from the bag and place on a plate. Let them set out for about 15-30 minutes to thaw.
- Microwave option. Bananas can also be defrosted in the microwave on the "defrost" setting for 10-30 seconds. Remove the banana from the plastic bag first.
- How long they last. If stored properly (sealed tight with air removed), frozen bananas last a very long time, but they start to decline after 3 months, so it is best to use them within 3-6 months.
- Label the bag with the date.
Smoothies to Use This Recipe
Try Kiwi Kale Banana Smoothie, Blueberry Banana Smoothie, Green Smoothies, Matcha Smoothie Bowl, Jackfruit Smoothie or Tropical Bliss Smoothie.
Frozen Banana FAQs
Freeze the slices on a sheet pan, not touching, for 1 to 2 hours before moving them to a freezer bag.
¼-inch to ½-inch. Thinner slices thaw faster.
It is not suggested. Green bananas taste bitter and do not peel well. Use ripe bananas that are about to start to brown.
Set them on a plate for 15 to 30 minutes, or defrost in the microwave for 10 to 30 seconds after taking them out of the plastic bag.
Sealed tight with the air removed, they keep a long time, but use them within 3 to 6 months for the best quality.
About 1 cup of sliced banana is about 1 whole banana.
Ways to Use Your Frozen Bananas
Make Vegan Banana Ice Cream, Banana Pecan Bread or a Blueberry Banana Smoothie next. I hope you enjoy this article on How To Freeze Bananas! Follow along with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter for a feature and more recipe inspiration! And don't forget to leave a comment below!
How To Freeze Bananas
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Equipment
- sheet pan
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana yellow or starting to brown (not green)
Instructions
- Peel the banana or bananas and place them on a cutting board.
- Using a knife, cut the banana into ¼-inch to ½-inch thick slices. Note that the thinner the slice, the faster the banana thaws. My slices range between this thickness.
- Place the banana slices on a sheet pan (that fits in your freezer), keeping the slices apart and not touching.
- Freeze for 1-2 hours then using a spatula, lift each slice and place the slices in the zip-lock bag. Remove as much air as possible and place in the freezer until ready to use.
- Keep in the freezer stored in the bag.
Notes
- If freezing a bunch of bananas, they can be placed all in one bag, or put 1 banana per freezer bag to separate the servings for smoothies. A good rule of thumb is about 1 cup of banana is about 1 whole banana.
- To thaw frozen bananas, remove the bananas from the freezer bag and place on a plate. Let it set out for about 15-30 minutes to thaw. Bananas can also be defrosted in the microwave on the "defrost" setting for 10-30 seconds. Remove the banana from the plastic bag first before placing in the microwave.
- For best results, consume within 3-6 months.
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