Introduction
When stored properly at 0°F, frozen bananas can last forever. According to the FDA and US Department of Agriculture, you can be sure that frozen bananas will stay fresh for two to three months without losing quality, but the fruit should remain safe to eat long after if you freeze it properly.
Can you eat frozen bananas with the skin on?
If you’re wondering if you can eat banana peels raw, cooked, or even frozen, the answer is yes! If you are going to eat your banana peel, be aware that just like the fruit itself, the riper the peel, the sweeter it will taste.
What can you do with frozen bananas?
Use frozen and thawed bananas in these recipes:
Banana Bread and Healthy Whole Wheat Banana Bread. Breakfast cookies. Banana muffins and streusel muffins with bananas and chocolate chips. Hummingbird cake.
How long do frozen unpeeled bananas last?
Basic methods for freezing bananas
Peel the bananas and place them on a tray and in the freezer and freeze until solid. Then, transfer it to a labeled resealable freezer bag, making sure to squeeze out any excess air before sealing. Frozen bananas are best used within six months.
What happens if you freeze a banana with the skin on?
You can freeze them whole with or without the shell. The outer skin will darken in the freezer, but this will not affect the flesh of the banana. When ready to use, take them out of the freezer to thaw them. It is better to put them in a container because some liquid will escape.
Why not freeze bananas?
You can freeze bananas with the skin on, but you’ll save time and frustration by removing the skin before freezing the bananas. When frozen, banana peels darken and soften. Although bananas are still safe to eat when they are, removing the skin is very difficult.
Why shouldn’t you eat a banana peel?
However, bananas themselves are already good sources of these nutrients, so you don’t need to eat the skin as well, although it’s safe to do so. Eating banana peels can expose you to contaminants or pesticides, so it’s important to rub them gently if you like the taste and texture.
When to throw away a frozen banana?
Technically, frozen bananas should be safe to eat for 6 months or more, as long as they’re stored properly, but in my experience that’s usually when they start to brown and lose their appeal.
Do you use the liquid from frozen bananas?
Frozen bananas will release a brown liquid when thawed. I usually throw this liquid away because it got in contact with the skin, and who knows where that banana was on its long trip to the freezer. If you discard the liquid, you may need to add a little extra liquid (milk or water works great) to your recipe.
Do frozen bananas taste good?
Many people have doubts about the taste and consistency of frozen bananas. While it is true that bananas will lose their firmness upon thawing, the flavor and nutritional value will remain the same as fresh bananas.
Conclusion
You can absolutely freeze whole bananas, but I would still recommend peeling them. I usually freeze mine in half because it’s easier for me to measure when using a frozen banana for a recipe and many smoothie recipes call for 1/2 a banana to make it easier.
