How to ripen bananas fast for all of your banana recipes.
Sometimes you need ripe bananas when they are not yet ready. These are a few proven tips and tricks I learned over the years of how to ripen bananas more quickly. Get your banana recipes ready!
Best Ripeness for Bananas
I often have a craving for banana bread, but there is nothing more disappointing than biting into a slice that is tasteless. To get that sweet taste and best flavor, you must use very ripened bananas. Do not bother to mash yellow bananas into your batter. The flesh of the banana you use needs to have brown spots and the inside texture will be soft. Below are a few tips and tricks to getting ripe bananas fast.
Purchase at the Supermarket
If you have NO bananas and you’re running to the store, skip the green bananas and look for bananas that are already ripen in a basket off to the side of the banana stand. Some stores set aside older bananas just for those of us that need them in a pinch!
Oven Method
If you have about an hour to spare, bake the bananas with the peels in tact on a lined baking sheet at 250°F for 20-30 minutes (until they turn completely brown). I said an hour to spare because you need to allow time for them to cool before using them.
Brown Paper Bag Method
If you have time to plan the night before, place the fresh bananas in a paper bag (add an apple or an overripe banana if you have them). This seals off the oxygen and quickens the ripening process.
Microwave
If you need the ripe bananas immediately with no time to spare, you can quickly microwave your unripe bananas. Pierce the unpeeled bananas with a fork and microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Keep your eyes on it!
Countertop
If you are planning a couple of days in advance and already have one ripe banana but need a bunch of bananas for your recipe, place bananas on the counter next to the ripe banana. This increases the amount of ethylene gas circulating around the bananas to speed the process. If you can, add an apple or two to the basket, too.
Recipes that Use Ripe Bananas
- Strawberry Banana Muffins
- Double Chocolate Banana Bread
- Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies
- Hummingbird Cupcakes
- Easy Banana Muffins
- Spinach Banana Muffins
- Almond Flour Banana Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Strawberry Blueberry Banana Oat Muffins
Used these tips and tricks for your bananas? Tag me on social media @seededtable so I can see. I love hearing from you!
How to Ripen Bananas
Ingredients
- bananas
Instructions
- If you have NO bananas and you’re running to the store, skip the green bananas and look for bananas that are already ripen in a basket off to the side of the banana stand. Some stores set aside older bananas just for those of us that need them in a pinch!
- If you have about an hour to spare, bake the bananas with the peels in tact on a lined baking sheet at 250°F for 20-30 minutes (until they turn completely brown). I said an hour to spare because you need to allow time for them to cool before using them.
- If you have time to plan the night before, place the fresh bananas in a paper bag (add an apple or an overripe banana if you have them). This seals off the oxygen and quickens the ripening process.
- If you need the ripe bananas immediately with no time to spare, you can quickly microwave your unripe bananas. Pierce the unpeeled bananas with a fork and microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Keep your eyes on it!
- If you are planning a couple of days in advance and already have one ripe banana but need a bunch of bananas for your recipe, place bananas on the counter next to the ripe banana. This increases the amount of ethylene gas circulating around the bananas to speed the process. If you can, add an apple or two to the basket, too.
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