Frozen bananas can be a cool snack on a hot day; used as a delicious smoothie ingredient; saved for future baking endeavors; or made into sweet treats by adding a chocolate dip and toppings.
Since a medium banana (about seven inches long) has three grams of fiber, 422 milligrams of potassium and 105-110 calories, according to LIVESTRONG's food database MyPlate and Medical News Today, frozen bananas pack a healthy punch to boot.
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If you don't get around to eating those bananas before they become overripe, saving them in the freezer for later use is a great option. Frozen banana peels turn dark brown or black while in the freezer, but the fruit inside retains its usual color. Learn the best way to peel a frozen banana so you can enjoy them at a later date.
Read more: Top Ten Health Benefits of Bananas
Step 1: Partially Thaw
Remove the bananas from the freezer and let them thaw for at least five minutes before you slice them. If they're still too hard to slice, wait another two to three minutes, then try again. Another option suggested by ModernMom is to stick them in the microwave to defrost for a minute or two if you are in need of a thawed banana quickly.
Step 2: Start With a Few Slices
Slice off both tips of the banana, just far enough up the banana to cut through the peel and the fruit's flesh.
Adjust the banana so the curved side faces down, then slice through the banana lengthwise. If slicing along the entire length of the banana is too difficult, slice the banana in half through the middle, then slice through each half lengthwise.
Step 3: Peel Gently
Use your fingers to peel the banana peel away from the still-frozen banana. Once cut and thawed, the banana will quickly turn brown, as many other fruits do when they are cut, so you'll want to use it right away.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Whether you're putting your sliced frozen banana into a blender for a smoothie, a mason jar with oatmeal, or adding them to a baked dish, frozen bananas are versatile and delicious.
Read more: Different Ways to Cook Bananas
Tip
To avoid the challenge of having to peel a frozen banana, store your banana in the freezer already peeled. You can put whole, peeled bananas in a freezer safe storage back for later use, or you can pre-slice the banana prior to freezer storage depending on how you intend to use them in the future.