How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies

Bananas are a common staple fruit to enjoy in a smoothie. However, when it comes to saving up bananas for your future smoothies, sometimes it is easier to freeze them.

Not only does freezing your bananas for your smoothies make them last longer, but it also increases their impact on the thickness of your smoothie too! 

Today, we will discuss why you should consider freezing your bananas, how you should prep them, and more! So, if you love bananas, stick around to learn more! 

Why Freeze Bananas?

Frozen bananas are convenient, they can be easily added to many recipes. Unfrozen bananas will eventually start to brown, and while you can use these in smoothies if you have many bananas, you can hardly use all of them before they start going bad. 

Healthline says that freezing bananas means that you get to extend the shelf life of the bananas, thus allowing you to buy in bulk and not have any go to waste. 

Frozen banana already works well in smoothies, adding extra thickness. Bananas, as they are, work well as a thickening agent, however, when frozen they work even better to thicken your smoothies. 

These are just some of the many reasons why freezing bananas is a good idea when you are making smoothies. 

What To Do With Frozen Banana Slices?

Frozen banana slices can be easily stored, and then used in smoothies, smoothie bowls, as a sweet treat, as an ice cream topping, and more.

Frozen banana slices are much easier to store than whole bananas, taking up less space, and requiring less prep upon making your smoothies.

Step-By-Step How To Freeze Bananas For Smoothies

It is very easy to freeze bananas to prepare them for your smoothies. You do not need much to do so, and it is a very speedy process. Let us talk you through it.

#1. Get A Baking Sheet

Although it might seem more straightforward to just slice up your bananas and put them straight into a freezer bag, it is best to avoid doing this.

This is because all of the banana slices will just freeze together, turning into one big mushy cluster. This is very unhelpful when you go to make your smoothie. 

You would need to either thaw them out or pick your way through the ice that holds them together. This takes a lot of unnecessary time, especially when you are in a rush.

So, it is better to pre-prep this way. 

Now, prepare your baking sheet with non-stick parchment paper. 

#2. Peel ‘N’ Slice

If you are unsure of how many bananas to use, there is no right answer. You can complete this process with as many bananas as you want. You can also use any bananas, be they just turning yellow, perfectly ripe and yellow, or browning. 

Next, peel the bananas.

All you have to do from here to make these slices perfect for freezing is to slice them up into rounds that are between 1/4″ to 1/2″ thick.

Then, lay the banana slices flat on the tray, not letting any overlap. This allows them to freeze individually before you mass-keep them, preventing any clumps! 

Bananas do not cost much, so doing this in bulk for your smoothies can be a good, and financially viable idea, preventing any of your bananas from going to waste. 

#3.  Put Them In The Freezer

Once you have prepared your bananas, place the tray with bananas in the freezer, and allow them to freeze for 30 minutes to an hour.

Ensure they are frozen before you take them out and start placing them into freezer bags for long-term storage.

#4. The Long-Term Freeze

Once they are frozen, use a spatula to remove the banana slices from the baking sheet. 

Do not waste any time getting them from the baking sheet into your freezer bags. Do not allow the banana slices to be out of the freezer for too long as it will allow them to start thawing. 

So, as soon as you take the slices out of the freezer, place your frozen banana slices into your freezer-safe bag. Once they are all inside, remove any air from the bag, and seal it. 

Now, place your frozen bananas in your freezer, and take as many as you need out as needed. 

How Long Do Frozen Bananas Last In The Freezer?

Now that you know how to freeze bananas, the next question is how long do frozen bananas last. If you were to place your bananas in the freezer whole and unpeeled, then they will last up to 6 months.

However, if you peel your bananas and slice them, using our method to prepare them, then they will last for around 3 to 6 months or so in the freezer. 

That being said, you can safely consume bananas that have been frozen, even if they have been frozen for longer than this. The only downside is that they may not taste as good, or be quite as high quality as they would be if used in the suggested timeframes. 

Frozen Banana Smoothie Recipes

We are going to leave our best smoothie recipes using frozen bananas for you, just in case you were wondering what to do with frozen bananas!

• Blueberry Banana Smoothie
• Cucumber Banana Smoothie
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
• Banana Blackberry Smoothie

FAQs

Are You Supposed To Freeze Bananas For Smoothies?

You do not have to freeze bananas for smoothies, but it can help to thicken them even more.

Can You Freeze Bananas In A Ziploc Bag?

You can freeze bananas in a Ziploc bag. If using banana slices, ensure you pre-freeze to prevent clumps.

How Long Can You Freeze Bananas In The Peel?

Unpeeled bananas can stay frozen for up to 6 months and maintain quality.

How Long Do Bananas Take To Freeze?

Sliced bananas can take up to 1 hour to freeze. Whole bananas can take up to 2 hours to freeze.

Why Do Frozen Bananas Turn Brown?

Frozen bananas turn brown/black when frozen due to the water content in them. This water content transforms into ice crystals.

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