How to use up a freezer filled with bananas
August 28, 2012 10:43 AM Subscribe
What are some interesting recipes with frozen bananas as an ingredient that aren't smoothies or banana bread?
I currently have five 1-gallon Ziploc bags filled with bananas sitting in my freezer -- some peeled, some still in the peel. These were rescued from the trash bin at work because even though they were starting to get overripe, it seemed a waste to throw them out. But now they are taking up wayyyy too much space and I need to start making an effort to use them.
I've been searching online, but so far the suggestions have mostly been banana bread (which I have since mastered), smoothies (which I don't really like), or other sweet treats (alas, I have been trying to curb my sweet-tooth). I've been searching for more savory recipes, but haven't had much luck.
Restrictions are gluten-free and ideally dairy-free, but a little dairy is ok, and I can always find gluten-free substitutes if need be.
I did see this question from 2007, but the suggestions are (again) mostly smoothies and bread and sweets. I have noted the "ice cream" recipe, but I've yet to try it.
So, are there unique/interesting recipes featuring bananas, or recipes I would never think of that might benefit from a frozen (or thawed) banana or two?
I currently have five 1-gallon Ziploc bags filled with bananas sitting in my freezer -- some peeled, some still in the peel. These were rescued from the trash bin at work because even though they were starting to get overripe, it seemed a waste to throw them out. But now they are taking up wayyyy too much space and I need to start making an effort to use them.
I've been searching online, but so far the suggestions have mostly been banana bread (which I have since mastered), smoothies (which I don't really like), or other sweet treats (alas, I have been trying to curb my sweet-tooth). I've been searching for more savory recipes, but haven't had much luck.
Restrictions are gluten-free and ideally dairy-free, but a little dairy is ok, and I can always find gluten-free substitutes if need be.
I did see this question from 2007, but the suggestions are (again) mostly smoothies and bread and sweets. I have noted the "ice cream" recipe, but I've yet to try it.
So, are there unique/interesting recipes featuring bananas, or recipes I would never think of that might benefit from a frozen (or thawed) banana or two?
(That recipe calls for butter, but you could substitute it out.)
posted by xingcat at 10:54 AM on August 28, 2012
posted by xingcat at 10:54 AM on August 28, 2012
You might experiment around with Jamaican banana fritters. They usually have milk, flour, and sugar (essentially, they are banana pancakes), but here's a paleo version that omits all three.
posted by drlith at 10:56 AM on August 28, 2012
posted by drlith at 10:56 AM on August 28, 2012
Scrounge up some rum, triple sec, lime juice and make daiquiris!
posted by jquinby at 11:02 AM on August 28, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by jquinby at 11:02 AM on August 28, 2012 [2 favorites]
This recipe fro banana "ice cream" over at the Kitchn has been super popular the last few years. It may be too close to "smoothie" for you, though.
posted by mon-ma-tron at 11:19 AM on August 28, 2012
posted by mon-ma-tron at 11:19 AM on August 28, 2012
Flying Jacob. It's a baked Swedish casserole based around chicken with bananas, peanuts, and bacon (Google around until you find a variation that suits you). Sounds horrendous, tastes amazing. I normally detest cooked bananas, but when a Swedish friend made this for me, I could have put away an entire pan.
posted by anderjen at 11:36 AM on August 28, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by anderjen at 11:36 AM on August 28, 2012 [4 favorites]
I just roast them with brown sugar and cinnamon, like Bananas Foster without fuss.
posted by Ideefixe at 11:45 AM on August 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Ideefixe at 11:45 AM on August 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
I can say that the "ice cream" recipe is good. We make it a lot, and experiment with add-ins, which is fun.
posted by upatree at 12:49 PM on August 28, 2012
posted by upatree at 12:49 PM on August 28, 2012
Pancakes. Just make your batter like normal and add a (squished) banana or two to the mix. You may have to adjust the amount of liquid (milk or water) you use.
posted by deborah at 1:38 PM on August 28, 2012
posted by deborah at 1:38 PM on August 28, 2012
Banana fritters. Just batter (in a gluten free batter in your case)and deep fry them, they are great served with icecream.
Mix with coconut cream and unsweetened dried coconut and serve as a side with a nice curry, or put them in a nice curry.
It's amazing how coconut rum in a banana smoothy can make oh so much more palatable and like a little tropical holiday.
Run them through a blender while still frozen and have like a frozen banana ice cream sooooo good, but you need a strong blender.
Grill them and drizzle them with honey, syrup or cinnamon, or whatever you like. They are nice as a dessert or with pork or chicken without the sweet topping.
Mashed up in a sandwich, with or without peanut butter, or honey or both.
Two ingredient cookies. Mash up the bananas and mix with rolled oats until at a oatmeal cookie dough type consistency, add other ingredients like choc chips etc if you like or just plain. Bake in the oven like a cookie. Not sure if oats are gluten free though.
posted by wwax at 2:08 PM on August 28, 2012
Mix with coconut cream and unsweetened dried coconut and serve as a side with a nice curry, or put them in a nice curry.
It's amazing how coconut rum in a banana smoothy can make oh so much more palatable and like a little tropical holiday.
Run them through a blender while still frozen and have like a frozen banana ice cream sooooo good, but you need a strong blender.
Grill them and drizzle them with honey, syrup or cinnamon, or whatever you like. They are nice as a dessert or with pork or chicken without the sweet topping.
Mashed up in a sandwich, with or without peanut butter, or honey or both.
Two ingredient cookies. Mash up the bananas and mix with rolled oats until at a oatmeal cookie dough type consistency, add other ingredients like choc chips etc if you like or just plain. Bake in the oven like a cookie. Not sure if oats are gluten free though.
posted by wwax at 2:08 PM on August 28, 2012
Bananas mashed with almond butter fry up to make a tasty, totally gluten-free pancake.
posted by anadem at 8:45 PM on August 28, 2012
posted by anadem at 8:45 PM on August 28, 2012
OMG, I was hoping someone would ask this *very question* so I could share with the world my favoritest way to eat bananas (I'm not a fan of bananas straight out of the peel).
It's easy, delicious, elegant, vegan, no added sugar, and dairy-free! It's a dessert, it's a healthy snack! (What can't it do?!)
It's a tweak of an Andrew Weil recipe, and easily scaled up or down depending on how many bananas you have on hand. Dr Weil suggests the addition of 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, but I've never needed more sweetening (YMMV).
The recipe belies how smooth & dreamy it is, though a food processor is necessary to achieve the silky texture.
(If using frozen bananas, thaw until soft)
Chocolate-Banana Pudding
2 bananas, the ripe-er the better
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (must be unsweetened, otherwise it will be too sweet)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1. Puree in a food processor 1 minute, divvy up into ramekins (approximately one banana per ramekin).
2. Chill for an hour before serving, and sprinkle walnut pieces on top for texture & visual oomph.
3. Enjoy!
posted by honey badger at 10:54 AM on August 29, 2012
It's easy, delicious, elegant, vegan, no added sugar, and dairy-free! It's a dessert, it's a healthy snack! (What can't it do?!)
It's a tweak of an Andrew Weil recipe, and easily scaled up or down depending on how many bananas you have on hand. Dr Weil suggests the addition of 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, but I've never needed more sweetening (YMMV).
The recipe belies how smooth & dreamy it is, though a food processor is necessary to achieve the silky texture.
(If using frozen bananas, thaw until soft)
Chocolate-Banana Pudding
2 bananas, the ripe-er the better
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (must be unsweetened, otherwise it will be too sweet)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1. Puree in a food processor 1 minute, divvy up into ramekins (approximately one banana per ramekin).
2. Chill for an hour before serving, and sprinkle walnut pieces on top for texture & visual oomph.
3. Enjoy!
posted by honey badger at 10:54 AM on August 29, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
Yum!
Bannana Chips. Slice thinly and fry like potato chips. Lime and salt.
Works like a starch in a meal.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 10:51 AM on August 28, 2012 [1 favorite]