How to Defrost Frozen Bananas? Why Do Frozen Bananas Turn Brown?
Freezing fresh bananas is a great way to store them longer while retaining their flavor and freshness. It is also a great way to prevent food wastage, and you will have bananas ready anytime you need to use them.
However, the FDA says frozen bananas stay fresh and flavorful for two to three months. So you have plenty of time to use your frozen bananas before they go bad. Date the bag of frozen bananas to remember the storing date.
And the good thing is that it is really easy to defrost frozen bananas. So whenever you will need bananas for baking or making smoothies, thaw them following
- On the counter method
- Microwave method or
- Using a plastic bag and lukewarm method.
3 Ways to Defrost Frozen Bananas
1. On the Counter ( The Slowest Method)
Before you try any other method, if you have enough time, try thawing the frozen bananas naturally on the counter. To do that, follow the below steps.
Step 1: Take a large bowl or plate and place your bananas. It will help you control the watery mess as bananas leak some liquid during defrosting.
Tips:
- To ensure the bananas aren’t bunched together, spread them out as best as possible.
- Cover your plate or bowl using plastic or foil wrap to protect them from bugs and flies.
Step 2: Let the banana sit at room temperature for roughly 2 hours. Depending on the climate, It may take more or fewer hours to thaw the banana.
Tip:
- To make the defrosting process faster, place the bowl where it will receive a lot of light.
Step 3: Once the banana has thawed, take the banana peels off to use.
| How to peel a frozen banana? Using a knife, preferably a paring knife, cut off both tips of the frozen banana. Cut a slit down the banana’s length. The cut should be deep enough to allow the peel to be sliced through. Now, using the edge of your knife, slowly and carefully shave down the side of the banana. |
2. Using a Plastic Bag & Lukewarm Water
If you want to speed up the defrosting process, you may use this method. The instructions are as follows:
Step 1: If you froze bananas in a bag, use that bag to defrost. Otherwise, find a plastic bag or container to place your bananas. This step protects the bananas’ flavor and texture from the warm water used to defrost them, which is especially crucial if the bananas were peeled before freezing.
Step 2: Fill a bowl with lukewarm water. The level of warmth should be such that you can put your hands comfortably in it.
Step 3: Fully submerge the bananas in the bowl of warm water.
Step 4: Let the banana sit for 10 minutes in the water. You can change the water after 5 minutes to further speed the process.
After 10 minutes and before you remove the bananas from the water, check the firmness of the bananas by lifting one up and gently squeezing it. Put it back in the warm water if it still feels frozen.
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3. In the Microwave ( The Fastest Method)
This method is for you if you want to defrost your bananas as quickly as possible. Follow the simple steps:
Step 1: Use a ceramic bowl or microwave-safe bowl to place bananas in the microwave and prevent the mess once the bananas start thawing.
Step 2: Set the defrost mode on the microwave or lower the power of your microwave to prevent your banana from partial cooking. It may take around 3-4 hours.
Tip :
Because the power level of microwaves varies, remember to check how defrosted the bananas are after a minute or two.
Can You Defrost Frozen Bananas in the Fridge?
Yes, you certainly use the fridge to thaw frozen bananas. But it will be the slowest method to defrost bananas as it will take a few hours. However, your bananas will be free from weird smells, and you can use them immediately.
Why Do Frozen Bananas Turn Brown?
If you freeze bananas with their peel, they will always turn brown in the freezer. Because when stored at a low temperature or exposed to too much air in the freezer, like other fruits, bananas are prone to blackening.
But it doesn’t mean they have gone bad. On the inside of bananas, the color remains fresh and normal. And you use them for baking or making smoothies.
But you can avoid this by freezing bananas without their peels. It will also be easier for you to deal with bananas without their peel because it’s messy and difficult to peel off frozen bananas.
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How to Use Frozen Bananas?
You can use frozen bananas in many ways. Let me share my top 5 favorite ways to enjoy bananas.
Banana Bread
Banana bread is a classic and delightful dish you can make by baking frozen bananas. You will need about three medium-sized bananas. Fill your banana bread with peanut butter, cheesecake, or other fillings to make it more delicious. You can find many banana bread recipes on YouTube. Follow the one you like most.
Banana Pancakes
Do you have ripe bananas in your freezer? Why not start your day with some banana pancakes or waffles to make your day great?
The combination of healthy and tasty sounds always good to me!
Banana Muffins
Banana muffins can be tasty and healthy with whole grains, fruits, and honey. You can try chocolate and vegan banana muffins too.
Caramelized Banana Cupcakes
You can also use frozen bananas for baking caramelized banana cupcakes. It is a great treat to indulge in on occasion.
To add the best texture to your cupcakes, you can use fresh bananas for toppings.
Banana Ice Cream
Sometimes, you only need a lovely ice cream made from frozen bananas. Spin the frozen chunks or pieces in a food processor until smooth and creamy, then top with your favorite toppings.
Banana Smoothies
If you don’t feel like defrosting your frozen bananas but still want some bananas, make some banana smoothies. Blend your sliced bananas with your favorite other smoothie ingredients, and it’s ready to enjoy.
Wrap Up
If you ever get a lot of fresh bananas from someone who cares for you or have bought a lot of them at a relatively low price, store them in your freezer. Because thawing frozen bananas is a fairly straightforward process, you can use defrosted bananas for baking without any problem. Rather frozen bananas add extra moisture to baked goods as they are softer than counter-ripened bananas.
