How to Store Bananas: Tips and Tricks for Easy Banana Storing
Updated on March 2, 2023
Most people don’t think twice about how to store bananas, but the truth is that there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. Check out our easy tips and tricks for storing bananas the right way.
Bananas are fruits that come in several varieties, shapes, sizes, and colors. Overall, they are a healthy addition to most diets. You can also make banana bread from overripe bananas!
But it’s essential to learn how to store bananas correctly so that they will last longer in your kitchen. Besides, you won’t have to take so many frequent trips to the store.
There are many ways to store bananas at home; some include freezing, storing them in the fridge, or keeping the fruits on a window sill.
Keep reading to discover the health benefits and proper storage techniques.
Banana Health Benefits
Bananas are a fantastic source of dietary potassium, vitamin C, dietary fiber, and vitamin B6. They also contain antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin.
Furthermore, bananas are high in pectin, a fiber that has been proven to reduce cholesterol levels; this makes bananas great for the cardiovascular system while aiding digestion and lowering blood sugar spikes.
You should also know that bananas produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and sleep. Due to these factors, bananas have been linked with fighting depression and anxiety.
How to Store Bananas
Bananas are delicious fruits, but they have the funny habit of ripening fast. Here are the best ways to store bananas so that their taste and nutritional composition remain unchanged and their stem stays fresh for longer.
- You can store ripe bananas at room temperature and away from light on the counter, but you will have to eat them quickly.
- If you eat a lot of bananas, consider investing in a banana hanger; it provides even air circulation and prevents bruises formed by bananas that touch each other. When you want to eat a banana, just pick it off the bunch.
- Wrap the stem in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to stop the release of ethylene gas, which is responsible for the ripening process.
- If you want to keep the bananas for a longer period, don’t cut them until they’re ready for use.
- On the other hand, if you have already cut the banana into slices, sprinkle lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown. Then you can transfer the slices to an airtight container and keep them stored in a cool place.
- Avoid keeping bananas near other fruit. For example, apples release ethylene gas that makes them ripen faster – not something you want if your bananas are already ripe.
How to Store Bananas in the Fridge
If you’re wondering how to preserve bananas longer, check out the following tips:
- If the bananas are still green, it’s best to move them to the refrigerator since this will slow down the ripening process.
- Put a plantain leaf in your fridge; it will absorb all the humidity and keep your fruit dry.
- If you don’t have any plantain leaves, use paper towels or napkins. Be sure to regularly replace them when they get wet to maintain the proper storage conditions.
- It’s also possible to store the bananas in individual resealable bags, making sure to leave air in the bags before sealing.
How to Store Bananas in the Freezer
If you’re wondering how to keep bananas from turning brown, the best way is to store them in the freezer. Here’s what you need to do:
- Frozen bananas last for up to 3 months.
- You can freeze bananas whole by wrapping each one in plastic wrap.
- It’s also possible to peel and slice bananas before freezing if you plan on having them ready for at-will smoothies, ice cream, and other quick recipes that work well with frozen bananas. All you have to do is put them in a container or resealable freezer bag – remember to label the bags and set the current date.
- It’s best to freeze the slices using a baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch each other. Then you can move the slices to a resealable freezer bag.
- You can also freeze banana puree in ice cube trays if you want to further use it for smoothies.
- Use the bananas quickly after thawing, since they become very mushy.
How to Store Banana Bread
Instead of throwing them away, it’s a good idea to turn overripe bananas into banana bread. Here are some tips and tricks on storing banana bread:
- Keep the bread at room temperature on the counter if you plan on eating it soon. If you cut the bread into slices and wrap them in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container, they should last up to 4 days.
- If the bread slices are too dry, just pop them in the toaster.
- Always discard banana bread with signs of mold since it’s too late to save it.
- It’s possible to freeze an entire banana bread – wrap it in aluminum foil and move it to a resealable freezer bag, making sure to remove excess air. You can also freeze bread slices in the same manner – just make sure to individually wrap the slices in aluminum foil.
- It’s easy to thaw banana bread slices by leaving them on the counter for up to 1 hour. Or you can speed up the thawing process by popping the slices in the toaster or microwave oven for 30 seconds.
- Thawing a whole banana bread is not that different – just remove the loaf from the bag but keep it in the aluminum foil to stop it from drying.
How to Store Half a Banana
If you have eaten only half a banana but didn’t peel off the remaining fruit, cover the banana in its skin, wrap it in plastic wrap, and move it to the vegetable drawer of the fridge. You can act in the same way if you have already removed the entire skin, but it won’t last as long in your fridge.
How to Ripen Bananas
To speed up the banana ripening process, here’s what you can try:
- Move the bananas to a window so that they get natural sunlight.
- Remove the bananas from the bunch and discard the stem.
- Place green bananas in a sealed paper bag near other fruit (like apples) for several days. The ethylene gas produced by other fruit will kickstart the ripening process.
- Bake unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 20 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius) to obtain brown bananas.
How to Store Bananas (FAQ)
Learn more information about storing bananas.
How to keep bananas fresh?
When it comes to keeping bananas fresh, one of the most important things is to make sure they don’t get too cold, like in a refrigerator. It’s best to store them on the counter or in another cool spot in your home.
Bananas last for about 3 to 4 days when stored at room temperature and between 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 20 degrees Celsius).
How long will overripe bananas keep?
Overripe bananas last for about 4 days when stored in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the fridge. As overripe fruit produces ethylene gas, putting other fruit inside the container with them speeds up their ripening process – just remember to set out paper towels underneath to eliminate excess moisture.
If you are wondering how to use overripe bananas, then try turning them into banana bread or throwing them into a smoothie – you can save yourself the time that would be spent making breakfast.
How long do green bananas last?
As with oranges, unripened green bananas will last for several days if kept on the counter and away from other fruit. They will ripen after 7 to 10 days and should be used within 2 weeks of purchase.
How to quickly ripen bananas?
If you’re wondering how to ripen bananas faster, you can place them in a brown paper bag with other fruit, like apples. The ethylene gas produced by the fruit speeds up the ripening process.
How long does banana bread last?
You should eat banana bread within 1 week if stored at room temperature and wrapped tightly with aluminum foil or placed in an airtight container – just be sure to cut it into slices first!
To extend this time to 2 or 3 months, you can freeze banana bread by wrapping it tightly in aluminum foil and placing it in a resealable freezer bag. You can also freeze slices individually wrapped in aluminum foil, removing excess air before sealing the bag.
Final Thoughts on Storing Bananas
Bananas are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. They are not only tasty but also an excellent source of energy, perfect to eat at breakfast or as a snack.
Although the fruit is available all year round, the best time to eat bananas is during summer because it keeps you hydrated and cools your body down.
If you follow our tips and tricks, you will be able to store bananas on the long them so that you can enjoy these fruits at your convenience.
Do you have any secrets when it comes to storing bananas? Let us know in the comment section below.