21 overripe banana recipes from Registered Dietitians! Quick breads, banana muffins, banana pudding, banana milkshake, waffles, biscotti, smoothies, smoothie bowls, and more!
*I updated this post to make it more comprehensive and user friendly.
You know that saying, "turn that frown upside down?" Yea, well that's what you need to do the next time you see that the bananas sitting out on the counter are a little too ripe to throw into a fruit bowl or eat as is!
Mashed bananas are sort of like a secret ingredient, lol. Seriously, overripe bananas can be used to add flavor and natural sweetness to so many different foods.
Here you will find a variety of overripe banana recipes that were developed by Registered Dietitians, including myself. 😍
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Dietitian Tip
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to no more than 25 grams per day for most people. Using ripe bananas in a recipe is an easy way to achieve a delicious level of sweetness without overdoing it on added sugar.
Cost Saving Tips
- If you shop at Trader Joe's, you should know that they price bananas per banana, not per pound. So, when you are buying bananas at Trader Joe's, don't shy away from the larger bananas.
- Check your local grocery store to see if there is a discounted produce section. Oftentimes ripe bananas are placed with outdated produce at a discounted price.
What is an Overripe Banana?
Ripe bananas are a delicious, nutritious, and inexpensive fruit that can be eaten alone, with nut butter, or used in a variety of recipes to add flavor and natural sweetness.
Ripe bananas are yellow in color without any green on the edges of the peel, while overripe bananas are covered in brown spots, as seen in the picture above.
Brown bananas that are still firm without any signs that they are going bad (mushy, black spots) will be even sweeter and softer and can be used for baking.
To be clear, bright yellow bananas with green edges as you often find at the grocery store, are not yet ripe and will not taste good. Set them on the counter when you get home. They will ripen within a few days at room temperature.
1
Mini Banana Pancakes
Bite-sized banana pancakes with a healthy twist! These delicious banana pancakes are made with quick oats, whole grain flour, banana, and no added sugar.This is a great recipe to make on the weekend so you (or your kids!) can quickly reheat them before school or work throughout the week!Ingredients: Overripe banana, quick oats, milk, egg, golden wheat flour (white whole wheat flour), baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Mini Banana Pancakes
2
Banana Blackberry Oatmeal Muffins
Made with fresh blackberries, Greek yogurt, whole grain flour and oats, these Banana Blackberry Oatmeal Muffins make a delicious quick snack or simple breakfast!Ingredients: All-purpose flour, rolled oats, sugar, plain Greek yogurt, egg, olive oil, overripe banana, fresh blackberries, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
Banana Blackberry Oatmeal Muffins
3
Banana Carrot Muffins with Raisins
Made with bananas, shredded carrots, and golden raisins, these Banana Carrot Muffins make a delicious addition to breakfast and school lunches or can be served as an easy after school snack!Ingredient: Carrot, overripe bananas, golden wheat flour, oat flour, milk, olive oil, sugar, egg, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and raisins.
Banana Carrot Muffins
4
Hummingbird Muffins
This Hummingbird Muffin recipe uses one overripe banana and crushed pineapple for incredible flavor!Ingredients: All-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, overripe banana, brown sugar, eggs, plain Greek yogurt, crushed pineapple, vegetable oil, vanilla, cream cheese, and pecan halves.Recipe by: Melissa Macher, RD
Hummingbird Muffins
5
Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
This easy banana muffin recipe with zucchini and chocolate chips makes a delicious addition to breakfast, lunch, or afternoon snack. And there is no need to separate the wet ingredients from dry ingredients - so easy!Ingredients: Overripe bananas, zucchini, golden wheat flour (white whole wheat flour), oat flour, milk, olive oil, egg, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, and chocolate chips.
Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
6
Easy Dairy-Free Banana Bread
This is the best banana recipe! In my opinion, there is no better way to use up overripe bananas than to make my favorite banana bread! This delicious Dairy-Free Banana Bread recipe is made with simple, easy to find ingredients like white whole wheat flour and maple syrup and requires just one bowl for mixing. It's so good, your kids will want to eat it with breakfast AND as an after-school snack! Just be sure you have a loaf pan handy, haha!And if you're having a sweet craving, just sprinkle chocolate chips on the top just before baking. Delicious!Ingredients: Overripe bananas, golden wheat flour, maple syrup, olive oil, water, eggs, vanilla, baking soda, and salt.
Dairy-Free Banana Bread
7
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
These Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins are soft, full of flavor, and have a lovely crumb topping to give it incredible texture. This recipe calls for three ripe bananas. You'll want the bananas to be ripe, but not too ripe. Ingredients: Gluten-free flour blend, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, walnuts, chocolate chips, brown sugar, unsalted butter, unsweetened applesauce, banana, egg, and vanilla extract.Recipe by: Julie Christensen RD, LD
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
8
Easy Milkshake with Banana Recipe
Perfect for a summer day! Make this easy, creamy, and delicious banana milkshake recipe with a few simple ingredients in just 5 minutes!Ingredients: Vanilla ice cream, overripe banana, milk, and chia seeds.
Milkshake with Banana
9
Vegan Gingerbread Banana Waffles
This homemade Vegan Gingerbread Waffle Recipe is made with a variety of spices like cinnamon, ground cloves, and fresh ginger to create an incredible gingerbread flavor. This recipe calls for one ripe banana, preferably from frozen.Ingredients: Plant-based milk, lemon juice, ground flaxseed, water, white whole wheat flour, almond flour, cornstarch, brown sugar, fresh ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, baking powder, salt, banana, and olive oil.Recipe by: Melissa Altman-Traub MS, RDN, LDN
Vegan Gingerbread Banana Waffles
10
Banana Cocoa Cookies
Also known as double chocolate banana cookies, these Banana Cocoa Cookies are soft on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside. They are made with whole grain flour, quick oats, olive oil instead of butter, chia instead of egg, and less sugar. The banana flavor definitely stands out!Ingredients: Chia seeds, water, golden wheat flour (white whole wheat flour), quick oats, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, sugar, vanilla, overripe bananas, olive oil, and chocolate chips.
Banana Cocoa Cookie Recipe
11
Healthy Banana Mug Cake (With Cinnamon and Chocolate Chips)
This banana mug cake is an easy recipe that uses overripe banana to add incredible flavor, texture, and natural sweetness. It contains 8g of protein per serving and takes 11 minutes to make.Ingredients: Overripe banana, powdered peanut butter, whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, maple syrup, milk, and dark chocolate chips.Recipe by: Chrissy Carroll, MPH, RD at Snacking in Sneakers
Healthy Banana Mug Cake
12
4-Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies
Cookie for breakfast? Yes, please! Make these 4-Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies with a few simple ingredients in 15 minutes!Ingredients: Overripe banana, rolled oats, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.Recipe by: Leanne Ray, MS, RDN (Healthyish Appetite)
4-Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies
13
Banana Nice Cream
It's not banana ice cream; it's Banana Nice Cream! Make this light and refreshing banana dessert in 5 minutes (so much faster than homemade ice cream!)Ingredients: Frozen overripe bananas and milk.Recipe by: Lexi Cole RD, CCMS at To Taste
Banana Nice Cream
14
Banana Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie
Perfect for a quick breakfast on busy mornings or as a filling after school snack! With 15 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber, this PB&J smoothie is a great way to start your day! It's made with six simple ingredients, including one small very ripe or overripe banana, and ready in no time. Your whole family will love it!Ingredients: Frozen strawberries, milk, overripe banana, pitted Medjool dates, peanut butter, and honey.
Banana Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie
15
Banana Nutmeg Smoothie
Made with a few unique ingredients like hemp seed butter and grape juice, this Banana Nutmeg Smoothie contains 15 grams of protein per serving! Enjoy it for breakfast or after school snack!Ingredients: Grape juice, hemp seed butter, plain skyr, nutmeg, and banana.Recipe by: Amy Gorin MS, RDN
Banana Nutmeg Smoothie
16
Banana Walnut Biscotti
You had me at Biscotti! This is a delicious recipe that calls for one ripe banana. It's perfect for when you are craving something crunchy and slightly sweet. Coffee anyone? Ingredients: Toasted California walnuts, butter, sugar, ripe banana, eggs, whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, salt, and dark chocolate cocoa nibs or chips.Recipe by: Laura M. Ali, MS, RDN, LDN Culinary Nutritionist and author of the MIND Diet for Two.
Banana Walnut Biscotti
17
Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal
This baked oatmeal recipe is naturally sweetened with two overripe bananas, strawberries, and maple syrup. It's an easy and delicious recipe that your whole family will love!Ingredients: Rolled oats, milk, egg, maple syrup, olive oil, baking powder, bananas, strawberries, and chocolate chips (optional).
Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal
18
Easy Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
My favorite smoothie bowl! Make this thick and creamy Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl with 5 ingredients in 10 minutes! It contains 13 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving, so it will help keep you feel full longer!Ingredients: Strawberry skyr, plain kefir, chia seeds, frozen overripe banana, and frozen strawberries.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
19
Incredible Flaxseed Pudding (Banana Pudding)
Make this easy peanut butter and banana pudding with flaxseeds for a nutritious and delicious snack or quick 'on the go' breakfast. It's made with simple ingredients and only takes five minutes to make!Ingredients: Ground flaxseeds (flaxseed meal), milk, banana, peanut butter, maple syrup, and mini chocolate chips.
Banana Flax Pudding
20
Watermelon Banana Smoothie
This light and refreshing Watermelon Banana Smoothie will become your new summertime favorite smoothie! It's made with four simple ingredients and is super quick to make.Ingredients: Watermelon, frozen banana, ice, and fresh lime juice.
Watermelon Banana Smoothie
21
Creamy Avocado Banana Chocolate Pudding
Topped (optional) with coconut whipped cream, orange zest, and chia seeds, this toddler friendly Avocado Banana Pudding is made with three ingredients in 10 minutes! Ingredients: Avocado, ripe bananas, and cocoa powder.Recipe by: Malina Malkani Nutrition
Creamy Avocado Banana Chocolate Pudding
22
Tahini Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Enjoy a delicious twist on an old classic by making banana bread with tahini....and chocolate chips, of course!Ingredients: Coconut oil, tahini, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, almond milk, vanilla, very ripe bananas, white whole wheat flour (golden wheat flour), baking soda, salt, and chocolate chipsRecipe by: Kara Lydon, RD, LDN, RYT
Check out this recipe
Questions You May Have
How can you tell if a banana is rotten or overripe?
If there is mold on any part of the banana peel or stem, it is rotten. Also, if it smells off or has liquid coming out of from the peel, it is rotten and needs to be thrown out.
The peel of an overripe banana often looks yellow with brown spots or mostly brown. Some say you can still eat a banana when the peel is black. Be sure that there is no mold or liquid coming from the peel and that the banana still looks and smells like a banana once peeled.
Do overripe bananas contain more sugar than ripe bananas?
No. There is no difference in the amount of sugar between ripe and overripe bananas.
How long can overripe bananas last in the fridge?
Once bananas are overripe, I suggest freezing them or using them. Still, overripe bananas can be refrigerated for about five days.
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