freezing bananas

**Stella** · 02-10-2007, 06:53 PM

I just started freezing my bananas. I have a couple in the freezer that are about a week old and they are really brown. I squeezed as much air out of the bag as I could. I am wondering if when I defrost them, are they going to be super mushy or will they retain some shape? The recipe I want to use them for is not as good if the bananas are really mushy.

**AheeK** · 02-10-2007, 07:33 PM

I know a lot of people who freeze bananas, but the only thing they use them for is banana bread, so mushiness isn't a problem. Maybe thaw them out and give the recipe you have in mind a try...if it doesn't work at least you know not to freeze any more bananas.

**kaykwilts** · 02-10-2007, 07:42 PM

I freeze my bananas all the time but I use them for smoothies. I peel the bananas and put them in a ziplock bag. After being in the freezer for a week they should not be brown.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 02-10-2007, 10:12 PM

I freeze mine peel and all. When they thaw I've found them to be best used in items where they are blended in as brown is the color they usually come out after 5 or 6 monthes. But banana bread, muffins, cakes and smoothies are still wonderful.

Laurie in BRadenton

**acidcookie** · 02-11-2007, 12:13 AM

I froze bananas once and they were very brown and mushy when they thawed. Now, when they start to get too ripe, I slice them up and freeze them for smoothies also.

**Marie78** · 02-11-2007, 01:23 AM

I freeze my over ripe bananas peel and all also. I defrost them and use them in muffins and cakes. I don't think that they would hold their shape well at all after being defrosted. There was a recipe from childhood that I used to make. I would take a yellow banana unpeel it and cover it with melted chocolate and sprinkle with chopped peanuts. I usually insereted a popsicle stick in one end. Then I would let them harden and set up in the freezer on a cookie sheet. We ate them within a day though.

**foxxyroxie** · 02-11-2007, 04:11 AM

I peel and freeze my bananas for banana bread/muffins, banana bars and smoothies. Mine too get brown but it doesn't affect the quality of the finished product.

**IntlMom** · 02-13-2007, 12:37 AM

Yup, same here, I freeze them, but use them for breads, smoothies, and the like.....they are pretty mushy, but mine don't get too brown. They work well, however.

**yankeegal** · 02-13-2007, 07:19 PM

I freeze and use just for bread and muffins also. The consistancy is kinda mushy, but for baking it is just fine.

**wildflowerpa** · 02-15-2007, 06:15 AM

I freeze mine as well. They are mushy but saves time when making muffins and stuff. Just cut off the end and squeeze the banana out.Usuallly no need to mash up .My SIL is a produce manager so I have an endless supply of bananas in the freezer.

**she who can not cook** · 02-18-2007, 05:35 AM

way to go wildflowerpa kudos for having good family

**Libby** · 02-21-2007, 01:19 AM

I understand the concept of freezing for baking and whatnot after the fact when it doesnt matter if its mushy b/c you're only going to mash them but to keep banana's alrighty for eating? My ex lived in a house w/o a/c and it got to be very hot IN the house especially the kitchen. We'd buy a bunch of banana's and by evening they'd be ripe

So what I'd do do was separate them asap and put them in the fruit basket/bowl and halfway through the day maybe even 3/4's way through Id just put them in the fridge. You'd pull it out 5 mins before you planned on eating it as is - the inside is fine, just starting to ripen and very cold from being in the fridge but the peel got sooo brown it looked icky. But trust me the insides were great! Regular banana texture and all.

Just my two cents.