Banana Recipes to Make Now!

Bananas have a knack for making any baking project a little more comforting, and that’s what we’re looking for right now. Here are some of my favorite banana recipes, perfected over the years in the Great Island kitchen.

Tips for baking with bananas

• A lot of recipes call for browned or overripe bananas, but in my experience, there’s no reason why you can’t use bananas fresh from the supermarket, so don’t stress about it too much.
• Quick ripen bananas in the oven! Roast at 350°F (165°C) for 20–25 minutes.
• If you’re lucky enough to have more ripe bananas than you can use, freeze them! Peel them and freeze separately on a lined baking sheet until stiff. Then pop them into a zip lock freezer bag and squeeze out the excess air before zipping up. You can freeze mashed banana, as well.
• You can control the texture of the banana in your recipe by the way you mash it. Mash it with a fork for a chunkier texture and small bits of banana throughout your recipe, or beat it in a stand mixer or puree it for a smoother texture.
• Add an extra layer of flavor and texture to your recipe by dicing up an extra banana and folding it into the batter.
• If you’re mashing bananas ahead of time, prevent it from browning by adding a tiny bit of lemon juice.
• Fresh out of bananas? Try substituting drained applesauce, apple butter, or pumpkin puree in your recipe. You can also use banana baby food in a pinch! Just make sure the consistency is similar to mashed banana.
• Flavors that pair well with banana: cinnamon, nutmeg, bourbon, vanilla, caramel, maple, molasses, toffee, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and last but not least, chocolate!

Banana Bread Recipes

There’s nothing quite like a warm, freshly baked banana bread and there are lots to choose from in my recipe archives ~ make one of these favorites today!

Banana bread recipes clockwise from top left

• Better Than Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread
• One Banana Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Walnuts
• Double Chocolate Banana Bread
• Nutella Banana Bread

Banana Cake Recipes

You don’t see banana cakes quite as much as classic banana breads, but I’ve made lots over the years in the Great Island kitchen, and I’ve loved each and every one of them. There are so many flavors that pair well with banana, from spices to chocolate, rum and nuts, and a cake is a wonderful canvas to explore all the delicious options! My Banana Cake with Nutella Frosting makes a great birthday cake for banana lovers, and my latest banana dessert, Warm Banana Pudding Cake is a house favorite!

Banana cake recipes clockwise from top left

• Banana Cake with Nutella Buttercream
• Banana Cake with Spiced Vanilla Buttercream
• Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
• Warm Banana Pudding Cake

Banana Bars & Blondies

If I had to choose (do I have to choose??) I think banana bars and blondies are my first pick. So rich and moist, they really showcase the unique qualities of banana. My frosted banana blondies are to die for.

Banana bars and blondies recipes clockwise from top left

• My Favorite Banana Blondies
• Banana Poppy Seed Cake with Lemon Buttercream
• Banana Walnut Bars with Caramel Frosting
• Hummingbird Cake Bars

More Banana Treat Recipes

Beyond breads and cakes, there’s a whole delicious world of banana goodies out there…my copycat Crumbl banana bread cookies are a must try!

More banana treat recipes clockwise from top left

• Copycat Crumbl Banana Bread Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
• Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas
• Bourbon Banana Butter