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Don’t let your overripe and spotty bananas go to waste! With a bit of creativity, you can use them to make yummy ripe banana bread recipes. Simple and tasty, these recipes deliver the full flavor of ripe banana that traditional banana bread can’t.
This guide will teach you how to make crunchy walnut loaves or sweet chocolate chip banana bread. It contains all the instructions you need to get baking your delicious ripe banana bread today!
Benefits of Ripe Bananas
Do you have bananas that are ripe and about to spoil? Don’t fret! Ripe bananas can be used to make all kinds of scrumptious recipes. From banana bread to smoothies, the possibilities are endless. Not only is banana bread tasty and straightforward to make, ripe bananas are also loaded with benefits.
Let’s take a look at what ripe bananas can do for you:
Nutritional Benefits
Bananas are a nutrition powerhouse! Eating overripe ones even more so. They contain more antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and plant compounds like FOS. These components become easier to digest as the banana ripens.
- Potassium in bananas helps prevent stroke, regulate blood pressure, and reduce kidney stone risk.
- Magnesium boosts heart health, energy production, and digestion.
- Phosphorus for bones, calcium for teeth, zinc for immunity, and folate for cell growth are also present.
Overripe bananas have more dietary fiber, which regulates blood sugar. Probiotics like BL may help reduce cholesterol levels. Antioxidants like vitamin A, C, lutein, and carotenoids protect against free radicals. And they enhance neurotransmitter production, thus boosting moods.
Taste
Ripe bananas have a yummy sweetness and a delicate texture that is different than unripe ones. Unripe bananas have more starch and a tart flavor so they are not good for baking. Ripe ones are sweet and make a yummy treat. The ripeness level affects the flavor of banana bread. When selecting bananas for baking, choose those that are ripe but not too mushy.
Taste and nutrition benefit from ripeness. Ripe bananas have softer flesh with more vitamins. Bananas have Vitamin B6 and potassium. They help with cardiovascular health and energy without added sugar. The dietary fiber in ripe bananas also aids digestion and reduces blood sugar.
The sweetness of ripe bananas makes them great for adding extra ingredients like chocolate chips or nuts. Ripe banana breads hold together better than unripe ones, so they rise during baking. This makes moist and sweet banana bread. Perfect for butter or cream cheese!
Ripe Banana Bread Recipes
Don’t let those ripe bananas go to nothing! Transform them into scrumptious, sweet treats with banana bread. We’ve got the yummiest banana bread recipes. Let’s start baking!
Get out the ingredients, it’s time to make some deliciousness!
Classic Banana Bread
Classic Banana Bread is a comforting, delicious treat. It’s not only easy to make, but you can enjoy it all year round! Whether you like it plain or with some extras, this bread will make even the pickiest food critics smile.
To make Classic Banana Bread, you’ll need:
- 4-5 medium-sized overripe bananas
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 tsp salt (optional)
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 4 tbsp melted butter or vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
First, preheat your oven to 350 Fahrenheit and grease your 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, whip together the mashed bananas and sugars until smooth. Then add in the eggs and butter or oil until blended.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon (optional). Slowly add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture until just blended – don’t overmix!
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 40-50 minutes. Check if it’s done by inserting a toothpick into the center – if it comes out clean, it’s done! Let the loaf cool on a wire rack and enjoy!
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Crazy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is a classic comfort food. Made from overripe bananas, it’s moist and flavorful. Simple to make and can be served for breakfast, a snack or dessert.
To make it:
- 3 overripe bananas (mashed/pureed)
- 1/3 cup melted butter/ oil
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips/chunks (optional)
Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas, melted butter/oil, sugar and eggs until combined. Add the vanilla extract and mix.
In a separate bowl whisk baking soda, baking powder, salt and flour until no clumps. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients while stirring. Gently fold in the chocolate chips/chunks (optional).
Pour batter into the loaf pan and bake for 60 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean when tested near center. Allow to cool before slicing and serve warm/cold with butter/cream cheese!
Coconut Banana Bread
Crazy Coconut Banana Bread! Sweet and moist, this tropical-flavored dish will have your family and guests coming back for more. To make this easy recipe, you only need five basic ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
If you’re using frozen banana slices, thaw them first. For a light, fluffy texture, add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, then fold in the rest—but don’t over-stir! Use an electric mixer for quick blending, if desired.
To enhance the tropical aroma, add freshly grated coconut. Canned coconut milk works for convenience, but fresh coconut milk will boost flavor even more. Lime zest is a great option, too—it adds a slight, but nice, acidity.
Finally, pour batter into a greased 9×5” loaf pan and bake in a preheated oven (approx 350°F) on the middle rack for 45-50 minutes. Check regularly to prevent over-baking. Let cool before serving or storing; enjoy!
Peanut Butter Banana Bread
Mash three ripe bananas in a bowl. Combine with all-purpose flour, melted butter, peanut butter, and light brown sugar. Beat in two eggs and baking soda and salt. Spoon batter into greased loaf pan. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes. Insert toothpick in center – if it comes out clean, it’s done! Let cool for 10 minutes. Turn out onto plate to cool completely.
Slice your Peanut Butter Banana Bread for a snack or treat friends to a slice smothered in cream cheese frosting for a decadent dessert! Enjoy the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch!
Blueberry Banana Bread
This scrumptious Blueberry Banana Bread is both sweet and tart. It blends the natural sweetness of a ripe banana with the zesty taste of blueberries. This mix of flavors is perfect for breakfast, dessert or a snack any time of day. You can adjust the recipe to your liking – add more sugar or use honey or agave nectar to reduce sugar; or add walnuts for crunch; or swap chocolate chips for blueberries. For best results, use spotty, ripe bananas as they will offer the most flavor and texture.
You need 4 overripe bananas, plus:
- ½ cup butter (room temp.)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs (room temp.)
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract (or 1 tsp almond extract)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt (optional)
- ½ cup melted coconut oil (or more butter/vegan margarine/olive oil/canola oil)
- 1+1/4 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen)
Plus, mixing bowls and a 9×5” loaf pan lined with parchment paper.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C ). Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy – 3 mins on medium speed in electric mixer. Add eggs one at a time. Add banana puree and vanilla/almond extract. Mix until combined. In a separate bowl, combine flour through salt. Fold dry ingredients into wet mix in two or three batches. Don’t overmix. Incorporate melted oil. Fold in blueberries with a spatula or wooden spoon. Put in prepared loaf pan. Glaze with raw sugar (optional). Bake 50 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Let cool fully before turning out from pan. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Make the best of those overripe bananas! No need to let them go to waste. Get a simple recipe, basic equipment and follow these tips. Transform your ripe bananas into delicious home-baked treats. From traditional banana bread recipes to vegan options, there’s something for everyone!
The key to success is to prepare the bananas mindfully and incorporate them carefully and evenly into the recipe. It may take a few tries before you get it right. But when you do, enjoy!
