What Banana Recipe is RIPE for you?

Photo by Annie Klaff Text by Kylie Smith

Bananas are one of the most convenient and versatile fruits to have in your kitchen, but their shelf life is less impressive. Typically, the way to tell if your banana is of optimal use is if it's in the ripe stage, however, this is not the only time that a banana can be utilized. There are many ways to make this tropical fruit more appealing (pun intended) and get the most use out of our favorite fruit.

The underripe banana has a lime green complexion and is best used like a vegetable. Yes, you heard correctly, like a vegetable. This phase turns the sweet fruit into a savory snack making meals like fried green bananas, banana curry, and even boiled bananas. Of course, there is an abundance of unique recipes to make with your underripe bananas, like green banana fries! Our society is obsessed with deep-fried foods (like the beloved fried oreos at the fair) and bananas are not exempt from this trend. The best part about this recipe is that it only takes three simple ingredients, bananas, oil and salt!

During this phase, the banana is of optimal use. A ripe banana can be eaten on its own, of course, but there are a bunch of other ways to devour this delicious food. Make a classic banana smoothie (which we think is best when paired with chocolate and peanut butter, a chunky monkey if you will), grill your bananas, or even make some banana pudding!

This banana pudding recipe we found from Chocolate Covered Katie is easy, delicious and can be made vegan! In a pot on low heat, mix and mash two ripe bananas with one cup of milk, maple syrup, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Then, mix half a cup of milk with two tablespoons of cornstarch and combine both mixtures together. Stir until the mix is nice and thick, and enjoy (or put it in the fridge to eat after your banana fries)!

The super ripe banana, now with a couple more imperfections than before, becomes an even sweeter treat. If dessert is your favorite meal of the day, these bananas are perfect

for you! Wake and bake a scrumptious banana muffin, flip some banana flapjacks, or blend your bananas into ultra-creamy ice cream, a healthy and homemade alternative for us college students who are attempting to eat clean! Here is a banana ice cream recipe that is so simple it can be made in lickity split. Blend two bananas, add a splash of your favorite milk and flavoring of choice, freeze and enjoy as soon as two hours later.

Brown, mushy, squishy and smelly are all ways one typically describes an overripe banana. The bananas that you should've thrown away two days ago. Instead, it sat on your counter because you “just kept forgetting '' and “have been so busy,” so now they resemble a soggy brown paper bag. This is when the phrase “don't judge a banana by its cover” is crucial to keep in mind. Similar to the super-ripe phase, these bananas are perfect for baking. The best recipes to make with overripe bananas include banana breads, waffles and our personal favorite, mixing it into your oatmeal. You might have seen one of the latest food fads on Tiktok: baked oatmeal. Mush up an overripe banana and bake it in the oven with your oatmeal, cinnamon and liquid of choice (milk or water work best) at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes to make the perfect breakfast or dessert!

It is not surprising that banana bread recipes throughout quarantine have become super popular, but don’t forget the many other uses of this delicious fruit. To have your bananas and eat them too, try these fun and easy recipes that will make you and your guests go bananas!