In this guide, I quickly take you through the steps for freezing bananas for smoothies and why you might want to do it.
If you’re asking yourself can bananas be frozen, then you will be glad to hear that this is a straightforward process.
There are just a few things that you will need to look out for since bananas are a very delicate fruit. They can easily mush, brown, and taste iffy if not handled correctly.
The process of freezing fruit varies between person to person. Still, the method I explain for bananas in this guide works best for me. If you have a different approach, then please be sure to share it in the comments section at the bottom of this page.
Video on How to Freeze Bananas
I made a quick video that summarizes this guide, so if you love watching videos, then be sure to check it out below. Otherwise, you can find the entire guide right underneath the video.
Why Freeze Bananas for Smoothies?
There are several reasons why you may want to freeze a banana. I will just quickly go through some of the top reasons and any downsides to freezing them.
The first point is obvious but nonetheless an important one. By freezing your bananas correctly, you will extend their lifespan by up to six months. This is pretty important if you enjoy having bananas all year round and love to stock up while they’re cheap.
If you’re going to use them for a smoothie, then you will be happy to know that you will end up with a creamier and thicker drink once blended. You can use these in delicious banana smoothie combinations or other types of smoothies where banana isn’t the main ingredient.
If you’re like me, then you can also just eat frozen bananas as is. Eating them frozen is like an all-natural icy pole, and I highly recommend giving it a try.
You can also use frozen bananas for more than just smoothies. They’re even great for baking, such as making delicious banana bread and so much more.
Now let’s talk about the best process of freezing this fantastic fruit.
How to Freeze Bananas
The process of freezing bananas for smoothies is really straightforward, but there are a few things you should watch out for that I will mention below.
It’s important to know that you should only freeze bananas that are ripe or slightly overripe. If they’re not ripe enough, then simply wait a few more days before freezing them.
Below is the method that I use and, in my opinion, is the best way to freeze bananas easily.
1. Begin by removing the peel of the banana. It’s important to note that leaving the peel on the banana will cause a lot of issues when you go to use it after it has been frozen. For example, it’s tough to remove the peel from an unpeeled banana once it has been frozen.
2. Now cut the bananas into slices that will fit into the blender. Cutting it into thirds should be small enough. This step isn’t important if you don’t plan on using the bananas for smoothies.
3. This next step is optional but helps stop the bananas from browning. Lightly spray or rub some lime or lemon juice onto the bananas.
4. Place the bananas into a sealable bag or wrap in saran wrap. Make sure they’re completely covered as you don’t want freezer burn.
5. Seal the bag with as little air in it as possible. A vacuum machine will work best if you have one. Vacuum packing isn’t essential, but it will help reduce the amount of browning.
6. Place in a safe area in your freezer. It will take roughly two hours to become fully frozen.
7. You can keep the bananas frozen for up to 6 months before the quality will start to degrade. Whenever you need some bananas for a smoothie, just remove and blend them in your next tasty smoothie.
Other Tips
I covered the basics above, but you can go one step further to freezing a banana correctly.
I should note that the following steps are not essential but may help you out when it comes to getting that perfect frozen banana.
- If you cut the bananas with a knife, try to use a ceramic knife as this will help prevent the banana from going brown where you have cut it. This is also the same with avocados, apple, and a ton of other fruit.
- You can freeze the banana on a tray with baking paper before transferring it to a bag. This will help prevent the banana from sticking together. Of course, you will need a big enough freezer to do this. I haven’t had any problems with the bananas freezing together so bad that I couldn’t separate them.
- Freezing in single serving size batches is ideal as you will be able to just grab one bag out for one lot of a smoothie recipe.
- If you leave the frozen fruit on the bench or in the fridge to defrost, they will start to brown. It’s best to use them as soon as you remove them from the freezer.
As I mentioned earlier, there are many other methods for storing bananas in the freezer. If you have a better method, then be sure to let us know. Personally, I found this method to be pretty flawless and have had the bananas keep for roughly six months before needing to be used.
I hope this guide has helped you with understanding both how and why freezing bananas for smoothies is a good thing to do. If you have any issues, feedback, or anything else, then please feel free to leave a comment below.
