I love bananas [1] because not only are they sweet and tasty but they almost never go to waste [2]. Smoothies [3], pancakes, cookies, pudding [4], there are a number of versatile ways to use up ripe bananas. And although banana bread might come to mind (check out this delicious Chrissy Teigen recipe [5]), not all of us have the ingredients to whip up a full loaf. Instead, we've rounded up 31 banana recipes that are bread-less, delicious, and will definitely improve your at-home breakfast or dessert menu. Have a look through the ideas ahead — you may be surprised by all the yummy treats you can make.
— Additional reporting by Tessa Domzalski and Isadora Baum
Vegan Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Use that leftover, softened banana in a homemade "nice" cream recipe instead, where the creaminess of the mashed banana works super well to create a luscious and rich ice cream that's lower in calories, fat, and sugar than traditional brands. Plus, this particular recipe is vegan [7], too.
Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Got to run out the door in the a.m. but want a quick burst of energy? These banana oatmeal breakfast cookies are high in some natural sugars to wake you up, but also fibre to keep you full and avoid that insulin spike and subsequent crash. This banana breakfast cookie recipe [8] takes you back only 74 calories per bite, so feel free to eat a second (or third).
Banana Bread Protein Smoothie
Don't worry, this smoothie [9] just tastes like banana bread. It involves a half of a banana to create thick base. Plus, bananas taste great with most fruits, vegetables, nut butters, and milks, so you can't really go wrong.
Blueberry Banana Protein-Packed Baked Oatmeal
There's nothing like a warm bowl of baked oatmeal in the morning, especially when it's packed with nuts and fruit to keep you full and to satisfy that sweet tooth naturally. It's a great idea to use an overripe banana in oatmeal to create more creaminess so your oats will feel heartier with each spoonful.
Banana Spinach Pancakes
It's so easy to use softened, ripe bananas in pancakes as a mix since it works well with other pancake ingredients and mashes well to create a batter. You can also use that overripe banana to create a banana sauce to drizzle atop pancakes, too. It adds that final touch of sweetness.
Vegan French Toast
If you're thinking of french toast instead of pancakes, you can use a ripe banana to create that, too. Add fresh berries, as shown in this recipe [10], or pair it with chocolate chips, other fruit, a dollop of Greek yoghurt, or cheese for a savory route.
Baked Cinnamon Banana Chips
If you want a crunchy sweet snack that isn't super high in sugary additives or salt, which can be the case in packaged veggie and fruit chips, these cinnamon banana chips [11] are perfect for satisfying your craving without overloading you on the sugar.
3-Ingredient Brownies
Brownies taste amazing with overripe bananas [12], as the bananas make a dense, rich, and indulgent brownie that works well with chocolate, peanut butter, and other types of fillings. These are actually pretty healthy, too, so no need to worry about breaking a diet here.
Banana Smoothie Muffins
You can easily make a healthy banana muffin that has some natural sweetness and some leafy greens thrown in. This spinach banana muffin [13] use overripe bananas to make a soft muffin that's perfect for lazy mornings. Feel free to swap for different greens like kale or swiss chard if you prefer.
Microwaveable Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal
This four-ingredient microwaveable peanut butter and banana oatmeal recipe [14] involves peanut butter, bananas, oats, and a little milk to come together. It's delicious, and the peanut butter gives the oatmeal a fluffy, cake-like consistency.