Keeping It Fresh: So, How Long Do Frozen Bananas Last?

Bananas are a great source of potassium and fibre, and they come in their own handy yellow packageing. But if eating an entire bunch between grocery trips seems like a daunting task, or you'd like to add more ease to your morning routine of deliciousbanana smoothies, storing them in the freezer might be a good idea. No matter the reason, it's important to know how long you can safely store the frozen fruit without any health risks.

Do Frozen Bananas Go Bad?

The answer for all you banana fans out there is, technically, no! When properly stored at 0 °F, frozen bananas can last forever. According to the FDA and US Department of Agriculture, you can be confident bananas frozen will stay fresh for two-to-three months without losing quality, but the fruit should stay safe for eating long after that if you freeze them correctly. Just to be safe, when taking them out of the freezer, check their consistency. If they're soft and oozing, it means they're probably spoiled, especially if their insides are dark.

What's the Best Way to Freeze Bananas?

If you like bananas sweet and don't want to lose that taste, you need to make sure the bananas are fully ripe before placing them in the freezer. To do so, let them rest at room temperature for three to five days (a tip to a faster ripening is placing them in a brown paper bag along with an apple). Once they are ripe, you can peel them, cut them into small pieces, or mash them, then store inside airtight containers to reduce the loss of moisture — this is an important step to make sure the flavour of the banana doesn't suffer. For a guaranteed-flavourful recipe, the sooner you thaw bananas, the better. It's also always a good idea to keep the bananas in a separate drawer from other foods to make sure they don't absorb smells.