Don't Throw Overripe Bananas Away!

Don't throw overripe bananas away! A banana’s flavor sweetens and intensifies as it ripens, making it perfect for many baking recipes. Here are some creative ways to put the overripe bananas to work.

1. Mash Into Oatmeal

2. Blend Into Waffle or Pancake Batter

3. Make Banana Muffins

4. Bake Banana Cookies

5. Add to a Smoothie

6. Turn Into Ice Cream

7. Whip Up Beignets

A Good Recipe for Banana Muffins:

Ingredients:

• 250g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 110g caster sugar
• 75g butter melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 125ml buttermilk (or add 1 tsp of lemon juice to milk and leave for 20 mins)
• 50g pecans, chopped, plus extra to decorate (optional)

• STEP 1

  Heat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/gas 5. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases. Sift together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and caster sugar with a big pinch of salt. In a separate bowl mix the melted butter, vanilla extract, eggs, mashed bananas and buttermilk.

• STEP 2

  Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients in. Roughly mix together with a fork, being careful not to over-mix. Scatter in the chopped pecans, if using, then spoon the mixture into the muffin cases. Top with pecan halves, then bake for 20-25 mins, until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

References:

Vincent C. (2022, June 2). What to Do with Overripe Bananas. https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/recipes/what-to-do-with-overripe-bananas

Elena S. Easy Banana Muffins. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/banana-muffins