18 Crazy Good Banana Recipes – Do you have some overripe bananas hanging around? That is the best time to try out that pancake, muffin, bread, and cake recipe you’ve been dreaming about. And creamy, smooth banana pudding is always a winner.
Last week I got home from a busy day at work and realized no one had eaten the bananas I had brought three days ago. The skins were starting to get brown spots, and I was afraid of a fruit fly infestation. Time for banana bread. Oh yeah!
But banana bread and banana cake aren’t the only way you can use bananas up before they head south. So my boys and I started counting all the banana recipes we could think of. And wow! We came up with quite a list.
FAQs
You can…but it will make your life a lot easier if you peel them first. I’ve tried both ways, and trust me, it’s not easy to peel a frozen banana. And it’s not much better when it thaws and turns into mush.
These guys are good for you. They’re famous for potassium and magnesium, high in fiber, and packed with antioxidants.
I’m so glad you asked. The best way to grill this sweetness is with the peel still on. That way, you can flip it without falling apart. Then you can carefully split the skin open like a boat and top them with homemade whipped cream and chopped walnuts or almonds with a cherry on top.
The Crazy Good Banana Recipe Roundup
1. Moist Banana Cake
This super moist, melt-in-your-mouth cake recipe is so full of incredible banana flavor. It took me a bit to perfect it, but it was worth it. It only takes ten minutes to prep, then wait for it to bake while enduring the tempting aromas coming from the oven.
2. Banana Zucchini Bread
Don’t tell the kids this one has veggies, and they’ll never guess. Then you can smile as they gobble this goodness down without even a twinge of guilt. The soft, moist banana bread will have them begging you to make this recipe again and again.
3. Pumpkin Banana Bread
Fill your kitchen with the wonderful warm aroma of banana and pumpkin in the same recipe. This super-easy bread is the ultimate comfort food for Thanksgiving, but you don’t have to wait for the holidays. A touch of orange and my homemade pumpkin spice mix really kick it over the top.
4. Strawberry Banana Bread
This banana bread combines the sweetness of bananas with the spring freshness of strawberries for a soul-satisfying breakfast, dessert, or snack. Then brew a pot of coffee to go with it for pure heaven. Besides, what’s the most popular smoothie and ice cream flavor? It’s bananas and strawberries, right? So now they can party together in their own bread recipe.
5. Banana Bread Muffins
Moist and decadent is an understatement for this one. Not only that, but these banana muffins come in a convenient size so your kids can grab a muffin as they run out the door to school. With the perfectly baked crust and tender melt-in-your-mouth center, you’ll be enjoying them for more than just a snack. And try a pumpkin spice latte for the win.
6. Homemade Banana Pudding
Who can forget the classic Southern no-bake dessert with rich layers of vanilla wafers, banana slices, homemade whipped cream, and vanilla pudding made from scratch? If you’ve ever wondered what you can do with a bunch of bananas before they spoil, wonder no more.
7. Banana Foster
Forget the diet! Banana foster is a decadent dessert born in New Orleans, and you just have to try it. Dream of bananas sauteed in butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then drenched in a rum syrup and topped with vanilla ice cream. And no one will guess it took only 10 minutes to throw this elegant dessert together.
8. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
You can’t have too many banana bread recipes! And that’s especially true if it has chocolate chips. Five minutes of prep, no mixer needed, and a chocolate fix that is soothing to the soul. I can eat the whole thing by myself; no guilt allowed.
9. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
We’re going to take a break from the decadent banana desserts with this incredible smoothie. It’s naturally sweetened with fresh strawberries and ripe bananas, so it’s a healthy and refreshing summer specialty. Besides, the vibrant fresh strawberries give it a pink glow making it gorgeous on top of delicious.
10. Banana Cream Pie
The rich, velvety custard filling wrapped in a buttery crust and topped with homemade whipped cream is a match made in heaven. All I need is a pot (oops, cup) of coffee, and I’m in ecstasy. You’ll never want to use the boxed pudding mix after you try this delicacy.
11. Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin
No bread slicing for this banana-loaded, chocolate-chip-studded muffin; just grab and go for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack. I saw overripe bananas on sale at the local supermarket and couldn’t help myself. And they were ready in 30 minutes. Win-win!
12. Caribbean Banana Nut Bread
This one is a Caribbean twist on banana nut bread. The buttery brown sugar glaze is traditional for the holidays, but who wants to wait that long? Fifteen minutes to throw together (barely any time needed to mix) and into the oven. Yum!!!
13. Caribbean Banana Fritters
Okay, this recipe is another reason to forget the diet. Banana fritters are a popular snack and breakfast in Africa, but it’s also cherished in the Caribbean! And, of course, everyone’s abuela has her own recipe for this banana deliciousness. Some have milk and eggs, while others don’t. However, if you want to try my African (slightly healthier) version, Whole Wheat Accra Bananas (Deep Fried Bananas Fritters) is awesome.
14. Banana Mango Muffin
Bananas and mangoes together make an incredible tropical bread. The Immaculate way to use overripe fruit, woohoo! Sometimes I get mangoes on sale by the bag, then we kinda get tired of them before they’re gone. But no one gets tired of these fabulous muffins. (Also check my mango recipe collection.)
15. Banana Puff Puff
These soft, chewy, and tasty treats bring back memories of my West African childhood. They’re especially good because cheap and filling are an excellent match for delicious. Yes, they’re fried, but you could make these in an air fryer just as easily. (Check out my puff puff collection for more goodies!)
16. Banana Pineapple Bread
Rum, vanilla, nutmeg, and pineapple take this tropical banana bread recipe over the top. My peeps don’t mind having this every week. In fact, it’s hard to get them to eat anything else if they know there’s some of this deliciousness around.
17. Banana Chocolate Coconut Muffin
What’s better than bananas and chocolate together? Throwing some tasty coconut into the mix. These mouthwatering muffins also make an ideal breakfast or afternoon treat. Yum!!!
18. Banana Biscotti
I love to dunk these babies in a hot cup of coffee or tea. You know it’s hard to resist getting a batch of biscotti at Costco, but this recipe delivers the perfect level of banana for a special treat. And they’re also super easy to make. Win-win!
Which one are you most likely to make first? I’d say go for the Strawberry Banana Smoothie first, especially this time of the year. If you love all these fruity flavors, go check out my mango recipes and also these strawberry recipes. You’ll surely get busy in the kitchen while enjoying yourself!
Leave a Review