What To Make With Overripe Bananas, From Pancakes To Banoffee Pie Recipes
Go bananas for these recipes that’ll make the most of your overripe fruit.
The humble banana is, arguably, the most adaptable fruit. It’s ready to be eaten fresh (when there’s not a lot of time to have anything else), but also gains major flavour when slow-cooked and attended to with some TLC.
Sometimes, when the fruit is overripe, we tear through recipe books to find a way to use them before they go bad. Inevitably, cake or bread is what we usually turn to — totally delicious! But these recipes offer a greater range of options if you’re seeking something new.
Might you try a breakfast smoothie, flavoured with kiwifruit, matcha or herbal tea? What about a pile of pancakes? Or a sticky date pudding?
Whatever your preference, these recipes have you covered.
Breakfast
Nutty, cinnamon-spiced and kiwifruit-sweetened — this light smoothie will pair well with plenty of other breakfast dishes.
Fried pancetta-wrapped bananas with honey
This dish is a masterclass in contrast, as each bite pairs salty, crispy pancetta with honeyed banana. Serve as an elevated brunch or as a dinner party starter.
Banana pikelets with caramelised pineapple
This recipe draws a toasty flavour out of the banana and amplifies it with a side serving of butter-glazed pineapple.
Ultra-creamy and undeniably wholesome — mashed bananas are a kindred spirit for a warming bowl of porridge.
Rooibos and cardamom-infused banana smoothie
This smoothie finds interest in a touch of tea. Frozen banana also produces a luscious texture.
Can’t argue with perfection. Make these tomorrow and the next day (and the day after that).
Burnt butter, banana and honey muesli bars
These muesli bars are a breezy on-the-go breakfast or snack. Burnt butter adds a deeper flavour.
Matcha is soothing — due to both its earthy taste and sage green colour. This smoothie blends it with banana, spinach and sweet runny honey.
Gluten-free apple and cinnamon muffins
Almond meal, grated apple and mashed banana make these muffins a nourishing grab on your way out the door. You could also stow these at work for much-too-busy mornings.
Gluten-free banana pikelets with coconut yoghurt
Everyone should be able to enjoy banana pikelets — this iteration appeals to celiac and gluten-free friends alike.
Dessert
Frozen banana and brownie icecream
Banana icecream is an easy at-home dessert. This recipe elevates the treat with dark cocoa and pieces of homemade (or store-bought) brownie.
Banana, hazelnut and chocolate pudding
A bowl of velvety pudding? Yes, please. This serving mixes chopped hazelnuts with gooey chocolate and a banana (which you could also roast in an oven for richer flavour).
Coconut pudding with palm sugar and roasted cashews
These pretty treats come from Petty Pandean-Elliott’s cookbook The Indonesian Table. There are also a couple of alterations if you’d like to try something different — think caramelised banana and fragrant Pandan.
Baked bananas with miso, orange and pine nuts
This dessert is totally delicious and refreshingly simple. Step 1: Glaze the bananas with an orangey miso sauce and bake to brown. Step 2: Serve (with icecream).
Banana cake with caramel walnuts
It’s a classic with a slight twist. A topping of caramel walnuts, oven-baked for toasty flavours, adds visual splendour.
Toasted chocolate and banana brioche sandwiches
Delicious? Check. Easy? Check. If you need to throw together a last-minute treat to please a crowd, these chocolate and banana sandwiches should be your go-to.
Black rice pudding with banana and coconut
This is a sticky and sweet dessert that supplies a whole lot of comfort. Add some textural contrast with shredded coconut flakes.
Sticky banana and date puddings
Bookmark this recipe for unexpected cold and rainy evenings. Dates provide a caramel taste within a moist and crumbly cake.
Whipped cream and large shards of grated chocolate create plenty of visual interest for this showstopping pie.
Banana coconut dream cake with yoghurt frosting
Banana and coconut are a dreamy combination. The cake recipe, from Donna Hay’s The Fast Five, celebrates the mix of flavours.
Fried bananas with walnuts and butterscotch sauce
Another dessert that revels in simple pleasures. Simply split the bananas down the middle, cover with brown sugar sauce and bake until caramelised.