How to Peel Frozen Bananas: Easy Banana-Peeling Tutorial

You can store frozen bananas in the freezer indefinitely, though they retain their peak freshness from three to six months. As bananas ripen, they release ethylene gas and catalyze enzyme activity, turning the fruit soft and mushy. Freezing slows down enzyme activity and stops the growth of microorganisms.

Store unripe or ripe bananas in the freezer to have easy access to this frozen fruit.

Whether you choose to peel or unpeel bananas, there are a few ways to freeze the fruit:

• Unpeeled whole bananas: When your bananas start to brown, simply place them in the freezer with the peel on, and they will freeze solid within a few hours. When you want to use the fruit, defrost them at room temperature for a few hours. You can peel, cube, or mash the bananas for smoothies, baked goods like banana bread, or desserts like banana ice cream.
• Whole peeled bananas: Remove the peels from your bananas before the freezing process, so you don’t have to spend time unpeeling them when you’re ready to incorporate them into a recipe. First, flash freeze the peeled bananas in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper, which will prevent them from sticking together during long-term storage. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow the fruit to freeze for about two hours. Next, add the frozen bananas to a freezer-safe bag—removing all of the air to prevent freezer burn—and place the bag in the freezer.
• Peeled sliced bananas: Peeled frozen bananas are well suited to banana smoothies because they’re easier to blend. First, peel your bananas and cut them into chunks or thick slices. Flash freeze the fruit. So it doesn’t stick together during long-term storage, place the banana slices on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze them solid. Once frozen, place the frozen bananas in a large plastic bag or airtight container and store them in your freezer.

While frozen banana peels develop brown spots in the freezer, the fruit inside stays fresh. Here’s how to peel frozen bananas:

• Thaw: Thawing your frozen bananas will soften the fruit, making it easier to cut and enjoy. Set your frozen bananas on the counter and allow them to thaw slightly at room temperature for about five minutes. To thaw your frozen bananas quickly, warm them in the microwave in thirty-second intervals until partially softened.
• Slice: Place the bananas on a cutting board. Use a knife to slice off the top and bottom portions of the banana peel. You can also make a small cut in the peel to help pull it apart from the fruit.
• Peel: Peel the fruit using the standard method for peeling bananas—breaking the peel’s top off and pulling each flap down. If you’re having trouble removing the peel from the fruit, slice the banana in half longways and peel each half.

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