How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies

Smoothies are such a great way to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet, and adding frozen bananas helps to create a creamy, sweet base for your smoothies.

Frozen bananas can be stored for months, so you can have smoothie-ready bananas anytime. 

I love to have frozen bananas on hand for a breakfast smoothie whenever I want one, and this method is the easiest way I have found to have bananas prepped for future smoothies. Bananas are the perfect way to add a creamy texture to a smoothie bowl as well – mixed with peanut butter and melted chocolate, it is the perfect sweet treat for breakfast.

How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies:

1. Choose Ripe Bananas

Pick bananas that are just past the point where you don’t really want to eat them anymore. The bananas will still be yellow but will be speckled brown and very ripe. (Overripe brown bananas that are starting to get mushy are better used for banana bread or banana muffins, and fresh bananas that are underripe won’t be sweet enough.) Don’t use green bananas – they won’t be sweet enough. The best bananas for freezing have a bright yellow peel (the color of a school bus) with small brown spots.

2. Peel The Bananas

Peel each banana before freezing. The peel will turn brown and won’t peel off as easily once frozen. Discard the banana peels. (I like to dice the peels up into small pieces and feed them to our Reencle – it eats all of our food waste.)

3. Cut the Bananas into Pieces

Cut each banana either into small chunks (quarters) or slice bananas into ½ inch slices. Frozen bananas will blend more smoothly when they are cut into smaller pieces rather than if you try to blend frozen whole bananas. The smaller the pieces, the easier they will be to blend. (This is especially true if you have an old blender – the smaller the slices, the easier it will be on your blender.) Smaller pieces of banana also make it easier to make banana ice cream or “nice cream” in a food processor or Yonanas machine.

4. Lay the Banana Slices on a Parchment Lined Baking Sheet

Spread the banana slices out in a single layer on a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper. You don’t need to leave too much space between the bananas. Be sure that the baking sheet will fit in your freezer. I like to use the tray from my air fryer because it is really small, and I just do small batches. (It fits 2-3 sliced bananas.)

The bananas will take 2-3 hours to freeze enough to be transferred to a freezer-safe bag where they won’t stick together in a big clump. (You can also just freeze them overnight.)

5. Put Bananas In Freezer Bags

Place banana pieces in a freezer bag or airtight container. Squeeze out as much air as possible and seal the bag tightly. This helps prevent freezer burn. 

6. Freeze Bananas Overnight

Keep banana pieces in the freezer overnight or until completely solid. Frozen banana slices can be stored this way for 3-6 months.

7. Add Frozen Bananas to Smoothies

When you’re ready to make a smoothie, remove the bananas from the freezer a few minutes before using them to let them soften a bit at room temperature. (Your blender will thank you.)

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My Favorite Smoothie Recipes to Use Frozen Bananas

Use frozen bananas to make all kinds of delicious smoothies: Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowls, Berry Banana Smoothie Bowls, a Tropical Smoothie with Pineapple and Mango, Fruit Smoothies, Purple People Eater Smoothies, or Peanut Butter Nice Cream.

Freezing bananas lets you make nutrient-packed smoothies anytime. Following this simple method ensures your frozen bananas will have a ripe, sweet flavor when added to smoothies, and this is an excellent way to have bananas ready for future recipes.

Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and rating below. I love hearing from you.