How to Freeze Ripe Bananas and Use Them in Recipes Later

I love bananas that are about to turn brown for banana bread, smoothies etc. Unfortunately they usually start to turn before I get a chance to use them. Let me show you how to freezer ripe bananas that you can then pull out of the freezer and use in your favorite recipes later.

How to Freeze Ripe Bananas and Use Them in Recipes Later

How to Freeze Ripe Bananas and Use Them in Recipes Later

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How to Freeze Ripe Bananas and Use Them in Recipes Later

How to Freeze Ripe Bananas and Use Them in Recipes Later

Start by deciding what you would like to use the bananas for later. I prefer to either peel and slice or peel and mash them depending on how I will use them when I'm ready for them. If you are in a hurry, you can also simply toss the unpeeled bananas in the freezer. The peel will turn brown and you have to defrost them at least some before you can use them but it'll work when you're in a rush. Otherwise, use one of the two preferred methods below.

Sliced Bananas

For smoothies, there's nothing better than frozen sliced bananas. Simply peel and of course slice your bananas. You can then either toss them into a freezer bag and freeze, or lay them out on a cookie sheet and stick them in the freezer for 30 minutes. When they are frozen solid, remove them from the cookie sheet and transfer them to a freezer bag. I prefer this second method. It's a little extra work, but well worth it since the banana slices won't be sticking to each other, making it easy to remove the perfect amount when you're ready to make your next smoothie.

Mashed Bananas

For banana bread and muffins, I prefer to freeze my bananas mashed. I simply peel the overripe fruit and work it into a smooth mush with the back of a fork. At this point you can add a little dash of lemon juice to keep the bananas from turning brown, but most of the time I don't bother. By the time the bread or muffins are baked up, you won't be able to tell either way.

I then transfer 1 cup of mashed bananas into a freezer bag. Of course you can measure them out in whatever quantity is convenient for your recipes. Don't forget to label the bag with the content, measureMent and date. When you're ready to bake, just defrost and use your mashed bananas as usual.

How to Freeze Ripe Bananas and Use Them in Recipes Later

How to Freeze Avocados

Don't you just hate it when an avocado goes bad before you have a chance to eat it? It seems like such a waste of a wonderful fruit (yes, they are technically fruits not vegetables). Here's how to freeze avocadoes so you can use them later on in your favorite dips, sandwiches or salads.

How to Freeze Avocados

How to Freeze Avocados

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How to Freeze Avocados

How to Freeze Avocados

Avocados don't freeze well whole or sliced. The best way to do it is to mash them up and then freeze them. Here's how to do it.

Take two ripe avocados and slice them in half. Remove the pit and using a spoon to scoop the flesh out into a clean bowl. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice to the bowl. The acidity will keep the avocado from turning an unappealing grayish brown.

Use a fork to mash your avocados as well. Transfer them into a freezer bag and seal it tightly, leaving just alittle Air space to allow the frozen fruit to expand. Plan to use your avocado within 3 to 4 months for best results.

When you're ready for your mashed avocados, allow it to defrost in the fridge overnight. Then use it as usual in dips or as a sandwich spread.

For a quick guacamole dip, mix your avocado puree with thawed two tablespoons of sauce. Another yummy dip is to mix equal amounts of mashed avocado and cream cheese. You may also want or stir in some chopped tomatoes, onions and green peppers.

You can also use it to make delicious cold avocado soup. Simply blend your mashed avocado with a cup of cold chicken stock, some green onion and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste, chill and serve.

How to Freeze Avocados