How to Ripen Bananas Quickly

Need perfectly ripe bananas in a hurry? This page provides several effective methods for quickly ripening bananas, whether you're baking a banana bread masterpiece tomorrow or simply craving a perfectly sweet and creamy banana today. We'll explore techniques ranging from simple storage tricks to more involved methods, ensuring you get the ideal ripeness for your needs.

How to Make Bananas Ripen Faster with a Brown Bag

For those who have time but still want to speed things up, the classic brown bag trick is a natural method for ripening. This method utilizes ethylene gas, a plant hormone that bananas and several other fruits naturally release as they ripen.

Steps:

• Place the bananas in a clean paper bag. Using a plastic bag will trap too much moisture and potentially cause them to go bad.
• Add two to three other ethylene-producing fruit, such as an apple or avocado, to speed up the process. Use what you have on hand. Pears, peaches, nectarines and even tomatoes will produce.
• Fold the top of the bag to loosely seal it.
• Let the bananas sit at room temperature, away from heat sources. Check on them every 24 hours until they reach your desired ripeness.

This method is ideal if you have a day or two to spare. Once ready, use your ripe bananas in delicious dishes like our Banana-Cinnamon Muffins.

How Can I Keep Ripe Bananas On-Hand?

For the best banana flavor, use very ripe bananas for recipes like Classic Banana Bread. As they get too ripe for eating—don’t throw them out! Simply store them (peel and all) right in your freezer. They can be kept frozen for up to 6 months. They’ll be ready to use in your favorite banana recipes whenever you need them.

To thaw a frozen banana, place it in the microwave unpeeled. Microwave on Low (30%) 1 minute or until thawed. Peel it and mash it for your recipe. Stir any liquid that separates from the banana into the banana as it is mashed. One medium banana equals about 1/2 cup mashed.

FAQs

Can I Ripen Bananas in the Fridge?

No, placing under ripe bananas in the fridge will not expedite ripening. Cold temperatures slow the ripening process down by affecting the bananas' ability to produce ethylene gas. You can, however, extend the shelf life of ripened bananas by refrigerating them—they may turn brown, but the flesh inside remains in good condition for a few more days.

Will Cutting Bananas Make Them Ripen Faster?

Cutting bananas won’t accelerate ripening. Keep bananas whole and use one of the above methods to speed up ripening safely. Always make sure you don’t expose the flesh of bananas to air prematurely because the fast oxidation can lead to them spoiling.

With a little know-how, achieving perfectly ripe bananas on your schedule is easy! Experiment with these methods to find what works best for you and your banana needs. Remember to always check your bananas regularly to avoid over-ripening them. Remember to enjoy your perfectly ripe bananas into your dishes with these delicious banana recipes.