Frozen Bananas

Make Frozen Bananas (like this) for the Best Smoothies Ever

Wanna know the secret to making the perfect smoothie or shake?

It’s not that you need a Vitamix; that’s no secret. 🙂

The secret is frozen bananas.

Frozen bananas make perfect smoothies and shakes

Once you’ve had a smoothie or shake with a frozen banana, you’ll never go back.

It becomes a problem, actually.

If you find yourself without any frozen bananas, you’re not gonna make that smoothie or shake you originally craved.

Why?

When you use frozen bananas in your blended drinks, they turn out:

• Thick, but not icy.
• Creamy without actual cream.
• Cold without causing brain freeze. (That’s what folks in the industry call “warm mouth-feel.”)

My buddies’ reactions wouldn’t have been the same from this smoothie without frozen bananas.

Here’s the only problem.

You can’t get frozen bananas in a bag at the grocery store.

Yes, they are quite easy to make. But you gotta know the method.

The Wrong Way to Freeze Bananas

There are two disastrous methods for freezing bananas. I’ve done them both to save myself time.

Learn from my mistakes.

1. Freezing the whole banana with the peel on.

This is by far the laziest “method” of freezing bananas.

Don’t try it.

If, however, you like burglarizing houses by breaking a window with a brick, use this method. You’ll be prepared just in case you run out of bricks.

For fun, let’s say you use this method and try your luck cutting it open. Here’s what to expect:

Even with the sharpest knife, you’re not getting the peel off without all your weight. Once you do get through, you’ll end up taking a huge slice of banana flesh (the part you eat) with you. So if you’re lucky enough to not slice your fingers off, your (now) peeled frozen banana is about 40% the size it once was.

Wasteful.

2. Freezing peeled, whole bananas.

This is one step less lazy because you actually took the time to peel the bananas.

But here’s why it’s still a poor method.

If you’re very strong, you may be able to manually break the banana with your hands. But no matter how fast you do it, you’re left with slimy banana hands.

What about a very sharp, hot knife? Well, even with a good knife and strong shoulders, it’s not easy.

A note for the record: For over a year, I employed this method AND supplemented it with a no-container, Lincoln Log stacking formation in my freezer.

The Better Way to Freeze Bananas

It’s so obvious, at this point, but you ought to take the extra two steps. After you’ve peeled them, cut them into four even pieces.

This way, they’re pre-cut and perfect-sized nuggets to throw in your blender.

There’s just one problem with this method. If the bananas are touching each other, they’ll freeze together. Then, you’ll need an ice pick to get one out.

So if you want to avoid that, do this.

The Forest Method: The BEST Way to Freeze Bananas

First of all, credit to my lovely fiancé for coming up with this technique. She claims she made it up all by herself. I believe her, but should note that I found this article describing the exact same method.

Either way, I’m calling this “The Forest Method.”

“The Forest Method” gets you frozen banana pieces that:

• Don’t stick together.
• Are perfect sized.
• Are easy to pop off and quickly put into your blender.

Get a cookie sheet or similar flat pan. Then, make a banana forest with the banana quarters you cut.

Throw ’em in your freezer and you’re done!

If you want to go the extra mile, place them in a Tupperware after they’re frozen through. Keeps ’em from getting discolored or freezer burned.

Video

Here’s a silly little video walking through all of this frozen banana stuff.

Summary

Here’s a tidy summary of the frozen banana method.

1. Peel the banana.
2. Place 2-inch pieces on a cookie sheet so it looks like a banana forest.
3. Freeze sheet of banana “trees.”
4. Place frozen banana pieces into a Tupperware (and back in the freezer) to store.

FAQ

How long can you freeze a banana for?

It’s usually not an issue for me since I eat them often. But, I’ve found one “hiding” in back and used it without any issue. As a general rule of thumb, they’re good for a few months. So, if it’s been in there longer, give it the sight and smell test. Overall, it’s a whole food. So you’re pretty safe to eat it if it looks good.

Besides smoothies and shakes, what else do you use frozen bananas for?

They’re good for dessert. This recipe for banana ice cream is incredible.

QUESTION: How have frozen bananas changed your life?