A ripe banana is a banana that has reached its optimal level of sweetness and is ready to be eaten. Ripe bananas are typically yellow with brown spots on the peel. They will also be slightly softer to the touch and will yield slightly to gentle pressure. The fruit inside will be fully developed, sweet, and easy to mash. The texture of ripe bananas is smooth.
Ripe bananas are best for eating as is, or for using in baking, smoothies or for making banana bread. Overripe bananas are usually too mushy to eat as is, but they still make a great ingredient in baking because they are sweet, moist and easy to mash.
1) Ripe Banana Pudding
Here is a simple recipe for banana pudding:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp cacao
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 egg yolks
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, sliced
- About 30 vanilla wafers
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and begins to boil.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks together.
- Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
- Pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the cream mixture and continue to cook, whisking constantly, for 2-3 more minutes or until thickened.
- Remove the cooking pan from the heat
- Then add and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Allow the pudding to cool for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.
- In a large bowl, layer about 1/3 of the pudding, then 1/3 of the banana slices, then 1/3 of the vanilla wafers. Repeat the layers until everything is used up, ending with a layer of pudding on top.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until chilled and set.
- Serve and enjoy!
Note: You can also use store-bought vanilla pudding mix if you prefer.
2) Ripe Banana Oat Pancakes
Here is a simple recipe for banana oat pancakes:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk (any kind)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Optional: a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla extract for flavor
Instructions:
- In a blender or food processor, blend the oats until they are a fine flour.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mash the ripe banana with a fork or blender.
- Add the egg, milk, baking powder, salt, and any optional ingredients to the bowl with the mashed banana. Mix well.
- Add the oat flour to the bowl and mix until just combined (it’s okay if there are a few lumps).
- Then heat a non-stick skillet or over medium heat.
- Scoop 1/4 cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake.
- Cook until bubbles form on the surface of the pancake and the edges start to look set, then flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes on the other side.
- Serve with your choice of toppings and enjoy!
Note: You can add or reduce the amount of milk to get the desired consistency of batter.
3)Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe
Ingredients:
- A cup mashed ripe medium bananas (about 2 medium)
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp blueberry
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour, whole wheat flour or oat flour
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a muffin tin or line with muffin cups.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, honey or maple syrup, melted coconut oil or butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and flour.
- Slowly add the all dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
- Then mix until just combined all ingredients.
- Fold in the chopped nuts or chocolate chips if desired.
- Divide the batter evenly into the muffin cups.
- Bake your healthy banana muffin recipe for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Allow muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Your healthy banana muffin recipe is ready!
When you use ripe bananas in muffin recipes, you may need to adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe to suit your taste as bananas will provide some of the sweetness.
4)Easy Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup melted butter or coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions:
- First, preheat the oven to 300 or 350°F
- Then grease a medium (9×5 inch) loaf pan.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a milk frother or fork.
- Stir in the melted butter or coconut oil, vanilla extract, sugar, and egg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking powder, baking soda, salt and flour.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick check.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it.
Your easy banana bread is ready to serve!
When making banana bread recipe, it’s best to use overripe bananas that have brown spots on the peel. Overripe bananas have a stronger banana flavor and are sweeter than ripe bananas, which make them perfect for easy banana bread recipe. They also tend to be easier to mash, so they will make your bread more moist and flavorful.
RELATED: Gluten free banana bread recipe
5) Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Here is a simple recipe for banana chocolate chip muffins:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a muffin tin or line with muffin cups.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a medium mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the mashed bananas, egg, milk, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until just combined.
- Add the dry ingredients (slowly) to the wet ingredients
- Then mixing until just all ingredients combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes
- Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Note: you can add or reduce the sugar to get the desired sweetness.
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