← Ingredient Guides
Hand-drawn bunch and peeled banana on a warm cream background
Ingredient guide

What to do with bananas

Bananas become sweeter and softer as they ripen, which makes them useful at every stage: slice firm bananas, mash spotted ones, and freeze very ripe fruit for later.

What it tastes like

Mild and creamy when firm; sweeter and more fragrant as it ripens.

Why it's useful

Bananas are an easy breakfast and snack ingredient, and ripe fruit can sweeten oatmeal or smoothies without complicated preparation.

3 ways to use it

  1. 01
    Top breakfast

    Slice over oatmeal, yogurt, toast, or a whole-grain muffin.

  2. 02
    Blend a smoothie

    Combine with yogurt or milk and another fruit for a creamy drink.

  3. 03
    Mash it into batter

    Use very ripe banana in pancakes or baked oatmeal for moisture and natural sweetness.

Keep it fresh

  • →Let bananas ripen at room temperature.
  • →Once ripe, refrigerating can slow further softening even though the peel may darken.
  • →Peel, slice, and freeze very ripe bananas in a covered container for smoothies or baking.
More ingredient guides
What to do with eggplant
→
What to do with lentils
→
What to do with whole wheat penne
→
What to do with oats
→
Cook with it

Recipes with bananas.

Move from ingredient know-how to a complete meal or snack.

Browse all 13 →
Hand-drawn illustration of a short stack of golden banana-oat pancakes topped with banana coins
Breakfast · Week 4
Banana Oat Pancakes

Banana Oat Pancakes is a naturally sweet breakfast made with banana, rolled oats, and eggs.

Heart Disease
18 min · Serves 1 · 4 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of a portion of golden baked banana oatmeal in a small dish with banana coins baked into the top
Breakfast · Week 4
Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Bake

Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Bake is a make-ahead baked breakfast made with rolled oats, banana, and milk.

Heart Disease
40 min · Serves 1 · 5 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of a tall glass of creamy banana-orange smoothie with a banana slice and orange segment
Breakfast · Week 4
Banana Orange Smoothie

Banana Orange Smoothie is a bright, creamy blended breakfast made with banana, orange, and milk.

Maternal Health
5 min · Serves 1 · 3 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of a bowl of creamy oatmeal topped with banana coins and a swirl of peanut butter
Breakfast · Week 4
Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal is a warm, filling breakfast made with rolled oats, banana, and peanut butter.

Heart Disease
10 min · Serves 1 · 4 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of a bowl of creamy oatmeal topped with fresh orange segments and banana coins
Breakfast · Week 4
Orange & Banana Oat Bowl

Orange & Banana Oat Bowl is a bright, warming breakfast made with rolled oats, orange, and banana.

Heart Disease
13 min · Serves 1 · 4 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of a glass jar of overnight oats layered with milk and topped with banana coins
Breakfast · Week 4
Overnight Oats with Banana

Overnight Oats with Banana is a make-ahead no-cook breakfast made with rolled oats, milk, and banana.

Heart Disease
5 min · Serves 1 · 3 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of crisp celery sticks filled with peanut butter and topped with banana coins on a small plate
Snack · Week 4
Peanut Butter & Banana Celery Boats

Peanut Butter & Banana Celery Boats is a crunchy, satisfying snack made with celery, peanut butter, and banana.

Heart Disease
5 min · Serves 1 · 3 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of a tall glass of creamy peanut-butter banana smoothie
Breakfast · Week 4
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie is a creamy, filling smoothie made with banana, peanut butter, and milk.

Heart Disease
5 min · Serves 1 · 3 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of golden whole-wheat french toast stuffed with peanut butter and banana, one piece cut to show the filling
Breakfast · Week 4
Peanut Butter & Banana Stuffed French Toast

Golden French toast with warm banana and creamy peanut butter tucked inside.

Heart Disease
18 min · Serves 1 · 5 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of whole-wheat toast spread with peanut butter and topped with banana coins
Breakfast · Week 4
Peanut Butter Banana Toast

Peanut Butter Banana Toast is a fast no-cook breakfast or snack made with whole-wheat bread, peanut butter, and banana.

Weight-Conscious
4 min · Serves 1 · 3 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of a jar of creamy overnight oats swirled with peanut butter and topped with banana coins
Breakfast · Week 4
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats is a make-ahead breakfast made with rolled oats, peanut butter, and milk.

Heart Disease
5 min · Serves 1 · 4 ingredients→
Hand-drawn illustration of a roasted sweet-potato round used as toast, spread with peanut butter and topped with banana coins
Breakfast · Week 4
Sweet Potato Toast with Peanut Butter & Banana

Sweet Potato Toast with Peanut Butter & Banana is an easy breakfast made with sweet potato, peanut butter, and banana.

Heart Disease
25 min · Serves 1 · 3 ingredients→

Recipes are a start. A dietitian is the plan.

Our registered dietitians help you turn good food into a plan for your health — personalized to your conditions, your goals, and what you actually like to eat. For eligible members, dietitian care is often available with little to no out-of-pocket cost, and we verify coverage before the first visit.

Talk to a Dietitian →Explore Nutrition Counseling