The 42 Best Banana Recipes for Using Up Your Bunch

With a few ripe bananas on hand, a comforting treat is never far away. See for yourself with these easy recipes for banana bread, pudding, ice cream and more.

May 16, 2023

By: Food Network Kitchen

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How to Use Up Ripe Bananas

There are infinite creative ways to bake with any fruit, but bananas are practically made for it. A mushy, overripe banana translates to moist, sweet, flavorful baked goods (we're looking at you, banana bread). And that’s just one of the banana’s many talents! Bananas can make a silky pudding (that even banana haters will enjoy) and savory Filipino-style ketchup—or you can even just freeze them for another time. We’ve got over 40 banana-centric recipes for you to try, starting with this easy cake from the Barefoot Contessa, which ushers in bright banana flavors with a decadent homemade cream cheese frosting.

Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Banana Cake

Banana Spiced Waffles

Mashed banana, apple pie spice and vanilla make these waffles reminiscent of warm banana bread.

Get the Recipe: Banana Spice Waffles

Food Network Kitchen's Banana Bread

Calling for vegetable oil in lieu of butter, this easy banana bread is moist and light. In addition to using four ultraripe mashed bananas, the recipe reels in flavor from vanilla and a touch of cinnamon.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread

Banana Pudding

Trisha's layered banana pudding also comes with a meringue topping that's browned lightly in the oven. This recipe is meant to serve a crowd, so keep it in mind as a sweet conclusion to your next dinner party.

Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding

Banana Nut Muffins

Tyler's fragrant banana muffins require just seven minutes of prep work. Bake a quick batch on Sunday night and enjoy them throughout the week.

Get the Recipe: Banana Nut Muffins

Ellie Krieger's Banana Cream Pie

This lightened-up version calls for lowfat milk, resulting in a velvety pie for only 215 calories per serving.

Get the Recipe: Banana Cream Pie

Marbled Banana Bread

Save your ripe bananas for this healthy marbled bread — it's just over 200 calories per slice and made with half whole-wheat flour. A small amount of melted chocolate swirled in assures chocolate in every bite.

Get the Recipe: Marbled Banana Bread

Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter

Perfect for a weekend brunch, Tyler's fluffy buttermilk pancakes are flavored with toasted ground pecans and studded with sweet banana slices. Top them off with a compound butter made with honey and maple syrup for a sweet finishing touch.

Get the Recipe: Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter

Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches

Giada coats the top of her cookies with chocolate-toffee candy bars before assembling these decadent sandwiches stuffed with ice cream and frozen banana slices.

Get the Recipe: Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches

Banana Bread with Pecans

Tyler Florence's pecan-studded banana bread is a no-fail classic that yields consistent results every time. For an indulgent breakfast or after-dinner sweet treat, try toasting slices of the bread and dusting them with soft confectioners' sugar.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread with Pecans

Banana Cream Pudding

Tyler flavors his decadent Banana Cream Pudding with vanilla, bourbon and creme de banana. Top with homemade whipped cream for a stunning picnic table centerpiece.

Get the Recipe: Banana Cream Pudding

Hummingbird Cake

Food Network Kitchen's take on this classic Southern cake is moist, flavorful and definitely worthy of a special occasion. True to tradition, each slice is packed full of bananas, fresh pineapple and lots of spices.

Get the Recipe: Hummingbird Cake

Banana Bread French Toast

Overripe bananas? Make an extra loaf of banana bread so you can transform it into this easy French toast.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread French Toast

Mini Banana Beignets

Like any other beignets, these minis are crisp on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside but with a burst of sweet banana flavor, thanks to the mashed banana in the frying batter. After frying, roll each one in cinnamon and sugar.

Get the Recipe: Mini Banana Beignets

Tiny Banana Splits

These fun little guys will totally satisfy a banana split craving — even without the ice cream. They're super simple to make and perfect for a kids' party!

Get the Recipe: Tiny Banana Splits

Momma Callie's Banana Nut Bread with Honey Butter

Adding sour cream to the batter gives it a rich and creamy tang, while scattering with chopped pecans brings a satisfying crunch. Slather each warm slice of this easy banana loaf with homemade honey butter.

Get the Recipe: Momma Callie's Banana Nut Bread with Honey Butter

Banana Pudding Tiramisu

Layers of creamy mascarpone pudding, bananas and coffee-soaked vanilla wafers bring the best parts of these two classic comfort desserts. Make it the night before you plan to serve — the flavor and texture only get better.

Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Tiramisu

Waffled Banana Bread

Better yet, forget the loaf pan. The chefs in Food Network Kitchen used the waffle iron to make fresh, warm banana bread in a fraction of the usual baking time. If you like your bread a little chunkier, go easy on your bananas when you're mashing them.

Get the Recipe: Waffled Banana Bread

Healthy Banana Bread Muffins

A banana bread muffin so light, fluffy and tender, you'd never guess it's made with mostly whole-wheat flour. Using very ripe bananas keeps the muffins moist and minimizes the amount of sugar you add.

Get the Recipe: Healthy Banana Bread Muffins

Banana Bread

Make a double batch of this banana bread — you'll have plenty of uses for this quick bread, from weekend breakfasts to last-minute gifts.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread

Grilled Banana S'Mores

This take on the campfire classic features peanut butter and grilled banana slices in place of chocolate. Once the bananas are soft and slightly charred, toast the marshmallows while the grill is still hot.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Banana S'Mores

Chocolate-Dipped Banana Sandwich Cookies

These treats are the definition of divide and conquer: Chill the dough overnight and make the banana filling and the glaze while the cookies bake. Next, spread the cream into cookies and dip them in chocolate. These little bonbons will hold for a few days!

Get the Recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Banana Sandwich Cookies

Bananas Foster Milkshake

Guy blends all the tastes of bananas foster into a boozy, rum-infused milkshake.

Get the Recipe: Bananas Foster Milkshake

Banana Bread Lava Cake

Have everyone erupting with delight when this treat hits the dessert table — hidden inside are ice cream bars! They go into the batter frozen and come out as the warm banana bread's creamy molten core.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread Lava Cake

Banana Muffins with Mascarpone Cream Frosting

Giada likes to dress up banana muffins with a cream cheese and mascarpone frosting. Drizzle the frosted muffins with honey and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

Get the Recipe: Banana Muffins with Mascarpone Cream Frosting

Chocolate-Banana Pancake Breakfast Casserole

This crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole pays homage to the beloved combination of bananas and chocolate. Add a few sliced strawberries or a handful of raspberries for an extra pop of flavor and color!

Get the Recipe: Chocolate-Banana Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Upside-Down Banana Split Cake

This delectable dessert delivers all the fun of a banana split, plus the delicious caramelized flavors of an upside-down cake.

Get the Recipe: Upside-Down Banana Split Cake

Bananas Foster

Ree's banana aversion doesn't keep her from making a mean bananas Foster, fire and all. Spoon these boozy, buttery bananas over ice cream, French toast or crepes.

Get the Recipe: Bananas Foster

Banana Cream Pie

Fill flaky homemade pie crusts with rich vanilla pudding studded with fresh sliced bananas. It's the perfect dessert for a casual gathering with friends and family.

Get the Recipe: Banana Cream Pie

Chocolate-Covered Banana Pops

The flavor combination of chocolate, banana and peanuts is one of the best. Freeze banana halves until solid (a couple of hours), dip in melted chocolate chips, then roll in crushed peanuts. You can refreeze the pops for up to two weeks.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Banana Pops

Banana Muffin Pudding

Who knew muffins could get any sweeter? Transform your plain ol’ banana-nut muffins into a mouth-watering dessert by layering crumbled muffin pieces, banana slices and custard into a jar.

Get the Recipe: Banana Muffin Pudding

Air Fryer Banana Bread

Baking banana bread is much quicker in an air fryer, thanks to the convection-like heat and the need for less batter. Make this round loaf your everyday breakfast go-to: The wheat germ adds a little extra fiber and whole-grain toastiness to your morning.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Banana Bread

Banana Bread Waffles with Bananas Foster Sauce

Impress your brunch guests with Bobby’s banana-packed waffles. Prep banana bread the night before, and in the morning heat them up on a waffle iron. Top with a rich bananas foster sauce for a sweet way to start your day.

Get the Recipe: Banana Bread Waffles with Bananas Foster Sauce

Neapolitan Banana Ice Cream

Who knew that frozen ripe bananas could yield so many different flavor variations? Vanilla extract, Dutch cocoa powder and frozen strawberries are responsible for the classic Neapolitan colors in this better-for-you treat.

Get the Recipe: Neapolitan Banana Ice Cream

French Toast Panini with Grilled Bananas

Assemble French toast breakfast panini by layering grilled bananas between slices of grilled bread. The fruit filling adds smoky sweetness to the finished dish.

Get the Recipe: French Toast Panini With Grilled Bananas

Banana Crunch Muffins

These easy make-ahead muffins are the key to an easy brunch. Ina recommends preparing the muffin mix the day before you're expecting guests, then portioning out the batter and baking them the next morning.

Get the Recipe: Banana Crunch Muffins

Banana Pudding Cake

This elegant yet understated cake is just the dessert to finish off a relaxed potluck dinner with friends and family. Once chilled, the homemade vanilla pudding makes a perfectly smooth filling for Trisha's tender banana cake layers. Simply dust the top with a little confectioners' sugar for a special touch.

Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Cake

Baked Banana Pudding

There's no doubt you'll enjoy sinking your spoon through layers of fluffy meringue, smooth banana pudding and crunchy vanilla wafers.

Get the Recipe: Baked Banana Pudding

Gina's Banana Cupcakes

The molasses frosting sets the Neelys' comforting banana cupcakes apart from any others. For sweetness and moisture, it's important to use ripe bananas — if yours are looking a little green, seal them inside a brown paper bag along with an apple and let sit overnight.

Get the Recipe: Gina's Banana Cupcakes

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

Two classic desserts come together in the ultimate mashup: a gooey, creamy bread pudding with bananas, rum and pecans. Typically, bananas foster gets torched at the end, but this version tastes much better with extra syrup drizzled on top.

Get the Recipe: Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

Broiled Banana Splits

For an upscale twist on the soda fountain classic, broil the banana first before topping it with berries, toasted almonds, chocolate and frozen yogurt.

Get the Recipe: Broiled Banana Splits

Flour's Famous Banana Bread

A small amount of creme fraiche or sour cream goes a long way in this moist loaf perfected by Flour Bakery in Boston. Toss in some chopped, toasted walnuts for a hearty crunch.

Get the Recipe: Flour's Famous Banana Bread

On Tonight

The 42 Best Banana Recipes for Using Up Your Bunch

Related To:

How to Use Up Ripe Bananas

Banana Spiced Waffles

Food Network Kitchen's Banana Bread

Banana Pudding

Banana Nut Muffins

Ellie Krieger's Banana Cream Pie

Marbled Banana Bread

Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter

Frozen Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches

Banana Bread with Pecans

Banana Cream Pudding

Hummingbird Cake

Banana Bread French Toast

Mini Banana Beignets

Tiny Banana Splits

Momma Callie's Banana Nut Bread with Honey Butter

Banana Pudding Tiramisu

Waffled Banana Bread

Healthy Banana Bread Muffins

Banana Bread

Grilled Banana S'Mores

Chocolate-Dipped Banana Sandwich Cookies

Bananas Foster Milkshake

Banana Bread Lava Cake

Banana Muffins with Mascarpone Cream Frosting

Chocolate-Banana Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Upside-Down Banana Split Cake

Bananas Foster

Banana Cream Pie

Chocolate-Covered Banana Pops

Banana Muffin Pudding

Air Fryer Banana Bread

Banana Bread Waffles with Bananas Foster Sauce

Neapolitan Banana Ice Cream

French Toast Panini with Grilled Bananas

Banana Crunch Muffins

Banana Pudding Cake

Baked Banana Pudding

Gina's Banana Cupcakes

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

Broiled Banana Splits

Flour's Famous Banana Bread

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