10+ Ripe Banana Recipes to Make Delicious Treats Easily

Ripe bananas—honestly, they’re one of the best things you can have on hand. They add natural sweetness and flavor to so many dishes, and it’s a shame to let them go to waste.

You can toss ripe bananas into all kinds of easy, delicious recipes at home. It’s a win-win: less food waste, more variety on your table.

1) Classic Moist Banana Bread

Classic banana bread is the go-to for using up those brown bananas. It’s soft, sweet, and rich—hard to beat.

You can keep it simple or throw in walnuts or chocolate chips for a twist. Everything mixes up in one bowl, so you won’t be stuck with a mountain of dishes.

The smell while it bakes? Pretty much unbeatable. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

It works for breakfast, snacks, or dessert—no judgment.

Ingredients

• 4 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix mashed bananas, sugar, and butter in a big bowl.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; stir until combined.
4. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.
5. Fold dry ingredients into the banana mix.
6. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.
7. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let it cool before slicing.

For a full recipe with video, check this Classic Banana Bread Recipe.

2) Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Banana oatmeal cookies—honestly, these are a lifesaver for overripe bananas. They’re soft, chewy, and naturally sweet.

You can keep them super basic with just bananas and oats, or jazz them up with nuts and chocolate chips. They make a quick snack or a light dessert.

If you’re skipping refined sugar, these are a solid choice. Plus, they’re super easy—perfect if you don’t bake a lot.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/3 cup sugar-free chocolate chips (optional)
• 1/4 cup raisins or nuts (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mash bananas in a bowl.
3. Mix in oats.
4. Add chocolate chips or raisins/nuts if you want.
5. Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.
6. Bake 12-15 minutes, until edges are golden.
7. Let them cool before eating.

3) Vegan Banana Pancakes

Vegan banana pancakes are fluffy and sweet, thanks to the bananas. No eggs needed—bananas do the binding.

You just need mashed bananas, plant milk, flour, and baking powder. Cook on a hot pan until golden on both sides.

Top with syrup or fruit. They’re quick, easy, and honestly, who doesn’t love pancakes for breakfast?

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup plant-based milk (soy or almond work well)
• 2 tablespoons oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mash bananas in a big bowl.
2. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix.
3. Pour in plant milk and oil. Stir until smooth.
4. Heat a non-stick pan on medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
5. Pour batter for pancakes; cook 2-3 minutes per side.
6. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

More details here: vegan banana pancakes.

4) Gluten-Free Banana Muffins

Gluten-free banana muffins are soft, moist, and ready in about 30 minutes. They’re a handy breakfast or snack.

If you need gluten-free options, these are a must-try. Toss in chocolate chips if you want. They freeze well, so you can bake ahead.

You don’t need fancy ingredients. Just mix, bake, and enjoy.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 cups gluten-free flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup melted butter or oil
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mash bananas in a large bowl.
3. Add sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Stir in gluten-free flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Pour batter into lined muffin tin.
6. Bake 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool before eating or storing.

Recipe here: gluten free banana muffins.

5) Banana Peanut Butter Bars

Banana peanut butter bars are easy and packed with flavor. Ripe bananas bring sweetness, and peanut butter adds creaminess.

They make a good snack anytime. You don’t need a long list of ingredients and can add oats to make them more filling.

Toss in chocolate chips or a pinch of salt if you feel like it. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes for soft, chewy bars.

Ingredients

• 3 very ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 1/4 cups quick oats
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mash bananas in a bowl.
3. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
4. Add oats and salt, mix until combined.
5. Spread in a greased baking pan.
6. Bake 20-25 minutes until set.
7. Let cool before slicing.

6) Banana Smoothie Bowl

Banana smoothie bowls are thick, creamy, and perfect for breakfast. Use frozen bananas for the best texture.

Add your favorite milk—almond, soy, dairy, whatever works. Nut butter and cinnamon add flavor, and you can throw in vanilla or honey if you want it sweeter.

Top with fruit, nuts, or seeds for crunch and color. It’s easy to make and easy to love.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, peeled and frozen
• ¼ cup milk (any kind)
• 1-2 tablespoons nut butter
• Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Blend frozen bananas and milk until smooth.
2. Add nut butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and honey. Blend again.
3. Pour into a bowl.
4. Add your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Tips here: banana smoothie bowl recipe.

7) Banana Walnut Loaf

Banana walnut loaf is a cozy way to use up ripe bananas. The walnuts give it a nice crunch and a little extra flavor.

You probably have everything you need already. The combo of sweet banana and nutty walnut just works.

The crumb is moist and tender, and it doesn’t end up overly sweet. It’s a classic for a reason. Try this banana walnut bread recipe.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, combine mashed bananas, sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla.
4. Stir dry ingredients into wet until just mixed.
5. Fold in walnuts.
6. Pour into a greased loaf pan.
7. Bake 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cool before slicing.

8) Frozen Banana Ice Cream

Frozen banana ice cream is ridiculously easy and surprisingly good. Just peel, chop, and freeze ripe bananas for at least two hours.

Once they’re frozen, toss them in a blender and blend until creamy. Eat it as is, or add a splash of vanilla or milk for extra creaminess.

It’s a sweet, dairy-free treat that doesn’t need any added sugar. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert.

Ingredients

• Ripe bananas (peeled and cut)
• Optional: vanilla extract
• Optional: milk or plant-based milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and slice bananas.
2. Freeze in an airtight container for at least 2 hours.
3. Blend frozen bananas until smooth.
4. Add vanilla or milk if you want, blend again.
5. Serve right away or freeze for a firmer texture.

9) Banana Carrot Cake

Banana Carrot Cake is such a clever way to use up those bananas that are just a little too ripe. Here, mashed bananas meet shredded carrots, making a really moist, flavorful bread.

The sweetness from the bananas and carrots lets you cut back on added sugar. That’s a win in my book.

You’ll grab some basic ingredients: flour, eggs, cinnamon, a bit of baking soda to give it lift. Coconut oil or canola oil keeps it moist.

If you’re feeling fancy, a vanilla cream cheese frosting on top really takes it to another level.

Honestly, this cake works for breakfast or just as a snack. It’s simple and chances are, you already have most of what you need.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup coconut or canola oil
• ½ cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the mashed bananas, shredded carrot, eggs, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla in a bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan.
6. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean.
7. Let it cool before you slice and serve.

10) Banana Breakfast Cookies

Banana breakfast cookies are such a simple, healthy way to kick off your morning. You can whip them up fast with ripe bananas, oats, and a handful of other things.

They’re naturally sweet, so you don’t need to fuss with extra sugar. Perfect for grabbing as you run out the door, honestly.

Toss in raisins, nuts, or even chocolate chips if you want to mix things up. The cookies keep well for a few days, and honestly, they work as an afternoon snack, too.

Baking them doesn’t take much time, and you won’t need any fancy gadgets. If you use certified gluten-free oats, they’re gluten-free.

You can also keep them dairy-free by picking the right yogurt or oil. It’s a pretty flexible recipe.

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup raisins
• ⅓ cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mash the bananas in a bowl.
3. Add oats, raisins, yogurt, and cinnamon. Mix well.
4. Drop spoonfuls of the mix on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
6. Let cool before eating.

For more tips, see this banana breakfast cookies recipe.