The browner the better.
So you should bake with them, right?
Sure, you’re free to always makebanana bread,hummingbird cake,or evenice creamfrom ripe bananas.
Credit: Getty Images
But at what point are bananas too far gone to use?
Can a banana simply be too ripe for baking?
Read on for how to tell when ripe bananas have gone bad.
Credit:Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
How Long Bananas Last
Bananas last for roughly two to five days when stored on the counter.
(Greener bananas will last longer than yellow ones.)
Once fully ripe store themin the refrigeratorfor up to a week.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hilegas
Bananas will last about three months in the freezer.
Pro Tip: If freezing, peel the bananas first.
As the bananas ripen, the fruit converts starches to sugars, making them sweeter and more flavorful.
Can Bananas Be Too Ripe?
As with most produce, there comes a point of no return.
If the bananas have any visible signs of mold, throw them out.
If they smell off, that’s another good indicator that they are no longer okay to use.
Rotten bananas will often have a fermented or alcohol-like smell.
Another sign that bananas have gone bad is if they start leaking fluids.
When in doubt, just toss the bananas out.
So, what should you make?
Banana bread is far from the only thing you’re free to make with ripe bananas.
