How to Use Ripe or Overripe Bananas

Overripe bananas are excellent for baking.

A bunch of bananas moves quickly from not-quite-ripe to perfect to ... mushy. It's disappointing to realize that you didn't quite eat them all in time. But there's no need to waste a perfectly good banana, even if it is a little soft. There are plenty of ways to use up bananas, and you can store them, peeled, in the freezer until you need them.

Things You'll Need

• Bananas

Instructions

1. Bake banana bread or banana muffins. Or make regular cupcakes and mash a banana into the frosting.

2. Use bananas in a healthy smoothie. Blend 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 banana, 3/4 cup frozen fruit, 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed and 2 tablespoons vanilla whey protein powder. Add a little soy milk, juice or water if it is too thick.

3. Make banana pancakes by adding mashed banana to regular pancake batter. Serve with mini chocolate chips and fresh strawberries on top for a breakfast banana split.

4. Peel the banana, slice it into circles and then soak in lemon juice. Place the slices in a food dehydrator to make banana chips.