Recipes — bananas

From Breakfast to Dessert: Creative Banana Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings 0

In honor of National Banana Day⁽¹⁾ (April 19th), we rounded up five banana recipes that run the gamut from traditional to creative. This way, cooks of all levels and aspirations can enjoy another (cooking/baking) side of the fruit. Ready to go bananas when you are!

8 Amazing Banana Recipes You Should Try Today 0

Bananas are delicious, nutritious and versatile. You don’t need to panic when you have overripe bananas. You can turn them into fluffy pancakes, smoothies, or even make pudding. Here are eight banana recipes you can use to make healthy treats for you and your family.

Banana pancakes¹

Overripe bananas are perfect for making delicious pancakes. Sprinkle syrup and toasted pecan nuts to make a delightful treat.  It is easy and only takes about 15 minutes to create 12 pancakes.

For this banana recipe, you will need self-rising flour or alternative, ripe bananas, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, baking powder, salt, and butter for frying. For serving, you need sliced bananas, chopped, and toasted pecan halves.

• 2 ½ cups self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 very ripe bananas
• 2 medium eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole milk
• butter, for frying

To prepare, sieve the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Mash the very ripe bananas in another bowl with a fork until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and whisk them together to create a smooth batter.

Cook the batter in a nonstick pan on medium heat with butter or ghee. Cook until small bubbles appear on the surface. Flip and cook for 1-2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Stack the pancakes together on the plate and top with banana slices. Pour some maple syrup and top with the pecan nuts. Yummy!

Oatmeal and banana pancakes²

These oatmeal pancakes are great for people who prefer oatmeal to flour. Oatmeal is nutritious and has fiber. It has low sodium level as compared to regular pancakes.  Instead of using maple syrup, you can sprinkle some confectioners’ sugar or honey.  The total time required for preparation and cooking this banana recipe is 14 minutes.

You will need oatmeal flour, finely chopped ripe banana, and chopped walnuts.

• 2 cups complete whole wheat pancake mix
• 1 large firm banana, finely chopped
• ½ cup old-fashioned oats
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts

To prepare, make whole wheat pancake batter according to instructions on box. Fold in oats, banana and walnuts. Cook ¼ cup of batter per pancake on a nonstick pan on medium heat. Flip when bubbles appear on surface. Cook on second side until golden brown.

Banana ice cream³

This quick banana ice cream recipe is low fat and super healthy.

You will need ripe bananas, cut into chunks, milk, toasted flaked almonds, and ready-made chocolate sauce or toffee.

• 4 ripe bananas, cut into chunks
• 3-4 tbsp milk
• 2 tbsp toasted flaked almonds
• 2 tbsp ready-made toffee or chocolate sauce

To prepare, place the banana chunks on a flat tray and cover. Freeze them for about 1 hour or until frozen. Put the frozen banana into a food processor and add milk. Process until they are smooth, creamy texture. Scoop into bowls or glasses. Top with the sauce and almonds.

Banana bread⁴

The pleasant aroma of banana bread is so good that your neighbors will stream in for a taste. This banana recipe makes moist bread, and it is tasty.

You will need all-purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, eggs, mashed ripe bananas, buttermilk, canola oil, vanilla, chopped walnuts.

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (1 cup)
• ½ cup canola oil
• ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• Additional chopped walnuts, optional

To prepare, Preheat oven to 325 °. Stir together the dry ingredients in a bowl. Combine the eggs, bananas, oil, vanilla, and buttermilk. Add the wet ingredients mixture to the flour mixture and combine. Fold in the chopped walnuts.

Pour the batter to a greased loaf pan. You can sprinkle more walnuts if you desire. Bake for about 75 - 90 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the bread on a wire rack. Enjoy.

Banana cake⁵

This banana recipe makes energizing, healthy treats for your friends and family

You will need whole wheat flour, baking powder, light brown sugar, an egg, butter, milk, bananas, white chocolate, and cinnamon.

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 1 medium egg
• ½ stick butter, melted and cooled
• ½ cup 2% fat milk
• 2 small ripe bananas, 1 mashed, 1 sliced
• ¾ cup white chocolate, roughly chopped
• cinnamon, for sprinkling

To prepare, preheat the oven to 375°. Put about 8 cupcake liners in a muffin pan. Mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a bowl. Beat the egg in a separate bowl; add the melted butter and milk. Add the mashed banana and beat the batter until all is mixed. Pour this mixture into the flour mixture and combine. Add ½ cup of the white chocolate.

Pour the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for about 20 minutes or when a skewer comes out clean. Cool them on a wire rack.

Melt the remaining chocolate. Allow it to cool then spread it on the cakes. Add some sliced bananas on each cupcake and sprinkle on cinnamon.

Banana chocolate cake⁶

Perfect when the chocolate craving is driving you nuts. This banana recipe is oil-free and is healthy as a snack or dessert. It incorporates healthy and nutritious whole grains and 1/3 cup less sugar than regular chocolate cakes recipes. It is easy to make in no time. Make this banana recipe a day before you eat it because the texture and rich chocolate flavor is better the next day.

You will need all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, mashed banana, nut butter or oil, vanilla, and chocolate chips. You can use an extra banana and remove the butter oil.

• 1 cup spelt, white, or gluten free All Purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp Dutch or additional unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup water
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup overripe mashed banana
• 1/4 cup nut butter, oil, or additional banana
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, optional

To prepare, preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix in the remaining ingredients and combine them properly.  Pour the batter into an 8x8 pan lined with parchment paper, sprinkle chocolate chips, if desired. Bake for 25 minutes and let completely cool. Cover overnight with a towel and eat the next day.

Mango and banana smoothie⁷

You have not made good use of bananas without making a smoothie. Treat yourself to this yummy banana, mango, and pineapple smoothie.

You will need pineapple juice, chopped mango slices, banana, yogurt, and honey.

• 1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
• 2 cups frozen chopped peeled mangoes
• 1/2 medium ripe banana
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey

To prepare, combine all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses and serve immediately.

Banana punch⁸

This refreshing banana recipe is a delicious and healthy treat out of the ordinary plain fruit juice. The orange and lemonade add that tropical flair. It only takes 10 minutes to prepare.

You will need medium ripe bananas, frozen orange juice, lemonade concentrate, warm water, sugar, chilled pineapple juice, lemon-lime soda, and orange slices to garnish.

• 6 medium ripe bananas
• 1 can (12 ounces) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 3/4 cup thawed lemonade concentrate
• 3 cups warm water, divided
• 2 cups sugar, divided
• 1 can (46 ounces) pineapple juice, chilled
• 3 bottles (2 liters each) lemon-lime soda, chilled
• Orange slices, optional

To prepare, add the banana, orange juice, and lemonade to a blender and blend till smooth. Put aside half of the mixture. Add the warm water and sugar to the blender and mix till smooth. Pour into freezer safe container and place in the freezer. Do the same with the remaining banana mixture, add to a container, and freeze.

Remove from the freezer an hour before serving. Place frozen banana mixture into punch bowl . Add the pineapple juice and soda and stir until they blend. Garnish with orange slices.

Try out these eight delicious banana recipes with our freeze-dried bananas and share your feedback below. You can also incorporate our freeze dried banana into these banana recipe. To rehydrate 1 cup of banana slices, add 2 cups of water. Grab your pack today.

References

1. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-banana-pancakes
2. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/banana-oatmeal-pancakes/
3. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/quick-banana-ice-cream
4. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/best-ever-banana-bread/
5. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/banana-fairy-cakes
6. https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2020/02/20/chocolate-banana-cake-recipe/
7. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/mango-smoothies/
8. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/banana-brunch-punch/

Back To School Time - 10 Easy Smoothie Recipes On The Go 0

Although the back to school time is a transition from waking up late to lazy breakfasts to quick breakfasts and rushing to get to the bus, it need not be stressful.
Childhood is the time where children experience growth spurts and need proper nutrition. We want to help you take out the stress of meal planning, and give you a few easy ways to nourish your kiddos. Smoothies are packed with fiber and antioxidants and are perfect for back to school snacks:¹ convenient and ideal to give your child energy on the go.
Here are some easy and quick delicious smoothie recipes. Try preparing them in the evening and put in the refrigerator if you have a busy morning schedule to save on time and your peace of mind.

1. Banana Oatmeal smoothie with peanut butter¹

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-fat milk/ or a milk alternative (almond, cashew, soy, or coconut milk)
• 2 bananas
• ½ cup oatmeal
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter

Preparation

• Add all the ingredients to a blender.
• Blend for 20-30 seconds until frothy and smooth. Stir and blend again for a minute.
• Pack in a smoothie bottle.

2. Blueberry vanilla smoothie¹

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-fat milk / or a milk alternative (almond, cashew, soy, or coconut milk)
• 11/2 cup yogurt
• 1 banana, chopped
• 1 cup frozen or freeze dried blueberries
• 1 1/2 tsp flax seed meal
• 1 teaspoon honey

Preparation

• Place the chopped banana, yogurt, milk, flax seed meal, and honey in a blender.
• Blend for 5-10 seconds on the lowest speed until smooth.
• Add the blueberries gradually as you continue to blend on low speed. Increase speed and blend to your desired consistency.

3. Mixed berries with yogurt²

Ingredients

• 1 cup mixed berries
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 teaspoon almond butter

Preparation

• Put all the mixtures in a blender and blend until smooth. Chill overnight and pack for your kids in the morning - a perfect way to get a ton of vitamin C and protein.

4. Green chia seed and fruit smoothie²

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 cup frozen mango
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds

Preparation

• Blend the ingredients to a smooth consistency.
• Sweeten with natural frozen fruits such as mango and bananas to get a boost of natural sugars. Spinach is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, while the chia seeds add a boost to the nutrients and thicken the drink.²

5. Healthy avocado and orange punch³

Ingredients

• 1 medium avocado
• 1 banana
• 1 orange
• ½ cup strawberries
• 1 cup yogurt

Preparation

• Blend all the ingredients to make a healthy fruit punch - refreshing and nutritious and a great way for the kids to start their morning.

6. Tropical fruit with coconut smoothie³

Ingredients

• 2 cups of a mix of tropical fruits (mango, banana and pineapple)
• ¾ cup coconut milk
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon honey

Preparation

• Blend the ingredients until combined and smooth.
• Sweeten with honey if desired.
• Add the coconut and pulse or blend on low speed to combine.

7. Cocoa and banana smoothie with Raspberry⁴

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen raspberries
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup skim milk/ or milk alternative (almond, cashew, soy, or coconut milk)
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder.
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

• Blend all ingredients until combined. Sweeten with honey, if desired. Blend until smooth and frothy.

8. Frozen berries and rolled oats smoothie³

Ingredients

• 2 cups of mixed frozen or freeze dried berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries)
• 1 1/2 cups skim milk/ or milk alternative (almond, cashew, coconut, or soy milk)
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

• Blend all the ingredients until combined. Sweeten with honey, if needed; then blend until frothy.

9. Pineapple, kale, and mint smoothie⁴

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen pineapple
• 1 cup packed fresh kale without stems
• 3/4 cup coconut water
• 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves.
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

• Blend all ingredients in blender at low speed. Sweeten as desired with honey. Pulse the blender to mix then blend until smooth.

10. Banana, peanut butter, and date smoothies⁴

Ingredients

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 cup skim milk/ or milk alternative (almond, cashew, coconut, or soy milk)
• 5 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 pitted and chopped dates

Preparation

• Blend until smooth and frothy.

Smoothies offer significant nutritional benefits; they are quick to make and help you to avoid skipping breakfast for those quick mornings. Sweeten with natural freeze dried fruits like berries, mangoes, and pineapples. Add some greens, like spinach, to get a boost of vitamins and antioxidants, and nuts, like flax seeds or almonds, to make it nutritionally complete.
If you prepare your smoothies ahead of time, your kids will be fuller longer, because of the fiber, and they'll have the energy to get through the busiest part of the day. Do you love the smoothie fever for back to school time? Try out these recipes and give us feedback below.

 
References

1. http://blog.bestbuy.ca/home-furniture-kitchen/recipes-how-to/back-to-school-easy-tasty-breakfast-smoothies-that-will-get-you-to-school-fast
2. http://www.coupons.com/thegoodstuff/10-easy-smoothie-recipes/
3. https://www.today.com/food/easy-healthy-smoothies-recipes-beat-breakfast-boredom-t10266
4. https://www.today.com/health/super-breakfast-smoothies-help-make-back-school-breeze-t41806