Picture this scenario: have decided to make some homemade banana bread for your work colleagues. On the weekend, you write out an ingredients list before heading to the grocery store. Then, your worst nightmare occurs: the tough is filled with underripe, green bananas. Not wanting to make an extra trip, you purchase them. This isn’t the end of the world, however. You can still make your delicious take on banana bread by accelerating the ripening process on your own! Check out these pointers below to get started.
Ripen Bananas in Days
If you have a few days to spare, consider following the most natural method for ripening bananas. Grab a paper bag and place the bananas inside. (Bonus points if you have other fruit to add to the bag – this will only speed up the ripening process!) Fold the bag and leave it alone for 24 hours. Check the bag daily, until the fruit is at your desired level of ripeness.
Ripen Bananas in Hours
Got a few hours on your hands? Why not ripen your bananas in the freezer? Cold temperatures are great for softening bananas. All you have to do is place the bananas in a plastic bag and toss it in your freezer for a few hours. Don’t worry if you see the peels begin to blacken! This is a normal part of the ripening process. You'll find that the interior fruit is still good to eat.
Ripen Bananas in Minutes
If you need that banana bread loaf as soon as possible, you’ll be able to rest easy, knowing that there’s a way to ripen bananas in as little as 15 minutes. Simply heat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, place unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet, and cook them for 15 to 20 minutes. This method will soften and sweeten the fruit quickly, so they’ll be ideal for sweet breads and other recipes.
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