Don't Skip This Step Before Freezing Your Bananas

Bananas are one of the easiest fruits to freeze for smoothies, baking, and quick snacks (there are so many great ways to use frozen bananas), but only if you peel them first. Tossing the whole thing into the freezer with the peel might seem like a shortcut, but it's one you'll regret when it's time to use them. Banana peels become dark, sticky, and difficult to remove once frozen, turning a convenient kitchen hack into a frustrating chore. Instead, take a few seconds to peel each banana before freezing. You'll thank yourself later when all it takes is a quick grab from the freezer and you're blending or baking in seconds.

For best results, lay peeled bananas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them individually first (this prevents them from sticking together). Once they're solid, transfer to a zip-top freezer bag or an airtight container. If you know you'll be using them for banana-based smoothies, you can pre-slice them into chunks before freezing. Either way, peeling before freezing ensures they're ready to use straight from the freezer with no thawing or knife work required. It's a tiny step that saves you a lot of effort — and potential mess — down the line.

No need to panic if you've already tossed your bananas into the freezer with the skin still on — it's not ideal, but it's fixable. The easiest method is to let them sit at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes. As they start to soften, the peel loosens and becomes easier to work with. You can also cut the frozen banana in half, run each half under warm water for a few seconds, and then use a butter knife to gently pry off the peel. The skin will slide off much more easily once it's slightly thawed and softened by the water.

Just know that the texture of thawed frozen bananas is going to be mushy, and that's totally fine for recipes that call for mashed bananas, like brown butter banana bread, muffins, or pancakes. If you don't plan to use the banana right away, go ahead and remove the peel, mash the fruit, and refreeze it in individual portions using ice cube trays or small containers.