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  4. 10+ Ways to Use Overripe Bananas That Aren't Banana Bread

10+ Ways to Use Overripe Bananas That Aren't Banana Bread

Updated August 23, 2022
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mr-banana-pudding-cake
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food styling: Emily Nabors Hall and Kady Wohlfarth; Prop styling: Kay Clarke

When life gives you bananas, don't think making banana bread is the only way to use them up. We've got nothing against the easy, classic quickbread, but if you're looking for some new ways to use old bananas, you've come to the right place. There are plenty of quick ways to use overripe bananas, such as mixing them into pancake batter or pan-frying them with cinnamon, but if you want to take things up a notch, many beloved desserts, such as hummingbird cake and bananas foster, get their signature sweetness from the fruit. If you're burnt out on banana bread, give one of these banana cakes, banana smoothies, banana shakes, or other banana treats a try.

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Banana Pudding Cake

mr-banana-pudding-cake
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food styling: Emily Nabors Hall and Kady Wohlfarth; Prop styling: Kay Clarke

Banana Pudding Cake Recipe

One of our testers called this "the ultimate banana pudding in cake form." Tender laters of cake, creamy vanilla custard, and bananas come together to create a mouthwatering dessert. Warning: There won't be leftovers. 

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Susan's Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting

mr-banana-cake-with=chocolate-frosting
Credit: Stacey Ballis

Susan's Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting Recipe

On the surface, so simple. A moist, richly banana-flavored, two-layer cake with a dark chocolate frosting. No frills or fancies. No nuts, chocolate chips or chunks, no crispy bits or coconut. Just a basic banana cake with a simple chocolate frosting. And yet, in the marriage of these two tastes something extraordinary happens. It is cake alchemy.

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Copycat IHOP Strawberry Banana King's Hawaiian French Toast

Copycat IHOP Strawberry Banana King's Hawaiian Sweet Bread French Toast
Credit: Photographer: Antara Sinha; Food Stylist: Briana Riddock

Copycat IHOP Strawberry Banana King's Hawaiian French Toast Recipe

A partnership between IHOP and King's Hawaiian Sweet Bread led to the creation of the ultimate breakfast mashup—Hawaiian sweet bread French toast… Yeah, we are just scratching our heads wondering why we hadn't thought of this first. This dish has transformed the classic, cult favorite dinner rolls into a morning must-have, that may just replace basic sliced bread forever. The pillowy rolls are dunked in a rich vanilla custard and pan-fried with butter to golden perfection. The French toasts are then topped with a simple strawberry syrup made from fresh berries and sugar, simmered for just a few minutes, followed by a handful of banana slices for a sweet finish.

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Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Hadas Smirnoff

Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake Recipe

Strawberries add brightness to this fun take on banana pudding. Instead of the usual vanilla wafers, use graham crackers, which make neater slices. An instant hit with your family and guests, this recipe makes delicious use of the fresh strawberries you pick up at the local farmers' market.

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Peanut Butter and Banana Cheesecake with Candied Bacon

mr-Peanut Butter and Banana Cheesecake with Candied Bacon Image
Credit: Time Inc. Food Studios

Peanut Butter and Banana Cheesecake with Candied Bacon Recipe

For a cake that is truly impessive, look no further than this amazing cheesecake! Topped with candied bacon, this sweet and salty treat is truly a delight. Perfect for a celebration or just to satisfy a sweet tooth, this cheesecake will definitely be a crowd-pleaser.

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Banana-Berry Smoothie

Banana-Berry Smoothie

Banana-Berry Smoothie Recipe

While the dishwasher runs after dinner, whip up a batch of this blended treat. Honey sweetens the banana-strawberry-yogurt mixture. Serve thick for a fun beat-the-heat dessert.

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Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

"Mashed ripe banana adds sweetness and flavor to these chocolate chip cookies. I found I could reduce the usual amount of sugar and butter." --Cathy Brixen, Phoenix, Ariz.

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Banana Caramel Cake

Banana Caramel Cake

Banana Caramel Cake Recipe

Forget banana bread, we're craving this banana cake! A drizzle of sweet and salty caramel on the top works perfectly in this easy recipe, and it's a great way to use up those overripe bananas.

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Pan-Fried Cinnamon Bananas

EC: Pan-Fried Cinnamon Bananas Are Ridiculously Easy
Credit: Photo by Kirsten Nunez

Pan-Fried Cinnamon Bananas Recipe

One reviewer says, "Made it for my mothers for Mother's Day and she loved it and with my lack of experience it was really easy to make and really simple and tasted magnificent. Will make this again for other events."

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Banana Peanut Butter Smoothies

Banana Peanut Butter Smoothies

Banana Peanut Butter Smoothies Recipe

Refreshing and packed with plenty of peanut butter flavor, these easy smoothies are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

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Banana Almond Cake

Banana Almond Cake
Credit: Penina

Banana Almond Cake Recipe

A bag of ripe bananas inspired Jan McHargue to create this coffee cake. You can enjoy the banana cake with its spicy brown sugar-almond topping and filling for brunch, with coffee, or for dessert.

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Cold Brew-Banana Smoothie

Cold Brew-Banana Smoothie
Credit: Sara Tane

Cold Brew-Banana Smoothie Recipe

Who says you can't caffeinate and fill up on a hearty, wholesome breakfast smoothie all at the same time? In this cozy java concoction, prepared cold brew is blended into a banana and almond milk smoothie. Rather than using ice cubes which will dilute the flavor of the smoothie, the cold brew is cleverly frozen. With a dash of cinnamon and agave nectar, this healthy breakfast smoothie tastes like banana bread in a glass.

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Double-Banana Pound Cake

Double-Banana Pound Cake
Credit: Randy Mayor

Double-Banana Pound Cake Recipe

For banana lovers: This cake packs a double punch of banana with the fruit and liqueur. The banana liqueur is a must; it gives the cake a sweet, rich banana flavor.

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    1 of 13 Banana Pudding Cake
    2 of 13 Susan's Banana Cake with Chocolate Frosting
    3 of 13 Copycat IHOP Strawberry Banana King's Hawaiian French Toast
    4 of 13 Strawberry-Banana Pudding Icebox Cake
    5 of 13 Peanut Butter and Banana Cheesecake with Candied Bacon
    6 of 13 Banana-Berry Smoothie
    7 of 13 Banana-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
    8 of 13 Banana Caramel Cake
    9 of 13 Pan-Fried Cinnamon Bananas
    10 of 13 Banana Peanut Butter Smoothies
    11 of 13 Banana Almond Cake
    12 of 13 Cold Brew-Banana Smoothie
    13 of 13 Double-Banana Pound Cake

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    10+ Ways to Use Overripe Bananas That Aren't Banana Bread
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