Here are 15+ delicious banana dessert recipes to use up that bunch of ripe bananas in the fruit bowl! From banana cake to banana cream pie, cheesecake, and classic banana bread, these banana recipes are some of my all-time favorites.
Hold up! Don’t throw out those overripe bananas just yet. Instead, here’s a collection of my favorite banana dessert recipes that will put a bunch of browned bananas to good use. Of course, banana bread is a classic. But there are so many ways to use bananas in all kinds of delicious baking recipes, from puddings to poke cakes and pies.
My Tips for Baking With Bananas
- Choose the ripest bananas. The best bananas for baking are the brownest, spottiest ones of the bunch. They’re softer and sweeter, and they’ll be easier to mash.
- Mash first, then measure. The amount of mashed banana impacts the texture, flavor, and moisture in a recipe. Mashing the banana first allows for more accurate measuring.
- Keep bananas from browning. If you’re using fresh sliced bananas in a recipe (like you would in banana pudding, for example), you can prevent the bananas from browning by brushing them lightly with lemon juice. Just don’t go overboard, or the lemon will affect the flavor.
- Freeze old bananas for later. If you have bananas that are past their prime, but you’re not ready to bake yet, freeze them! You can freeze whole bananas or peel them first, and store them in a freezer bag. They’ll thaw relatively quickly whenever it’s time to use them.
- Ripen bananas quickly. An easy way to speed up the ripening process is to place the whole bananas inside a sealed paper bag, and leave the bag on the counter for a day or two.
15+ Favorite Banana Recipes to Try
Looking for inspiration? These recipes are some of the best ways to use up a bunch of ripe bananas.
The Best Banana Cream Pie Recipe
Banana cream pie is a classic diner dessert that you can make at home! With smooth vanilla custard, fresh banana slices, and the fluffiest whipped cream in a flaky pie crust.
Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding Recipe
After tasting the famous Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding, I set out to make a homemade copycat. This recipe tastes so close to the original, with layers of creamy pudding, fresh bananas, and Nilla wafers.
Banana Cake
This easy banana cake has soft and sweet layers filled with fluffy browned butter frosting and crunchy walnuts, finished with a salted caramel drizzle.
No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecake
This banana pudding cheesecake has a creamy no-bake cheesecake filling, a blanket of fresh banana slices, silky homemade pudding, and fluffy whipped cream on top!
No-Bake Banana Split Pie
This banana split pie is a fun no-bake dessert with delicous, creamy layers topped with sprinkles, nuts, and fresh berries, just like a classic banana split!
Easy Banana Pudding Poke Cake
Turn a rich vanilla cake into a decadent banana pudding poke cake filled with pudding and topped with freshly sliced bananas, whipped cream, and crushed Nilla Wafers.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Banana Pie
Layer sliced bananas over a crunchy vanilla wafer crust with the creamiest whipped peanut butter mousse in this easy no-bake peanut butter pie.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Soft and loaded with gooey chocolate in every slice, this chocolate chip banana bread stays moist and flavorful for days!
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
This recipe makes big, bakery-style banana chocolate chip muffins bursting with sweet banana flavor and melty chocolate.
Pumpkin Banana Bread
When fall comes around, I make this easy pumpkin banana bread that combines two quick bread recipes into one! It’s a soft and moist banana bread loaf filled with cozy flavor and pumpkin spice.
Chocolate Banana Bread
Enjoy a slice of chocolate banana bread for breakfast or dessert. With only 10 minutes of prep, this recipe makes a delicious chocolate loaf packed with moisture thanks to mashed bananas.
Banana Nut Muffins
These are light, fluffy muffins are loaded with mashed bananas and crunchy walnuts. My banana nut muffins are perfect for a sweet breakfast or afternoon snack.
No-Bake Banana Dulce De Leche Mousse Cake
Buttery, caramelized dulce de leche meets traditional banana pudding in this banana dulce de leche mousse cake. Best of all, there’s no baking involved!
Banana Split Poke Cake Recipe
Another fun take on a banana split, this homemade banana split poke cake recipe combines vanilla cake with a creamy pudding filling and all your favorite banana split toppings.
Banana Pudding Tiramisu
This recipe puts a banana lover’s spin on the classic Italian dessert! My banana pudding-inspired tiramisu layers ladyfingers and creamy mousse with fresh sliced bananas.
Banana Cream Pie Cookie Cups
How cute are these cookie cups? They’re chewy and soft and loaded with banana cream pie filling. Everything you love about a traditional banana cream pie, in bite-sized form!
Dinosaur Cake
I make this dinosaur cake with fluffy banana cake layers that are lower in sugar. It’s perfect for a little one’s first birthday! Or, decorate the cake for any occasion.
Chocolate Banana Cream Pie Poke Cake
This is an easy dessert with moist banana cake filled with chocolate pudding and topped with sliced bananas and whipped cream, finished with a drizzle of fudge.
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