Are you the type that can’t pass up a dish that has bananas in it? Bananas are an extremely popular fruit, and for good reason. Not only are they easy to find in the supermarket year-round, but they tend to be budget-friendly and highly versatile in terms of how to use them. Then there are the health benefits that bananas offer, as they are rich in vitamin B6, magnesium, and potassium.
It’s for these reasons and more that this fruit gets a special day, with National Banana Day taking place on April 17. That’s right, it’s a day when all things banana-related are celebrated.
If you want to take part in the National Banana Day festivities there’s no better way to do so than consuming bananas. To inspire you here are 10 great recipes that have bananas in them, all of which are relatively simple to make.
Banana Loaf
In terms of classic ways to make use of bananas in a recipe, banana loaf is probably near the top of the list. This is exactly why there are so many different banana bread recipes ranging from simple classics to those with interesting and tasty ingredients added to the mix. It comes down to how adventurous you are and what you like to pair with bananas.
Generally speaking, most banana loaves take 45-60 minutes to bake, so you need to have the available time before whipping up this recipe.
Banana Bread French Toast
Once you’ve found the perfect banana loaf recipe, why not make an extra loaf that can be used for French toast? Simply slice up the banana loaf, and then prepare it as you would with regular bread when making French toast. Bananas bread French toast is perfect topped with maple syrup, whipped cream, fresh berries, or your favorite jam.
Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies
This is a recipe that many don’t even realize exists, but yes you can add bananas to cookies. The result will be dense and moist cookies packed full of flavor. Just as you would for other recipes that require you to bake with bananas, you want to use ripe bananas in this one. That enhances the sweetness of the banana.
These chocolate chip banana cookies take things to the next level thanks to the addition of chocolate chips. If you have peanut butter lovers in the house you can substitute the chocolate chips with peanut butter chips, or do a mixture of both.
Banana Nut Muffins
Another sweet baking style recipe is banana nut muffins. These are a classic muffin that you can usually find in coffee shops, but making them at home ensures they taste even better. In terms of what kind of nuts to use in banana nut muffins, that’s up to you. The ones that typically work well with bananas include walnuts, pecans, and even peanuts. Don’t be afraid to customize the recipe you’re working with and swap the nuts for the ones you prefer more.
Banana Blueberry Bars
Maybe you want to be able to grab a quick breakfast that you can take on the go, or you’re looking for a healthy snack option. If that’s the case these banana blueberry bars could be exactly what you’re craving. Not only are bananas a big part of the recipe, but they also call for blueberries which are considered a superfood thanks to their many health benefits. This particular recipe is also flour-free, which is a welcome option for many.
Banana Pudding
Here’s another classic way to enjoy bananas, but this one tends to feel a bit lighter in the tummy. Perfect for a hot summer day, banana pudding can hit the spot. The secret to this recipe is to ensure you use very ripe bananas. Rather than just eating a bowl of banana pudding, why not make a whole production out of it and transform it into a gorgeous-looking dessert thanks to this recipe?
Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Sure pancakes are great for breakfast, but they can also be enjoyed at lunch and dinner too. This banana oat chocolate chip pancake recipe does a great job of blending flavors and textures. Be sure to invest in good quality maple syrup to top them off.
Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Banana cake is great year-round, but to push it over the edge you need to top it with homemade cream cheese icing. The cream cheese base helps to cut through the sweetness making this dessert more balanced. Pair it with a cold cup of mild, or a piping cup of dark roast coffee.
Banana Peanut Butter Breakfast Smoothie
Are you in a rush but still want to take part in National Banana Day? The perfect answer is a banana breakfast smoothie. Bananas act as a great base in all kinds of smoothies, giving you the option to add more fruit, greens, peanut butter, Nutella, protein powder, and more.
Banana and French Toast Breakfast Casserole
We’ll finish off this list of tasty banana recipes with one that will have your mouth watering. This one isn’t for those who are counting calories, rather it’s ideal for anyone who wants to indulge in a sweet and filling breakfast casserole. The banana and croissant breakfast casserole is relatively quick to make and is ideal for a Sunday morning. It’s also perfect for hosting a brunch as your guests will be begging for the recipe.
On a side note, this is also a great way to use up croissants that may be starting to get a bit dried out, as they will be better in the casserole than fresh ones.