Bananenbrood

How to Ripen Unripe Bananas Faster

Imagine this: you want to make a delicious banana bread tomorrow, but the only bananas you could find at the supermarket are still green. What now? Don't panic! There are several ways to ripen unripe bananas faster , so you can start baking your favorite recipe without any worries. In this article, we share handy tips and tricks for speeding up the ripening process and provide extra inspiration for your next baking adventure.

Ways to Ripen Bananas Faster

1. Use a paper bag

Place the unripe bananas in a paper bag and fold the top closed. Bananas naturally give off ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process. Keeping the bananas in a sealed bag keeps this gas concentrated, which speeds up the ripening process. Tip: add a ripe apple or pear to the bag for an extra boost.

2. Heat the bananas in the oven

A quick way to ripen bananas is to heat them in the oven:

Preheat the oven to 150°C.
Place the bananas (with skin) on a baking tray.
Bake them for 15-20 minutes until the skins turn black.

This process makes the bananas softer and sweeter, perfect for banana bread! Check out our recipe for sugar-free banana bread – healthy and delicious .

3. Use a ripening device

Special ripening devices simulate a controlled ripening chamber, which is ideal if you often work with unripe fruit. This can make the bananas ripe in less than a day.

4. Place bananas next to other ripe fruit

Place the bananas in the same bowl as ripe fruit, such as an avocado or apple. The ethylene gas from the ripe fruit will speed up the process. This is a natural method without any additional aids.

How long does it take for green bananas to ripen?

Normally, it takes 3-7 days for green bananas to ripen naturally. Factors such as temperature and humidity play a role in this. For optimal ripening:

Store the bananas at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
Avoid the refrigerator unless you want to slow down the ripening.

What if I want to store ripe bananas for longer?

Do you want to keep your bananas fresh for longer? Follow these tips:

Store ripe bananas in the refrigerator. The skin may turn brown, but the flesh will stay fresh longer.
Freeze overripe bananas to use later in smoothies or for baking banana bread.

Need more inspiration? Check out our recipe for vegan banana bread with oats .