And just like that, another week flew by without even touching the bananas in the fruit bowl. They’re probably deeply freckled or almost black, but just because they’re too ripe to peel and eat plain doesn’t mean they’re not salvageable. Since the bananas are soft and extremely sweet at this point, they’re perfect for mashing up and using in ripe banana recipes.

This collection includes plenty of banana desserts, such as decadent banana cheesecake, ice cream, brownies, chocolate cake, classic banana pudding and even a fancy bananas Foster. Of course, there is no shortage of breakfast recipes where bananas shine in smoothies, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, coffee cake and muffins. And it’s not a complete list without plenty of banana bread recipes, from the classic loaf to modern offshoots like pumpkin and apple topped with caramel and coconut.

So many banana recipes are available. Whether you’re working with one ripe banana or a whole bunch, you’ll definitely find a recipe that inspires you. And if your bananas aren’t quite ripe yet but you’re itching to use them in overripe banana recipes, you can totally ripen bananas yourself. I prefer the oven technique, but the microwave method works too!

Taste of Home