Don't throw away overripe bananas—these 14 recipes make them taste better than ever

It happens to the best of us: we buy bananas, and they go bad before we can use them all. The good intentions were there at the grocery store with us, but sometimes the bananas just aren't eaten quickly enough. That doesn’t mean you need to get rid of them, though! There are so many ways you can use an overripe banana, and we're talking about more than banana bread. (Although we will never say no to banana bread.)

When bananas ripen, the starchiness that keeps them firm begins to break down into simpler sugars—meaning the softer they are, the sweeter they are. And that sweetness is what you want when mashing up bananas to stir into pancake batter or quick bread batter, or to freeze for ice cream, smoothies, and other desserts.

As soon as bananas become too soft to eat (and before the fruit flies appear!), you can store bananas in the freezer until you're ready to use them. (We also have tips on keeping your kitchen fruit-fly free!) When you’re ready to use up those ripe bananas, check out these easy recipes. We’ve got everything from smoothies to banana pudding to layer cakes. These recipes are great any time, so you may find yourself buying extra bananas just to have enough left over to make them!

Peanut Butter Banana Bread Granola

This easy granola recipe, made with mashed bananas and creamy natural peanut butter, will last and taste delicious for an entire week. It's a great breakfast or afternoon snack!

Banana Count: 1 medium banana

Get the recipe for Peanut Butter Banana Bread Granola.

Hummingbird Layer Cake

This classic Southern (actually Caribbean!) cake wouldn't be the same without that signature mix of bananas and pineapple.

Banana Count: 2 large bananas

Get the recipe for Hummingbird Layer Cake.

Salty Peanut Banana Pudding

If you love banana pudding, you need to try this version that combines the best of peanut butter and bananas. This salty, sweet dessert is a no-bake delight that will get people talking.

Banana count: 4 medium bananas

Get the recipe for Salty Peanut Banana Pudding.

Banana Bread with Salted Peanut Streusel

The classic "oops my bananas got soft" solution is, of course, banana bread.

This recipe has a peanut topping that is so good, the loaf will disappear before you know it.

Banana Count: 3 large bananas

Get the recipe for Banana Bread with Salted Peanut Streusel.

Banana Tart Tatin

A tatin is a sort of upside-down tart, where the fruit caramelizes by cooking on the bottom of the pan.

Overripe bananas, which tend to be more sugary, are great with this method, as they'll get nice and caramelized.

Banana Count: 4 large bananas

Get the recipe for Banana Tart Tatin.

Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

Another banana bread? Yes, but this is the hands-down most indulgent banana bread we've ever made. It's honestly worth keeping chocolate chunks on hand in case you end up with enough overripe bananas.

Banana Count: 4 medium bananas

Get the recipe for Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread.

Olive’s Naturally Sweet PB&J Pancakes

Besides banana bread, the other classic way of using up the last of an overripe bunch is by dropping 'em in pancakes. In fact, you want your pancake bananas to be as ripe as possible, as they'll then blend right into the batter, without leaving chunks.

Chef Ryan Scott adds peanut butter and berries for a PB&J flavor that his daughter Olive loves!

Banana Count: 2 medium bananas

Get the recipe for Olive’s Naturally Sweet PB&J Pancakes.

Banana-Berry Smoothie

Brilliant idea number 5: Use that too-ripe banana to thicken (and sweeten) a smoothie! One of our favorite things about smoothies is their malleable, no-recipe form. You can put in most any fruit, juice, flavors, or even yogurt that you have. But this basic Banana-Berry smoothie with ginger is a great place to start!

Banana Count: 1 banana per serving

Get the recipe for Banana-Berry Smoothie.

Griddled Banana Bread with Sorghum Syrup

Want to get a little fancy? This griddled banana bread will make you feel like you're brunching at a fancy bed-and-breakfast spot. If you can't track down sorghum syrup, maple makes a fine sub!

Banana Count: 3 large bananas

Get the recipe for Griddled Banana Bread with Sorghum Syrup.

Butterscotch-Banana Trifle

Whether you're serving a crowd or it's just too hot to turn on the oven, you can layer up a super simple, no-bake trifle for a visually impressive—and yet super easy—treat.

Banana Count: 6 medium bananas

Get the recipe for Butterscotch-Banana Trifle.

Baked Brown-Butter Banana Bread Doughnuts

Here's another fancy recipe where overripe bananas (which mash easier and leave fewer chunks) are actually better than underripe or even just-ripe bananas.

Banana Count: 3 medium bananas

Get the recipe for Baked Brown-Butter Banana Bread Doughnuts.

Banana-Butterscotch Cake

Think of this Bundt cake as if banana bread put on a fancy dress and got ready to go to a party. (And then everyone wanted to dance with her when she got there.)

Banana Count: 2 large bananas

Get the recipe for Banana-Butterscotch Cake.

Orange-Banana Smoothie Pops

Here's a take on banana ice cream that we love for keeping the kiddos cool during the summer!

Banana Count: 2 large bananas

Get the recipe for Orange-Banana Smoothie Pops.

Banana Bread Flapjacks

Flapjacks but make it banana bread. What could be better? These'll serve six, and the leftovers can be frozen and reheated!

Banana Count: 4 to 5 medium bananas

Get the recipe for Banana Bread Flapjacks.