That’s Bananas! 31 Creative Ways to Cook With Bananas

By Christine Skopec

Bananas are a healthy and delicious on-the-go snack. Or sit-down snack when you have time—preferably with almond butter. Or topping for oatmeal. Or… you get the idea. Yet despite the various ways to enjoy them, they inevitably end up overripe and brown before you eat the entire bunch. Whomp whomp. And while mushy bananas make super moist bread, sometimes you end up tossing a few. (Because how much banana bread can one person eat?)

No more! We found 31 recipes for new, tasty, banana-infused dishes. Paired with everything from chocolate and peanuts to chicken, vegetables, and rice (trust us on that one!), they prove that b-a-n-a-n-a-s are great any time of day.

Breakfast

Photo: The Colorful Kitchen

1. Vegan Baked Banana Oatmeal

Basically a healthy breakfast cake, this has a gooey center and deliciously crisp edges—and it’s super easy. Mix together oats, banana, milk, chia seeds, dried fruit, and seasonings; pour into a pan (or mini mason jars for easy portioning); and bake. Drizzle with PB—because everything is better with nut butter.

2. Breakfast Cookies

It’s hard to beat cookies for breakfast, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that these hearty ones are loaded with good-for-you ingredients like oats, nut butter (we like almond for a dose of anti-inflammatory vitamin E), cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and raisins. Freeze a few to warm up and take on busy mornings.

3. Banana Nut Muffins

This classic takes 10 minutes to mix, so there’s really no reason to buy from the bakery. Plus, your kitchen will smell amazing. Tip: Use mixed nuts for a larger variety of vitamins and minerals, and extra fiber and protein.

4. Bananas Foster French Toast

A New Orleans dessert meets a brunch favorite in this delightful, indulgent mash-up of cinnamon-y, fluffy bread topped with caramelized bananas. There’s no booze in this version, but we won’t tell if you add a little rum.

5. Banana Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits

This make-ahead breakfast is perfect for stumble-out-of-bed mornings. Blend the pudding ingredients and let it sit overnight to thicken, then layer it with banana, oats, walnuts, and coconuts. It’s a great mix of filling fiber, plus some heart- and brain-boosting omega-3s delivered in a sweet, beachy flavor.

6. Healthy Banana Bread

Proof that banana bread doesn’t need butter, eggs, or sugar, this vegan version uses dates to let the natural sweetness of the nanas shine through and flaxseed to bind all the ingredients together. It’s topped with sesame seeds for some crunch, but you can also mix in walnuts.

7. Banana Vanilla Bean Pancakes With Mixed Berry Compote

Paleo pancakes can be made with only three ingredients, but using a few more jazzes them up and still keeps them friendly for cavemen and gluten-free eaters. Plus, using coconut flour …read more

Source:: Greatist