Banana Nutrition Facts, Banana Recipes! A recent belief has cropped up among the “health-conscious” which says that bananas have too many calories and carbs and are not good for losing weight (Try saying that to a minion!. Bananas are fruits, and fruits are good, aren’t they? Wait! So, are bananas bad for you? And if you get past that debate, some people find bananas just plain old boring.

So, are there banana recipes which can make the fruit more interesting? And then we have the toughest topic – handling of bananas. Some ripen too fast, some take too long to ripen! And what do you do with those banana flowers and banana leaves?

And if that’s not enough, we’ll show you why you have been peeling bananas the wrong way all along! Wow, and we thought bananas were the simplest of all fruits. Read on to become an expert on the most versatile fruit ever! (Don’t forget to read till the end for a bonus minions video!)

Before we dive right into the details, here’s a Fun Fact

Bananas do not need seeds to grow from, but from a bulb or rhizome taking about 9-12 months from plantation to harvesting. These are basically self-replacing perennial herbs.

Banana Nutrition Facts

Per 100 gram serving of banana carries about 89-105 calories, along with carbohydrates and sugar. This means instant energy. In addition, banana calories do not make you fat and the sugars don’t spike the blood sugar levels. Explains why bananas are taken by athletes in between training sessions or matches.

So, Are bananas good for you?

YES! Apart from its brilliant taste, texture, and versatility, bananas have an added advantage of having countless health benefits. Here’s all the banana nutrition you need to know:

Bananas include 23 grams of carbs, 12 g sugars, 1 g dietary fiber and 1 g protein per 100 g unpeeled serving. Along with this, bananas contain 0 fats and trans fats which ensures that you stay in shape.
Other banana benefits include potassium (which helps maintain proper heart function and regulate blood pressure), fibers (which improves digestion as the banana fibre content helps regulate bowel movement), Vitamin B6 (creates hemoglobin). Bananas also find their space in home remedies for treating skin conditions, curing ulcers and heartburn, and much more in addition to providing instant energy.

Now, that we do know that bananas are good for you, let’s look at a few how to’s

How to Ripen Banana Faster Naturally and artificially at Home?

Bananas produce a gas called ethylene which helps in ripening, so the more the merrier; hence never store bananas separated from the bunch, more in the bunch, faster your bananas would ripen.
Store bananas in warm places and keep checking till it develops few brown spots.
Pack and store the banana wrapped loosely in a brown paper bag, this will lead to ethylene build up and faster ripening.
If nothing else works, just microwave slightly.

How to slow down ripening and store bananas longer?

Buy bananas that are green at the ends and yellow at the middle
Don’t expose bananas to heat, store them at room temperature when unripe, and refrigerate when they ripen.
But sometimes you just know that your bananas won’t last until your target day, so what to do with ripe bananas? Unpeel overripe bananas, freeze into a popsicle, bake into banana bread or just make a smoothie. If the bananas are yet not overripe just unpeel, cut into pieces and refrigerate in an airtight container.

Can I put bananas in the refrigerator?

Yes, you can! However, if the bananas are unripe, it better be placed out of the fridge in a warm, dry place. Only ripe bananas should be stored in the fridge, either by the bunch or unpeeled and cut into pieces inside an airtight box.

So, you think you have learned all about bananas? Wait! Did you know that you have been peeling bananas the wrong way till now! Let’s have a look at the right way to eat a banana:

And for those who find bananas banal or plain old boring, here are a few unique ways to enjoy your daily dose:

Cut into pieces and freeze into popsicles to enjoy a cool snack
Dip bananas into chocolate dips like Nutella, bananas can never taste better than these.
Make smoothies or milkshakes and add in new flavors and other fruits too.
Blend in with yogurts and enjoy a smooth guiltfree dessert.
Coat unpeeled ripe bananas with a batter and fry till golden, sprinkle finely powdered sugar over the fried bananas and enjoy.

Banana Recipes

For the more adventurous, here are some awesome banana recipes

1. Vegan Banana Bread recipe

Banana Nutrition Facts, Banana Recipes, Banana Ripening And Much More... - Plattershare - Recipes, food stories and food lovers

Easy Vegan Healthy Banana Bread With Wheat

Recipe by Sonia Gupta

How to make Healthy Banana Bread: If you have been following Vegan for long, then you are no new to a Vegan Banana Bread. So far you have been eating vegan banana bread recipe with all-purpose flour or some wheat flour.

Today you will learn a complete whole wheat healthy vegan banana bread. People mistake this recipe as eggless banana cake with wheat flour. But, cake and breads are completely different.

Before we understand the difference between banana cake and banana bread, you may like to check another popular vegan recipe that will tickle your taste buds vegan chocolate banana bread. Whole Wheat Banana Bread vs. Whole Wheat Banana Cake.

People confuse themselves between banana cake and bread because of similar preparation. But, you must be able to distinguish between a bread and a cake. A cake always call for a pouring consistency of batter. Whereas this recipe uses a thick consistency of batter, just like dough for any bread. Consistency of the batter changes the thickness, and texture of the end product.

Whole Wheat Vegan Banana Bread. This is a time and tested eggless whole wheat banana bread that makes a moist vegan banana bread. Moreover, you will be surprised with the tenderness and health benefits of this vegan banana bread.

Surprisingly, banana and cinnamon has great affinity with each other. Banana and cinnamon complement each other and make the bread amazingly flavorful.

What is a vegan product? A vegan product does not carry an animal product or its by-products. Further, the products must not be tested on animals. Natural, unprocessed plant food falls under the category of a vegan food bucket. The list includes fruits, veggies, seeds, dry fruits, and nuts. This vegan banana bread recipe follows all the guidelines of a vegan product. Rising popularity of Vegan Products.

There is a variety of reason for people to look for vegan products. There are people who believe in reducing the cruelty with animals. Consequently, they like to drop the animal products from their diet. This is a step from them to say No to cruelty to animals. Following this practice is Veganism.

Presently, a lot of people have developed allergies to dairy products. Such people opt for vegan breads and cakes. Irrespective of the reason, this whole wheat banana bread vegan recipe is guaranteed to list into your best banana bread.

Check out this recipe

2. Eggless banana muffins recipe

Eggless Banana Muffins

Recipe by Aarti Sharma

Whip up these soft and moist Eggless Banana Muffins! A perfect, healthy treat that's easy to make and full of natural sweetness.

Ideal for breakfast or snacking!

Check out this recipe

3. Plantain kebabs recipe

Plantain Shammi Kabab

Recipe by Moumita Ghosh

In this recipe we will use boiled raw banana, onion, chili, bengal gram flour, salt & some other common ingredients.

Check out this recipe

4. Eggless Banana cake recipe

Eggless Banana Cake

Recipe by Sneha Agarwal

Egg less banana cake recipe – quick, easy one bowl cake recipe made with whole wheat flour and bananas. light, soft and moist banana cake without eggs. no special ingredients required.

Check out this recipe

5. Raw Banana parathas (flatbreads) recipe

Raw Banana Paratha (Vazhaikai Stuffed Paratha)

Recipe by Subhashni Venkatesh

Have you ever tried and tasted Raw Banana Paratha? If not you have missed one of the delicious type of paratha. A fiber rich, stomach filling recipe that tastes very different. You will be surprised after tasting this Paratha how could you missed this all these days!!!

Check out this recipe

6. Plantain chips recipe

Kerala Raw Banana (Plaintain) Chips Or Nendran Chips

Recipe by Charus Cuisine

Nendran chips are deep fried raw banana chips which is originally fried in coconut oil. It is very popular in Kerala and is usually served in onam sadya function or any special occasions. These chips are very tasty and are so flavourful by itself. Nendran chips are perfect snacks to munch anytime in the day or with tea/coffee. Nendran is a variety of banana grown in some parts of South India and is the most ideal variety for making these chips. Traditionally, the raw nendran bananas are skinned, sliced into thin slices and deep fried in coconut oil. But you can also use any normal cooking oil. During deep frying, the chips are sprinkled with a mixture of little salt and turmeric water to make them salty and bright yellow in colour. Plantain chips can be bright yellow even without adding turmeric powder. You can skip adding turmeric powder if you dislike it. But turmeric can be used for cleaning purpose and give a nice wash/rinse to the plantains before slicing them. There is another method for making these chips, where the slices are added to the salt-turmeric mixture and then deep fried. I have followed the first method and found it easy for me. Nendran chips are very easy and simple to make and can be stored in an airtight container for future consumption.

Check out this recipe

7. Banana Ice Cream

Banana Ice Cream

Recipe by muktisahay

Check out this recipe

So, we all know about the benefits of the banana fruit, but the banana tree holds many more secrets in its treasure trove. Read on to find out more about them…

Banana Leaf uses

Banana leaves hold an important place in festivities and decorations especially in the southern part of India and other South East Asian countries.

Banana leaf plates have been popular in India for its antiseptic properties along with being an eco-friendly substitute for plastic. They are also used for cooking by wrapping various items like fish, chicken, batter in tender banana leaves. Try this unique prawns wrapped in banana leaf recipe.

Banana leaves hold an important place in festivities and decorations especially in the southern part of India and other South East Asian countries.

Banana Flower uses

Banana flower is often made into delicacies as per Indian culinary traditions, chopped up banana flowers are added to stir-frys, soups, and curries. Banana flowers are known to help in curing infections, overcome diabetes and anemia along with providing a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Here is traditional Indian Banana flower Recipe that you must try or you could try this simple traditional banana flower chutney recipe.

Banana Stem uses

Removing the outer skin, we get a white fleshy part of the banana stem which is a fine addition to curries and desserts. Apart from its culinary uses, fibre from banana stem makes up for craft materials like fine threads to make garlands or even garments and fabrics when blended with cotton. In the mood for a cooling drink? Try this banana stem buttermilk recipe – the perfect drink after a heavy meal on a hot summers day.

Green Bananas or Plantains

Green banana is popular in India, more as a vegetable than a fruit. Green banana, or plantain as it is alternatively called, is highly effective in blood sugar control and good for digestion. It has no sugar content and is rich in dietary fiber too.

They can be used in curries and stir-frys too, but the best use is found as Banana Chips, cut into thin slices, fried crisp and covered with salt and spices it can be termed as one of South India’s greatest gift to mankind. Try this airfryer banana chips recipe that you can have guilt-free!

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