Roasted Bananas Make For An Easy Flavor Boost In Recipes

If you find yourself with a batch of overripe bananas, those brown spots on the peel of bananas are, in fact, green lights for some serious flavor. At this point, the starches of the banana have begun to transform into sugar — ideal for caramelization — and the banana offers a creamier, softer texture that works well for roasting.

For a proper roast, rinse the peel, dry the bananas, and line them up on a baking sheet that has been covered with foil or baking paper for easy cleanup. You'll want to gently pierce the bananas with a fork or knife before baking them in an oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Although they can take as little as 15 minutes, the density and size of the fruit can vary your cooking times, so keep an eye on them. 

When roasted, bananas offer a touch of sweetness that can be easily folded into bread and muffins or even mixed into salsas and marinades for tonight's dinner. Basically, any recipe asking you to add overripe bananas can become the next destination for the batch of roasted bananas you've created. 

How long you leave the bananas in the oven will impact the texture and taste of the fruit. Roasting bananas for a shorter time, around 20 minutes, will result in a softer, smoother treat, while a longer cooking time closer to an hour will create a chewier consistency and offer something similar to dried, leathery fruit. Depending on your intended recipes, you may want to make two batches of the roasted bananas so you have options as you assemble treats and dishes at home.

So how can you add these naturally sweet fruits to your meals? Incorporate them in your favorite dessert, such as bananas foster, or mix them into pancakes for breakfast. Add the roasted fruit to sandwiches with peanut butter for a delightful snack, or bring smoky sweetness to this evening's curry. After tasting your favorite treats with roasted bananas added to the mix, you may be waiting for your next batch to ripen with more interest.