Hamdi Saidani Sometimes,you need ripe bananas for recipes like banana bread, smoothies, or muffins—but your bananas are still green and firm. The good news? There are simple tricks to ripen bananas quickly at home using common tools.
1. Ripen Bananas in a Paper Bag
What to do:
- Place bananas in a brown paper bag
- Add an apple or ripe banana to speed it up
- Fold the bag and leave it at room temperature
Why it works:
Fruits like apples release ethylene gas, which triggers ripening. The bag traps the gas and ripens bananas in 1–2 days.
2. Use a Warm Oven
What to do:
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C)
- Place unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet
- Bake for 15–20 minutes or until skins turn black
Why it works:
The heat softens the bananas and brings out their natural sugars. Let them cool before using in recipes.
3. Microwave Method
What to do:
- Poke a banana with a fork (to release steam)
- Microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute
Why it works:
This is the fastest method. It softens bananas quickly, though it won’t enhance the flavor as much as natural ripening.
4. Store Near Ripe Fruit
What to do:
- Place unripe bananas next to ripe apples, peaches, or avocados
- Keep at room temperature
Why it works:
Just like the paper bag trick, the ethylene gas from nearby fruits speeds up ripening in 1–3 days.
5. Ripen in a Warm Spot
What to do:
- Put bananas near a sunny window, on top of the fridge, or by a warm oven
Why it works:
Heat naturally encourages the bananas to ripen faster without any special tools.
Extra Tips
- Don’t refrigerate unripe bananas—it slows ripening
- Black skins = soft, sweet bananas (great for baking)
- Once ripe, store bananas in the fridge to stop them from overripening
When Are Bananas Ripe
- Yellow with green tips: firm and slightly sweet
- Fully yellow: ready to eat
- Yellow with brown spots: sweeter and perfect for baking
- Black skin: very ripe, ideal for banana bread and smoothies
Need ripe bananas today? Use the oven or microwave. Have a day or two? Try the paper bag or store near other fruits. With these easy tricks, you’ll never have to wait long to enjoy perfectly ripened bananas!
