Got a craving for banana bread and your bananas are looking rather…green? Ever wonder why do you even need bananas to be ripe when baking them? Well, there’s a couple of reasons. First off, they are easier to mash into baked goods without leaving any lumps that are rather unappetizing. Secondly, as bananas ripen their glycemic index level changes, meaning, they get sweeter. When using bananas in baking, this is an added bonus because you’re adding flavor and texture, as well as a natural sugar source.

To ripen those bananas in a snap, keep them in their peels and lay them out on a baking sheet to bake in the oven. You’ll want your oven set to around 300°F, and essentially you’re going to roast the bananas unpeeled, for 40 minutes. They will turn black, just like they do naturally when ripening. Let them cool, and you’re good to use them in your recipe just as you would an ordinary ripened banana.

Sarah Nicole

Since successfully losing 100lbs by changing her relationship with food and her body, Sarah has taken her passion for food and balanced it between cucumbers and cupcakes. When she's not bustling her way around a kitchen, you can find her working out or winding down at home with her 3 kids and pug. Follow Sarah's journey on Instagram @TheBirdsPapaya.

Peeling garlic can be a little tricky, and it’s called for in recipes from across the globe because it adds a flavor element...
Refrigerators may be one of the most important appliances in our homes. After all, the fridge is the lifeline for our food.
It's time to put your lazy susan to work! We've got a super handy, easy hack for you to help you organize your under-the-sink...
A messy kitchen is the worst! Studies show that clutter can wreak havoc on our mental state so let's get organized together!
It's time to put that lazy susan to work! We've got a super practical, super simple hack for you to help organize your fridge and...
It's time to put your lazy susan to work! We've got a super fun, easy hack for you to help you organize your cupboard or...
This is an easy hack to help organize your kitchen in the cutest way! It's super simple and completely customizable!
If there's one thing is our kitchen that seems to never get organized, it is definitely our cupboards!
Keeping the house organized can make all the difference in living more stress-free.
Carbs - the spice of life, am I right? And there is perhaps no carb the world collectively loves more than bread.
Nothing quite beats biting into a big juicy slice of watermelon -- especially on a hot summer day!
The microwave is an amazing kitchen appliance. It can heat up leftovers quickly, help make delicious snacks like popcorn, and so...
Advertisement
Food Hacks
10 Ice Cube Tray Hacks