20 Cheap and Easy Banana Recipes to Try Today

Bananas are well-known as a great pre-workout or post-workout snack.

They’re packed full of potassium, manganese, copper, carbs, fiber and more, making them good for preventing muscle cramps and powering endurance activities.

Let’s face it though–eating plain bananas day after day can get dull.

Well, good thing they’re as versatile to cook with as they are portable! Whether you bake, fry, or mash them, they’ll soak up the flavor of both sweet and savory dishes, making them an ideal addition to your daily snacks or a healthy alternative for your nightly dessert.

Enjoy!

Nutella Banana Muffins

Picture courtesy of Chef in Training

A quick way to turn a piece of fruit into a crave-worthy dessert is to slather on some Nutella. And if that’s something that speak to you and our taste buds, these muffins should be at the top of your must-bake list.

Want Nutella banana bread instead? Follow the same instructions, only prepare the batter to bake in a regular loaf pan instead.

Serves 12

Ingredients

2 cups flour

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 large egg

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 bananas, ripe and mashed

1/4 cup Nutella (or more to taste)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 264

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 41 grams

Fat: 10 grams

 

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Banilla Nilla Cookies

Picture courtesy of Mindy Segal and Kate Leahy

To really take these over the top, finish the banana sandwich cookies with not just the frosting but melted chocolate. Additionally, you can make a homemade butterscotch sauce by following another recipe within the cookbook.

For everything from decadent banana cookies to simple chocolate chip, Cookie Love: More than 60 Recipes and Techniques for Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary is an unbeatable resource.

Serves 32

Ingredients

Cookies:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp.

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup powdered sugar

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 extra-large eggs, room temp.

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 Tbsp. water

3 cups cake flour, sifted

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. sea salt flakes

Banana Puree:

2 overripe bananas

2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1/4 cup water

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temp.

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. sea salt flakes

1/2 cup butterscotch sauce, room temp.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 238

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 25 grams

Fat: 15 grams

 

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Whole-Wheat Banana Cake

Picture courtesy of Baker by Nature

Can’t beat cravings for cake? With this recipe, you won’t have to feel guilty about eating your favorite dessert. To cut down on the added sugar and fat, this cake uses naturally sweet bananas and wholesome Greek yogurt.

And you don’t need to skip the frosting either – this creamy chocolate frosting also relies on yogurt, plus cream cheese, to avoid the butter in buttercream.

Serves 12

Ingredients

Banana Cake:

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. packed dark brown sugar

2 large eggs, room temp.

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup low-fat vanilla Greek yogurt

1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

3 large bananas, very ripe and mashed

Chocolate Yogurt Frosting:

1/2 cup low-fat vanilla Greek yogurt

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 283

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 37 grams

Fat: 14 grams

 

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Sweet Potato Banana Bites

Picture courtesy of The Lean Green Bean

Although these look like mini muffins, the recipe requires little more than mashed bananas and sweet potatoes. The result is a naturally sweet, gluten-free snack that’s loaded with healthy carbs – and tasty enough to fool your kids

You’ll need just five ingredients to make these tasty bites, but you can add mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, and seeds to best suit your taste preferences as well as your meal plan.

Serves 14

Ingredients

1/2 cup (about 1 medium) mashed sweet potato

1/2 cup (about 1 medium) mashed banana

1/4 cup almond butter

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon (or more to taste)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 53

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 4 grams

Fat: 3 grams

 

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Banana Pudding Icebox Cake

Picture courtesy of Life, Love and Sugar

Many refrigerator cakes are made with nothing but chocolate wafer cookies and heavy whipped cream. Yet, that doesn’t mean the simple, no-bake dessert can’t be improved upon.

This one is a major upgrade from not just icebox cakes but banana pudding, covering vanilla wafers with two kinds of filling – vanilla and banana – both made with a mixture of cream cheese and heavy cream.

Serves 10

Ingredients

Vanilla Filling:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbsp. milk

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Banana Filling:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. milk

1 package (3.4 oz.) banana instant pudding mix

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

3/4 cup powdered sugar

To Assemble:

Vanilla wafers (about 40)

1/2 cup milk

3 large bananas

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 586

Protein: 7 grams

Carbs: 69 grams

Fat: 33 grams

 

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Banana Bourbon Pancakes

Picture courtesy of A Cozy Kitchen

To make pancakes, you only need a handful of ingredients. But when you want a mouthwatering brunch, there are endless ways to take pancakes to the next level.

In fact, there’s over a year’s worth of weekend breakfast favorites – like these banana pancakes – in Adrianna Adarme’s cookbook Pancakes: 72 Sweet and Savory Recipes for the Perfect Stack.

Serves 4 / Makes 8

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided

2 ripe bananas, thinly sliced

3 Tbsp. light brown sugar, divided

3 Tbsp. bourbon, divided

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. buttermilk

1 large egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 284

Protein: 7 grams

Carbs: 48 grams

Fat: 5 grams

 

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Strawberry Coconut Banana Bread

Picture courtesy of Get Healthy U

Buy banana bread at a bakery or café, and you’d be surprised how many calories one little slice can contain. But when you bake quick breads at home instead, you can fill the loaf with superfoods, and take steps to reduce the hit on your well-planned meal plan.

This strawberry banana bread isn’t just a great way to snack on fruit; it also includes chia seeds, coconut oil, and a bit of Greek yogurt.

Serves 10

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 cup ripe mashed bananas (about 2–3 bananas)

1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted and cooled

1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 large egg

1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

2 Tbsp. unsweetened almond milk

3/4 cup diced strawberries

1/4 cup smashed raspberries (or more strawberries)

1/2 cup + 3 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut, divided

2 Tbsp. chia seeds

4 strawberries, sliced for topping

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 169

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 29 grams

Fat: 5 grams

 

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Easy Banana Cookies

Picture courtesy of The Idea Room

Not only are these cookies healthy, but you can make them with three easy-to-find ingredients.

If you love to bake, chances are you already have what you need in the cupboard. And if not, once you whip up a batch of these, you’ll be sure to keep oats and chocolate chips on hand so that you can be eating these in less than a half hour after the cookie craving strikes.

Serves 15

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Dash of ground cinnamon (optional)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 47

Protein: 1 gram

Carbs: 9 grams

Fat: 1 gram

 

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Banana Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Buttercream

Picture courtesy of Healthy Delicious

Banana desserts can be surprisingly heavy when laden with butter and heavy cream. Yet these cupcakes keep it light with cashew milk instead of buttermilk – plus a topping of delicious non-dairy buttercream.

Keep this recipe on hand for birthdays to please the banana addict in the family, or if you love to bake healthy cupcakes when there’s no special occasion to necessitate the splurge.

Serves 12

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

1 large egg, separated

1/3 cup coconut oil, melted

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup mashed banana (about 2 bananas)

1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

Buttercream:

3 Tbsp. vegetable shortening

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tsp. unsweetened cashew milk (optional)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 239

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 37 grams

Fat: 10 grams

 

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Banana Cheesecake

Picture courtesy of Spicy Southern Kitchen

This cheesecake steals a page out of the banana pudding playbook. It starts with a crumb-based crust of vanilla wafers and pecans. The cheesecake itself also includes ’nilla wafers, as well as expected ingredients like bananas, brown sugar, and cream cheese.

For even richer flavor without adding calories, take 15 minutes to roast the banana that’s going to be mashed.

Serves 16

Ingredients

Crust:

1 1/2 cups (about 45) finely crushed vanilla wafers

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

1/4 cup butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling:

17 vanilla wafers

2 ripe bananas, diced

1 ripe banana, mashed

1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

2 Tbsp. light brown sugar (or more to taste)

3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup whipped cream (optional garnish)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 364

Protein: 6 grams

Carbs: 32 grams

Fat: 25 grams

 

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Peanut Butter Banana Protein Bread Pudding

Picture courtesy of Nutrifit Mama

Elevate Elvis’ favorite simple sandwich – peanut butter and bananas – by turning it into a healthy dessert.

How can bread pudding be nutritious? By leaving out the bread, of course! Instead, this recipe uses protein powder and coconut flour to create the right texture. And it’s easy to make too. Mash the bananas, mix in peanut butter, and stir in everything else. Bake for 15 minutes, and serve warm.

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 bananas, melted

1/2 cup vanilla protein powder

1/2 cup peanut butter

3 Tbsp. coconut flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 cup almond milk

2 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 Tbsp. coconut sugar (optional for sprinkling)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 453

Protein: 28 grams

Carbs: 28 grams

Fat: 28 grams

 

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Homemade Banana Chips

Picture courtesy of Fat Fitness Girl

This recipe proves it doesn’t take much effort to make a healthy replacement for potato chips.

Simply slice bananas real thin, dip them in freshly squeezed lemon juice, and bake at a low temp for a few hours. Then you’ll wind up with an awesome snack or nutritious dessert. And if you want to serve these like chips ‘n’ dip at a party, make a quick Greek yogurt sauce to go with.

Serves 5

Ingredients

3 bananas

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

2 tsp. pure honey

Few dashes of ground cinnamon

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 96

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 24 grams

Fat: < 1 gram

 

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Ginger Banana Whips

Picture courtesy of Connoisseurus Veg

Yes, it’s possible to make homemade vegan “ice cream” from only frozen bananas, and you’ll get a spoonable desert that’s just as creamy.

You hardly need a recipe for frozen banana ice cream because it only requires one ingredient. However, if you look around, you’ll find inspiration to make incredible flavors like peanut butter banana, chocolate banana, or this ginger banana frozen dessert.

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas, frozen in chunks

1” fresh ginger, peeled

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 108

Protein: 1 gram

Carbs: 28 grams

Fat: 1 gram

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Banana Avocado Smoothie

Picture courtesy of The Best Healthy Habits

Keep your freezer stocked with frozen bananas, and you’ll be able to have delicious smoothies any time. You can use any frozen fruit to create a nice thick shake – no ice required – but bananas are the creamiest by far.

Then in this recipe, avocados make the smoothie extra rich and filling. Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder, and this becomes a balanced meal, or a great way to refuel post-workout.

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 bananas, frozen

1/2 avocado, peeled

1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon (or more to taste)

1/2 tsp. vanilla paste (or vanilla extract)

1 Tbsp. raw honey

1 Tbsp. chia seeds

1 Tbsp. peanut butter (optional)

1 Tbsp. bee pollen (optional)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 347

Protein: 7 grams

Carbs: 48 grams

Fat: 18 grams

 

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Bananas Foster Greek Yogurt Parfait

Picture courtesy of Potentially Lovely

Caramelized bananas are so delicious, it doesn’t take much more to make a nutritious dessert. When you sauté banana slices in olive oil, the natural sugars in the fruit transform into a sticky syrup.

Then it only takes a touch of honey and a bit of seasoning to turn the bananas into a great Greek yogurt parfait. It’s better than the flavored banana yogurt you can pick up in stores and has less added sugar.

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 small container (about 1/2 cup) nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1/2 banana, sliced

1 tsp. coconut oil

1 tsp. apple pie seasoning

1/2 Tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut

2 tsp. pure honey

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 232

Protein: 15 grams

Carbs: 32 grams

Fat: 7 grams

 

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Banana Hemp Seed “Sushi”

Picture courtesy of One Green Planet

Snacktime doesn’t get easier than this banana sushi, and yet the finished dish looks like it took some work to assemble.

Really all you have to do is cover a banana in peanut butter, and then roll the whole thing in hemp seeds. This is also easy to adapt to whatever ingredients are in your pantry, such as almond butter and a mixture of other seeds. However, hemp seeds are preferable since they add a good amount of plant-based protein.

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 banana

1 Tbsp. peanut butter

2 Tbsp. hemp seeds

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 283

Protein: 10 grams

Carbs: 31 grams

Fat: 15 grams

 

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Halibut with Banana Curry

Picture courtesy of Scott Phillips and Nicole Rees

Just because bananas are naturally sweet doesn’t mean they have to be made into desserts.

In this Thai curry, bananas become a tasty savory dish to have with halibut. And believe it or not, you can have this dinner for two on the table in just 15 minutes, making this a unique weeknight dinner to remember.

Serves 2

Ingredients

1 cup coconut milk

1 Tbsp. Thai red curry paste

12 oz. skinless halibut fillet, halved

Salt to taste

Zest of 1 medium lime

3 medium scallions, thinly sliced with white and green parts separated

2 small bananas, barely ripe

2 Tbsp. roasted salted peanuts, chopped

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, lightly packed

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 550

Protein: 42 grams

Carbs: 28 grams

Fat: 33 grams

 

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Banana Pudding Protein Cake

Picture courtesy of Protein Cakery

This makes one small cake, or for portion control, you can also bake the batter into six banana cupcakes. But with macros like these, it’s not hard to make room for a second helping.

After all, you’re adding nearly as many grams of protein as carbs – and hardly any fat, which is from the minimal amount of coconut.

Serves 6

Ingredients

3 bananas, very ripe and mashed

2 cups WHEY+ vanilla protein powder

1/4 cup coconut flour

2 tsp. baking powder

Water as needed to thin

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 218

Protein: 22 grams

Carbs: 25 grams

Fat: 4 grams

 

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Maple Pecan Breakfast Banana Split

Picture courtesy of Delish

Here’s a killer brunch idea that’ll have everyone at the table going bananas.

Instead of just having a piece of fruit to start your morning, lighten up the usual banana split into a breakfast sundae. The ice cream can be substituted with any number of creamy alternatives: Greek yogurt, ricotta cheese, frozen yogurt, or coconut milk ice cream. Then pile on your favorite toppings, steering toward the chopped nuts and fresh fruit. Instead of chocolate syrup, try a drizzle of natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 ripe banana, halved lengthwise

1/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

1/4 cup fresh blueberries (or other fruit)

1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 403

Protein: 10 grams

Carbs: 59 grams

Fat: 17 grams

 

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Thai-Style Fried Bananas

Picture courtesy of Archana’s Kitchen

These banana fritters surprisingly avoid taking a deep dive in sizzling oil by using an air fryer, thus cutting down the amount of fat.

They’re also unique because the batter is made with multiple kinds of flour – as well as desiccated coconut and sesame seeds – to ensure a light, crispy coating. Of course, just all-purpose flour and a frying pan will work too, but it’s worth pulling out all the stops if you’re making a special dessert to follow a spicy curry or healthy Asian stir fry.

Serves 8

Ingredients

2 large bananas, ripe

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. rice flour, divided

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

2 Tbsp. dry desiccated coconut

Pinch of salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. ground cardamom

2 Tbsp. oil, for drizzling

1/4 cup sesame seeds (optional)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 133

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 19 grams

Fat: 6 grams

 

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What did you think of these banana recipes? Have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!