Easy Ways to Prevent Bananas from Turning Brown

There’s nothing more annoying than bananas turning brown before you are able to eat them. Luckily, I have a few tips and tricks to help prevent your bananas from turning brown. Follow these easy methods of preserving fresh bananas, and your beautiful yellow fruits will never be wasted again! Plus, I’m also sharing some of my all-time favorite banana recipes for you to try. We are clearly going bananas!

Why Do Bananas Turn Brown So Fast?

Bananas ripen quickly due to a natural gas called ethylene, which they produce as they mature. The more ethylene the bananas release, the faster they ripen and turn brown. This process speeds up even more when they’re stored near other fruits that also emit ethylene, like apples, avocados, and pears.

Try this amazing recipe: Banana Pancakes

Sliced Browning Bananas

And if you slice a banana, the browning happens even faster. That’s because the moment you cut into a banana, its cells are exposed to oxygen, causing oxidation, the process that turns that sweet fruit brown. But don’t worry! There are several easy ways to slow down this process and prevent bananas from turning brown.

Go to the recipe: Chocolate Banana Pudding Bars

Keep Bananas Away from Other Fruits

Bananas ripen faster when stored near other ethylene-producing fruits, so if you want to slow down browning bananas, keep them separate!

• Store bananas by themselves on the counter instead of in a fruit bowl with apples or avocados.
• If you must store them together, try to keep some distance between them to slow the ethylene effect.

Go to the recipe: Strawberry Banana Bread

Wrap the Stems with Plastic Wrap 

Did you ever notice that bananas turn brown from the top down? That’s because most of their ethylene gas is released from the stems. Wrapping the stems can actually help trap the gas and slow the ripening process.

• Take plastic wrap or aluminum foil and wrap the banana stems tightly.
• If you bought a bunch, separate each banana and wrap their stems individually for even better results.
• Keep them on the counter, away from direct sunlight.

Try this banana recipe: Banana Bread Pudding

Hang Your Bananas Instead of Laying Them Down

Storing bananas on the counter or in a basket may cause bruises to form where the bananas touch the surface. You may have guessed that bruising speeds up browning. The easy fix – hang them up! 

• Use a banana hanger or a simple hook to keep bananas off the counter.
• Hanging them prevents bruising and keeps airflow around them, which slows ripening.

No more mushy spots on your bananas just from sitting too long! 

Try this banana recipe: Banana Muffins

Store Bananas in the Fridge… But Only When They’re Ripe! 

One of the most common questions about preventing bananas from ripening too fast is: “Can you store bananas in the fridge?”

The answer is yes! But only at the right time. If you put green bananas in the fridge, they won’t ripen properly, and they will go from hard and green to hard and brown. However, if your bananas are already beautifully ripe and you want to slow down further browning, the fridge is your friend.

Go to the recipe: Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

How to Store Bananas in the Fridge

Wait until bananas are fully yellow (or slightly spotted) before refrigerating. The peel may turn brown, but the inside stays fresh and firm for up to a week! If you’re worried about the peel color, store them in the fridge with the stems wrapped in plastic wrap. This is a great trick to extend the life of your bananas if you’re not ready to eat them yet.

Give this recipe a try: 4-Ingredient Banana Bread

How to Stop Sliced Bananas from Browning 

Sliced bananas turn brown quickly because of oxidation, but you can slow it down with a few simple tricks.

1. Lemon or lime juice – Toss your sliced bananas in a few drops of citrus juice which will prevent oxidation and keep bananas fresh longer.
2. Pineapple or orange juice – If you don’t like the tartness of lemon, these fruit juices work too!
3. Honey + water mix – A light honey glaze helps protect the surface of the banana slices and will seal them from the air. 
4. Cover them tightly – If storing sliced bananas in the fridge, press plastic wrap directly onto the banana slices to reduce oxygen exposure

Go to the recipe: Banana Pudding

Freezing Bananas

YES! Freezing bananas is one of the best ways to save them before they turn into a mushy mess! Frozen bananas are perfect for smoothies, baking, or even a frozen banana snack.

• For Whole Bananas – peel them first (peels turn black in the freezer) and store them in an airtight container.
• For Sliced Bananas – lay the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet so they don’t freeze into a big clump. Freeze for 1-2 hours, then transfer them to a freezer bag for long-term storage.
• For Mashed Bananas (Great for Baking!) – Mash ripe bananas and store them in a freezer-safe bag. Flatten the bag so it takes up less space and thaws faster when needed.

Bananas stay fresh in the freezer for 3-6 months, so if you have browning bananas, don’t toss them! Freeze them for later.

Go to the recipe: No Churn Banana Ice Cream

What’s Your Favorite Banana Hack?

Now that you know how to stop bananas from browning, which method will you try first? Let me know in the comments—and if you have a secret banana preservation trick, I’d love to hear it!

Go to the recipe: Cake Mix Banana Bread