How to Prevent Bananas from Turning Brown (and Keep Them Fresher for Longer!)

Want to stop bananas from turning brown too quickly? I have 6 easy tips and tricks to prevent bananas from turning brown.

Bananas in a dish, with one cut into slices.

Did you ever notice that bananas seem to go from perfect to overripe in the blink of an eye? One minute, they’re bright yellow, and the next, they’re covered in brown spots, turning mushy and attracting fruit flies.

If you’re tired of wasting bananas, you’re in the right place! I want to share the best ways to store bananas so they don’t brown too quickly and also a few ways to stop sliced bananas from browning. Let’s keep those bananas fresh for as long as possible and not go B-A-N-A-N-A-S ourselves!

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.

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

This trick can buy you a few extra days before those beautiful yellow bananas turn brown and mushy.

3. 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!

4. 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.

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.

5. 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.

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

6. Can You Freeze 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.

top down image of a casserole dish layered with sliced bananas.

How to Freeze Bananas:

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.

Frozen Banana Tip

If you have a bunch of peeled, frozen bananas that you want to use, just toss them into a high-speed blender and puree until they are smooth. This will make delicious, one-ingredient banana ice cream! It is a great way to use frozen bananas and give yourself a tasty treat.

How Long Do Frozen Bananas Last?

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

What to Make with Brown Bananas

Sometimes, we don’t get the chance to do all of these tricks to stop bananas from browning. We just wake up and find them all spotted and brown, demanding to be used. Don’t stress! Because brown bananas are actually much sweeter than green or yellow bananas. Brown bananas are the best kind! And there are plenty of ways to use brown bananas. Here are my favorite recipes for brown bananas that I know you will love, too: