Need a bunch of bananas for a recipe ASAP? Here’s how to ripen bananas quickly and easily!

Bananas in a dish, with one cut into slices

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You planned on baking a loaf of your favorite banana bread recipe, but the bananas you bought last week still aren’t ripe. Oof.

It’s super frustrating, and it’s a situation so many of us have faced before, but there are easy solutions to help you ripen bananas quickly. Below, we answer the top questions about speeding up the ripening process so you can enjoy all those tasty banana baked goods sooner!

(Banana muffins, banana waffles, and cake mix banana bread, here we come!)

How Do You Know When a Banana Is Ripe?

The most obvious sign that a banana is ripe and ready to be eaten or used in recipes is its color. Unripe bananas have green tips, and these will start to turn yellow as the banana ripens. As it turns more yellow, you’ll notice brown spots appearing on the skin—this indicates that the banana is at its peak sweetness. Once the banana is almost entirely brown, it’s overripe; you wouldn’t want to eat the banana out of hand at this point, but overripe bananas are perfect for banana bread.

How Long Does It Take for Bananas to Ripen at Room Temperature?

Under normal conditions, it usually takes between two to five days for bananas to ripen at room temperature.

How Do You Get Bananas to Ripen Overnight?

If you need to get your bananas ripe in a hurry, put them in a paper bag with an apple or tomato for an extra boost of ethylene, a natural chemical that promotes ripening. Seal the bag and leave it at room temperature overnight. By morning, your bananas should be ripe and ready to use, although if you start with green bananas, it will take another day or so to ripen them fully.

How Do You Ripen a Banana in Five Minutes?

This technique is not ideal, as it can affect the taste and texture of your banana, and they won’t be as sweet as naturally-ripened bananas. But if you’re in a pinch, it might just do the trick for you! To ripen a banana in five minutes, place it on a microwave-safe plate and poke the peel with a fork or knife to release steam. Microwave the banana in 30 second bursts, until it reaches your desired softness.

Can You Ripen a Banana in the Oven?

Yes, you can ripen a banana in the oven. Preheat your oven to 300°F and place the unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until they reach your desired softness—the less ripe the bananas, the more time they’ll take. The peels will turn black and the fruit inside will be very soft, which makes it perfect for banana bread and other banana baked goods.

Do Bananas Ripen Faster in a Plastic Bag?

There are differing opinions about this topic! Some people say that plastic bags can inhibit the ripening process because they keep oxygen out—and oxygen is critical for the ripening process. Then, there are other people who claim plastic bags are ideal because they seal in all that ethylene. We haven’t experimented with plastic bags ourselves, but since paper bags are tried-and-true, we say just stick with that or use the oven if you need to ripen bananas quickly.

top down image of sour cream banana bread partially sliced served on a wood cutting board

Does Pulling Apart Bananas Make them Ripen Faster?

No, pulling apart bananas does not make them ripe faster. In fact, the opposite is true: it can slow down the ripening process. Bananas produce ethylene gas which helps to accelerate their ripening process; they release this gas through the stems. When they are pulled apart, ethylene becomes trapped and slows down the ripening process.

Why Are My Green Bananas Not Turning Yellow?

Green bananas may not be turning yellow if the room temperature is too low. Bananas ripen best at temperatures between 70 and 80°F, so try placing them in a warmer area of your house. Other times, bananas are picked too early, which means they may never turn yellow; in this case, you can use them in smoothies with other fruit, where they’ll still add a nice, creamy texture, even if they’re not very sweet or flavorful.

How to Ripen Bananas Quickly

Need to ripen bananas fast? These easy tips will help!

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Ingredients

▢ Bananas

Instructions

Overnight method: Place bananas in a paper bag with an apple or tomato for an extra boost of ethylene, a natural chemical that promotes ripening. Seal the bag and leave it at room temperature overnight. By morning, your bananas should be ripe and ready to use, although if you start with green bananas, it will take another day or so to ripen them fully.
Oven method: Preheat your oven to 300°F and place the unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until they reach your desired softness—the less ripe the bananas, the more time they’ll take. The peels will turn black and the fruit inside will be very soft, which makes it perfect for banana bread and other banana baked goods.
5-minute method: This technique is not ideal, as it can affect the taste and texture of your banana, and they won’t be as sweet as naturally-ripened bananas. But if you’re in a pinch, it might just do the trick for you! To ripen a banana in five minutes, place it on a microwave-safe plate and poke the peel with a fork or knife to release steam. Microwave the banana in 30 second bursts, until it reaches your desired softness.