How to Ripen Bananas Quickly
Need to ripen bananas fast? These easy tips will help!
Materials
- 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.