How to Keep Bananas Fresh Longer

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keep bananas fresh longer

How to Keep Bananas Fresh Longer

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Step 1 of 4

Cut a small piece of clear plastic wrap about the size of the palm of your hand

Step 2 of 4
Step 3 of 4

Wrap the plastic tightly at the top/crown of the bananas. Carefully remove and replace the plastic cling wrap each time you get a banana. Enjoy 3-5 days longer than usual!

Step 4 of 4
You're Done

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138 Comments
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cling wrap

fresh bananas

Janice Wong

If your bananas are too ripe to eat, another solution is to whip a batch of banana muffins or banana loaf; spotted bananas are best for baked goods. That way you don't have to waste and can enjoy them just as well!

Janice Wong 5 days ago

Mark  Hurley

We tried it once and didn't seem to make any difference, but we're not giving up and will give it another try.

Mark Hurley 2 weeks ago

Inma Doldan

I WILL TRY IT OUT, YEARS AS A GREENGROCER AND I NEVER NEW THAT , THEY DO ARRIVE WRAPPED IN A PLASTIC BAG IN THE BOX BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP THEM FROM GETTING SPOTS FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT.

Inma Doldan 3 weeks ago

Mamas Mama

The banana keeper works well too!

Mamas Mama 3 weeks ago

Cynthia Clark

I definitely will try this!

Cynthia Clark 3 weeks ago

Nathaniel Mercado

Fully yellow bananas are visually appealing but lack the nutrional value of a banana with brown spots. Proven fact.

Nathaniel Mercado 3 weeks ago

Mary Duckworth

That is super easy, I will def have to try that.

Mary Duckworth 3 weeks ago

Michelle Conner

NO WAY!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!๐Ÿ˜Š

Michelle Conner last month

Lilah Sherr

I did this with an individual one and it works a charm!

Lilah Sherr last month

Sandra Chen

My roommate always troubled by this problem.Now i can tell her the best way to reserve the bananas.

Sandra Chen last month

Joshua Tessler

You can put them in the fridge. The outside will turn brown but the inside will stay normal

Joshua Tessler last month

Melissa Steele

Cannot wait to try this!

Melissa Steele last month

Kathy Richardson

Thanks. I'm going to try it.

Kathy Richardson last month

Raed Mar

I give the over ripe ones to my chickens. They love them. Nothing wasted.

Raed Mar 2 months ago

Bryan Valentine

I've seen this done to organic bananas at the store and I wasn't sure why until now, thanks...

Bryan Valentine 2 months ago

Lily Song

Maybe I will try it.Thank you!

Lily Song 3 months ago

JoLynne Heidt

Ripening fruit produces ethylene gas signaling all the other nearby fruit to ripen/overripen as well. Therefore, if you separate the bananas from the bunch they last longer as well.

JoLynne Heidt 3 months ago

Missy Pokipoki

This guide an the glad wrap iv tried it 3 times lol i stick to freezing the bananas like normally lol

Missy Pokipoki 3 months ago

Carlo Cosner

What doesn't work?

Carlo Cosner 3 months ago

Missy Pokipoki

Dosent work

Missy Pokipoki 3 months ago

Carlo Cosner

Why don't you guys freeze your bananas maybe cryovac them if possible and use for smoothies or banana cake or even muffins, don't store them in the fridge. However nice idea with the glad wrap.

Carlo Cosner 4 months ago

Lilah Sherr

It was tried out at my house! It works!

Lilah Sherr 4 months ago

Zhang Lu

Thanks a lot!

Zhang Lu 4 months ago

Kristin Petraco

Also, keep bananas away from apples! They make them ripen faster! Something that they "give off".

Kristin Petraco 4 months ago

Aaron Jones

posted this on my blog, such a great bit of info to share! Thanks.

Aaron Jones 4 months ago

Anita Vassar

I have got to try, I've tried every other method that I know of & I love JUST RIPE bananas. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

Anita Vassar 4 months ago

Jessie Shang

Easy to follow

Jessie Shang 4 months ago

B N

According to Lifehacker.com this is why it works: "Bananas, like many fruits, release ethylene gas naturally, which controls enzymatic browning and ripening of not just itself, but other fruits nearby. Much of that offgassing takes place at the stemโ€”or the crownโ€”of the banana. By wrapping the crown of a bunch, you slow down the ripening process a bit." source: http://lifehacker.com/5967424/keep-bananas-fresh-longer-by-separating-them-and-wrapping-the-stems-in-plastic-wrap

B N 4 months ago

Jams Dreameyes

oh wow! thx!

Jams Dreameyes 4 months ago

Rebecca Radford

Great idea, will give it a go. Fingers crossed!! Ripe bananas make a really good face mask, add a little honey and that's even better for your skin. Also great as a hair conditioner. Or, you could just eat them!! Many thanks. Xx

Rebecca Radford 4 months ago

David Grant

This suggestion appears to work. Thank you very much for taking the time to produce it.

David Grant 4 months ago

Luciana Garcia

Easy to do!!!

Luciana Garcia 4 months ago

Ian M.

I heard that using aluminum foil works better.... I use it too

Ian M. 4 months ago

Tamara Rubin

If it works it will be great

Tamara Rubin 4 months ago

Lyse B

Aha, that explains the wrap around the tops of the organic bananas I buy. Thanks, it does work!

Lyse B 5 months ago

Marcos Spinelli

great idea! :D

Marcos Spinelli 5 months ago

Sindee Stevens

โค๐Ÿ˜‰ will try as soon as I buy some

Sindee Stevens 5 months ago

Xtian Sabs

Tried it, it works! ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒ 5 banana rating!

Xtian Sabs 5 months ago

Shania Lovatics

owsome work i will try it

Shania Lovatics 5 months ago

Deidre Laskey

Worth a try

Deidre Laskey 5 months ago

Linda Atkisson

Great idea

Linda Atkisson 5 months ago

Ria Lize

-The freezer idea. Gah the submit button on top of the ipad keyboard is driving me nuts. >.<

Ria Lize 5 months ago

Ria Lize

Nifty idea, can't wait to try it. Also use r

Ria Lize 5 months ago

Bastian Valle Kendall

But... Whyy?!

Bastian Valle Kendall 5 months ago

Lisa Plummer

Works like a charm!

Lisa Plummer 5 months ago

Mo Zhang

I will try!

Mo Zhang 5 months ago

Brylian Reza

I will try it

Brylian Reza 5 months ago

Hao Zhang

I like it

Hao Zhang 5 months ago

Laurence Jost

If you work in a biological lab use parafilm it works even better because it seals airtight. Don't leave them with apples since they produce large amount of ethylene gas which is used to ripen bananas. Of cause if they are very green and you want them yellow put them in a paper bag with apples.

Laurence Jost 5 months ago

Edward Bulamaibau

Awesome

Edward Bulamaibau 5 months ago

Tsian Sun

it's not working ...

Tsian Sun 5 months ago

Tsian Sun

It really works?

Tsian Sun 6 months ago

Cherryl Skillett

I stop buying bananas because they turn so fast but I will try this thank u for the idea

Cherryl Skillett 6 months ago

Takumi Nastu

Thank you!!!!

Takumi Nastu 6 months ago

Janet Verga

I have also heard separating them keeps them fresh..

Janet Verga 6 months ago

Amy Prim-prijatel

GREAT TO KNOW!! Thanks!!!

Amy Prim-prijatel 6 months ago

Ye Yuan

I hope this works:)

Ye Yuan 6 months ago

Avery the ninja

Y'all r a stinking hit!!!!!!

Avery the ninja 6 months ago

Lizzy Tomlinson

Wow that's really smart

Lizzy Tomlinson 6 months ago

Cecilia R.

Wonder if the mechanism is that it keeps the ethylene gas from releasing as quickly, slowing the ripening process.

Cecilia R. 7 months ago

Rosie Law

Bananas last up to 10 days if you do the following: 1) Separate each finger from the hand, 2) Dry off any moisture that may have formed on them due to temperature changes, (shop-car-house), 3) Place in a thick, water-resistant bag, 4) Tie the neck of the bag, (a hair band or rubber band is ideal), 5) Place in the salad drawer, or bottom shelf of your fridge. I can guarantee they will be perfectly edible for at least 9 days; usually a bit longer but definately a minimum of 9 days. The three things that are equally 'bad' for bananas are light....hence the thick bag, heat...keep 'em cool/ cold, and moisture... keep 'em dry. Separating them into 'fingers' prevents them leeching moisture from each other. Lastly, I would also add that you handle them gently. They are, afterall, soft fruit and can be easily damaged/bruised. Happy munching! :0)

Rosie Law 7 months ago

Katy Baker

Will try! I love 'nanas but won't eat them after they start getting freckles...ick... Thanks!

Katy Baker 7 months ago

Amanda Greensworth

Are you asking or telling? :)

Amanda Greensworth 7 months ago

Rad Dissanayake

Works?

Rad Dissanayake 7 months ago

Raphael Campelo

Tried and it worked.

Raphael Campelo 7 months ago

Valerie Brown

Press and seal will leave glue on the banana tho

Valerie Brown 7 months ago

John H.Turnipseed

I'll try this. Thanks!

John H.Turnipseed 7 months ago

Daniel Qiu

Is it true?

Daniel Qiu 7 months ago

Shannon Kelley

Great trick! Can't wait to try it

Shannon Kelley 8 months ago

Yang Chen

What's the mechanism?

Yang Chen 8 months ago

Ashley Woods

Neat trick, I will be trying this!!!!

Ashley Woods 8 months ago

ๅฎถ่ˆˆ ้™ณ

I am going to try this :)

ๅฎถ่ˆˆ ้™ณ 8 months ago

Csr Zorrilla

I LOVE U MAN!!!!!!

Csr Zorrilla 8 months ago

Haitham Ahmed

๐Ÿ‘

Haitham Ahmed 8 months ago

Ashley Aboutaleb

awesome cool

Ashley Aboutaleb 8 months ago

Cherry Apple

This is a very useful tip

Cherry Apple 8 months ago

Salim AlShuhoomi

Thanks

Salim AlShuhoomi 8 months ago

Livia S

Cool! It really works. Thanks!

Livia S 8 months ago

Jeeyeon Oh

Super useful!!!!

Jeeyeon Oh 8 months ago

Sed Kul

I will try it...

Sed Kul 8 months ago

Karl Hall

This is very creative, will try this :D

Karl Hall 8 months ago

Wifey Moments

Press n seal can also be used

(author) 8 months ago

Brian F.

can you use press n seal?

Brian F. 8 months ago

Joohee Yim

This is really the helpful tip~

Joohee Yim 8 months ago

Mickie Cain

It works my bananas have lasted almost a full week!! Thanz

Mickie Cain 8 months ago

ๆŽ ๆณข่พ‰

i should try it

ๆŽ ๆณข่พ‰ 8 months ago

Valerie Brown

Or if you want to add chocolate sauce on top just drip slowly again on top

Valerie Brown 9 months ago

Valerie Brown

Take the Bananas, Peel them, wrap each one individually with Saran wrap, put into sealed plastic container and then FREEZE. Wrapping each keeps them from getting that freezer burn and easier to use one at a time. When wanting a snack, pull one out... Peel back most of the plastic and use to hold it...Slowly dribble Honey over tip and allow to drip down sides of banana. Will freeze onto the banana nicely. Then eat.... Yummy

Valerie Brown 9 months ago

Valerie Brown

Ok. Here's an idea for when your Nana's have gone a bit over ripe and or when you know you can eat them all fast enough or just want to create a sweet snack without resorting to Ice Cream.

Valerie Brown 9 months ago

Jazzy Biddlecombe

If you hang them up they last longer too

Jazzy Biddlecombe 9 months ago

Vicki Stephens

Like in a previous post, just by separating the bananas you will slow the ripening. I usually buy 9-11 at a time and at one a day, the last ones in the bunch are soft, but still edible.

Vicki Stephens 9 months ago

Jay Moon

Pretty neat

Jay Moon 9 months ago

roozbeh salahi

is it really works??

roozbeh salahi 9 months ago

aaswin pyakurel

thanks for the idea

aaswin pyakurel 9 months ago

Ivan 412

Break them into individual bananas and they'll stay fresh longer as well

Ivan 412 9 months ago

Luana De Faveri

I will give it a go

Luana De Faveri 9 months ago

Lothian Buses Fanatic

Does it work

Lothian Buses Fanatic 9 months ago

Krzysiek Bukowski

Thanks!! I will try it for sure! :)

Krzysiek Bukowski 9 months ago

Haley Bishop

I love how simple but helpful

Haley Bishop 9 months ago

Sam Whillance

If this works....awesome

Sam Whillance 10 months ago

Robbie .

They also last for longer if you store them away from other fruits. I don't know why but if the bananas come into contact with other fruits they ripen very fast.

Robbie . 10 months ago

David G.

Great idea! I think they do that in some supermarkets to make them last longer too!

David G. 10 months ago

Rie Ehara

Thanks! It's very useful idea!

Rie Ehara 10 months ago

Rida Syed

Awesome guide!! Thanks so much

Rida Syed 10 months ago

Marianne Sawa

Thanks for this simple and clever idea! I was surprised that it It really works but it does. I buy large amounts of bananas at a local produce wholesaler for my sons but there seem always to be too many to eat before they get mushy. I was really getting sick of making banana muffins and banana bread, now I don't have to thanks again

Marianne Sawa 10 months ago

Sheila Pechman

do you have your own Pin board? Do you have your mobile app for Android?

Sheila Pechman 10 months ago

Kat Goodrich

Neat idea thnx!!

Kat Goodrich 10 months ago

Johnster A.

Follow me johnnster.a

Johnster A. 10 months ago

Flo McGee

Thanks. It does work

Flo McGee 10 months ago

Natalie G

This totally works! Thanks!

Natalie G 10 months ago

Guoguo Guo

So easy

Guoguo Guo 10 months ago

Mr. Food-Traveler Pedersen

Cool

Mr. Food-Traveler Pedersen 10 months ago

Debie Sterling

I tried it and it works.... Even prevents fruit flies from flocking to them a lot longer!! :)

Debie Sterling 10 months ago

Susy Mena

I want to try it

Susy Mena 10 months ago

Heather Rettberg

Lying on the counter they get mushy.

Heather Rettberg 10 months ago

Heather Rettberg

They also make a thing you can hang them on and this seems to prolong them as well. When you just leave them laying

Heather Rettberg 10 months ago

Carmen Maqueo

I put them in the refrigerator, inside an ordinary plastic bag well thightened around them. The peels turn black, but the bananas are perfect to eat.

Carmen Maqueo 10 months ago

Patti Mussenden

If you have bananas that become very ripe, don't waste them... Peel them and mash with a fork till creamy... Voilรฉ!! Banana Butter... Spread on toast, biscuits or muffins... Delicious... A refreshing and healthier alternative to jelly :)

Patti Mussenden 10 months ago

ChillOut Matt

i just give it to my neighbor when it starts to rot

ChillOut Matt 11 months ago

Kimberly Odasso

Actually, if you just separate the bananas, they will stay fresh a lot longer. Much easier than removing and replacing plastic wrap everytime. If I want my bananas to get really ripe, really wuick, I leave them stuck together. If I want them to last, I pull them apart. It's that easy.

Kimberly Odasso 11 months ago

Leslie Mathiasen

I freeze them with their peels. It's a natural wrapper and keeps them from turning brown. Run a little water over and peels off with a butter knife. They are a but musher when thawed so freeze a tad earlier than the "oops the bananas too ripe" stage

Leslie Mathiasen 11 months ago

Shayne ๐ŸŽจ

Freeze them, blend them in food processor with a little almond milk and vanilla- until very creamy. Add chocolate or peanut butter or fruit and make banana ice cream! (I'm also gonna try this plastic wrap method though!)

Shayne ๐ŸŽจ 11 months ago

Amanda Greensworth

Oh are they!!! They tend to be super sweet when you let them get super soft so then I freeze them and I don't need sugar for the smoothies. Tastes terrific!!

Amanda Greensworth 11 months ago

Aubrey Farella

I peel and freeze mine too. Then they're perfect for smoothies!

Aubrey Farella 11 months ago

Madge Allende Pascal

Really? I'm gonna try dis!

Madge Allende Pascal 11 months ago

Zig Zag

When my bananas, start to get too ripe too soon, I simply put them in the fridge. They will continue to ripen, but at a slower rate. The peel might turn very dark, but the fruit is still good. Also a nice touch when adding to dry cereal, with cold milk. The cold fruit keeps the milk cold.

Zig Zag 11 months ago

โ—‹rz .

Does it work? Try it out next time

โ—‹rz . 11 months ago

Amanda Greensworth

โ˜บ your welcome!!!

Amanda Greensworth 11 months ago

Allicious !

That's great Amanda ! Thnq :)

Allicious ! 11 months ago

Amanda Greensworth

I love this idea!!! Thanks!! Though I will definitely be trying this out, I want to share my idea of how to not let bananas go *entirely* wasted. I love to make banana bread, smoothies, or even dog treats using bananas as a primary ingredient. But sometimes when the fruit is ripe enough, my life has gone for a tailspin and I don't have time to bake. So, what I've started doing is letting my bananas get as ripe as I need (banana bread calls for super soft bananas), peel them, cut in half and freeze them in bulk. Take out as much or as little as I need when I go to make that bread or smoothie or when the dogs are begging for homemade treats...again. Works great! Best part, I don't have to make sure everyone in the house knows the bananas on the counter are off limits bcuz they are for my baking!

Amanda Greensworth 11 months ago

Terri Dahlgren

Me too, I keep mine in the fridge. They turn black but stay hard and don't get soft

Terri Dahlgren 11 months ago

Amber Markisello

Thanks!! Can't wait to try it!! I buy 3-4 bundles of bananas a week. This will really help:)

Amber Markisello 11 months ago

Wifey Moments

Not sure about the science. I also got tired of throwing out bananas and starting experimenting. I also keep my bananas in the fridge.

(author) 11 months ago

Ewa W

I wonder what the science behind this is!

Ewa W 11 months ago

Terri Dahlgren

I really hope this works. I'm sick of throwing out bananas. just me. t

Terri Dahlgren 11 months ago

Avery the ninja

Very useful

Avery the ninja 11 months ago

Allicious !

Useful ! I will try it :)

Allicious ! 11 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 1.

Ian Fischer

Absolute rubbish! Tried it on three separate ands of bananas and not a sign of improvement in ripening time, in fact one hand of three seemed to ripen more quickly than the others.

Ian Fischer 3 months ago

Naissa Rose

Thats truly genius

Naissa Rose 4 months ago

Cherese Harrigan-Anderson

Thanks !!

Cherese Harrigan-Anderson 9 months ago

Alice Wong

amazing!!!!why can make that???

Alice Wong 10 months ago

Sowmya Rasa

Same

Sowmya Rasa 3 days ago

Ian Fischer

Doesn't work for me! Keep 'em in the fridge works better!

Ian Fischer 3 days ago

Patrick Kelly

Interesting. Will give it a try!

Patrick Kelly last month

Tanya Shoulders

Does it work cause the plastic keeps a Lil moister in. Would it work longer if wet a paper towel around before the cling wrap?

Tanya Shoulders last month

Sowmya Rasa

cool

Sowmya Rasa 2 months ago

John Mansfield

We tried it. Didn't seem to make much of a difference. Maybe the plastic was not tight enough.

John Mansfield 3 months ago

Kakha Khmelidze

And will try by myself.

Kakha Khmelidze 3 months ago

Kakha Khmelidze

Hmm, interesting, thanks.

Kakha Khmelidze 3 months ago

Nazmul Karin

Is this really works?

Nazmul Karin 3 months ago

wei Jessica

Does it really works?

wei Jessica 3 months ago

Tatyana Reznik

Cool! I will have to try this!

Tatyana Reznik 4 months ago

Peter Arvenom

As someone who buys bananas way too frequently, this guide is really useful

Peter Arvenom 4 months ago

Shari Olson

why does this work. if it really works, I'm all for it!

Shari Olson 5 months ago

Joe Green

Great tip, thanks

Joe Green 5 months ago

D Flo

Yes Dave y?

D Flo 7 months ago

Dave Loney

So do you know why this works?

Dave Loney 8 months ago

Shalinder Singh

Nice tip

Shalinder Singh 9 months ago

Dong-ki Yang๐Ÿ˜โค๐ŸšŒ๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜“

I must try this!! Thx.

Dong-ki Yang๐Ÿ˜โค๐ŸšŒ๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ˜“ 10 months ago

Dave Smith

I will try that. If I want to keep fresh for day I wrap in kitchen roll. Do not wrap in foil as this increases potassium which is bad for heart. I think paper ok.

Dave Smith 10 months ago

Ray Hashemi

cool, will try it.

Ray Hashemi 10 months ago

Doug Wainwright

Worth a try. My bananas don't get eaten right away.

Doug Wainwright 10 months ago

Odessa Scruggs

Interesting! Gonna try it!

Odessa Scruggs 10 months ago