The Best Way To Store Bananas So They Don't Turn Brown And Mushy

Sweet, creamy, and packed with potassium, bananas are a favorite among fruits — and perfect to take on the go thanks to their rugged peels. But bananas can be tricky to store, ripening and bruising sooner than you plan to use them — or not soon enough when you're ready to eat.

How To Store Bananas

1. Wash your bananas, including the skin, "as fruit flies are attracted to the natural, unwashed smell," notes Quillin.
2. Store bananas at room temperature on the countertop.

• Avoid direct sunlight: As you store them, keep them away from direct sunlight (such as from kitchen windows); too much heat from the sun can cause them to ripen more quickly than you want them to. 
• Store at room temp: "Store bananas at room temperature if you plan to eat them within a few days,"  says Yoonjung Oh. She notes that bananas ripen faster in warmer temperatures — and weather can be quite hot and humid in the South. "So if they're already ripe, they’ll stay good for a short period," Oh says. "Keep your bananas in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight if the room is too humid and hot."

How Long Will Bananas Last?

Bananas should last up to 6 days, depending on how ripe they already were when you bought them.

Can You Store Bananas in the Fridge?

You can store them in the fridge but don't refrigerate them until they are as ripe as you want them to be, as refrigeration slows or stops the ripening process. 

"If your bananas are already ripe and you want to extend their shelf-life, you can refrigerate them," Oh says. "The peel might turn brown or black, but the fruit inside will stay fresh longer."

How to Keep Bananas From Bruising

• Suspend them: If you're a banana fan and regularly have them at home, you might want to invest in a banana holder, outfitted with a hook that holds the bananas hanging as you store them. The hook method keeps the bananas from stacking on top of each other on a countertop, which can lead to bruising. 
• Separate them: Separating bananas from each other, with at least a little space between them, also extends their life, according to Oh. "You can also wrap the stems of the bananas in plastic wrap to slow down ripening," she says.

What To Do With Overripe Bananas

• Bake: Do not toss them. Overripe bananas can be used for banana bread or other baked goods.
• Freeze: Or freeze them whole or in chunks for use in smoothies and other recipes down the road. (Despite popular knowledge to the contrary, you can even freeze bananas with the peels on.)

Favorite Ripe Banana Recipes

Unlike most fruits, bananas don't contain juice, so they're ideal for use in baking. Try these recipes for inspiration for what to do with ripe (or overripe) bananas:

• Banana Layer Cake With Caramel Icing
• Peanut Butter Banana Blondies
• Banana Muffins
• Pumpkin Banana Bread
• Hummingbird Cake
• Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bars