What goes good with bananas?

Bananas are one of the most popular and versatile fruits. They are sweet, creamy, and go well with both savory and sweet ingredients. Here are some of the best food pairings and recipes that complement the flavor of bananas.

Table of Contents

What tastes good with bananas? Quick answers

Here are some quick answers to what goes well with bananas:

Chocolate – The sweet and creamy textures complement each other perfectly.
Nut butters – The nutty flavors pair nicely with the sweetness of bananas.
Oats – Bananas are great in oatmeal and overnight oats.

Yogurt – The tanginess of yogurt balances out the sweetness.
Honey – Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
Cinnamon – Warming spice that accentuates banana’s flavor.

Vanilla – Enhances the creamy, tropical notes.
Lemon – Brightens up the banana flavor.
Brown sugar – Adds sweetness and texture.

Granola – Crunchy texture provides contrast.

Savory foods that pair well with bananas

While bananas are known for being a sweet ingredient, they can also be incorporated into savory dishes:

Curries – Bananas complement the spices and creamy textures of curries.

Tacos – Slices of fresh banana add sweetness to tacos with meat or beans.
Quesadillas – Grilled banana slices taste delicious in a quesadilla with cheese.
Salads – Fresh chunks of banana lend sweetness to green or grain salads.

Sandwiches – Bananas taste great in savory sandwiches paired with nut butters, bacon, and more.
Pizza – Sweet caramelized grilled banana slices are an unconventional but tasty pizza topping.
Omelets – Diced bananas can be added to egg dishes like omelets and frittatas.

Rice bowls – Slices of banana complement grains like rice, quinoa, and farro.

Sweet foods that go well with bananas

Bananas are a staple ingredient in many beloved sweet treats and desserts. Here are some of the top sweet pairings:

Smoothies – Bananas lend creaminess and natural sweetness to smoothies.

Milkshakes – Blending frozen bananas with milk/ice cream makes a thick, creamy milkshake.
Pancakes – Bananas are a classic mix-in for fluffy pancakes and waffles.
Bread – Bananas pair wonderfully with quick breads, muffins, and banana bread.

Ice cream – Sliced bananas are a popular ice cream sundae topping.
Yogurt – Fresh banana slices or bananas foster complement yogurt’s tanginess.
Oatmeal – Bananas lend natural sweetness and moisture to oatmeal.

Cereal – Sliced bananas can be added to both hot and cold cereals.
Pies – Bananas shine in fruit pies, tarts, and hand pies.
Cakes – Bananas pair well with vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, and citrus flavors in cakes.

Favorite recipes using bananas

Here are some top recipes highlighting bananas:

Recipe	Ingredients
Banana pancakes	Bananas, flour, eggs, milk, baking powder, cinnamon
Banana bread	Bananas, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, baking soda
Banana ice cream	Frozen bananas, milk, vanilla, chocolate chips (optional)
Banana smoothie	Banana, milk, yogurt, honey, peanut butter
Banana pudding	Bananas, vanilla pudding, vanilla wafers, whipped cream

Tips for picking, ripening, and storing bananas

To get optimal flavor when cooking with bananas, follow these tips:

Pick bananas that are bright yellow with some green tips to allow ripening at home.

Let greenish bananas ripen at room temperature until the peel is speckled brown.
Speed up ripening by placing bananas in a paper bag with an apple or tomato overnight.
Refrigerate ripe bananas to slow further ripening and extend shelf life.

Frozen peeled bananas keep for months and are perfect for smoothies.
Look for bananas without bruises or blemishes for the best quality and flavor.

Health benefits of bananas

Bananas provide many important nutrients and health benefits:

Good source of vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
The fiber aids digestion and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
Potassium helps lower blood pressure and risk of stroke.

Contain antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
Provide energy-boosting carbohydrates and natural fruit sugars.
The tryptophan amino acid may improve mood and sleep quality.

Conclusion

With their sweet flavor, creamy texture, and nutritional value, bananas are one of the most versatile fruits in the kitchen. They pair wonderfully with both sweet and savory ingredients ranging from chocolate, oats, yogurt, nut butters, spices, grains, meats, and more. Incorporating bananas into recipes like smoothies, pancakes, ice cream, and quick breads takes them to the next level. Follow proper ripening and storage methods to get the best flavor out of bananas. Enjoy their many health benefits as part of a balanced diet.