19 Baking and Breakfast Recipes That Make The Most of Ripe Bananas

Banana, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes

Bananas are one of my favorite fruits, and I go through about a bunch a week all by myself! I'm constantly whipping up 1-ingredient banana ice cream or eating one everyday as a snack, slathered with a little peanut butter.

But there comes a point when my bananas get a little too brown to eat on its own. Most people see brown overripe  bananas and think: banana bread. While I'm all for a good banana bread, sometimes I want a banana dessert that's a little bit different. Think: banana cakes, banana bars, banana cookies. Up until now, these delicious ripe banana recipes may have been totally underrated in appeal compared to the classic quick bread, but they're now here to shake up how you work with a brown bunch.

Related: 30 Insanely Interesting Banana Bread Recipes

Flavors That Pair With Ripe Bananas

Bananas are a natural sweetener and pair wonderfully with so many flavors (chocolate, peanut butter, Nutella). The texture and the moisture in bananas means they always help keep dishes tender and never dry.

Related: How to Freeze Bananas

Best Banana Recipes

So If you're a banana lover too, you've got to try these 19 best ripe banana recipes that aren't banana bread! There's everything from Salted Caramel Banana Cream Pie and Banana Nut Bars, to Banana Crumb Cake, Banana Pudding, muffins, protein pancakes and more.

Ripe Banana Recipes

<p>This Banana Layer Cake is two moist, banana-flavored layers filled and frosted with a lusciously creamy Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting. Enhance the banana flavor with a layer of bananas between the cakes! <a href="http://www.bakerita.com/banana-layer-cake-chocolate-cream-cheese-frosting/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>These Banana Nut Bars are dense, fudgy, and full of banana flavor, and the Brown Sugar Frosting kicks ‘em up a notch for a truly outstanding treat! <a href="http://www.bakerita.com/banana-nut-bars-brown-sugar-frosting/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>This Banana Crumb Cake is a stepped up version of the best banana bread you’ve ever eaten! It’s full of banana flavor, and the pecan crumb topping puts it over the top. It’s also dairy free. <a href="http://www.bakerita.com/banana-crumb-cake-dairy-free/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>Getty Images</p><p>This is a recipe that is timeless and a part of American food history. It is always impressive and easy to create at the last moment. <a href="https://parade.com/27864/epicurious/brennans-bananas-foster/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/843504/brendabennett/17-low-sugar-low-carb-banana-recipes-youll-flip-for/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:17 Low-Sugar Low-Carb Banana Recipes You'll Flip For;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">17 Low-Sugar Low-Carb Banana Recipes You'll Flip For</a></strong></p>
<p>This Browned Butter Banana Cake is slathered with a rich chocolate ganache for a sweet, decadent treat that pairs well with tea or coffee! <a href="http://www.bakerita.com/browned-butter-banana-cake/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/1370961/stephanieosmanski/can-dogs-eat-bananas/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Can Dogs Eat Bananas?;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Can Dogs Eat Bananas?</a></strong></p>
<p>These Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Streusel Muffins have all the flavors and textures you love about banana bread in muffin form, along with lots of gooey chocolate and a to-die-for buttery streusel. <a href="http://wholeandheavenlyoven.com/2015/03/23/banana-bread-chocolate-chip-streusel-muffins/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>This easy recipe for Banana, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes is a healthy and delicious breakfast that is gluten-free and full of protein! <a href="http://www.bakerita.com/banana-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-protein-pancakes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>These Banana Cream Blondies with Peanut Butter Ganache sound incredibly decadent and delicious! I love the cute little bite-size shapes too. <a href="http://www.thereciperebel.com/banana-cream-blondies-peanut-butter-chocolate-ganache/?hc_location=ufi" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>This Paleo Banana Blueberry Swirl Cake has a swirl of blueberry compote throughout. The moist and tender cake is also gluten-free, paleo and healthy enough to enjoy for breakfast. <a href="http://www.bakerita.com/paleo-banana-blueberry-swirl-cake/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here</a>.</p>
<p>This Banana Bread Granola is crunchy, hearty, and tastes just like banana bread! It’s the perfect breakfast or snack to keep you full and satisfied. <a href="http://www.pumpkinnspice.com/2015/04/13/banana-bread-granola/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>This Banana Cake with Chocolate Ganache is made with almond flour and is totally paleo! It's soft and sweet, and you'll have no idea it's healthy. <a href="http://www.bakerita.com/banana-cake-with-chocolate-ganache/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/862267/brianneizzo/14-of-the-best-banana-muffin-recipes-will-make-you-go-bananas/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:14 of the Best Banana Muffin Recipes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">14 of the Best Banana Muffin Recipes</a></strong></p>
<p>These Banana Nut Oatmeal Waffles look like just the thing that I want to eat for brunch! Topped with all those berries...too good. <a href="http://www.maebells.com/banana-nut-oatmeal-waffles/?hc_location=ufi" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>These Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies are filled with whole grains and flaxseed, and naturally sweetened with honey. They keep well in the freezer, for an easy grab and go breakfast or snack. <a href="http://kristineskitchenblog.com/2015/01/26/banana-chocolate-chip-breakfast-cookies/?hc_location=ufi" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>These super-easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Granola Bars are full of my favorite flavors! They're the perfect on-the-go snack. <a href="http://www.maebells.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-banana-granola-bar/?hc_location=ufi" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>These Caramel Filled Chocolate Banana Bread Muffins are loaded with caramel filled DelightFulls in moist, chocolatey banana bread muffins! The caramel center makes this easy, one-bowl recipe even more delicious.<a href="http://www.bakerita.com/caramel-filled-chocolate-banana-bread-muffins/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>These Double Chocolate Banana Pancakes are thick, fluffy, and loaded with lots of banana flavor and a double-delight of chocolate. Your family will go “bananas” for these crowd-pleasing pancakes! <a href="http://wholeandheavenlyoven.com/2015/03/09/double-chocolate-banana-pancakes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>These Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Sandwiches have soft peanut butter cookies sandwiched with homemade banana ice cream. <a href="http://www.shelikesfood.com/1/post/2014/07/peanut-butter-banana-ice-cream-sandwiches-gluten-free-vegan.html?hc_location=ufi" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>Salted Caramel Banana Cream Pie is an easy graham cracker crust filled with salted caramel sauce, vanilla pastry cream, and fresh bananas. It’s topped with fresh whipped cream and salted caramel sauce for one delicious pie! <a href="http://flavorthemoments.com/salted-caramel-banana-cream-pie/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>
<p>A whole grain muffin that not only tastes amazing (hello dark chocolate chips!), but also is packed with good-for-you ingredients like flaxseed and almond butter. Bake up a batch of these Skinny Banana Almond Butter Muffins today! <a href="http://kristineskitchenblog.com/2015/03/04/skinny-banana-almond-butter-muffins/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Get the recipe here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Get the recipe here.</a></p>

Next up, we're changing up the fruit—check out the best strawberry recipes!