How To Mash Bananas – 3 Different Ways

Here are 3 different ways that you can mash bananas to use in recipes or for baby food.

Yesterday I was making my favorite banana bread recipe because I had a bunch of overripe bananas that I did not want to toss – and one of my family members (I’m not naming names) offered to help.

Sure! – I said – Why don’t you mash the bananas?

How do I do that? – was the response.

So, I thought I would do a quick post on how to make mashed bananas. These are the are the 3 methods that usually us:

1. Potato masher
2. Food processor
3. Fork

1. Use a Potato Masher

I find that the easiest way to mash bananas is to use a potato masher.

Make sure that the bananas you are mashing are super ripe and soft.

Also, I like to use a “wavy” potato masher and not the style with the little squares.

Although both styles will work, I find the wavy style to be a little easier and I love how it leaves little pieces of intact for a more chunkier banana puree.

Simply, peel and toss the peeled, ripe, bananas into a medium mixing bowl and mash with the potato masher.

Stop when you get your desired consistency.

2. Use a Food Processor, Blender, or Hand Mixer

The second method I use to mash bananas is to do so with a food processor.

This works best if the bananas you are using are still firm and not overly ripe.

In fact, this method is much easier than a potato masher if the bananas you are using are not super soft.

However, there is a little more clean up involved.

I use the food processor container and blade on my Ninja system for this.

First, I peel the bananas and then break them into 2 or 3 inch pieces.

I place these pieces into the food processor container and give them a few quick pulses.

Continue doing this until you get to your desired consistency.

You could use a blender instead – but you will likely completely liquify the bananas and not get the nice bits and pieces that remain if you use other methods.

But you might want to use a blender if you are mashing bananas for baby food, as opposed to a recipe, and you want a really smooth puree.

A hand mixer is also an option, and you might already have one out if you are making a recipe like banana muffins or bread. I just find that it is hard to initially get the mashing process going – it seems that the fruit just spins around the bowl a bit until the beaters start to break it down.

3. Use a Fork

Using a fork, of course, is the most simple mashing method.

It is my fall back when I don’t have access to a potato masher or a food processor.

While this method is super easy, it certainly does take more effort.

All you have to do is place the peeled bananas in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork.

Like the potato masher method, this works best if the bananas are soft and overripe.

However, I find that it is harder to get an even consistency and also takes much longer to mash bananas with a fork.

The Bananas You Use

No matter which method you choose, it is always best to use very ripe fruit – I get the best results when the skin is starting to develop some brown spots.

Green bananas will never do – and they will be too hard to mash. And you can take a chance with dark brown ones but by the time the get to that stage they might be on the verge of spoiling.

If you plan to freeze ripe bananas to use later, I would peel them and cut them into chunks and then store them in a freezer style zip top bag or container. Then, I would make sure thaw them before mashing.

Which mashing method do you prefer?

As you can see there is not one, singular best way to mash bananas. You can use a wavy potato masher (my favorite method), use an appliance – like a food processor, blender, or mixer, or simply mash them with a fork.

Which is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.