Skip to Content

Can You Freeze Banana Bread?

If you want to whip up a batch of banana bread in the morning and then surprise your guests with it at night but can you freeze banana bread? Can you freeze banana bread? It is a snap when you know how to. All you need is some free time and a few other supplies. Continue reading for a step-by-step guide.

You can freeze banana bread for up to three months. To freeze your freshly baked banana bread, let it cool completely and then wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap. The plastic wrap will prevent freezer burn and keep the banana bread from drying out.

It is freezer-friendly whether you make plain banana bread or one with chocolate chips, nuts, or anything else added. Be sure your banana bread has completely cooled before freezing. Wrap it up in plastic wrap, then in a layer of aluminum foil. Mark it with the date and freeze for up to three months.

However, you must take some small steps to ensure that the quality of your banana bread remains optimal. If you want to freeze your bread slices, it is best practice to wrap and seal your slices individually in plastic wrap before placing them into one large airtight portioned freezer bag. Label the freezer bag with the date before placing it in your freezer.

What Is Banana Bread?

Can You Freeze Banana BreadThe term “banana bread” is used for two different types of quick bread. One is made from mashed bananas and resembles the texture of a cake. The other type of banana bread is more similar to traditional quick bread in that it contains flour and has a firmer texture. 

Banana bread is typically sweet, dense, and heavy but moist enough to be considered tender. It is often a moist, sweet, cake-like quick bread; however, some banana bread recipes are traditional-style raised bread. Banana comes typically in loaf form, but some recipes also make muffins.

The banana bread of the United States and Canada can be traced back to the quick bread loaves baked by the immigrants to the Americas in the late 19th century.

How to Freeze Banana Bread

Bananas are incredibly versatile. They make a perfect addition to smoothies, bread, and even oatmeal in the morning. Freeze the bananas if you’ve got too many on your hands. You can even slice them up, so they’re ready for use in your following recipe.

To freeze banana bread, let the bread cool down completely after baking. Then, you can now wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it inside a zip-top bag. It will last for up to four months if stored properly.

Here is a step by step guide freeze Banana Bread

Step 1

You can freeze the bread either in a whole loaf or individual slices. It will be easier to cut when frozen as a whole loaf when completely thawed. On the other hand, if you have individual slices, you may eat one by one as you like. Use aluminum foil or plastic wrap to freeze the bread. Tightly wrap the loaf or individual slice with food wrap. You can also wrap and place each slice of bread in a freezer bag. This method is much more convenient if you only need a slice of bread during breakfast.

Step 2

For best results, put the bread in a sealable plastic bag before freezing. It will keep it from being damaged by frost. Then, try to squeeze out the air inside. If you don’t have a plastic bag, wrap it tightly in foil instead. 

Step 3

let air as possible out of the bag. Some air will remain, which is okay. If your bread is still warm, cooling it on a wire rack for about 30 minutes before wrapping and storing it will help prevent sogginess, though this step is not necessary.

Step 4

Use a plastic bag to seal the bread and make sure the bag is tightly sealed around the bread, as air will make it stale quickly. Label the bag and write the date you are freezing it on it. (generally, baked goods will keep for two to three months in the freezer). Some people prefer to wrap the banana bread first in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, before putting it into a freezer bag.

How Long Does Banana Bread Last in the Freezer?

How Long Does Banana Bread Last in the FreezerA perfect way to preserve the taste and texture of banana bread is by freezing it. So, after baking banana bread, you should store it in the freezer to keep it fresh for a long time.

Banana bread will last up to 1 month in the freezer if stored properly. Store your banana bread inside a baking pan, covered with cling wrap, then foil and place in the freezer. 

A frozen loaf of banana bread keeps its flavor and texture for up to a month. Banana bread left outside usually lasts 3 to 4 days before they go bad, but if you put it in the refrigerator, it can last up to a week.

Can You Make Banana Bread with Frozen Bananas?

You can use previously frozen bananas for banana bread. It may not be exactly like fresh bananas, but it’s still delicious and useful to use up. Frozen bananas should be thawed to room temperature before baking if the recipe calls for creaming ingredients together. If not, add the frozen bananas directly to your recipe.

 Remove them from the freezer and peel once they are thawed to use frozen bananas. Replace margarine or shortening with coconut oil or applesauce. Switch to whole-wheat flour or oatmeal and cut down on sugar or salt added. Use freckled bananas or past their prime — they have more flavor.

Make sure they are thawed before you mix them into the batter. It will be difficult if you try to mix them in while they are frozen, and your finished loaf won’t cook evenly.

Although, for banana bread recipes, you need “overripe” bananas, which means they will be either blackened or very nearly blackened. No matter how ripe they were when they went into the freezer, frozen bananas will be very mushy when thawed and will look similar to mashed potatoes.

Can You Freeze Banana Bread Batter?

No products found.

Freeze the banana bread batter in a tightly sealed freezer bag or airtight plastic container to prevent freezer burn and help retain freshness. Banana bread batter will stay fresh in the freezer for three months.

Also, If you make a Banana Bread recipe and have extra batter, it’s super simple to make ahead and freeze for later. Just scoop the batter into a loaf pan and pop it in the freezer. When you are ready to bake, thaw overnight and bake at 350°F.

 It can be conveniently frozen to extend its freshness and to have it on hand when unexpected guests arrive.

Meanwhile, Banana bread is a quick bread that does not use yeast as a leavening agent. Instead, it is usually made with baking soda or baking powder. It makes it perfect for freezing. You can make the batter between 1-2 days ahead of time and bake it straight from the freezer. It won’t hurt the bread at all.

Does Banana Bread Freeze Well?

Banana bread freezes well, so it is an excellent option for those who want to make a large batch of muffins or loaves that can be enjoyed over time. After the banana bread cools to room temperature, slice it and store it in an airtight freezer bag.

Allow to cool, then wrap in a layer of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Put in the freezer for up to three months. Before serving, unwrap and place on the counter until thawed. If you want to serve it warmed, place it in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes.

Depending on the texture you like, freezing banana bread can alter the loaf’s texture. Therefore, freezing the banana bread is not recommended if you do not intend to store it longer than a week or two. The change in texture might be minimal, but some people have problems with the difference in taste and texture once it’s been frozen.

Can You Freeze Banana Nut Bread?

Can You Freeze Banana Nut BreadBanana nut bread can be frozen successfully for up to 3 months. Banana nut bread can be frozen in the loaf pan it was baked in as is, or you can slice it first into individual slices and then freeze them.

If you’re only planning to freeze it for a few days, you can store it in its original packaging. Don’t forget to wrap the bread well or place a lid on the container before freezing.

To maximize the shelf life of banana nut bread for quality and food safety, place it in an airtight container or plastic wrap. Properly stored, banana nut bread will maintain the best quality for about 2 to 3 months in the freezer but will tend to remain safe beyond that time. Freezer storage times are for best quality only – foods kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.

Can You Freeze Homemade Banana Bread?

Yes, homemade banana bread freezes well. To prevent freezer burn, use aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place in a heavy-duty freezer bag.

To freeze your homemade banana bread:

  1. Wrap the bread with plastic wrap or in foil.
  2. Store in a freezer-proof container or freezer bag.
  3. Thaw overnight on a counter before serving.

Most of the time, homemade banana bread generally gets tastier with time. However, the one scenario where frozen banana bread might be a bit tastier is if you baked it immediately before freezing and then had it in the freezer for a while.

How to Thaw Frozen Bananas for Banana Bread

Depending on the recipe you’re using, you can thaw frozen bananas in one of three ways. While it’s best to use bananas for banana bread that are ripe and yellow with brown spots, overripe bananas that have been peeled and frozen are also excellent for banana bread. 

Frozen bananas can be added to your banana bread as is or defrosted, depending on what you want the outcome of your bread to be.

To thaw frozen bananas for banana bread, place them in a bowl and sit at room temperature until they are completely thawed. Once thawed, you can use them just as you would fresh bananas.

You can also place the bananas in a bowl and microwave them on medium power until thawed. However, bananas can also be left out overnight and thawed that way.

How to Thaw Frozen Banana Bread

How to Thaw Frozen Banana BreadThawing frozen banana bread is as simple as letting it sit in your countertop. Do not remove the wrapper before thawing. It often gets soggy, so wrapping it preserves its moisture. 

Also, leaving the bread to thaw without removing the wrapper will elongate the shelf life of your loaf of banana bread. To bring a slice of the loaf to room temperature more quickly than that, either toast it in the toaster or microwave it for about 30 seconds.

If you want to speed up the thawing process, put the bread in the refrigerator overnight.

How Long Does Banana Bread Last in the Fridge?

Bread can last for days or even weeks at room temperature if properly stored. Fresh-baked bread is best kept on the counter in a breadbox or paper bag. Store bread in an airtight plastic bag or wrap, and refrigerate if not eaten within a couple of days.

If well wrapped, you should refrigerate your banana bread, and it will keep for 4 to 5 days. 

Also, If properly stored, banana bread will usually stay good for 2 to 3 days at average room temperature.

Can You Freeze Banana Cake?

Of course, you can freeze a banana cake; just make sure that you thaw it out thoroughly before eating it.

However, there may be a good reason to freeze banana cake first, depending on what type of cake you make.

You can freeze just about any cake, but some types of cake are easier to freeze than others. For example, banana bread is a bread-like product that’s easy to freeze and defrost without ruining the taste or texture. You can make banana bread or buy it pre-made. 

The next time you have a banana bread craving and don’t have time to bake one freshly, remember you can dig into your frozen stash instead.

Can You Wrap Banana Bread in Foil?

It is safe to wrap the banana bread in foil, but make sure it cools down completely before wrapping. If the foil remains in contact with a hot loaf, you might end up with soggy bread.

If you want a crusty top and banana bread cooked all the way through, don’t use foil.

It will prevent the banana bread from drying out and turning stale, but it will also keep it from crisping up nicely. 

Conclusion

Freezing banana bread comes with a few perks, but can you freeze banana bread? Yes, you can freeze banana bread, but there are varying opinions on how it will hold up. Some may recommend that you first cook the banana bread before freezing it, while others say freezing raw (non-baked) banana bread is just fine. Neither way is necessarily right. It depends on how you will be using the bread in the future. If this is for a special occasion or holiday, it would likely be best to bake the banana bread and freeze it raw.

How Long Does Banana Bread Last in the Freezer

Banana Bread Recipe

Banana bread is typically sweet, dense, and heavy but moist enough to be considered tender.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Banana Bread Recipe
Servings: 2
Calories: 1394kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Oven
  • 1 Bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 2 ⅓ cups bananas

Instructions

  • Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan very lightly.
  • In a big bowl, mix the flour, salt, and baking soda. In a different big bowl, combine butter and brown sugar and blend with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs and mashed bananas; mix thoroughly. Just combine the flour mixture with the banana mixture. Fill the prepared loaf pan with the batter.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Bread should cool in the pan for ten minutes before being removed to finish cooling on a wire rack.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 1394kcal | Carbohydrates: 217g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 286mg | Sodium: 1293mg | Potassium: 944mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 102g | Vitamin A: 1768IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 8mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Follow me