Is It Ok If Frozen Bananas Turn Brown? Explained

Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Shari Mason

Ever tossed out those brown bananas sitting in your freezer? Think twice next time! Bananas change color fast in the air.

So is it ok if frozen bananas turn brown? Are they still safe to eat? Why does it turn black when frozen? Let’s find the answers below.

Is It Fine If Frozen Bananas Turn Brown? 

Yes, it is fine if the frozen bananas turn brown because they are part of the ripening process. This ripening can be sped up by oxidation because of a chemical process.

Bananas that have turned brown are safe to consume if they’re appropriately stored in an airtight container.

Read:

• Why Does Meat Turn Brown In The Freezer?
• Can You Eat A Plantain Raw?
• How Do Restaurants Keep Avocados From Turning Brown?
• Why Does My Watermelon Have Yellow Spots Inside?

Is It Safe To Eat? 

Yes, frozen bananas that turned brown are still safe to eat. The oxidation process is harmless and has no major effect on the nutritional value of the products you purchase. But, the nutrients decreased.

“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.”

– Ann Wigmore, Health Practitioner and Food Advocate

Food molecules include enzymes, and oxygen causes the enzymes to react. Enzymes are protein catalysts that speed chemical reactions. They ripen and overripen fruit, turning it brown.

Why Do Frozen Bananas Turn Brown?

Due To Oxidation

Oxidation is one of the common reasons that sliced bananas turn brown.

Because food like fruits has unique proteins called enzymes, exposure to oxygen causes the enzymes to react in colors brown. Changing in color is called enzymatic browning. [1] 

Because of Ice Crystals

When bananas are frozen, the water in the fruit turns into ice crystals. This makes the bananas look black. These ice crystals grow bigger, breaking the banana skin cells.

When these cells break, they let out polyphenols, which accelerate the process of turning black. Putting a banana that hasn’t been cut in the freezer will stop ripening but still give off gas. [2] 

How Long Can You Keep It in the Freezer? 

Frozen bananas can last in the freezer for up to three months or more when stored adequately at 0° F. Peel the bananas on a tray and put them in the freezer.

Freeze the bananas until they are solid. Then, put them in a labeled, resealable freezer bag and ensure no air is in the bag before you seal it.

How To Tell If Frozen Bananas Are Bad

If a frozen banana has gone bad, there will be changes in its texture, appearance, and as well its smell.

First, you’ll notice the build-up of white mold on its surface.

Then, you’ll start to smell its off odor, a funky sour smell of rotten fruit.

Next, the texture will be slimy and sticky.

How To Properly Freeze Bananas 

Unpeeled

To properly freeze an unpeeled banana, put them in a tray and flash-freeze them in the freezer. You can also put them in vacuum-sealed bags before putting them in the freezer.

Peeled

Peeled bananas should be frozen until solid in a clean tray inside the freezer. When completely frozen, put them inside the zip lock or any resealable bag.

Sliced

To freeze sliced bananas, put them in a baking tray with waxed baking paper to prevent the slices from sticking. Put the tray in the freezer until the sliced bananas are solid.

FAQs

In Conclusion 

Generally, frozen bananas are still ok and safe to eat despite the browning of color. There might be a slight decrease in the nutrients because of the oxidation process, but it is still safe to eat.

In freezing bananas: unpeeled, peeled, or sliced, it has to be stored as follows:

• Flash-freeze in a tray until solid.
• Put them inside vacuum-sealed freezer bags or airtight containers.
• Make sure to label the bags to know how long it has been in the freezer.
• Ensure the freezer is at 0° F, and the freezer bags will not be opened until serving time.

References:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/enzymatic-browning 
2. http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php