What images spring into your head when you think of bananas? For me, it’s scenes from the last marathon, optionally from any other running event: Mountains of bananas, already peeled and cut in half or into thirds – so that the runners can grab them as they run by and put them in their mouths.
But bananas are not only great food for marathon races: they are ready to eat without washing, provide quickly available carbohydrates depending on the degree of ripeness, and also have plenty of potassium.
Bananas are extremely popular, especially among fans of purely plant-based cuisine. I can understand that very well – they are so versatile!
In this post, we have put together our favourite banana recipes for you. Especially if you (like us) are one of those people who can no longer get overripe bananas straight, you will find many ideas in our list of what you can still do with these specimens.
But see (and taste) for yourself!
#1 Just Pure
Whether before exercise, as a second breakfast at work, or just in between – bananas provide you with energy immediately without being heavy in your stomach. They are perfect for on the go, do not have to be washed or cut open, and do not make your fingers sticky.
#2 Smoothies
For us, bananas belong in almost every smoothie! Whether in the classic green smoothie, mixed berries, and oat milk or in the unusual version of our apple-pear-marzipan smoothie, bananas are simply the perfect basis for giving the smoothie the right amount of creaminess.
If you can no longer see the classic fruit smoothies, why not try a beetroot smoothie (healthy and really tasty) or our favourite summer smoothie with green herbs? You will be amazed at this explosion of flavours in your mouth!
#3 Muffins With Bananas
We like to hide a few bananas in our muffins.
For example, in muesli muffins (perfect for hikes!) Or in the delicious chocolate-banana-coffee-peanut muffins. A banana can hardly get any tastier.
#4 Porridge
Porridge, or “porridge” (evil tongues also call it gruel), has been our standard breakfast for years. In addition to flax seeds, nuts, nut butter, and other crispy toppings, bananas can also be added to porridge.
#5 Fruit Salad
Bananas provide an extra portion of natural sweetness in a fruit salad – the creamy and, depending on the degree of ripeness, slightly mushy texture of the banana provides apples, pears, and grapes, more variety in the mouth.
#6 Banana Shake
After a long, hard run (or any other exercise), your body cries out for energy. I prefer something liquid that my stomach can handle best.
In addition to smoothies, the most important meal of the runner, the banana shake is also ideal for refuelling. Simply put a ripe banana, plant milk, cocoa powder, two dates, and a tablespoon of peanut butter in the blender, and mix – done!
#7 Banana Jam
For those who really like to eat bananas and have at least two ripe ones at home, we recommend our banana puree, which can be prepared in no time.
Banana puree used to be our porridge, in other words: we ate it almost every day. And we both ran our best marathon times with banana jam for breakfast!
#8 Banana Bread
Americans celebrate Banana Bread Day annually on February 23rd – but we see no reason not to enjoy banana bread on the other 364 days of the year. I can recommend the recipe for American banana bread from Vegan Corner. The recipe really suits every occasion: whether for a second breakfast in the office, as a snack on hikes or bike tours, or as a quick snack after a long run.
#9 Peanut Butter Jelly Banana Sandwich
A quick and, at the same time, very tasty and protein-rich post-run snack for me is a slice of bread of choice, coated with peanut butter, jam (up to this point the classic peanut butter-jelly sandwich), and topped with banana slices.
