To make bananas ripen faster, here are several effective methods:
- Paper Bag Method: Place bananas in a paper bag and seal it to trap ethylene gas, a natural hormone that speeds ripening. Adding an apple or avocado to the bag can further accelerate the process. Bananas usually ripen within 1 to 2 days this way, though very green bananas may take longer
- Warm Environment: Keep bananas in a warm spot (above 75°F or 24°C) to speed up ripening. Warmth encourages the production of enzymes that convert starches to sugars
- Oven Ripening: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C), place unpeeled bananas on a lined baking sheet, and bake for 15 to 40 minutes until the peels turn dark brown and the bananas become soft. Let them cool before peeling. This method softens bananas quickly, making them ideal for baking but less suitable for eating raw
- Microwave Method: Prick unpeeled bananas with a fork and microwave on high in 30-second intervals until soft. Let cool before peeling. This is a very fast way to soften bananas for baking use
- Air Fryer: Place bananas in the air fryer at 275°F for 10 to 30 minutes until soft and darkened. Check periodically and add water if the peel gets too crispy
- Enzymatic Ripening with Egg Yolk: Mash bananas with an egg yolk and let sit for 30 minutes. The amylase enzyme in egg yolk converts starch to sugar quickly, making the bananas sweeter. This method is suitable when you plan to cook the bananas further, such as in banana bread
In summary, the paper bag with ethylene-producing fruit is a natural, gentle method taking 1-2 days, while heat-based methods like oven, microwave, or air fryer can ripen bananas within minutes to an hour for baking purposes. The egg yolk method chemically speeds sweetness but is for cooking use only
