Bananas are universally loved – but they have a short shelf life. However, if you have a home freeze dryer you can take advantage of sales or even salvage this universally loved fruit before it over-ripens. Bananas are high in fiber and potassium and are a healthy source of carbohydrates. Studies also suggest that bananas can help lower blood pressure (they’re a vasodialator), may reduce asthma in children, and are a good source of vitamin C, which helps fight free radicals that cause cancer.
Freeze drying bananas is so easy. Just slice them and place them on trays close together and freeze dry as normal. Try sprinkling cinnamon on them for a new twist. Put them in Mylar bags or jars with an oxygen absorber for long-term storage. Or, they will keep in an airtight container on your shelf for a couple months even without an oxygen absorber. Your kids or grandkids will love to snack on these just and they will be a great substitute for high sugar candy or other processed snacks.
Freeze dried bananas are delicious by themselves, but they are also wonderful additions to trail mix, make great toppings for granola and ice cream, or can be tossed into a smoothie or turned into a powder to naturally flavor frosting or pancake mix.
how thick do you slice them to get them to work out on the standard setting?
Bananas are easy to freeze dry. You can slice them as thick as the tray is tall and you’d be fine still.
I want to freeze dry a lot of bananas can I just cut them in Half length wise instead of a bunch of small round slices?
Yes. That works great!
We can’t freeze dry enough bananas, grandkids eat them up so fast.
Can you freeze the bananas before putting them in the freeze dryer?
Yes. Any food can be pre-frozen. Doing this will speed up the batch time.
How do you keep them from browning?
I don’t treat bananas with anything and I don’t always pre-freeze them – and I’ve never had any issues with browning. I turn on the freeze dryer (while I prep the bananas), just to let the chamber get nice and cold before loading. And if I am not ready to load them in my freeze dryer right away, I just put them in the freezer until I am ready to start my batch. Never had a problem. They turn out beautiful and are so tasty!
Becky. I use citric acid to make them not brown. Also straight lemon juice will also help them not brown and wont leave a lemon taste. I also add alittle sugar on top of mine to make them even sweeter.