Cooking Lovers
Health & Benefits
December 2nd 2020 ・ 5 min reading
What’s your favorite way to eat bananas? Straight out of the skin? Banana smoothies, banana bread, banana ice cream? There’s so many ways...
Chiquita bananas are one of the world’s most popular and healthiest fruits – and it’s not hard to understand why. These unique yellow curvy “fingers” are loaded with vitamins and minerals, they’re irresistibly sweet and tasty, and they’re super convenient with their natural protective carry case.
Almost everyone has enjoyed a banana as a healthy snack right out of its skin. But have you tried using bananas in other ways? For example, for making breads, cakes or muffins? There’s so many ways to enjoy Chiquita bananas! Check out a few ideas here…
A healthy snack
All over the world, people eat bananas as healthy snacks the same way – straight out of the skin – what could be easier? Because of their natural hardy carry case, they make great pre workout snacks or post workout snacks or just great all round on-the-go snacks!
Banana pancakes
Add bananas to your favorite pancake recipe to give your pancakes a boost of flavor and nutrients. You can also just slice a banana and layer it on top of your pancakes with honey for some extra sweetness. To get your banana pancake on, check out our super easy Chiquita pancakes with mixed red fruits and banana chips recipe for a hearty and delicious morning breakfast.
Chia seed pudding
Chia seeds have become increasingly popular because of their incredible fiber and omega 3 content. In this pudding recipe, we paired chia seeds with Chiquita bananas to make an indulgent treat for breakfast or dessert. Simply blend together a banana, ½ cup of milk (oat or almond works too), two tablespoons of chia seeds, two teaspoons of honey, and a teaspoon of vanilla essence. Then add a sprinkling of cinnamon to taste. Dee-lish!
Banana smoothies
One of our favorite ways to consume bananas is to make banana smoothies; blending bananas with other fresh fruits and extras like peanut butter or cocoa powder. Bananas create a great thick creamy base for your smoothie that is really healthy too. Check out our banana recipes for a bunch of banana smoothie recipes. One of our faves is this peanut butter and Chiquita banana warm-up shake that’s perfect as a pre workout snack.
Topping for oatmeal or cereal
Bananas have always been the perfect breakfast fruit with their sweet flesh and high fiber content that provides long lasting energy throughout the day. So why not chop up a banana and sprinkle it over your favorite oatmeal or cereal for a super healthy start to the day.
Healthy ice cream
What if we told you you could have ice cream but without the unhealthy fat and sugar? You can if you make banana ice cream! It’s incredibly easy to make and literally needs no other ingredients. Simply cut up and freeze a few bananas (overripe bananas are perfect for freezing) and once they’re frozen, blend them in the blender. The result is an irresistibly creamy banana flavored ice cream. Add chocolate syrup and nuts for something more indulgent!
Banana muffins and cookies
Baking is a great way to use up overripe bananas that have gone completely brown or even black. If you’re just starting out, try these easy Chiquita banana chocolate chip cookies. Then if you’re feeling confident and adventurous these delicious vegan Chiquita banana chocolate muffins will impress not only your vegan friends, but the whole family too.
Classic banana bread
In the last several months, banana bread has been a favorite family snack and pastime! Banana bread is incredibly easy to make, is super yummy and just an all round healthy snack. Thankfully there are literally dozens of banana bread recipes out there to choose from. Some of our favorites here at Chiquita are the chocolate Chiquita banana bread, the oatmeal Chiquita banana bread and the super simple easy Chiquita banana bread mug cake that just needs two minutes in the microwave. Banana bread doesn’t get easier than that!
