3 Scrumptious Banana-Based Recipes

 Bananas are a staple in many households, and for good reason - they’re versatile, naturally sweet, and packed with nutrients. But have you ever wondered how to take this beloved fruit to the next level in your kitchen? Whether you're in the mood for a quick and nutritious breakfast, an indulgent dessert, or a healthier sweet treat, these three banana-based recipes offer something for everyone. From creamy puddings to decadent cakes and vegan cookies, these dishes showcase the banana's endless possibilities.

1. Banana, Chia and Cinnamon Pudding

It's long been known that a banana is a yellow energy bomb and that it's recommended to start your day by eating one. Additionally, the importance of incorporating chia seeds into our daily diet has been discovered, as they are considered a food that's immensely rich in essential nutrients, a "superfood" if you will. Furthermore, cinnamon is well-known for its effectiveness in lowering blood sugar levels. This is why the combination of these three is a winning combination that will give you the energy to start your day right, especially since the result is so delicious.

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients for Cashew Milk:

• 1 cup of cashews (not roasted)
• 4 cups of water (for soaking)
• A pinch of sea salt

Ingredients for Banana Pudding:

• 1 cup of cashew milk
• ¼ cup of chia seeds
• 2 teaspoons of maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon of lucuma (a natural sweetener)
• ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ½ banana
• 1 date

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Instructions for Cashew Milk: Soak the cashews in water for about 6 hours. Blend them at high speed until a creamy texture is achieved. You'll end up with 4 cups of milk; use one cup for this recipe, and you can freeze the rest.

Instructions for Banana Pudding: Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, except for the chia seeds. Add the chia seeds and whisk gently for a minute, ensuring that the chia seeds are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Wait a minute, then whisk again. The mixture should start to thicken at this stage. Place the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Slice the banana and sprinkle it over the prepared mixture. You can also sprinkle a little cinnamon on top.

2. Upside-Down Banana Cake

Banana cake is undoubtedly one of the most popular and delicious cakes, primarily because the natural sweetness of the banana gives this dessert a significant advantage, making it particularly beloved. With the following excellent recipe, you can upgrade your banana cake and make it even more special, delicious, and sweet—so much so that it will quickly become the favorite dessert of all your household members and guests.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients for Upside-Down Banana Cake:

• 6 ripe bananas (4 whole and 2 sliced)
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup of oil
• 1 cup (220 grams) of brown sugar
• ½ cup (100 grams) of white sugar
• 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
• 2 cups of flour
• ½ cup (115 grams) of butter
• Vanilla ice cream for serving (optional)

Instructions for Upside-Down Banana Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (347°F).
2. In a large bowl, mash the 4 ripe bananas, then add the eggs, oil, white sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until a uniform mixture is formed.
3. Add the flour to the bowl and mix until no more pockets of flour remain. Set the bowl with the mixture aside.
4. Place the butter in a saucepan and melt it over medium-low heat. Once melted, add the brown sugar and stir until it dissolves into the butter.
5. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the mixture starts to bubble and the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove the saucepan from the stove and pour the caramel mixture into a greased 23x23 cm (9x9 inch) baking pan.
6. Arrange the sliced banana pieces over the caramel mixture in the pan, pour the banana mixture from the bowl over them, and use a spatula to spread it into an even layer.
7. Bake in the oven for 40-50 minutes. After baking, cool the cake until the bottom of the pan is lukewarm.
8. Use a knife to trim the cake edges that may have overflowed from the pan, evening them out. Place a serving plate of the appropriate size over the opening of the pan, hold the pan and plate together, and rotate them 180 degrees so that the cake releases from the pan and settles onto the plate.
9. Slice the cake and serve the pieces accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

3. Vegan Banana, Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookies

If you thought that people who adopt certain dietary regimes couldn't enjoy soft, rich, and sweet cookies, it's likely that you've never made this wonderful recipe... It's really not complicated, and it features particularly beloved ingredients like bananas, peanut butter, and even a subtle hint of vanilla. Plus, it's completely vegan! While it's still advisable to eat these cookies in moderation, there's no doubt that they're much less harmful to your health compared to other versions. Thanks to all these advantages, it wouldn't surprise us at all if you and your entire household wanted to make these cookies over and over again.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients for Banana, Chocolate, and Peanut Butter Cookies:

• 1 cup of whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 2 bananas
• ½ cup of peanut butter (preferably natural)
• ⅔ cup of brown sugar
• ¼ cup of soy milk (can be substituted with almond milk, rice milk, etc.)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ½ cup of vegan chocolate chips (can add or reduce by ¼ cup according to preference)

Instructions for Banana, Chocolate, and Peanut Butter Cookies:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F) and start by mixing the flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
2. Take another bowl, preferably medium-sized, and mash the bananas in it with a fork. Add the peanut butter and brown sugar, and mix with a hand mixer until you get a smooth and uniform texture.
3. Add the milk substitute and vanilla extract to the medium bowl. Continue mixing with the hand mixer until all ingredients are well combined.
4. Gradually add the mixture from the medium bowl to the large one, stirring the large bowl with a wooden spoon as you go. Add the chocolate chips to the bowl and fold them into the mixture until evenly distributed.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place about a tablespoon and a half of the mixture on it, gently flattening each one. Repeat, leaving about 6 cm (2.4 inches) between each cookie.
6. After you've placed all the mixture onto the baking sheet, put it in the oven for 10 minutes, then take it out and let it cool for at least 2 minutes without touching it.
    

Image source: dailyveganmeal.com