Sure, you can simply peel them and eat them: These sweet and creamy fruits are packed with heart-healthy potassium, filling fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals; on Nutrisystem, a medium-sized banana counts as a SmartCarb. In fact, bananas are our best-logged SmartCarb in NuMi, our easy-to-use food tracker app that is logged 510,925 times! If you have some super ripe bananas on your counter and have a little time, there are a number of banana recipes that can turn these fantastic fruits into. Think of banana bread, muffins, pancakes, smoothies, and more!
Try one (or all!) Of these ten banana recipes and prepare yourself for “bananas”:
To kick off our banana recipes, this delicious banana bread is a delicious classic that comes to mind when cooking with bananas and this healthy delicacy does not disappoint. Applesauce helps bake soft and juicy, ripe bananas and cinnamon are the perfect mix of sweet and flavorful, and each savory slice contains just 150 calories. It’s also made with gluten-free flour for people with wheat allergies or other sensitivities. Click here for the full recipe! >
Don’t let an “overnight” recipe put you off: all you have to do is toss a few ingredients into a mason jar, put them in the fridge, and voila – a ready-made breakfast that’s equally nutritious and tasty . It contains freshly cut bananas and crushed walnuts, flavorful almond milk and maple syrup, and oatmeal that is filled with satisfactory fiber and protein. Enjoy the oatmeal cold; or warm the glass if you prefer a warm meal to start the day. Each serving has 276 calories. Click here for the full recipe! >
Paging to all chocolate lovers: That “something sweet” that you need to start the day is at the right place. These delicious crpes are light, airy, and easy to make. Fill them with a combination of cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla and banana slices and sprinkle with a pinch of cocoa powder for a perfect finish. Two crpes contain 217 calories and count as a Smart Carb, a PowerFuel and an Extra on Nutrisystem. Click here for the full recipe! >
You don’t need flour, sugar, eggs, separate bowls for wet and dry ingredients, or other complicated steps to make these muffins. In this recipe, there are five simple ingredients (bananas, oats, raisins, cashews and cinnamon), a bowl and about 15 minutes in the oven. Not in raisins? No problem. Swap them out for cranberries or other dried fruits. No cashews in your pantry? Use another favorite nut, like almonds or walnuts. Personalize your muffin to make the perfect take-away snack. On Nutrisystem, a muffin counts as a SmartCarb and a PowerFuel. Click here for the full recipe! >
Get this: A cup of standard vanilla ice cream weighs 273 calories and 28 grams of sugar, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). And that’s just plain old vanilla. With the beautiful cream from Nutrisystem, however, you can dive into the spoon first without any worries. This banana-flavored version offers the same creamy sweetness you’d expect from the frozen treat, but with 110 calories per serving. And all you need is bananas, almond milk, vanilla, salt and a blender. Puree it to a soft-serve consistency or put it in the freezer for a firmer texture. Click here for the full recipe! >
Bananas, of course, plus eggs and cinnamon: puree and mix, pour and turn. It’s that simple. You get four hearty pancakes that count as two PowerFuels and one Smart Carb. Top them with a tablespoon of maple syrup (and add an extra one). Click here for the full recipe! >
You get the rich and indulgent taste you crave in every decadent bite, without any guilty feelings. And this frozen treat coats the good stuff: grated coconut, peanut butter, and chocolate coat a piece of banana for a little piece of dessert heaven on a popsicle. At Nutrisystem, each serving counts as a SmartCarb and an extra. Click here for the full recipe! >
For some, banana pudding is pure comfort food. For others, it’s a touch of nostalgia. Whatever you feel when you enjoy a spoonful of one of the creamiest banana recipes, the only feeling you won’t have is guilt. That’s because there are 149 calories in each serving – and the serving is quite large. Have it all and it counts as a SmartCarb, a PowerFuel and two extras. Click here for the full recipe! >
It seems impossible that this dessert is dietary: chocolate chips, peanuts, strawberry sauce, and banana chunks over a bowl of cold, creamy goodness. But one thing is certain: the “nice” cream – made from bananas, vanilla and fat-free Greek yogurt – is full of proteins. The sauce – made from cooked and mashed fresh strawberries – offers a pinch of vitamin C; and the peanuts provide healthy fats. The combination: only 259 calories per serving. Click here for the full recipe! >
The last of our banana recipes is a classic indulgence. Three favorite flavors, one delicious smoothie. To prepare, mix a frozen banana, a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter and one serving Nutrisystem chocolate shake mix smooth and drinkable with a little ice and water. Each smoothie counts as two PowerFuels and one SmartCarb. Click here for the full recipe! >
