Simple recipes using bananas; National Banana Lover's Day

MILWAUKEE - Leah Kostos, Community Nutrition Educator at Hunger Task Force, shares three simple recipes using bananas.

Banana and Dates Bread
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1⅓ cups mashed ripe banana about 3-4 bananas
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• 1 cup dried chopped pitted dates
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons of water

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl, beat together the oil and sugar.
• Add the egg and mix well.
• In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In another bowl, combine the bananas, water and vanilla extract.
• Add banana mixture to the oil and sugar mixture alternately with the flour mixture, combining well after each addition.
• Stir in dates and nuts (if desired).
• Turn mixture into a greased and floured 9" x 5" loaf pan.
• Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
• Cool for 10 minutes then remove from pan and let cool on wire rack before slicing.

Banana Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup of oats
• pinch of salt
• pinch of cinnamon
• Optional: 100% pure maple syrup, honey, nuts, nut butter or fruit for topping

Instructions:

1. Mash the banana with a fork. Whisk in the eggs, oats, salt and cinnamon until smooth.
2. Place a non-stick pan over medium-low heat. Spray the pan with avocado or olive oil non-stick spray. Add about ¼ cup of batter per pancake to the pan. Cook on one side for about 2 minutes, and the other side for about 30 seconds.
3. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Banana Chips

Ingredients:

Plain:

• 2 bananas
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons water
• Kosher salt

Savory

• 2 bananas
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons water
• Paprika and/or chili powder

Sweet

• 2 bananas
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons water
• Cinnamon powder

Instructions (before)

• Preheat the oven to 250F. Line a large sheet with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl, combine 4 parts (4 tablespoons) water with 1 part (1 tablespoon) lemon juice.
• Slice bananas very thin, about ⅛″ thick coins, brush with lemon juice and water mixture. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
• Bake at 250F for about 1 ½ to 2 hours or until they are crispy, making sure to flip them over halfway through.
• Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool (the longer they cool the crispier they become).
• Use overripe bananas and sprinkle with cinnamon after brushing with the lemon water. Follow the baking directions above.

Instructions (after)

• Preheat the oven to 250F. Line a large sheet with parchment paper.
• Slice bananas very thin, about ⅛″ thick coins, brush with lemon juice and water mixture. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
• In a small bowl, combine 4 parts (4 tablespoons) water with 1 part (1 tablespoon) lemon juice.
• To create plain banana chips, brush with lemon juice and water mixture. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
• To create savory banana chips, brush with lemon juice and water mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and chili powder.
• To create sweet banana chips, brush with lemon juice and water mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon.