Banana powder is a relatively new and versatile ingredient that is growing in popularity.
Made from green bananas that are cooked and then dehydrated into a fine powder, it has a sweet flavor reminiscent of ripe bananas.
Benefits of Banana Powder
Banana powder provides a range of nutrients and potential health benefits:
- Rich source of carbohydrates and calories for energy
- High in fiber, which aids digestion
- Packed with potassium to support nerve and muscle function
- Contains vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese to boost immunity and metabolism
- May help treat indigestion due to anti-ulcer compounds
- Promotes healing by increasing cell growth
Beyond being nutritious, banana powder adds sweetness without extra sugar or calories. Its mild flavor blends well into all kinds of recipes from breakfast dishes to desserts and snacks.
Using Banana Powder in Protein Shakes
Protein shakes provide a quick, convenient way to get nutrients after a workout or on a busy morning. Banana powder mixes into smoothies seamlessly to create a thicker, creamier texture and deliciously sweet banana taste.
The powder contains carbohydrates to help replenish your body along with potassium and electrolytes lost through sweat. Simply add a spoonful or two into your favorite protein shake recipe in place of fresh bananas. The fine powder blends smoothly without altering the thickness.
Key Takeaway: Mix banana powder into protein shakes, smoothies, or nutrition drinks for added thickness, sweetness, and nutrients without fresh banana.
Baking with Banana Powder
When it comes to baking, banana powder shines. This versatile ingredient can be used to lightly sweeten or intensify flavors in all kinds of baked goods:
Banana Bread
The subtly sweet banana powder enhances banana bread recipes beautifully. Mix a few tablespoons into the batter in place of sugar to allow the banana flavor to shine through.
Adding extra banana powder is an easy way to pump up the flavor without throwing off the moisture balance by adding more ripe banana. The powder dissolves without imparting grittiness or altering the bread's texture.
Pancakes
For sweet banana pancakes, replace up to 1/4 cup of flour in your favorite recipe with banana powder. This adds moisture and banana flavor to make them taste like dessert! The powder helps pancakes bake up lighter and fluffier than using only flour.
Muffins
Mix 2-3 tablespoons of banana powder into muffin batters like carrot, zucchini, or classic banana. It boosts flavor and moisture without needing to add extra wet ingredients that could make them soggy.
Cookies
Add banana powder to sugar cookie dough or chocolate chip cookie batter for fun banana chocolate chip cookies! The powder amps up flavor and moisture compared to flour alone.
Cakes
Banana powder adds great banana flavor and moisture to spice, chocolate, or white cakes. For every 1 cup of banana powder used, also add 1 cup of applesauce to prevent dryness. This gives you extra banana taste without compromising the batter texture.
Brownies and Blondies
Mix a few tablespoons of banana powder into brownie batter to make them extra moist and pack a ton of banana flavor. The powder pairs perfectly with nuts like pecans or walnuts as well.
For blondies, banana powder adds moisture and sweetness to make them chewy and delicious.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Baking
Since it comes from fruit, banana powder is naturally vegan and gluten-free. This makes it the perfect addition to vegan or gluten-free baking recipes.
It adds moisture and sweet banana taste to baked goods without dairy or wheat. Banana powder can replace up to 1/4 of the flour in recipes for breads, muffins, cakes, cookies, and more. For every 1 cup of flour replaced, use 1 cup of banana powder.
Compared to other gluten-free flours, banana powder makes baked goods lighter and fluffier with better moisture retention. Its fine texture and solubility prevent grittiness or crumbling the way some dense gluten-free flours can. This makes recipes like banana bread, zucchini muffins, and chocolate chip cookies taste amazing!
Banana Powder in Cosmetics
In addition to cooking and baking, banana powder has become a popular addition to cosmetic products like:
Makeup
Yellow-toned “banana powder” is used:
- To set makeup and prevent oiliness
- To brighten and color correct under eye circles
- To conceal discoloration and blemishes
It works well for medium to deep complexions by adding warmth. Brush or blend banana powder onto clean skin before or after liquid foundation.
Facial Powder
Mix 4 teaspoons of banana powder into 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder and 1/2 teaspoon oil for a hydrating, mineral-rich facial powder. Apply it after moisturizer by lightly dusting onto skin. The banana powder helps tone, brighten, and soothe skin.
Body Powder
Make an easy DIY body powder to fight heat and moisture in the summer. Combine:
- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
- 2 tablespoons banana powder
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 5-10 drops essential oil (optional)
The banana powder in this recipe helps moisturize while absorbing excess oiliness. Shake it on in problem areas to stay dry and refreshed.
Using Banana Powder in Drinks
The mild sweetness and low solubility make banana powder ideal for mixing into chilled or warmed beverages. Blend it into:
Milkshakes
For an extra creamy milkshake, add 1-2 tablespoons of banana powder when blending up vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or classic banana shakes.
Lassi
Stir 1-2 teaspoons of banana powder into mango, coconut, rose, or classic sweet lassi drinks for more banana flavor.
Warm Drinks
Mix just under 1/2 teaspoon banana powder into warm almond milk or coconut milk. Then stir in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a comforting, banana-flavored nighttime drink.
Iced Drinks
Create a fun banana Julius drink by blending frozen banana powder, frozen pineapple, orange juice, milk/non-dairy milk, and honey/sweetener. Pour over ice for a creamy, tropically flavored treat.
Nutritious Banana Powder Uses
In addition to adding flavor and sweetness, banana powder boasts an impressive nutritional profile. Taking advantage of its health properties can benefit your wellbeing.
Smoothies
Blend banana powder into fruit smoothies and green smoothies as a nutrient boost. It provides potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, and antioxidants. The mild banana taste also covers up strong flavors from veggies or herbs.
Overnight Oats
When making overnight oats, use banana powder instead of sugar or maple syrup to lightly sweeten. Mixing in 2-4 teaspoons provides a subtly sweet banana flavor along with vitamins and minerals absent from traditional sweeteners.
Snack Bars
Whip up homemade snack or energy bars with banana powder for extra nutrition and binding power. The high fiber content helps hold bars together for a chewy texture. Banana powder also contains potassium and carbohydrates to replenish electrolytes.
Banana Flour Crepes
Make savory banana flour crepes as a vessel for fillings like spinach and mushrooms or turkey and cheese. Swap up to 1/4 cup of regular flour for banana powder to add moisture, sweetness, and nutrients. Fill and enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
FAQs
What does banana powder taste like?
Banana powder has a milder flavor compared to ripe bananas. It imparts subtle sweetness and banana essence. Banana powder allows you to add banana taste without moisture or overpowering flavor.
Is banana powder healthy?
Yes! Banana powder contains fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, and other nutrients. It provides carbohydrates for energy as well as compounds that may help heal ulcers and increase cell growth.
How long does banana powder last?
Properly stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry location, banana powder lasts 6-12 months. Heat and moisture cause it to spoil more quickly. If you notice changes in color or texture, toss it.
Can you replace flour with banana powder?
Banana powder works beautifully in place of up to 1/4 of the flour in recipes for breads, muffins, cakes, crepes, cookies, and more. For every 1 cup of flour replaced, use 1 cup of banana powder. The powder adds moisture and banana flavor.
Conclusion
With so many options for using this handy powder, banana powder is surely to become a new kitchen staple.
Whether you love banana flavor or simply want to add nutrition, give this versatile ingredient a try.
You're sure to find plenty of ways to enjoy banana powder's many benefits.