As more people become aware of the science-backed belly reducing benefits of resistant starch, quality sources such as raw banana flour are becoming very popular.
With GMO bananas on the horizon and conventional banana crops often highly sprayed, using organic green banana flour is the safest way to go.
Equipment Needed
The only equipment you really need is:
- An oven or dehydrator
- Cookie sheets or dehydrator trays
- A blender, food processor, or grinding stone
If you have a stainless steel dehydrator, that’s ideal for retaining nutrients. But a warm oven or convection oven also works well.
How to Make Homemade Banana Powder
How to Make Homemade Banana Powder - Recipe
Ingredients
- Green bananas
Instructions
- Peel green bananas and slice into 1⁄4 inch rounds
- Arrange slices in a single layer on dehydrator trays or cookie sheets
- Dehydrate at 115°F for 6 hours, or until dry and brittle
- Allow slices to cool fully then break into smaller pieces
- Process in a blender or food processor into a fine flour
- Sieve if needed to remove any remaining chunks
- Store in an airtight container up to 1 month
It’s that easy! The green bananas in the picture above make about 1 pound of organic flour.
Key Takeaway: Tailor your homemade banana flour to your dietary needs, as it's naturally gluten-free, vegan, GAPS legal, low glycemic and rich in nutrients.
Health Benefits of Banana Powder
Banana powder shares the many nutritional benefits of fresh bananas:
- High in vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese. Also contains copper.
- Powerful antifungal and antibiotic actions to help fight viruses and infections
- When unripe, very high in resistant starch to promote healthy gut flora
- Also delivers magnesium, tryptophan, vitamin B9 (folate), riboflavin, niacin, vitamin E, and choline
- Has compounds to help with shingles, chronic fatigue, Parkinsons, and more
- Aids stable blood sugar, digestion, muscular function, and nerve transmission
Additionally, the low-temperature dehydration process preserves all these nutrients. Banana powder contains the goodness of bananas in an easy-to-use concentrated form.
Uses for Homemade Banana Powder
Thanks to its mildly sweet flavor and high starch content, banana powder serves as a versatile, gluten-free flour substitute in recipes. Try using it to make:
- Banana bread, muffins, or pancakes
- Smoothies or milkshakes
- Cookie, bites, or energy bars
- Porridge or breakfast cereals
- Ice cream, yogurt, or pudding
It also works well blended into soups, sprinkled onto fruit salads, mixed into oatmeal, or simply enjoyed straight out of the bag! Bear in mind it lacks gluten, so you may want to add a binder like flax eggs or xanthan gum to baked goods.
When replacing regular flour, use about 3⁄4 cup of banana powder for every 1 cup wheat flour, adjusting as needed based on absorption. Enjoy your homemade flour’s mildly sweet taste and dense, rich texture.
Below are some tasty homemade banana powder recipe ideas.
Banana Smoothie Bowl
Blend 1 frozen banana, 1 cup milk of choice, 2 tablespoons banana powder, 1 tablespoon almond butter, and desired sweetener. Top with fresh fruit, coconut, cacao nibs, nuts or seeds.
Banana Pancakes
Mix 3⁄4 cup banana powder, 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 beaten egg, 1 tablespoon oil, and 1⁄3 cup milk. Fry spoonfuls like regular pancakes until golden.
Banana Muffins
Combine 1 cup banana powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1⁄2 cup raisins or chocolate chips, 1 egg, 1⁄4 cup oil, 1⁄4 cup honey or maple syrup, and 1⁄2 cup milk. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
Banana Ice Cream
Freeze sliced bananas 6 hours until solid. Blend with 2 tablespoons banana powder and splash of milk until creamy. Enjoy immediately.
Key Takeaway: Thanks to its versaility, mild sweetness and beneficial nutrients, homemade banana powder serves as a tasty, gluten-free flour substitute in diverse recipes from pancakes to porridge and more.
FAQs
Can you make banana powder from ripe bananas?
No, ripe bananas are too high in sugar and low in starch to produce powder. You need very green, underripe bananas for their starchy quality.
Is special equipment required?
All you really need is a dehydrator or oven, some basic kitchen tools like a knife, tray, blender, etc., and a supply of green bananas. No fancy gear needed!
How long does homemade banana powder keep?
Properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer, homemade banana powder lasts 1-3 months before losing potency. For longest life, keep chilled.
What if I don’t have a high-speed blender?
While blenders make smoothest flour, a food processor also works. Just scrape the sides to incorporate everything evenly. In a pinch, try a mortar and pestle while adding a pinch of salt to help grind it down.
Conclusion
Whipping up homemade banana powder is simple, affordable and rewarding. Turn green bananas destined for the trash into a nutritious, gluten-free and tasty baking staple. Control the quality with minimal equipment. Reap resistant starch and other benefits.
Craft allergy-friendly treats even picky kids will love. Boost the nutrition in smoothies, oats, ice cream and more for added energy. Experiment with substitutions in your family’s favorite recipes.