16 Excellent Banana Substitutes That You Didn’t Know You May Use

Bananas are a great ingredient for a variety of different recipes, including smoothies, desserts, and bread!

However, if you’re baking and a recipe calls for bananas when you don’t have any, you might be wondering what you can use as banana substitutes.

In this article, I will explore 10 banana substitutes. So, next time you’re in a bind without bananas, your recipe won’t suffer!

So, let’s get started.

There are a variety of different substitutes for bananas, and which you choose will largely depend on the recipe that you’re making as these substitutes can vary in flavor.

Bearing this in mind, some of them are better suited for certain recipes than others.

Amazing Banana Substitutes

1. Plantains 

An excellent substitute for bananas are plantains, as plantains are part of the same family as bananas.

You can substitute bananas for plantains in both baked goods and smoothies.

That being said, it’s important to note that you will not get the same sweet flavor profile from plantains as you would bananas. Plantains are starchy, mild, and not very sweet in flavor.

However, they can bring a beautiful creamy texture if they’re ripe enough, and can make a good substitution in savory and sweet recipes with the addition of a little sweetener.

Unripe plantains, on the other hand, have a hard texture so it’s best to boil them or fry. When using them as banana substitutes, it’s best to wait until they are fully ripe.

How To Substitute

Plantains are an amazing, versatile, and healthy food. You can cook plantains in a variety of ways, such as boiling, frying, baking, and even roasting them as an alternative to bananas.

2. Applesauce

Applesauce is a great banana substitute, as it works to keep your recipe moist and provides it with a boost of sweetness.

To use this substitute, simply replace one banana with 1/2 cup of applesauce. However, depending on the recipe, you will want to be wary of using more than 1 cup of applesauce because it can loosen the mixture quite a lot.

You will also need to note that the distinct flavor of applesauce might also alter the taste of your recipe, meaning that you might need to balance the flavors with another ingredient depending on your preference.

How To Substitute

Applesauce is an excellent substitute to bananas that brings out the sweet flavor to the dish. However, keep in mind to use it according to your recipe to balance the distinct flavor.

RELATED: How Long Does Banana Pudding Last?

3. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are often used as an egg substitute in vegan baking, and they work beautifully as a substitute for bananas, too!

If you soak chia seeds in water, they expand when wet into a gelatinous substance that is similar to banana, which makes them a great thickening agent and a good choice for banana substitutes.

In fact, chia seeds are able to absorb 10 to 12 times of their weight in liquid. 

You can ground them or use them whole in numerous recipes, including smoothies, acai bowls, puddings, protein bars, drinks, salads, and baked goods such as cakes and breads.

For every banana that you’re replacing with chia seeds, you will need to use a tablespoon of chia seeds. However, you should be aware that chia seeds can work too well if you’re not mindful, meaning that it can thicken your mixture too much.

As a result, it’s better to start off small and add more if you deem it necessary for the recipe.

How To Substitute

Chia seeds are a great alternative to bananas. They are a good source of many nutrients. These seeds have a mild, nutty flavor and are perfect for baking, smoothies, and salads.

4. Avocado

Another great substitute for banana is avocado! Avocado has a gloriously creamy texture that is similar to bananas but is much more mild in flavor.

This means that it won’t greatly affect the taste of your recipe and can easily be covered up, whether it’s a sweet or savory recipe! 

Using avocado instead of banana is best for recipes such as smoothies, providing a velvety texture and creamy mouthfeel while also acting as a thickening agent for your smoothie.

When using this substitute, simply replace one banana with half of an avocado. 

You will also need to note that the green color can affect the color and overall appearance of your bake, so make sure that you take that into consideration too.

However, if it’s a cake with a darker colored batter, such as chocolate cake for instance, you won’t notice the difference!

How To Substitute

With a velvety and creamy texture avocado works as a substitute to bananas excellently. It brings out the thickness in your smoothies and balances the taste too.

5. Egg Whites Or Whole Eggs

Bananas are often used in vegan baking to replace eggs, and the same can be said for eggs as a substitute for bananas. Due to the gelatinous nature of egg whites, eggs can easily replicate the texture of bananas in some baked goods. 

If you’re trying to cut the calories in the specific recipe, you can just stick to using egg whites and save the egg yolks for another recipe.  

When using eggs as a substitute for bananas, you will need to use one egg for every banana that you’re substituting.

How To Substitute

Bananas and eggs often get substituted for each other depending on the recipes. All the nutrients you need to stay healthy are found in eggs, whether they are whites or whole eggs. A whole egg is a great breakfast choice because it is packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals.

6. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is another great substitute for bananas, as it is almost the same consistency as mashed banana but is significantly lower in sugar. 

When using this substitute, you will need to use ½ cup of yogurt for 1 banana.

The main difference, as I’ve mentioned, is that mashed banana is naturally much sweeter than yogurt.

So you will need to accommodate for this by adding a tablespoon or so of sugar or the equivalent alternative sweetener to each ½ cup of yogurt.

Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt, and it contains more protein and less sugar than standard yogurt. Greek yogurt is great to use for a variety of recipes, and is perfect for dressings, sauces, dips, marinades, and smoothies. 

However, if the recipe calls for vinegar or lemon juice, you will need to make sure that you choose another substitute as this can cause the yogurt to curdle.

You will also want to check the ingredients of the yogurt to ensure that there aren’t any thickeners and additional sugar if there’s already sugar in your recipe.

How To Substitute

Greek yogurt is the best alternative to bananas because of the thickness and consistency it provides to your dish. Greek yogurts are also low in sugar and high in protein that makes it a healthy option.

7. Coconut Cream

Although it’s an entirely different fruit, coconut cream can also be used as banana substitutes if you don’t mind the coconut flavor.

Coconut cream is a key component in several sweet and savory recipes, from adding a creamy touch to spicy curries to acting as a thickening agent in desserts.

When using coconut cream as a substitute, you will need to use ½ cup of cream for every banana used.

However, you will need to consider that coconut cream has the tendency to dominate dishes in that it has a fairly strong flavor and will therefore affect the taste of your recipe.

It also has a creamier taste and texture, so you will also need to accommodate for this in your recipe.

How To Substitute

Coconut cream helps in bringing out the creamy touch and thickening in various dishes which makes it an amazing substitute to bananas. However, be aware of the coconut flovor that you might feel in the taste.

8. Sweet Potato

Believe it or not, baked sweet potato that has been mashed makes an excellent substitute for bananas.

While sweet potatoes don’t have the same flavor to bananas, their nutritional value is very similar to bananas in that they are packed with similar vitamins, minerals, and calories.

Mashed sweet potatoes provide a smooth texture and mild sweet flavor to a variety of dishes, but work as a great substitute for bananas in recipes such as baked oatmeal recipes.

How To Substitute

This sweet potato has a delicious, unique taste that is the perfect substitute for bananas. However they are not similar in tastes but they provide a smooth texture and mildly sweet taste to dishes.

9. Pumpkin

If you think pumpkin is only good for pumpkin pie, you’d be wrong in thinking so! Fresh and canned pumpkin also make suitable for banana substitutes.

If you opt for fresh pumpkin, you will need to boil and mash your pumpkin before adding it to your recipe. For every banana that the recipe calls for, you will need to use ½ cup of pumpkin as a substitute. 

Pumpkin is perfect for recipes such as muffins, breads, and cakes. That being said, it does have a distinct flavor that you will need to either mask or compliment with other ingredients.

In addition to this, you will also need to adjust the sugar content of your recipe, as bananas are significantly sweeter than pumpkin.

How To Substitute

Pumpkin works as a great substitute for bananas in a variety of dishes. However, you should consider that it won’t match the exact sugary flavor so you can make other additions to make it sweet as per your preference.

10. Oatmeal

You can use oatmeal as a substitute for bananas to thicken up the mixture. That being said, you don’t want the oats to dry out your recipe, so you will only need to use a small amount.

Oats have a mild flavor, and are great to add to smoothies, crumble, or cakes. To use this substitute, use ¼ cup of rolled oats for each banana that you’re replacing.

It’s also important to mention that you will have to grind the oats for a smoother texture and  to ensure that you’re not able to detect them as much in the recipe.

How To Substitute

If you are running short of bananas then try adding oatmeals as a thickening agent. Make sure to grind it before using it for a smooth texture and to use it according to your recipe.

RELATED: 3 Best Ways to Store Banana Bread (To Keep It Fresh as Long as Possible)

11. Mango

With a diverse taste of peach and pineapple, mango is an excellent alternative to bananas in various recipes you choose to make.

With a thick texture and creamy consistency, mango works exceptionally well in your smoothies, and the highly delicious flavor is like the cherry on the cake.

You may find it in colors such as yellow, green, red, or a mixture of these colors. Smoothies, chutneys, stir-fries, and smoothies are some options you may try using.

How To Substitute

If you are using mango as a banana substitute, then make sure to start by adding a small amount of it because of the high sugar content of mangoes. Also, be prepared to get a tangy addition to your recipe.

12. Silken Tofu

Popularly known as Japanese tofu, silken tofu comes with a jelly texture and no flavor intact in it. That makes it a perfect alternative to bananas, as it won’t mess up the taste of your recipe.

It is prepared by pressing curdled soy milk, giving them a slab model. Due to its creamy and jelly-like texture and consistency, you may use it in almost every recipe that calls banana.

How To Substitute

Since silken tofu doesn’t have any taste and plays no significant role in flavor, substituting them in a similar amount of banana will do great.

13. Soaked Cashews

With a distinct flavor, versatility, and several health benefits, cashew is your next go-to choice for substituting banana. It will not only give you a rich texture but healthy nutrients will too.

The cashews are low in sugar but contain healthy fatty acids, fiber, and protein. 

However, it would be best to use the soaked cashews instead of regular ones as it will lessen the effects of phytic acids, and you will only get a healthy version of it.

How To Substitute

Bananas can be substituted with cashew cream cheese from grinding soaked cashews. You may use it per your recipe requirement, but you will need to add a little sugar.

14. Quinoa

Quinoa is a delicious and nutritious grain that can be used as a substitute for bananas in many recipes. When cooked, Quinoa has a similar texture to bananas and can be used in many of the same ways. 

Quinoa is a good protein and fiber source and is also gluten-free. To substitute Quinoa for banana in a recipe, cook the Quinoa and then mash it with a fork or blend it in a food processor. 

You may use Quinoa instead of banana in pancakes, muffins, and other baked goods. It can also be used as a replacement for bananas in smoothies and other drinks.

How To Substitute

It would be great to substitute them in a 1:1 ratio, but if you are using it for the first time, you may start using it in smaller quantities so that you know what to expect from the final product.

15. Pureed Beans

Pureed beans can only be some people’s choice, but if you love to do experiments, you must try ingredients, and you may use it in various methods.

There are a few ways that you can substitute bananas with pureed beans. One way is to swap out the banana for an equal amount of pureed beans.

Another way is to mix the pureed beans with some other fruit or vegetable puree to add some bulk and texture. You can also add some spices to the pureed beans to give them more flavor.

How To Substitute

Use the same ratio of pureed beans as a banana. Also, you will have to add an extra sweetener like honey or something else to get the same sweetness.

16. Frozen Veggies

Zucchini and cucumber are two veggies that lose their original taste, making them a great alternative to the banana.

When you add it to your smoothies, you will get a creamy and rich texture that will complement your recipes as the banana do.

It won’t have the same flavor as the fresh ones, so that you will be satisfied with the results.

How To Substitute

Use the frozen veggies in an equal quantity of bananas for your smoothies or other recipes you are trying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Use Eggs As Banana Substitutes?

Yes, you can use egg whites or whole eggs as a substitute for bananas in the same way that you can use bananas as a substitute for eggs in vegan baking!

Both bananas and eggs share a gelatinous texture, making them great thickening agents in many different recipes.

To use eggs instead of bananas in a recipe, you will need to use a 1:1 ratio. This means that you will need to use one egg for every banana that the recipe calls for.

What Fruit Is The Most Similar To A Banana?

The most similar fruit to bananas are plantains. That being said, there are significant differences between them.

Although they come from the same family and look very similar, the plantain is often described as a savory banana as it is much more starchy and is less sweet than bananas. 

As a result, plantains are often fried and served in savory contexts, whereas bananas are primarily served in sweet recipes. 

What Can You Use To Substitute Bananas In A Smoothie Recipe?

Avocado makes a great substitute for bananas in a smoothie recipe as it provides a deliciously creamy texture without altering the taste of the smoothie too much!

Alternatively, you can substitute bananas for chia seeds in your recipe, as they also work as a great thickening agent. For every banana, you will need to use a tablespoon of chia seeds.

16 Banana Substitutes You Should Know About

Prep time

4

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Total time

9

minutes

Are you wondering what you can use as a substitute for bananas? Keep reading to find out 10 banana substitutes you should know about. 

Ingredients

• Plantains 

• Applesauce

• Chia Seeds

• Avocado

• Egg Whites Or Whole Eggs

• Greek Yogurt

• Coconut Cream

• Sweet Potato

• Pumpkin

• Oatmeal

• Mango

• Silken Tofu

• Soaked Cashews

• Quinoa

• Pureed Beans

• Frozen Veggies

Directions

• Choose your favorite substitute from the list given above
• Follow the directions given in the recipe after having substituted the ingredient in the correct ratio

Recipe Video

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

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