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February 6, 2020

The Most Awesome Way to Slice a Banana

Breakfast + Brunch Oatmeal
42 comments
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I have some groundbreaking new content for you all this morning. Introducing — the best way to slice a banana. I know, you’re thrilled. But let me explain, because it really does make things easier!

I made one of my favorite healthy oatmeal recipes this morning for breakfast. While I was slicing my banana, I was thinking about how the key to awesome oatmeal is having as much banana coverage as possible.

This means small banana pieces. I always cut my banana in the same (possibly weird) way — even if I’m just having it on cereal. So I thought it would be fun to share my method! Get pumped. Earth-shattering content over here today, I tell ya. 😉

the best way to slice a banana

The Best Way to Slice a Banana

First, peel the banana and place it on a cutting board.

peeled banana - how to slice a banana easily

Next, cut the banana in half lengthwise. Don’t try to do this with the whole banana at once. I recommend doing half at a time so it doesn’t break.

After that, slice it horizontally. This makes it MUCH easier to get those perfect tiny banana pieces!

sliced banana on a wooden cutting board

I cut the whole banana this way and it leaves me with a perfect bowl of small banana pieces, ready for oatmeal (or for topping cereal with to maximize the banana deliciousness). That’s it! Simple but efficient.

How to Freeze Bananas for Later

Do you have some browning/overripe bananas in your fruit bowl? Or just want to freeze some bananas to use in your smoothies? All you need is a zip-able bag!

First off, the way you should slice your banana depends on the type of recipe you’ll be making. For smoothies or overnight oats, you can definitely slice your banana into small pieces as outlined above. Otherwise, just cutting it in half or quarters is fine, too!

Once the banana is sliced, just place the banana into an airtight bag or container, and put it in the freezer. Then, when you’re ready to use it, just move it to the fridge to defrost. (Unless you’re making a smoothie – in that case, leave it frozen!).

(Here’s the full post on how to freeze a banana for later + lots of yummy recipes with banana in them!).

banana on cutting board with fruit bowl

Recipe Inspiration for Sliced Bananas

Here are some perfect recipes to try with sliced banana on top:

  • High Protein Oatmeal
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats with Banana
  • Gluten Free, High Protein Pancakes
  • Berry Lemon Quinoa Breakfast Bake
  • Easy Overnight Oats Recipes: Six Ways
  • Almond Milk Overnight Oats with Berries

The oatmeal recipe I had today was my basic Perfect (Microwave) Banana Oatmeal recipe. I stopped the microwave when 1 minute was left and stirred in some blueberries. When it was out, I added some cottage cheese and hemp seeds. (I just rediscovered these — great source of protein/omega fatty acids)! 

Related: how to make oatmeal taste better (and be more filling so you aren’t hungry again 30 seconds later)!

Anyone else a fan of this method for slicing bananas? 

- anne
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42 comments
  • Kate @ get up and flow
    April 6, 2012 · 9:45AM:
    I appreciate your banana-slicing lesson :) It's the little things, right? Will have to try that the next time I make PB and banana toast...I usually slice the "lazy" way (no cutting in half) and the pieces are too big and tend to slide off. Happy Friday!
    Reply
  • sMiles from Callie
    April 6, 2012 · 9:45AM:
    I love this method! I'm the same way about making thinner banana slices so that I feel like I actually have more. I usually cut them in half with my spoon once they're in the bowl, but this is perfect. Oh, the little things in life :)
    Reply
  • Krissy @ Shiawase Life
    April 6, 2012 · 9:54AM:
    That looks way too dangerous for me - I am the ultimate klutz and I don't trust myself around knives...haha...I just cut my banana up on a cutting board, lol :)
    Reply
  • Alyssa @ Fit and Fun in Third
    April 6, 2012 · 9:59AM:
    Hahaha everytime someone talks about eating a banana or how they cut it I think about one of my students from last year who ate a banana like people eat corn on the cob.... hilarious to watch during snacktime! :) Congrats on the new place!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 6, 2012 · 3:32PM:
      Omg... eating banana like corn on the cob?! That must have been amazing to watch, ha.
      Reply
  • Renie April 6, 2012 · 10:36AM:
    Congratulations on the new apartment. Happy Good Friday.
    Reply
  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
    April 6, 2012 · 10:37AM:
    That's serious oatmeal! I didn't have time to make mine this morning so I ended up with a banana and some pre-made energy bites instead. :)
    Reply
  • Caroline @ After Dinner Dance
    April 6, 2012 · 10:40AM:
    Haha I've never thought about cutting a banana like that. It is the key to good oatmeal! That's one of the best parts about DC - you walk almost anywhere! I miss it!
    Reply
  • Mary @ food and fun on the run
    April 6, 2012 · 10:58AM:
    Yep! That is just how I slice my bananas too. I like the small pieces. Sometimes I'll even slice it one more time vertically, so I end up with 4 pieces, instead of two. Perfect for pancakes :)
    Reply
  • Lindsay
    April 6, 2012 · 11:15AM:
    I slice my bananas like that too!! I thought I was so weird for it ha! If I don't mash them in, I slice them like that to have a banana slice for every nite :)
    Reply
  • Anonymous April 6, 2012 · 11:25AM:
    I slice my banana like that only when I make your perfect oatmeal!
    Reply
  • Tara Burner
    April 6, 2012 · 11:34AM:
    and here I cheat by using this thing http://recipesforeatingwell.com/reviews/banana-slicer-review.php
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 6, 2012 · 3:29PM:
      Ooo - fun!
      Reply
  • Katherine @ marie & james
    April 6, 2012 · 11:57AM:
    I cut my bananas the same way! The "melt" perfectly in hot cereal.
    Reply
  • Brittney @ Sound in Wind and Limb
    April 6, 2012 · 1:54PM:
    Very neat... Banana slicing lessons! :) Oatmeal is a perfect breakfast and occasionally I'll make it for lunch or dinner depending on how I feel. That's great you're moving into my State! I went from NC to VA as well. I love Virginia. It's so beautiful where I live. I don't know if I've been to Arlington but I'm sure it's lovely there.
    Reply
  • Casey April 6, 2012 · 2:08PM:
    That's genius.. definitely going to be slicing my banana like that for cereal, oatmeal, and smoothies from now on.
    Reply
  • Kait
    April 6, 2012 · 2:08PM:
    Hi Anne! Long time reader first time commenter, I too just moved to the arlington area by courthouse! What a great place to be! Hopefully we can have some blogger meetups.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 6, 2012 · 3:29PM:
      Fun - definitely! :)
      Reply
  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
    April 6, 2012 · 2:40PM:
    oatmeal is always delicious even if it doesn't look perfect! Good luck with studying!
    Reply
  • Liz April 6, 2012 · 4:09PM:
    Congrats on finding a place to live! I love DC & it would be fabulous to live there. However, I'm from rural northwest Ohio & the idea of DC area cost of living scares me... ;)
    Reply
  • Jenn April 6, 2012 · 4:35PM:
    Any advice for someone who can't stand the texture of oatmeal? I've tried thickening it, thinning it, etc and still can't eat it. Bananas are yummy, just wish I didn't break out in hives every time I ate them.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 7, 2012 · 8:25AM:
      If you've tried everything and still don't like it - I'd probably just eat something else! :)
      Reply
      • Jenn April 7, 2012 · 11:21AM:
        All my friend's think I'm crazy, but I'm the same way with applesauce type things, peaches, and plums as well.
        Reply
        • Anne P
          April 7, 2012 · 5:07PM:
          Probably just a texture thing. :) You might like my baked oatmeal, if you prefer a firmer texture! http://www.fannetasticfood.com/2012/02/14/simple-baked-oatmeal-recipe/
          Reply
  • Michelle
    April 6, 2012 · 5:18PM:
    Yay for finding an apartment! I'm in Arlington about every other month, I think it's such a cute little city. I'll have to get some good running routes from you!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 7, 2012 · 8:25AM:
      Yay let me know when you're up we can run together! :)
      Reply
  • Pat Elsberry April 6, 2012 · 8:32PM:
    So glad you and Matt found a (cute) place to live! Arlington is really nice and great to be close to the Metro, too! Now ... how to fit all those cool, new things you're likely to get as wedding gifts into a smaller place!! :) LOL
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 7, 2012 · 8:26AM:
      Ha, I know! Good thing most of it is stuff we're replacing something else with...
      Reply
  • Susanne Hughes April 6, 2012 · 10:24PM:
    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I desperately needed this piece of knowledge, because one never knows?! Does one?!! After a day of solving urgent and earth shattering First World problems for my US visitors (whilst being at work and dealing with the public) the most inmportant one being ----- "OMG, where do we find the Plunger for the Coffee?!!" I'll be able to utilise this new found skill for cutting up Banana deliciousness for the world's most beautiful grandchild! All the best for your exams!!! You are a smart and clever young lady and you'll do well, we all know that and expect this ....... but No pressure!! :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 7, 2012 · 8:09AM:
      Hehe hope the world's most beautiful grandchild enjoys the sliced bananas! :)
      Reply
  • Michelle April 6, 2012 · 10:49PM:
    I love your banana oatmeal and started cutting my bananas in the oatmeal like that too. Sometimes, I will make an X on top and get 4 pieces per slice. A banana piece in every bite is the way to go! :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 7, 2012 · 8:08AM:
      So true!
      Reply
  • Cheryl Boswell
    April 7, 2012 · 6:34PM:
    Why box ourselves in. I say it looks great for dinner too. Breakfast for dinner has never lost it's magic ever since I was a kid. I am going to try that cut method and keep a band aid at the ready because my manual dexterity is pretty rough. Thanks Ann
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 8, 2012 · 8:24AM:
      So true - breakfast for dinner is awesome.
      Reply
  • Asuma
    April 7, 2012 · 6:50PM:
    That method of chopping bananas...is ingenious!! Tell you what, it definitely is groud-breaking :D That way, I can get perfect tiny pieces without having to dirty the chopping board from now on. Awesome for someone as lazy as me. Thanks! On a different note, I hate studying the biochemical pathways of metabolism of nutrients (I'm a Medical student in Sydney)...and although people make fun of "public health", I actually like studying it so much better than biochem :P
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 8, 2012 · 8:23AM:
      :) Good luck with your classes, too!
      Reply
  • Kodjo @ Home Workout
    April 7, 2012 · 9:01PM:
    Anne, I think I would have to agree with Krissy here. I can't trust myself with a knife so a cutting board will have to be the place I take this ;-) By the way, what camera do you use? Excellent pictures you take here! #FitFluential Cheers! @Kodjoworkout
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 8, 2012 · 8:23AM:
      Haha fair enough. And thanks! I have links to my camera and the lenses I use on my FAQ page: http://www.fannetasticfood.com/faq/ - I was using the 50 mm lens for these photos!
      Reply
      • Kodjo @ Home Workout
        April 8, 2012 · 10:55AM:
        Thanks for the link to your camera, Anne :-) Happy Easter. Kodjo
        Reply
  • Jessica T April 9, 2012 · 12:41PM:
    I cut my banana that way ALL the time when I need small pieces!! Sometimes, I cut an X to make even smaller pieces. Great way to cut a banana!!! Everyone should do it ;)
    Reply
  • Lauren April 16, 2012 · 9:55AM:
    I must say, your little banana slicing technique has really enhanced my oatmeal and Greek yogurt-eating experience! haha. So funny, I never thought to slice it like that. Thanks for the good tip!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 16, 2012 · 10:03AM:
      Aw yay - I'm so glad to hear that! :)
      Reply
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about Anne

anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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