Bananas top the ranking of the most popular imported fruits in Russia. This is explained by their taste, nutritional value, usefulness, and relatively low price. During the Soviet shortage, many will remember, bunches of fruits were brought from the capital and other large cities while still green, stuffed into cabinets, mezzanines between folded things for ripening! They also sold a delicious curiosity - dried bananas, which today, like banana chips, can be bought in supermarkets and specialized shops selling nuts and dried fruits. Now many lovers of “tropical potatoes” have adapted to drying bananas at home.
The dried product is perfect for a quick snack, adding to cereals and baked goods, desserts and drinks.
For the intestines, heart and mood!
Bananas contain many substances beneficial to the human body. These are vitamins B, C, PP, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, fluorine, iron, magnesium, silicon.
Complex polysaccharides - pectin and fiber - help normalize the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract, which is especially important in infancy and old age.
Potassium and magnesium have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, reducing blood pressure, stabilizing the pulse, strengthening the heart muscle, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Potassium removes excess water and relieves swelling. Calcium and silicon strengthen hair and nails.
The amino acid tryptophan, after assimilation of the fruit, turns into serotonin - the hormone of joy, which lifts the mood, helps with anxiety and insomnia.
Useful and nutrients are preserved after drying
In addition to the undoubted benefits, we must not forget about the dangers of fruit for certain categories of people suffering from diseases such as:
- allergy;
- vascular diseases, increased blood viscosity;
- diabetes;
- overweight.
If you have diabetes and are overweight, it is better to avoid bananas due to the large amount of carbohydrates. 100 g of product contains 21.8 g (proteins - 1.5 g, fats - 0.1 g). The energy value is 85-100 kcal/100 g. When dried, due to loss of water, the concentration of sugars increases, therefore, the calorie content increases.
Banana monopolists - the Vietnamese collect green fruits for drying, peel them, place them on baking sheets and dry them in charcoal ovens at low temperatures.
In the southern regions, you can dry bananas in the sun when the air temperature is 25...30 ℃, but this process is quite labor-intensive, since it is characterized by a long time, the need to protect from possible rain, insect attacks, and remove at night.
Elongated slices or whole dried bananas sold in retail outlets are essentially dried. The definition of "dried" is more applicable to banana chips
The easiest way to make dried bananas at home is in the oven and electric dryer. You can also use a microwave, but it is difficult to guess which mode is best to choose, how long the process itself and subsequent drying will take.
Dried bananas: benefits and harms
Dried, especially dried fruits, are a specific product compared to fresh exotic fruits. It is not surprising that many people have a question: are these fruits harmful or are they still useful?
Benefit
Nutritionists have established the benefits of dried banana:
- The vitamin and mineral composition is similar to the fresh product.
- Not contraindicated for stomach ulcers or gastritis.
- Contains a lot of potassium, which is essential for the well-being of the heart, blood vessels, skin, nails, and hair.
- It is used as a remedy for hemorrhoids, anemia, and constipation.
- Quickly saturates the body, restoring strength. Especially if you supplement the product with nuts.
- Helps remove excess fluid and salts.
- Healthier than fast food, chocolate bars, baked goods.
The main advantage of sun-dried bananas over fresh ones is a higher concentration of beneficial nutrients. That is, there are many times more vitamins and minerals per unit mass. The healthiest ones are homemade fruits, provided they are kept in a gentle regime (in the sun or in a cool oven).
Harm
Dried fruits have prohibitions and restrictions:
- diabetes;
- thrombophlebitis;
- excess body weight;
- flatulence;
- heart attack, stroke.
The same applies to dried fruits. If you really want to, you can eat a couple of chips. It's better to consult a doctor.
Dried bananas for children
If a child is not allergic to a fresh banana, most likely he will not be allergic to a dried or dried one. Children are given a little of this fruit at first. If everything is normal, introduce into the daily diet of a child over two years old:
- Regular banana-flavored porridge will be a treat for breakfast. The child's body will receive glucose, a set of microelements, and vitamins.
- During the cold season, ascorbic acid is useful (dried and dried exotics have an abundance of it). If a teenager attends a sports section, potassium will support the heart.
- A bag of homemade chips is good to give to your child at school as a filling snack.
You should prefer products from a reputable manufacturer or use home remedies to make them, subject to the following conditions.
Fruit preparation
Ripe fruits with yellow skin (small brown spots are allowed) and dense pulp are selected for harvesting. Wash, carefully dry and clean. Small fruits are dried whole, large ones are first cut in half and then cut into longitudinal slices.
To prepare chips, bananas are cut crosswise into round pieces 3 mm thick..
To prevent the workpiece from darkening during drying, you need freshly squeezed lemon juice, which is diluted with water 1:3 (or the juice of one lemon per 200 ml of water). Pieces of fruit are dipped in acidified water for half a minute.
Do not rush to throw away banana peels - they will make a good fertilizer for indoor flowers. Place three skins in a 3-liter jar, fill with warm water and after a day you can water!
How to store dried bananas
Banana chips should be folded into paper bags or made of dense natural material if the room is dry and placed in a kitchen cabinet. In high humidity, it is better to use a plastic bag, which should be tightly closed. The taste and aroma of the dessert will last up to four months.
It is better to put the dried delicacy in a container or jar that needs to be tightly sealed. Provide a cool place, such as a refrigerator or basement. This product can be used for 6 months. If the package is not opened, the shelf life will be 1 year.
Oven drying
The baking sheet is covered with parchment paper, and the prepared slices are laid out in an even layer on top. The oven is heated to 40...50 ℃. Dry using convection mode or with the door open. To ensure uniform drying, the raw materials must be turned over from time to time. The process takes about 3 hours.
When turning over and checking for doneness, it is better to use tongs or wear gloves.
Drying in an oven requires constant monitoring, and not all models of equipment support low temperatures and heating when the door is open. On culinary sites there are recipes that are more adapted to the capabilities of gas stoves.
Banana chips with sugar and cinnamon
To prepare 5-6 servings you will need the following ingredients:
- bananas – 2-4 pcs.;
- sugar – 5 tbsp. l.;
- cinnamon – 1 tbsp. l.
Place banana slices on a baking sheet lined with paper. They are sprinkled with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon on top. It is convenient to use a small strainer for this. The baking sheet is placed in an oven preheated to 150 ℃ for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 120 ℃ and hold for the same amount. Then reduce the heat to 100 ℃ and dry until solid, about 50 minutes.
Remove the chips from the baking sheet after they have cooled completely.
Banana chips with salt
To prepare savory, sweet and salty snacks you will need:
- bananas – 3-4 pcs.;
- olive oil – 1 tbsp. l.;
- salt - to taste.
Place the prepared slices on a baking sheet covered with parchment, add salt, sprinkle with oil, and dry for 15-20 minutes at a temperature of 180 degrees.
During the drying process, bananas lose up to 87% of their water.
How long to dry in the microwave
A microwave oven is the fastest way to get hot, slightly dried bananas. The express version only vaguely resembles Vietnamese delicacies, but it only takes 15 minutes to prepare.
What you will need:
- 2 large bananas;
- 1 teaspoon refined oil;
- 1 teaspoon of powdered sugar;
- flat plate.
We recommend: How I spoiled lard by salting it with iodized salt
Cooking method:
- The cooking container is greased with oil (odorless).
- Bananas are cut in a special way - into thin rings or diagonally to form oval-shaped pieces.
- The pieces are laid out on a greased surface so that they do not touch, and sprinkled with powder.
- The plate is placed in the microwave at the highest power for 1 minute.
- Afterwards, the bananas are turned over and re-cooked in the microwave for no more than a minute.
- The procedure will need to be repeated about 5 times until it is ready.
- Cool the dessert on a wire rack.
In an electric dryer
An electric dryer is an indispensable assistant when preparing vegetables, herbs, berries and fruits. Dries quickly, efficiently, does not require constant monitoring, and is economical in energy consumption. The resulting product looks high quality, beautiful, and does not lose its aroma, taste, or beneficial qualities. Therefore, most housewives prefer to dry bananas in an electric dryer. Perhaps this method is the simplest if you have a dehydrator at home (the scientific name for an electric dryer).
The slices should be laid out on a tray in one layer, leaving small spaces between the slices
The drying time depends on the model of the unit. On average, chips take about 4-5 hours to cook. Experienced housewives advise first keeping them for 2 hours at maximum speed and a temperature of 70...80 ℃, and then, swapping the upper trays with the lower ones, drying them at medium speed at 45...50 ℃. One kilogram of peeled fruit produces about 125 dry product.
Cooking whole fruits or sliced lengthwise into halves will take longer: 10-12 hours at 60…70 ℃.
Methods for drying bananas
Options for how to properly and easily dry bananas:
- on open air;
- in the oven;
- in an electric dryer;
- using an air fryer.
The dried product is ready when it can be squeezed with your fingers. In this case, no liquid should be released. Dried fruits break and do not bend.
In the sun
This drying method is a long process. The blanks are laid out on baking sheets or pallets. Basic recommendations:
- air temperature – not less than +25 °C;
- pieces should be turned over every 1-1.5 hours;
- the fruits are covered with gauze to protect against insects;
- at night it is important to remove the product away from dew in a dry place;
The delicacy will be ready in 2-4 days.
In the oven
A common and affordable way to dry fruits:
- The pieces are placed on a wire rack, covered with parchment, and placed in the oven. Small cuts are made on the paper with a knife to allow free air circulation.
- The required temperature is 60-70°C. The oven door is opened slightly.
- The fruits should be turned over every half hour.
Cooking time – 3-7 hours.
In an electric dryer
This device allows you to prepare the highest quality product. How to get dried bananas using an electric dryer:
- place the slices on the racks of an electric dryer;
- set the temperature to 60-70°C;
- Replace the grates every 2 hours.
The fruits should be dried in this way for 8–12 hours.
In a convection oven
Using this method, you can significantly reduce the time it takes to obtain healthy dried fruits. Sequencing:
- place circles on wire racks;
- set the temperature to 90-95°C or select the “Drying” program;
- close the lid, leaving a small gap for hot air to escape.
Exposure time is 3-5 hours.
Storage of the finished product
Dried bananas are a product that requires special storage conditions.
They should be stored in sealed glass or plastic containers in a dark place (for example, in a closet) at room temperature in well-ventilated areas.
Such storage will prevent the product from becoming damp and absorbing foreign odors. If the bananas are not dried to the state of chips, but remain a little soft and slightly sticky, then so that they do not stick together during storage, they should be sprinkled with powdered sugar or fine sugar.
Depending on the degree of dehydration, bananas can be stored from one month to a year. If the dried slices are soft, but no moisture is released when they are bent, then such fruits can be stored for several months. If, when you try to bend a dried banana piece, it breaks with a characteristic crunch, then even after a year it will not lose its taste.
Lifehacks and tips for drying
Recommendations from experienced chefs will help you prepare a delicious delicacy:
- If lemon juice is not available, you can use citric acid diluted in a glass of cold water.
- It is recommended to prick small bananas with a fork before drying. This speeds up the release of moisture from them.
- The fruit will dry better if you cut it this way: first in half, then each half - lengthwise into 2 parts, as in the photo.
How to determine product readiness
The readiness of dried fruit depends on the drying method and the desired result:
- To obtain banana chips, the slices must be completely dry from moisture. When ready, they are dry and hard, and crumble when pressed. If the slices turn out sticky and soft, cook them in the microwave or oven.
- Dried bananas remain slightly moist and sticky. Such dried fruits are soft, but at the same time elastic and viscous. It is important that the pulp is not as loose as that of a fresh fruit. When broken, dried bananas stretch slightly, and when pressed, they retain their shape and spring back.
- When drying bananas in the microwave, after completing the main process, they still need to be allowed to reach readiness at room temperature.
Only well-dried fruits are suitable for long-term storage. Under-dried fruits will not spoil very quickly and will not last long. But it is also not recommended to overdry fruits, otherwise they will lose their unique taste and aroma.
Benefit
1. Dried bananas contain a lot of potassium. For this reason, when consuming dried fruit, excess liquid is removed.
2. The product contains vitamin B6. It has a positive effect on metabolic processes.
3. You should definitely eat bananas if you are depressed.
4. The product is useful for the stomach and intestines. In particular, doctors advise including the product in the menu for ulcers, intestinal obstruction, and gastritis.
5. Thanks to ascorbic acid in bananas, the product improves immunity.
6. The product also makes the skin more elastic and fresh.
Dried Banana Recipes
Once the drying process is complete, the fruit can be consumed as a snack throughout the day. However, their use is not limited to this. Many people like to add dried bananas to porridge, use them in baking, and prepare a salad based on them.
Dried bananas fit well into a salad recipe. To do this you need to do the following:
- Place shredded crab sticks on a plate.
- Cut the cucumbers and add to the main mass.
- Then add avocado, mango and dried bananas.
- Prepare a sauce from orange juice and soy sauce in a 3:1 ratio. Beat the mixture thoroughly and add to the salad.
A tasty and satisfying salad is ready.
The use of dried bananas for preparing the main dish is also possible. To do this you need:
- Prepare any meat at the hostess's discretion. The product must be cut and fried in hot oil.
- Then add chopped carrot slices and onion rings to the frying pan.
- The resulting preparation is simmered for several minutes.
- Then pour in half a glass of dry white wine and add pieces of dried bananas.
- This whole mass is poured with water and simmered for another 40 minutes.
At the end, just add salt and spices to taste, and the dish is ready.
Thus, dried bananas are an amazing treat for those with a sweet tooth who care about their health, as well as those who prefer to add something new and unusual to their dishes. The advantage of the process of drying bananas is that the product does not lose its properties, and all the beneficial substances contained in it do not disappear anywhere.
What can you do with the leftover peels?
The benefits of dried bananas are undeniable. But no less vitamins are contained in their peel. You can’t rush to throw it away, but try to use it for good. Banana peel is rich in magnesium, vitamin B12, B6, potassium and bioactive compounds. Thanks to this, it has an anti-inflammatory effect on the human body.
Banana peels can be used in the following ways.
- Rub the inside of your teeth with it for a few minutes once a day. This helps to whiten them.
- Add crushed to a cosmetic face mask. Banana nourishes the skin.
- You can apply a banana peel to the area where the mosquito has bitten. This reduces irritation and relieves itching.
- Banana peels are used to get rid of warts. It is applied with the inside to the problem area and bandaged with a bandage.
- The peel helps relieve a bruise.
- Used to restore leather goods and polish wooden furniture.
Interesting facts about bananas
Not everyone knows this, but bananas, both fresh and dried, contain substances that stimulate the production of the joy hormone, so we can say that those people who regularly consume them are the happiest people in the world. In any case, their regular use can improve mood, increase performance and maintain a healthy nervous system. Dried fruits are very good for athletes because they contain a high concentration of calories, which means they can provide a lot of energy. Their natural composition saturates the body with useful substances, which is also very important for those who play sports.
