Sweet, creamy and full of potassium: Bananas are a popular fruit – and thanks to their sturdy skin, they’re perfect for on the go. But bananas can be difficult to store: They ripen and get bruised before you want to use them – or not soon enough when you want to eat them.

How to store bananas

1. Wash your bananas, including the peel, “as fruit flies are attracted to the natural, unwashed smell,” Quillin points out.
2. Store bananas at room temperature on the countertop.

• Avoid direct sunlight: When storing, avoid direct sunlight (e.g. through kitchen windows). Too much solar heat can cause the fruit to ripen faster than desired.
• Store at room temperature: “Store bananas at room temperature if you plan to eat them within a few days,” says Yoonjung Oh. She points out that bananas ripen faster in warmer temperatures — and the weather in the South can be quite hot and humid. “So if they’re already ripe, they’ll stay good for a short time,” says Oh. “Keep your bananas in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight if the room is too humid and hot.”

How long do bananas last?

Bananas should be stored for 6 daysdepending on how ripe they were when purchased.

Can you keep bananas in the fridge?

You can store them in the refrigerator, but do not refrigerate them until they reach the desired level of ripeness, as refrigeration will slow or stop the ripening process.

“If your bananas are already ripe and you want to extend their shelf life, you can store them in the refrigerator,” says Oh. “The peel may turn brown or black, but the flesh inside will stay fresh longer.”

How to prevent bananas from getting bruises

• Suspend them: If you love bananas and have them at home on a regular basis, consider investing in a banana holder with a hook to hang the bananas from when storing them. The hook method prevents the bananas from piling up on top of each other on the countertop, which can cause bruising.
• Separate them: Oh says separating bananas and leaving at least some space between them will also extend their shelf life. “You can also wrap the stems of the bananas in plastic wrap to slow down the ripening process,” she says.

What to do with overripe bananas?

• Bake: Don’t throw them away. Overripe bananas can be used for banana bread or other baked goods.
• Freeze: Or freeze them whole or in chunks for later use in smoothies and other recipes. (Contrary to popular belief, you can even freeze bananas with the peel on.)

Favorite recipes with ripe bananas

Unlike most fruits, bananas do not contain juice, making them ideal for baking. Get inspiration from these recipes for what you can do with ripe (or overripe) bananas: