10 Healthy And Simple Banana Recipes For Kids

Table Of Contents:

• 1. Nutritional Information On Bananas
• 2. Health Benefits of Bananas For Kids
• 3. When Can You Introduce Bananas To Your Kid
• 4. 10 Banana Recipes For Kids
• 5. Some Interesting Banana Facts For Kids

Bananas are a highly nutritious fruit for children. They energize the body quickly for playing and learning. But serving just the fruit, day after day can get a tad monotonous. So why not make some yummy dishes from bananas for your kids? Before you start checking the recipes, know some of its great facts and benefits.

Nutritional Information On Bananas:

Bananas are highly sweet, and creamy fruits found throughout the year. They become softer and sweeter as they ripen. They contain small amounts of vitamins, minerals and fiber, thereby offering essential nutrients to the body. They are energy packed and low-fat fruits and contain natural sugars such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose which boost your little one’s energy.

The following is the nutritional composition of a single serving of banana:

• Dietary fiber – 3gm
• Protein – 1gm
• Vitamin A – 81 IU
• Vitamin C – 9mg
• Vitamin B6 – 0.5mg
• Magnesium – 34mg
• Manganese – 0.3mg
• Potassium – 450mg
• Iron – 0.3mg
• Folate – 25mcg
• Niacin – 0.8mg
• Riboflavin – 0.1mg

Health Benefits of Bananas For Kids:

Here are the reasons why you should introduce bananas in your child’s diet:

1. Provide Instant Energy:

Bananas are known as sports food for the energy they supply. The carbohydrates are the source of the instant energy. Kids get tired very fast and require more energy to perform many activities. To maintain your little one’s energy levels, make him eat bananas on a regular basis. You can get him to eat soon after he comes from play to rejuvenate him.

2. Aid Digestion:

Bananas contain a fiber known as pectin which is water soluble. The pectin aids in digestion by converting carbohydrates into simple sugars. It also enhances bowel movements in your kid and prevents gastrointestinal issues. The fiber gives your kid a feeling of fullness, and he will not feel hungry for a longer time.

3. Strengthen Bones And Improve Eyesight:

Bananas are rich in potassium. They neutralize sodium and thereby strengthen the bones. Also, the calcium which is lost in urine can be gained back with banana. Vitamin A present in the fruit is good for your kid’s vision and protects the retina from diseases.

4. Prevent Anaemia:

Your little one’s diet must include folic acid, iron, copper and vitamin B12 for proper red blood cell formation. Banana contains all these essential nutrients which help to produce hemoglobin. Iron protects your child from becoming anemic.

5. Boost Brain:

Bananas are good for boosting your child’s brain power. The potassium content in bananas increases blood circulation, thereby improving concentration of your kid. You can give them bananas as snacks.

6. Lower Temperature:

Bananas can lower body temperature and cool down your little one when suffering from fever or on a hot day.

When Can You Introduce Bananas To Your Kid?

You can introduce bananas at a very early stage that is after six months. You can begin with mashed banana mixed with milk in little quantities, and then gradually increase the quantity. Once your child crosses five years, you can give four to five bananas every day. They are the healthiest among all fruits, protecting your little one from chronic illnesses.

10 Banana Recipes For Kids:

When it comes to banana recipes, most of us can think of salads or puddings. But there are loads of other ways to enjoy a banana. Here, you will find about 10 scrumptious banana dishes that you can make for your child.

1. Banana And Chocolate French Toast:

You Will Need:

• ¼ cup low-fat milk
• ¾ teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon of sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• 4 ½ tablespoons of such as Nutella
• 6 slices of whole-grain bread
• 2 teaspoons of canola oil
• 1 cup thinly sliced banana
• 1 ½ teaspoons of powdered sugar

How To:

1. In a shallow dish, combine milk, eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla extract.
2. Spread ½ tablespoon of Nutella on each of the bread slices. Arrange the banana slices on each bread slice and top it with a slice of bread.
3. In a non-stick skillet, heat oil over a medium flame. Take one sandwich slice, dip into the milk mixture to coat both sides and place in the skillet.
4. Cook the sandwich for two minutes or until it turns light brown in color.
5. Cut the sandwich into four triangles and sprinkle powdered sugar on it.

2. Caramelized Banana:

You Will Need:

• 2 medium sized firm bananas, peeled
• ½ tablespoon of butter
• ¼ cup of orange juice
• 3 tablespoons of light brown sugar
• 1-cup low-fat frozen yogurt or vanilla ice cream
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

How To:

1. Cut bananas into halves, lengthwise.
2. In a nonstick skillet, melt butter and add brown sugar to it.
3. Lay the banana slices on top of it, cut side up. Cook for 20 seconds.
4. Now add orange juice and cinnamon and cook for another 10 seconds.
5. Turn over the bananas and cook for one minute, basting with the sauce.
6. Place the bananas on the plate and drizzle the sauce on it.
7. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.

[ Read: Pineapple Recipes For Kids ]

3. Banana Nuts And Chocolate Quick Bread:

You Will Need:

• 1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
• 1-cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1-cup nonfat buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons of butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons of canola oil
• 2 cups diced bananas
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips
• ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts, more for topping

How To:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a mini loaf tin.
2. In a large bowl, whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, brown sugar, eggs, oil, butter and vanilla essence until well combined.
4. Make a pit in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk mixture to it. Mix until well combined.
5. Now add chocolate chips, bananas, walnuts and mix to combine.
6. Transfer the batter to the loaf tin and top with walnuts.
7. Bake the bread for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. When cooked, let the loaf cool for 30 minutes before taking it out. This is delicious banana nuts and chocolate banana bread for kids.

4. Chocolate Banana Pancake Recipe:

You Will Need:

• 1-cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• 3 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 ¼ teaspoons of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 1-cup buttermilk
• 1 large ripe banana
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• Maple syrup or chocolate sauce for drizzling
• Banana slices for garnishing

How To:

1. In a large bowl, whisk cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar and salt.
2. In another bowl, mash the bananas and add the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and vegetable oil until well combined.
3. Now pour the wet ingredients into the bowl containing the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
4. Heat oil in a large non-stick pan and pour a dollop of pancake batter on it.
5. Cook the pancake until the edges are cooked and bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook for another minute.
6. Garnish with raspberries and drizzle with maple syrup or chocolate sauce. Try this simple banana recipes for kids. You can definitely see smile on your kids face!

5. Oatmeal And Banana Biscuit:

You Will Need:

• 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 125 grams of butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 ½ cups self-raising flour
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup coconut

How To:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, line a baking tray with liner, and leave it aside.
2. Cream butter and sugar using an electric beater.
3. Now stir in the bananas and mix until well combined.
4. Slowly, stir in the flour, coconut and oats until thoroughly combined.
5. Place teaspoon of the biscuit mixture on the baking tray, leaving enough room for the biscuit to spread.
6. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Try this simple banana cake recipe for kids. Definitely this will be your kids favorite snack!

6. Banana Fritters:

You Will Need:

• 6 bananas
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 ¼ cups cold water
• ½ cup plain flour for dusting
• Maple syrup for serving
• Vegetable oil for deep frying

How To:

1. Sift baking powder and flour in a bowl and whisk with water until it is lump free. Leave it to stand for ten minutes.
2. Cut the bananas into halves and dust in plain flour.
3. Dip the banana in the batter and put into the hot oil. Fry the bananas for 3 minutes or until they are golden brown in color.
4. Drain on paper towel and dust some icing sugar on it.
5. Serve the fritters with ice cream and maple syrup. This is one of the great and easy easy banana recipes for kids to enjoy as an evening snack.

[ Read: Apple Recipes For Kids ]

7. Banana Tart:

You Will Need:

• 1 banana, sliced
• 8 small frozen short crust tart cases, baked
• 1 cup of whipped cream
• 8 tablespoons of chocolate sauce
• 8 tablespoons of vanilla ice cream
• 2 tablespoons of crushed nuts
• 8 glazed cherries

How To:

1. Place one teaspoon of ice cream in each tart case.
2. Lay two slices of bananas near the ice cream and spoon over the sauce.
3. Top it with whipped cream and sprinkle some nuts on it. It is the best banana recipe for kids.

8. Caramel Banana Hand Pies:

You Will Need:

• Bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 4 teaspoons of brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 packet of refrigerated rolled pie pastry
• 2 tablespoons of chopped toasted pecans
• 6 soft caramels, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon of flaked sea salt

How To:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a shallow dish, toss sugar, banana, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla and leave it aside.
3. In a small bowl, beat egg with 1 teaspoon of water and set aside.
4. Cut out 6, 3 ½ inch rounds from the pastry.
5. Brush the outer edges of the pastry rounds with egg wash.
6. Divide the banana mixture evenly among three pastry rounds and mound the center.
7. Top the pies with caramels, pecans and salt.
8. Put the remaining pastry rounds on each pie, seal the pastry edges and brush the top with egg wash.
9. Make two small vent holes in the center of each pie and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown in color.
10. Let the pies cool before serving.

[ Read: Sweet Potato Recipes For Kids ]

9. Banana And Oatmeal Muffins:

You Will Need:

For The Topping:

• ¼ cup rolled oats
• ¼ teaspoon of Pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of butter, melted

For The Muffins:

• 2 whole bananas
• 1 large egg, beaten
• ¾ cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon
• ½ cup raisins

How To:

1. To make the toppings, combine the oats, cinnamon or pumpkin spice, brown sugar and butter. Leave it aside.
2. In a medium sized bowl, mash the bananas and add buttermilk and egg in it.
3. In another bowl, combine baking soda, flour, salt, baking powder, oats, pumpkin spice and brown sugar.
4. Pour the banana mixture into the dry ingredient mixture and stir to combine. Now add the raisins.
5. Divide the batter among the muffin pans, sprinkle the reserved toppings and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
6. Insert a toothpick to see if the muffins are done or not and serve warm.This is simple, tasty and yummy kids banana muffins.

10. Banana And Strawberry Smoothie:

You Will Need:

• 2 whole bananas, frozen, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 carton of low-fat vanilla yogurt

How To:

1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and puree until it acquires a smooth consistency.
2. Serve immediately. Smoothie is one of the best healthy banana recipes for kids.

So whenever you rescue a battered banana from your child’s school bag or find an over ripe languishing in the fruit bowl, put them to use by whipping up any of these lovely recipes.

Some Interesting Banana Facts For Kids:

Here are some interesting facts of bananas that can make your child eat more of the fruit.

• Banana plants are a type of herb, not trees.
• Most banana species have been originated in Southeast Asia.
• A complete row of banana is called hand, and a single fruit is referred to as a finger.
• Banana contains 75% of water.
• Banana weighs 125gm approximately.
• The Gros Michel banana variety is a popular one that was later destroyed by Panama disease. This disease originated in 1950s wherein the roots of banana plants were attacked.
• Lady Finger Banana variety is sweet, small and has thin skin.
• Plantains contain less sugar and are harder than the usual variety of bananas and are used in cooking.
• Wild variety bananas have hard and large seeds.
• Red colored bananas are also available.
• Fibre extracted from the banana plant is used for making clothes.

Does your child like bananas? Which is his most favorite banana recipe? Share it with us in the comment section below!

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