Techniques
Prep
Tip
Beginner
under a minute

Squeeze bananas in the peel to make them easier to mash

Before peeling, gently squeeze bananas through the skin to soften them so they mash faster and more evenly.

While the banana is still in its peel, give it a quick squeeze/press along its length to break it up internally. Then peel and mash as usual.

The short version

  • Do this before peeling.
  • Use gentle pressure to avoid splitting the peel and making a mess.

What goes wrong

Squeezing too hard and bursting the peel

Use light, even pressure—just enough to soften and break up the banana inside.

Why it works

Pre-crushing breaks up the fruit structure so your fork has less work to do, reducing lumps and effort.

Put it to use

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