How to Peel a Banana

Reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs

Last Updated: November 30, 2023 Approved

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The simplest and most effective way to peel a banana is by using the convenient "handle" on one end of the fruit. However, you may find that this conventional method mushes up the top of the banana, and you may be looking for another method, either because peeling a banana this way hurts your wrist, or because you're just bored with peeling the banana the same old way. With these additional methods, you'll never be bored with eating a banana, and will have a few tricks for impressing your friends up your sleeve. Now get ready to start peeling!

Method 1

Method 1 of 8:

Traditional Opener

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It'll be easier to snap the stem back if it's positioned this way.
Once you've done that, you can continue peeling the rest of the banana downward, in one or two more strips. This is the most common way to peel a banana, so chances are that you're already familiar with it.

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Now eat your tasty banana, biting into it and peeling it back further and further until you've eaten the whole thing.

Method 2

Method 2 of 8:

Monkey Magic or Upside-Down

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Hold the banana with the stem pointing downwards. This method has both been known as the upside-down method and the monkey method. And if it's good enough for monkeys, it should be good enough for you!
Make sure to do this gently. If you're not having any luck, you can use your nail. Remember that one of the reasons you're doing this is to avoid smushing the banana, which happens easily when you use the traditional method. To avoid smushing the banana at its other tip, you have to still peel it gently.
Just do what you would do if you were holding the banana right side up. Except this time, you should peel the pointed top downwards, toward the step. Now you can enjoy your banana! The best part is, you now have a handle to hold onto as you enjoy your favorite fruit.

Method 3

Method 3 of 8:

Snapping the Peel

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Take a banana that isn't overly ripe. If it's too ripe, you may find yourself in the middle of a mushy disaster if you try to snap it.
Make sure the banana is "smiling" or making a "U" shape, instead of frowning, or making the upside-down "U" shape. If it's pointed in the wrong direction, it'll be hard to snap it open. Think of it this way -- if the banana is "frowning," then you'll be frowning too, when you're unable to peel it.
Use both hands to crisply snap the banana in half, like you're breaking a Kit-Kat bar. You'll need to apply some force, but not too much here. Remember, if the banana is too ripe, the skin will be softer, making it tougher to snap.
Now, just peel the skin off each banana half and enjoy your tasty fruit. Do what you would do traditionally, by peeling the skin from the top down. The skin will most likely still be connected -- it's tough to truly snap it in half -- so peeling both halves may take some finesse. You can try to break the connecting skin first and then peel one half, eat it, and then repeat with the other half.

Method 4

Method 4 of 8:

Four Splits

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Find a sharp knife. The sharper the knife, the easier it'll be able to cut through the skin of the banana. You should also get a cutting board so you can cut the banana on a thick, safe surface.
Place the banana on the cutting board and slice it from the very tip all the way to the handle. If the handle/stem is a little tough, you can use your hands to split them apart at the end.
Now, place the two halves on the cutting board and cut them horizontally, to create four parts that are about the same size.
Now, just hold up each piece and gently peel the skin away from the fruit. This is an ideal method if you want to treat others to the banana, or if you want to enjoy the banana more slowly, in sections. It also just looks kind of cool! You're all done.

Method 5

Method 5 of 8:

Throwing the Banana

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Take the stem in your dominant (throwing) hand and make sure that the banana is curving toward, and not away from you. Stand over a cutting board, a table, or something else that can stop the banana from flying out too far away from you.
Hold on to the stem and thrust your hand and the banana outward in a natural motion that curves downward. Just snap your wrist and use enough force to fling the banana forward. If done successfully, you should be left holding onto the stem and a sliver of peeled banana skin. If it doesn't work the first time, then try, try again -- this method does take some practice.
Now that you've already peeled off a sliver of banana, you can peel the banana the traditional way, from the bottom up, before you enjoy your treat. This method definitely gets creativity and flashiness points.

Method 6

Method 6 of 8:

Indenting a Thumbnail

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Make the cut on the inner side of the curve of the banana (inside the "U" shape). This works best if you have a banana that is medium ripe, so that you don't mush the banana too much. And the sharper your nails, the better.
If you do this correctly, it won't mush the banana. Once you've made the cut, just use the opening to peel back the rest of the banana skin. This is a fun variation on peeling a banana the regular way.

Method 7

Method 7 of 8:

Twisting the Peel

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Leave about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) between your hands so you have some space when you twist the banana.
You should give it a quarter to a half twist, or just enough for the skin of the banana to break.
Now that you've broken the banana open, you can peel back the sides and enjoy your banana.

Method 8

Method 8 of 8:

Slice and Peel

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When you're holding it correctly, you should place it down on a cutting board as it is.
Use one quick swift cut of the knife to slice off the ends of each side of the banana.
Be careful when you're doing this. Cut the banana peel gently so you don't slice through it or hurt the hand that is holding on to it. Once you cut it, just peel back the skin.
This method works great if you're planning on slicing the banana to use it in a salad, or if you just like eating a banana without a peel.

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Question

How do I peel my boyfriend's banana?

Community Answer

You can use any of the above methods.

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Question

Are all these methods safe?

Caeiia

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Yes.

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Question

Do I wash the banana first?

Caeiia

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No, you peel it and eat the inside smooth flesh.

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Tips

Use a knife to start a slit below the stem, then proceed with the traditional method. This way avoids the potential mushing, plus the sick satisfaction of slicing the banana's throat.

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Not sure how to eat your freshly peeled banana? See How to eat a banana for a variety of fun ideas.

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If you're doing the Traditional Method, you can twist the stem then just peel the banana.

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