Tefal Investigates: Can We Really Eat Banana Skins?

Nigella recently caused a stir with her banana skin and cauliflower curry in her new series, Cook, Eat, Repeat. Is that really a thing? We’re on the case…

Here’s the skinny – turns out the peel is even more nutritious than what’s inside. That’s not a slip; banana skins contain all sorts of beneficial bits that are thought to be good for us.

First off, the peel has vitamin A and something called lutein, both of which are good for eye health. They’re also high in potassium, which helps maintain a healthy heart (and keeps teeth white). Oh and they’re loaded with antioxidants to fight free radials.

All good reasons to tuck in. If you need a final nudge, think about this: banana peel takes about two years to biodegrade so eating them is not only healthy, it’s the green thing to do too.

Thanks to tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce the happy hormone serotonin, banana peel is thought to be a good mood booster. And because the skin also contains high levels of magnesium and potassium, it’s believed to help you catch some Zs.

Rather than snacking on a whole banana before bed though, if you want to test the effects try a cup of soothing banana tea.

It’s going to take some seriously tasty recipes to overcome the thought of eating tough banana skins, so we’ve picked some belters. Let’s start with this pulled banana peel burger. With lashing of barbecue sauce and crunchy coleslaw, it looks the business.

Do like Nigella and add this novel ingredient to a curry. This banana peel and potato masala curry is creamy and delicious, while this banana skin and coconut curry turns up the heat.

Not ready for the full banana skin curry experience? Ease yourself in with a dollop of flavour-filled banana skin chutney on the side instead.

Whole bananas – skins and all – make a wonderfully squidgy cake. Pop the mix in the Cake Factory for fabulous results and enjoy generously topped with icing and toasted coconut flakes.

Soaking, boiling and pureeing banana peel adds a sweet, date-like flavour to this banana skin cheesecake.

Simplest of all, add a whole banana with the stalk removed to a good blender with some milk and other ingredients to make a delicious, nutritious smoothie.

If this hasn’t persuaded you to feast on banana peel, all’s not lost. Put them to good use by making banana infused water to feed your houseplants instead.