Pancakes For a healthy mix of protein, fat and carbs that will energize you all morning, blend a ripe banana with two eggs and use as a grain-free pancake batter. Add milk or spices to taste.

Muffins Mash and add bananas to your standard muffin batter. They lend sweetness and moisture, so you can cut back a little on sugar and oil.

Oatmeal Cook mashed bananas with oatmeal to add natural sweetness and nutrients.

Bars Mix mashed bananas with rolled oats, the nut butter of your choice and chia seeds, then bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 20 to 30 minutes and cut into bars.

Panfried Fry thick slices of ripe banana with a bit of avocado oil for 2 to 3 minutes, sprinkle with cinnamon, flip, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. For a savory version, sprinkle with curry powder instead.

Creamy frozen treat Freeze peeled and sliced bananas, then puree them in a blender or food processor to make “nice cream.”

Chia pudding Prepare your favorite overnight chia-pudding recipe using the milk or plant-based milk of your choice. Before blending, flavor with cocoa powder and vanilla extract; add sliced ripe banana. Sweeten with maple syrup or honey. —Kelsey Ogletree

If I use it on beets to create veggie noodles, I can blanch them in just four minutes. I then stir-fry them with garlic, lemon and fresh chives. I also like to dress a simple green salad with a lemon-Dijon vinaigrette, then add squash noodles in place of croutons or nuts. —Josh Sutcliff, executive chef, 55 Seventy, Dallas