Forget expensive berries - bananas are selling for $1.79 a kilo. Here are 11 ways to use them

Berries aren't usually at their most affordable in winter in Australia, but they are even more out of reach this year due to global food price increases, with a pack of strawberries spotted selling for as much as $9.99.

At prices like these, it seems berries will be out of budget for fruit lovers for some time.

You could turn to frozen, but there's no need because delicious bananas are plentiful and affordable at the moment, selling for as little as $1.79 a kilo. And they are arguably even better than berries.

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Plus, they are arguably even better than berries.

Here are 11 ways to use bananas – some in place of berries and some unique uses that are little-known but brilliant.

1. Eat them a little raw

While most of us wait for bananas to ripen before we eat them, there are health benefits to eating them a little green.

According to reports, green bananas are lower in sugar and have more fibre, meaning they pack an extra health punch than usual.

2. Frozen

To take advantage of bananas at such low prices, buy extra, peel them and freeze them in sandwich bags. If you cut them up before freezing you can throw them into smoothies easily.

Frozen bananas can also be pureed up and served as a healthy dessert in place of ice-cream.

3. Banana skins

Banana skins are usually discarded, but they shouldn't be – they have a surprising number of health benefits if eaten.

The skins contain all manner of antioxidants. Simply slice your banana thinly, as you would a cucumber, and enjoy.

4. Natural sweetener in baking

Ripe bananas are perfect for use in baking, and not just your usual banana cakes and breads.

Once again, you can mash up as many as you have and freeze this in sandwich bags for later use.

Use the mashed banana in place of sugar in syrups in anything sweet you bake, including chocolate cakes, pancakes and even cookies.

5. Savoury uses

There are some delicious savoury recipes that make use of bananas, including this Vegan Moqueca made with ground bananas.

Mashed bananas also do well in savory vegetable fritters and as a sweet chutney to serve with pork in place of apple sauce.

6. Perfect snack

Bananas are a perfect snack for all, because they require no washing or packaging to transport them. And it's just a huge bonus they are full of so many good things.

They contain fibre, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and various antioxidant and are a favoured pre-work out snack for many.

7. Banana tea

Banana tea is said to be an excellent way to prevent bloating and help sleep. You simply slice your banana, skin included, and add to boiling water.

Sit for a few minutes and enjoy, or add in extra flavours such as cinnamon and honey. The beauty of banana tea is you can add in whatever additional flavours you like.

8. Compost

Banana skins are perfect for composting. They add calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphates, potassium and sodium, all of which are important to the healthy growth of both flowering and fruiting plants

The beauty of compost is you can add in whatever fruit and vegetable peels you have. If you don't have your own garden, give it away to neighbours or you can even sell it.

9. To treat injuries

Bananas have been used for medicinal purposes for years. In many countries, mashed up bananas or just the banana skins are applied to wounds like cuts to help promote healing.

It has been reported that like coffee or tea, bananas contain polyphenolic, which have some have an antibacterial and disinfectant effect, which helps protect a wound from bacterial infections.

10. Cosmetic uses

Bananas also have variety of cosmetic uses, such as face masks and hair masks as well as a face cleanser.

You can mash bananas and blend them with oatmeal for a great cleanser, exfoliator and face mask. For use as a hair mask, add honey and apply to skin for a few minutes before you shampoo and condition.

11. Cleaning products

Banana skins are said to be useful when it comes to removing scratches from silver, metals and DVDs. You can also use them on wooden furniture.

It is said the flesh of the banana skin leaves a waxy sheen that can be buffed to shine. You an also use them for leather couches and painted surfaces.