Bananas will be tastier in just 10 minutes with this trick and be 'super soft and squishy'

Bananas are a versatile addition to any dish, especially a mean fruit salad, but half the battle is sometimes making sure they're ripe enough before letting them grace your taste buds. Buying a fresh bunch from your local store is not always ideal, however, as they are often too green and therefore not at their prime for true tastiness.

Usually, you are forced to wait a good chunk of time for them to ripen but a new hack cuts that time considerably. Detailed in a viral video on social media platform Tiktok, chef John Kanell - who goes by the username @preppykitchen - has two ways that makes the fruit "super soft and squishy" in just 10 minutes.

Green bananas typically take a few days to ripen fully once bought at the supermarket, but it does not take long for them to become mushy and black, so getting the timing right to have a fresh yellow banana can be tricky.

"These green bananas are bad for baking, while these over-ripe bananas are perfect," John says at the start of the clip. "Here are two ways to ripen bananas fast.

"Hack one, place your bananas onto a baking sheet [and place in an oven] on 350 F (approximately 180C) for 10 minutes and then 10 minutes later they look like this."

The TikTok chef lifts up the tray to reveal that the bananas have turned a dark brown colour, a far cry from their green appearance earlier in the video.

Placing a banana in the oven mimics the natural ripening process as the temperature breaks down the starches and turns them into sugars, so you get a softer, sweeter and more flavourful banana.

"Super soft and squishy," he continued, "Just cut them open and they're ready to use."

It doesn't end there. John has another simple and easy-to-follow trick that can be followed instead if, for whatever reason, you don't have an oven.

"Hack two, place them on a plate and pierce them with a fork several times before microwaving them in 30 second intervals until soft to the touch. Happy banana baking!"

One user commented on the TikTok video: "Thank you, John Kanell. These hacks are very helpful," while another advised: "I also learnt that you can get that extra crisp by mixing sugar as well. You are a lifesaver."