Air-Fried Banana Bread: A Quick, Easy Treat?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance with many uses, and yes, you can bake banana bread in them! It's a fun way to make delicious mini loaves of your favourite classic bread recipe. The air fryer saves you time and money, and you can make banana bread in around 30-45 minutes. It's a one-bowl, super-quick recipe that takes around 5 minutes. You can also make it in your oven if you prefer, but you'll save power if you make it in your air fryer.

Air fryer banana bread ingredients

Air fryer banana bread is a fun and tasty way to make this classic recipe. Here are the ingredients you will need to make it:

• Ripe bananas (the riper, the better)
• Eggs
• Flour (all-purpose/plain/self-raising)
• Sugar (granulated/caster/soft light brown/white/coconut)
• Oil (vegetable/sunflower/coconut/olive/canola) or melted butter/margarine
• Milk (whole/2 percent/almond/non-dairy)
• Baking powder/bicarbonate of soda/baking soda
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Turbinado or Demerara sugar (optional)
• Chopped pecans/walnuts/macadamia nuts/chocolate chips (optional)

You can also add a handful of chopped walnuts and chocolate chips for extra crunch and texture. However, it is recommended not to sprinkle the top of the bread with chopped walnuts as they can burn quickly in the air fryer.

To make the banana bread, you will need to combine the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Then, mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Finally, fold in any add-ins, if using, and pour the batter into a lined loaf tin that fits your air fryer. Bake at 320-330 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Air fryer banana bread recipe

Ingredients:

• 1-2 cups of mashed bananas (2-3 medium or 1-2 large bananas)
• 1/3-1 cup of sugar (granulated/caster/soft light brown/brown)
• 1/4-1/3 cup of vegetable oil/melted butter/coconut oil
• 1/4-1 cup of milk (any kind, including non-dairy)
• 3/4-2 cups of all-purpose/plain flour (or almond/coconut/whole wheat flour)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon of baking powder/baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional)
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup of pecans/walnuts/macadamia nuts/chocolate chips /coconut flakes/raspberries/blueberries (optional)

Method:

• Grease and line a small baking dish, loaf pan, or 1-pound loaf tin with baking paper and trim. Spray with a little oil.
• Preheat your air fryer to 320°F/160°C.
• In a medium mixing bowl, mash the bananas and mix with the sugar until creamy.
• Pour in the oil/butter, milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
• Add in the flour, baking powder/soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until well combined.
• Gently stir in any optional add-ins, such as nuts or chocolate chips.
• Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish/pan/tin.
• Place the dish/pan/tin into the air fryer basket and bake for 25-45 minutes. Check with a toothpick or skewer to ensure the bread is cooked through.
• Remove from the air fryer and let it cool before serving.

Tips:

• Use overripe bananas with lots of brown spots, as they are sweeter and more suitable for baking.
• You can store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days or freeze it for up to 3-4 months.
• If your air fryer is large enough, you can use a standard loaf tin or an 8-inch round cake tin.

Air fryer banana bread cooking time

Air fryer banana bread is a fun way to make delicious mini loaves of your favourite classic bread recipe. The cooking time for air fryer banana bread varies depending on the model of the air fryer, the size of the loaf pan, and the desired level of doneness.

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 320-330°F (160-165°C). This step is important to ensure even cooking and the best results.

Step 2: Prepare the Batter

Combine the dry ingredients, including flour, baking powder or baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, in a medium-mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients, such as mashed bananas, eggs, oil or melted butter, vanilla extract, and sugar. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

Step 3: Add Mix-Ins (Optional)

If desired, fold in your choice of mix-ins, such as chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or macadamia nuts) or chocolate chips. These add-ins enhance the flavour and texture of the bread.

Step 4: Bake the Banana Bread

Pour the batter into a lined loaf tin that fits your air fryer. The size of the loaf tin can vary, but a standard 1-pound (450g) loaf tin or mini loaf pans measuring about 5-6 inches work well. Place the tin in the air fryer and bake for 30-45 minutes.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

After 30 minutes, insert a toothpick, skewer, or cake tester into the centre of the bread. If it comes out clean, without any wet batter, the bread is done. If not, continue baking for a few more minutes and check again.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove the banana bread from the air fryer and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve the bread warm or at room temperature.

The cooking time for air fryer banana bread is generally shorter than that of a conventional oven, taking around 30-45 minutes. However, it's important to monitor the bread's progress and adjust the timing accordingly to avoid overcooking or burning.

Air fryer banana bread storage

Air fryer banana bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. It can also be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil and stored at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, the banana bread can be frozen for up to four months. To freeze, wrap the bread in plastic wrap, then foil, or place it in a freezer bag. When ready to eat, defrost the bread in the refrigerator or on the countertop.

Air fryer banana bread tips

Preparation

Before you start making your banana bread, make sure your loaf tin fits in the drawer of your air fryer. You can use a 1lb loaf tin for this recipe, which measures 8x4 inches with a depth of 3 inches. You can also use a small glass baking dish that fits into your air fryer, which should be about 5.5 square inches. If you have a larger air fryer, you can use a standard loaf tin, which should be a 1-litre tin.

Ingredients

Use very ripe, spotty bananas for the best flavour. You will need two large or three medium bananas, which should be mashed up. You can also add chocolate chips, pecans, walnuts, or other nuts of your choice.

Method

First, preheat your air fryer to 320°F/160°C. Then, mix together your dry ingredients in one bowl, and your wet ingredients in another. Combine the two, and pour the batter into your loaf tin. Place the tin inside the air fryer and bake for about 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Cooling and Storage

Leave the banana bread to cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The bread will keep well in an airtight container for up to five days, or can be frozen for up to four months.

Frequently asked questions