Air-Fried Banana Cake: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can bake banana cake in an air fryer! It's a great way to make a small cake or to avoid turning on your oven. The air fryer's rapid air circulation ensures your banana cake is baked to perfection—moist and golden brown on the outside.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure your cake pan fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket with some room on all sides for proper air circulation. Second, air fryer temperatures can vary between brands, so keep a close eye on your cake to prevent overcooking. Finally, always preheat your air fryer before adding your cake to ensure consistent cooking.

With these tips in hand, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a delicious and perfectly baked banana cake from your air fryer!

Air fryer banana cake ingredients

The ingredients for an air fryer banana cake vary depending on the recipe, but here is a list of common ingredients and some additional tips for making this delicious treat!

Basic Ingredients

• Ripe Bananas: Use very ripe, heavily speckled bananas for a more intense flavour.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is a common choice, but you can also use self-rising flour or experiment with alternatives like almond, coconut, or wholewheat flour.
• Leavening Agents: Baking powder and/or baking soda are essential for the cake to rise and achieve a light and fluffy texture.
• Eggs: These provide structural support and help create a tender, moist cake.
• Sweetener: Granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup are common choices to complement the bananas.
• Dairy: Butter, milk, yogurt, or a combination of these can be used for richness and moisture.
• Flavour Enhancers: Vanilla extract and cinnamon are often added for a hint of warmth and depth of flavour.

Optional Ingredients and Add-Ins

• Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or other nuts can be mixed into the batter or sprinkled on top for crunch and texture.
• Chocolate Chips: For a more indulgent treat, mix in some chocolate chips or chunks.
• Dried Fruit: Try adding raisins, coconut flakes, or other dried fruits for extra flavour and texture.
• Glaze or Frosting: A simple glaze or cream cheese frosting can take your banana cake to the next level.

Tips for Success

• Use ripe or overripe bananas for the best flavour and sweetness.
• Preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and consistent results.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a dense or tough cake.
• Choose a cake pan that fits comfortably in your air fryer with some space around the sides for proper air circulation.
• Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick or skewer into the centre of the cake—it's done when it comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached.
• If the top of the cake is browning too quickly, cover it with aluminium foil to prevent burning.

Air fryer banana cake recipe

This guide will take you through the steps to make a delicious banana cake in your air fryer. The recipe is for a small cake, perfect for a single person or a small family. It is a quick and easy recipe, with only 5 minutes of prep time and 30-35 minutes of cooking time.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons of mashed banana (about 1 very large banana)
• 1/2 cup of packed golden brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt)
• 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Chopped walnuts (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 340°F for 6 minutes.
• Grease a 6-inch round cake pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
• Add all the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) to a small bowl and whisk until combined.
• In a larger bowl, add all the wet ingredients (mashed banana, yogurt, oil, egg, and vanilla extract) and whisk until smooth.
• Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix with a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense and tough.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. If desired, sprinkle chopped walnuts on top.
• Set the air fryer to 330°F for 35 minutes.
• Place the cake pan into the air fryer basket and bake until done and brown. Check by inserting a knife into the middle of the cake; it should come out clean.
• Place the cake pan on a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Tips:

• It is important to preheat your air fryer to kickstart the baking process and ensure even cooking.
• When mashing the bananas, use a potato masher or a fork.
• If using Greek yogurt, use 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt along with 2 tablespoons of water.
• Any glass, metal, aluminium, or silicone pan that is oven-safe can be used, as long as it fits in your air fryer.
• Baking time may vary depending on your air fryer model. The cake is done when a toothpick or knife inserted into the centre comes out clean or with a few crumbs.
• The air fryer banana cake will have a darker top compared to an oven-baked cake, so be careful not to overcook it.
• The cooled cake can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature for about 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Air fryer banana cake baking tips

Baking a banana cake in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, fluffy, and moist cake. Here are some tips to ensure your cake turns out perfectly:

Ingredients

Use very ripe, heavily speckled bananas for a more intense flavour. You can also use frozen bananas—just defrost and mash them before using.

Mixing

When mixing the wet and dry ingredients, be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to gluten development, which may result in a dense and tough cake instead of the desired soft and fluffy texture.

Pan size

Use a 6-inch round cake pan or a small loaf pan that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket with some room on all sides for proper air circulation. If you're using a different-sized pan, adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Preheating

Always preheat your air fryer to kickstart the baking process and ensure consistent cooking. Preheat at a higher temperature (around 340°F) for about 5 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 320°F-330°F for baking.

Cooking time

The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of your pan. Check the cake after 25-30 minutes of baking by inserting a toothpick or a knife into the centre. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, your cake is done. If not, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Cooling

Allow the cake to cool for several minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This makes handling easier and reduces the risk of the cake falling apart.

Storage

Store the banana cake in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for 2-3 days. You can also freeze it, wrapped in plastic, for up to 2 months.

Customisation

Feel free to add extras like chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, or even shredded coconut to customise your banana cake to your taste. However, avoid adding too many mix-ins, as this may cause the cake to burn or overflow.

Air fryer banana cake troubleshooting

Dense or heavy cake

• Too much flour: Ensure you measure your flour accurately. Using too much flour can weigh down the cake, resulting in a dense texture. Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements or fluff the flour with a fork before measuring it with a cup.
• Overmixing: When mixing the batter, avoid overmixing as this can develop gluten, making the cake dense. Mix until the ingredients are just combined for a lighter cake.

Wet or soggy centre

Underbaking: Air fryers may vary in temperature, so it's important to check for doneness before removing the cake. Insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake and if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, your cake is ready. If not, continue baking for a few more minutes.

Uneven baking

• Rotate the pan: Halfway through baking, rotate the baking pan to ensure even heat distribution.
• Use a baking ring or foil sling: Elevate the baking pan slightly to allow the air to circulate more evenly around the cake.

Dark cake top

Air fryers blow hot air from the top, which can result in a very dark cake top, but still undercooked or raw in the middle. To prevent this, use two different cooking temperatures. Preheat at 340°F for 5 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 330°F and bake for 35 minutes.

General tips

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and proper rising of the cake.
• Grease your baking pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent the cake from sticking.
• Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the cake is done.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Air fryer banana cake storage

Air fryer banana cake can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature for about 3 days. If you want to store it for longer, you can wrap the cooled cake in plastic wrap, place it in a large zip lock bag, and freeze it for up to 2 months. Let it thaw overnight at room temperature before serving.

To store air fryer banana bread, place it in an airtight container, where it will keep well for a few days. You can also freeze it, either well-wrapped or in a freezer-proof container, for up to 3 months.

Frequently asked questions