Air-Fried Banana Bread: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance with many uses, including baking. You can make banana bread in an air fryer, and it's easy to do. The bread will be moist and soft, with a crunchy top and fluffy inside. It's also a great way to use up overripe bananas. The recipe is simple and can be made in one bowl, with a preparation time of around 30 minutes. You will need a loaf tin that fits in your air fryer, and the capacity of air fryers may vary, so cooking times are approximate. However, you can expect to bake the bread for around 30-45 minutes at a temperature of 320-350°F (160-180°C).

Air fryer banana bread ingredients

Air fryer banana bread is a quick and easy way to make a delicious treat. The recipe is versatile, allowing for substitutions and additions to suit your taste. Here is a detailed list of ingredients to make air fryer banana bread.

Base Ingredients:

• Bananas: Ripe or overripe bananas are best for banana bread as they are sweeter and more flavourful. You will need around 2-3 medium or large bananas, or about 1 cup of mashed bananas.
• Flour: Use 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups of all-purpose/plain flour. You can also experiment with different types of flour, such as almond, coconut, or whole wheat flour.
• Leavening Agent: Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking powder or baking soda to help the bread rise.
• Fat: Use 2-4 tablespoons of oil (vegetable, olive, canola, coconut, or melted butter) or 1/4 to 1/2 cup of softened or melted butter.
• Egg: One large or medium egg is usually enough, but the recipe is quite forgiving, so any size will work.
• Milk: About 1/4 cup of any type of milk, including non-dairy alternatives like almond or soy milk.
• Sugar: 2-3 tablespoons of brown, white, or coconut sugar, depending on your preference for sweetness.

Optional Add-Ins:

• Nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds add a crunchy texture.
• Chocolate Chips: White or dark chocolate chips can be added for a sweet twist.
• Dried Fruit: Try adding raisins, craisins, or other chopped dried fruit for extra sweetness.
• Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg enhances the flavour.

Other Ingredients:

• A pinch of salt is often added to enhance the other flavours in the bread.
• Vanilla extract can be added for extra flavour—about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon should be enough.

Remember to grease your air fryer loaf pan or tin with butter or non-stick cooking spray before adding the batter. Now you're ready to start baking your air fryer banana bread!

Air fryer banana bread recipe

Ingredients:

• 1-3 ripe bananas (the riper, the better)
• 1-2 eggs
• 2-3 tablespoons of brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons of oil (vegetable, light olive, canola, coconut, or melted butter)
• 1/4 cup of milk (any kind)
• 3/4 cup of all-purpose/plain flour (or self-raising flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• A pinch of salt
• Optional: cinnamon or nutmeg, chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 320°F/160°C.
• Line a small baking dish or loaf pan with baking paper and spray with oil.
• In a small bowl, mash the banana(s) with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
• Whisk in the egg, sugar, oil, and milk until well combined.
• Add the flour, baking soda, salt, and any optional spices or mix-ins. Stir until just combined—don't overmix.
• Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish or loaf pan.
• Place the pan into the air fryer basket and bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Let the banana bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

• If the top of the banana bread is browning too quickly, cover with aluminium foil and continue baking.
• To check if the bread is fully cooked, turn it upside down and insert a skewer or toothpick into the centre. If it comes out clean, it's done.
• This recipe can be adapted to suit your preferences or dietary requirements. For example, you can use different types of flour (e.g. almond, coconut, or whole wheat) or sweetener (e.g. maple syrup or honey).
• If you have a larger air fryer, you can double the ingredients and make two mini loaves.
• This banana bread will keep in an airtight container for a few days or can be frozen for up to three months.

Air fryer banana bread cooking time and temperature

Air fryer banana bread is a fun and tasty way to make mini loaves of your favourite classic bread recipe. The cooking time and temperature for air fryer banana bread will depend on the type of air fryer you have, the size of your loaf pan, and the ripeness of your bananas.

Cooking Temperature

Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to 320-330°F (160-170°C). However, one recipe suggests a temperature of 350°F (180°C).

Cooking Time

The cooking time for air fryer banana bread will vary depending on the size of your loaf pan and the type of air fryer you have. For a standard-sized loaf, the cooking time will be around 40-45 minutes. For mini loaves, the cooking time will be shorter, around 20-30 minutes. It's important to note that air fryers can vary in capacity, wattage, and efficiency, so it's best to start checking on your banana bread after about 30 minutes and use a toothpick or skewer to test for doneness. If the toothpick comes out clean, your banana bread is ready!

Tips for Success

• Make sure your pan fits into your air fryer before starting. A straight-edged box-type loaf tin or a 7-inch round cake tin should work.
• Use overripe bananas with lots of brown spots, as they will be sweeter and more flavourful.
• If your banana bread begins to brown too much during cooking, cover it with foil to prevent burning.
• If you're adding nuts or chocolate chips to your banana bread, be careful not to overfill your loaf pan, as the batter may rise too much and burn.
• Let your banana bread cool completely before removing it from the pan and serving.

With these tips and the recommended cooking time and temperature, you'll be well on your way to making delicious air fryer banana bread!

Air fryer banana bread storage

Air fryer banana bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer-lasting storage, you can wrap the banana bread in plastic wrap or aluminium foil and refrigerate it for up to a week. The texture may become denser, however.

To enjoy banana bread beyond a week of storage, you can freeze it. Slice the bread and wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place the slices in a freezer bag. This will help the bread stay fresh for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy it, simply thaw the bread at room temperature or pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to enjoy it warm.

Air fryer banana bread troubleshooting

My loaf is browning too much

If your banana bread is browning too much, you can try turning down the heat to 140C, or covering it with foil to prevent burning. You can also try turning the loaf upside down and cooking it for another 5 minutes with the bottom facing up.

My loaf is still raw in the middle

If your loaf is still raw in the middle, you can try cooking it for another 5 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. You can also try flipping the loaf over halfway through the cooking time, as the top of the loaf can cook faster than the inside in an air fryer.

My loaf is dry

If your loaf is dry, this could be due to overcooking or using insufficiently ripe bananas. To rescue a dry loaf, try serving it with butter, cream cheese, or a drizzle of syrup to add moisture back into each slice. For future attempts, try using extra ripe bananas or adding a bit of yogurt or sour cream to the batter.

My loaf is too dense

If your loaf is too dense, this could be due to using too much mashed banana. Try reducing the amount of mashed banana in your batter.

My loaf is flat

If your loaf is flat, this could be due to the measurements or temperature. Try increasing the temperature or cooking time.

Frequently asked questions