Air-Fried Banana Bread: Is It Possible?

Banana bread is a popular treat, but not everyone has access to an oven or the time to bake. Air fryers are becoming an increasingly common kitchen appliance, and they can be used for a variety of tasks, including baking banana bread. Air fryer banana bread is a quick and easy way to make a delicious treat, and it can be adapted to include chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, and other tasty additions.

Recipe ingredients and measurements

The ingredients and measurements for air fryer banana bread are similar to those for a conventional oven. The recipe is adaptable and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences and dietary requirements. Here are the ingredients and some suggested measurements:

• Flour— 2 cups (250g) of plain flour is a standard amount, but you can experiment with different types of flour such as whole wheat, coconut, or hemp seed flour.
• Baking Powder— 1 ½ teaspoons. This helps the bread rise and gives it a light and airy texture.
• Ground Cinnamon— 1 teaspoon. Cinnamon enhances the flavour and adds a delightful aroma to the banana bread.
• Sugar— The amount of sugar can vary depending on taste, but light or dark brown sugar is commonly used. You can also try Turbinado or Demerara sugar for added crunch.
• Oil— You can use a neutral-flavoured oil such as canola, olive, or coconut oil, or substitute it with melted butter for extra flavour.
• Eggs— One recipe suggests using one egg for a 1-pound loaf, but the number of eggs can vary depending on the size of your loaf.
• Bananas— Use ripe or overripe bananas for the sweetest flavour. The number of bananas will depend on the size of your loaf, but generally, one small to medium banana or about a third of a cup of mashed banana is a good starting point.
• Optional Add-ins— Chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, or other nuts of your choice can be added for extra flavour and texture. Fresh or frozen raspberries are another tasty option.

Remember that the measurements may need to be adjusted depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of loaves you are making. Always check that your pan fits comfortably in the basket of your air fryer before starting.

Air fryer temperature and time settings

Air fryers are a great way to make banana bread, as they can save you time and money. The temperature and time settings for cooking banana bread in an air fryer will depend on the model of your air fryer, the size of your loaf pan, and your personal preference for the texture of the bread.

Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 160°C and 175°C (320°F and 350°F). However, one recipe suggests a lower temperature of 149°C (290°F). It is important to note that air fryer temperatures can vary, so you may need to adjust the temperature setting based on your specific model.

The cooking time for banana bread in an air fryer can range from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the model of your air fryer, the size of your loaf pan, and your desired level of doneness. Some recipes suggest baking for 20 to 25 minutes, while others recommend a longer cooking time of 40 to 45 minutes. It is important to note that air fryers can sometimes cook the top of the bread faster than the inside, so it is recommended to turn the bread over about 5 minutes before the end of the cooking time.

To check if your banana bread is done, insert a toothpick, skewer, or probe thermometer into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, without any wet batter, your bread is ready. The internal temperature of the loaf should be 88°C (190°F). If the bread is not quite baked, continue cooking in 3-5 minute intervals until it is ready.

It is worth mentioning that the cooking time may also depend on the size of your loaf. For example, a 1-pound loaf may take about 25 to 30 minutes to bake, while a smaller mini loaf may take less time, around 20 to 25 minutes.

Loaf tin size and preparation

The first thing to do when preparing to cook banana bread in an air fryer is to check that your loaf tin fits in the drawer of the appliance. The recipe from Something Sweet Something Savoury uses a 1-pound loaf tin, which measures 8x4 inches with a depth of 3 inches. The loaf tin should be lined with baking parchment and greased. Aileen Cooks recommends using two baby loaf pans with the size 5 3/4″ x 3 1/4″ x 2″. The Country Cook also uses mini loaf pans, which measure roughly 5 3/4 x 3 1/4-inches and hold about 2 cups of batter each.

If you have a larger air fryer, you can experiment with different tin sizes. A larger baking dish that fits inside your air fryer will work, too. You can use a regular loaf pan or a round cake pan. The Country Cook recommends using a slightly larger pan, which will result in two loaves instead of three.

When preparing the batter, use very ripe bananas for the best taste. You can also add walnuts, chocolate chips, pecans, coconut flakes, raspberries, or other ingredients of your choice. Once the batter is ready, pour it into the prepared tin, leaving an inch of the tin exposed to allow for the loaf to rise.

Banana bread preparation and mixing

For the batter, you'll need a mixing bowl. If you're using soft brown sugar, sift it into the bowl with the flour to prevent clumping. Add in the remaining dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined, but be careful not to overmix.

In a separate bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth. You can also use a blender for this step. Add the oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the bananas and mix well.

Now it's time to combine the wet and dry ingredients. Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet, stirring gently until you have a smooth batter with no dry streaks of flour. Remember, it's important not to overmix—you just need to mix until everything is combined.

At this stage, you can also add in your chosen mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, walnuts, pecans, or other nuts. However, be mindful not to overfill the batter as it may cause the bread to rise too much and burn on top.

Banana bread cooling and storage

Once your banana bread is cooked, it's important to let it cool completely before storing it. Place the bread on a cooling rack for around 10 minutes, then remove it from the tin and leave it to cool down fully. This process is important because if the bread isn't cooled properly, moisture can become trapped, making your bread soggy and encouraging bacteria growth.

Once your bread is completely cool, you can store it in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap. It's best to store it at room temperature, as refrigeration can affect the flavour and texture of the bread. However, if you want to keep your banana bread for longer than a few days, you can store it in the fridge, which will increase its shelf life by up to a week. Just be aware that the flavour may be affected.

If you want to keep your banana bread for even longer, you can freeze it. It's a good idea to slice the bread before freezing, as this will make it easier to remove individual slices as and when you want them. Wrap the bread tightly to prevent exposure to oxygen, which can be done using aluminium foil, plastic wrap, or parchment paper, followed by a sealable freezer bag. Frozen banana bread will last for up to three or four months and can be defrosted in the oven or on the countertop.

Frequently asked questions