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

Banana bread is a popular and tasty treat, but it can take a long time to bake in the oven. However, you can make banana bread in an air fryer in under an hour, and it's super easy! You can add your own twist with ingredients like pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips, and the result will be a delicious, fluffy, and moist banana bread.

Air fryer banana bread ingredients

Air-Fryer Banana Bread Ingredients

Air-fryer banana bread is a fun and tasty way to make banana bread. It's quick, easy, and convenient. Here's a list of ingredients you'll need to make delicious air-fried banana bread:

Dry Ingredients:

• Flour: All-purpose or plain flour is the most commonly used. You can also experiment with alternatives like almond flour, coconut flour, or whole wheat flour.
• Leavening Agents: Baking powder, baking soda, or self-raising flour will help your banana bread rise and give it a light and fluffy texture.
• Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg add a warm, aromatic flavour to your banana bread. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the other flavours.

Wet Ingredients:

• Bananas: Ripe or overripe bananas are essential for that sweet banana flavour. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavourful your bread will be.
• Oil or Butter: Vegetable oil, sunflower oil, melted butter, or even coconut oil can be used. Oil adds moisture and tenderness to the bread.
• Eggs: Use room-temperature eggs for the best results. They act as a binding agent and contribute to the structure of the bread.
• Milk: Any type of milk works, including dairy or non-dairy alternatives like almond or soy milk.
• Sugar: Brown sugar, granulated sugar, or caster sugar are common choices. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your taste preferences.

Optional Add-Ins:

• Nuts: Pecans, walnuts, or macadamia nuts add a crunchy texture and nutty flavour to your banana bread.
• Chocolate Chips: For an indulgent twist, fold in some chocolate chips.
• Dried Fruit: Try adding raisins, flaked coconut, or even raspberries or blueberries for a fruity twist.

Remember to adjust the quantities of the ingredients based on the specific recipe you're following. Always ensure that your loaf tin or baking pan fits comfortably inside your air fryer before starting. Happy baking!

Air fryer banana bread recipe

Ingredients:

• 1-1 1/2 cups plain/all-purpose flour
• 1/2-1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda/bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1/4-1 cup granulated/caster/soft light brown sugar
• 1/4-1/2 cup vegetable oil/melted butter/coconut oil
• 1/4-1/2 cup milk (any type)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 large or 3 medium ripe bananas
• 1 egg
• A pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans/walnuts/macadamia nuts/chocolate chips/coconut flakes/raspberries/blueberries (optional)

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• 1-pound loaf tin/450g loaf tin/small baking pan/glass dish/mini loaf pan
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk/fork
• Rubber spatula
• Wire rack

Method:

• Grease your tin/pan/dish and line with baking paper.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt (if using).
• In a separate bowl, mash the bananas and mix with the sugar until creamy.
• Pour the oil/melted butter/coconut oil and milk into the banana mixture and mix well.
• Add the egg and vanilla extract to the banana mixture and mix until combined.
• Gradually add the flour mixture to the banana mixture, stirring until well combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• If desired, gently stir in your chosen optional extras.
• Preheat your air fryer to 320°F/160°C.
• Pour the batter into your prepared tin/pan/dish and place it into the air fryer basket.
• Bake for around 30-45 minutes, or until a skewer/toothpick inserted into the centre of the bread comes out clean.
• Remove the bread from the air fryer and allow it to cool completely before serving.

Tips:

• Check that your tin/pan/dish fits into your air fryer before starting.
• The riper the bananas, the sweeter your bread will be.
• You can freeze your banana bread for up to 3-4 months.

Air fryer banana bread cooking time

Air fryer banana bread is a fun and tasty way to make delicious mini loaves of your favourite classic bread recipe. It is also a great way to use up brown bananas.

The cooking time for air fryer banana bread varies depending on the recipe and the model of the air fryer. Most recipes recommend a cooking time of around 30-35 minutes at a temperature of 320°F/160°C. However, it is important to note that air fryers can vary in capacity and wattage, so cooking times may need to be adjusted. It is recommended to start checking the banana bread after 20-30 minutes and to use a toothpick or skewer to test if it is done. If the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is ready.

Some recipes suggest preheating the air fryer for 5 minutes before adding the batter, while others recommend covering the pan with foil for the first 20-25 minutes of cooking and then removing the foil to prevent overbrowning.

Additionally, the size of the loaf pan can also affect the cooking time. Most recipes use a small or mini loaf pan that fits comfortably in the air fryer basket. It is important to check that the pan fits before starting the recipe.

Overall, the cooking time for air fryer banana bread is generally shorter than traditional oven-baked banana bread, making it a quick and convenient option.

Air fryer banana bread storage

Air fryer banana bread can be stored in an airtight container and kept at room temperature for up to three or four days. It can also be frozen for up to three or four months.

To freeze the banana bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil, or place it in an airtight container. If you want to freeze slices of the bread, wrap them in baking paper and place them in small freezer bags.

To defrost the bread, let it thaw in the fridge or on the kitchen counter. You can also defrost it in the microwave.

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 loaf tin liner inside a 1lb (450g) loaf tin. The tin used for this recipe measures 8x4 inches with a depth of 3 inches.

Ingredients

Use very overripe bananas for the best-tasting banana bread. You can also add a handful of chopped walnuts and chocolate chips for extra crunch and texture, or leave these out and swap the nuts for extra chocolate.

Mixing

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients: plain flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: soft light brown sugar, oil, vanilla extract, and eggs. Stir in the mashed bananas.

Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and mix quickly but lightly. Be careful not to overmix or your banana bread might turn out tough.

Baking

Pour the batter into a lined loaf tin and bake in a preheated air fryer at 160C/320F for about 35 minutes, or until the banana bread has risen and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Cooling and Storage

Leave the banana bread to cool in the tin for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Banana bread will keep well in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. To keep it from drying out, wrap it in a layer of tin foil. You can also freeze banana bread, wrapping slices or the whole bread in a double layer of cling film or a freezer bag, for up to three months.

Frequently asked questions