Air-Fryer Bananas: A Healthy, Quick Treat?

Air-frying bananas is a quick and easy way to make a tasty snack or dessert. The natural sugars in the bananas caramelize when exposed to high temperatures, creating a delicious treat. You can use ripe bananas, but not overly ripe ones, as they will have too much moisture and won't caramelize properly. Simply slice the bananas, add some oil or butter, and any desired spices, then air fry for a few minutes until golden. You can enjoy air-fried bananas on their own or as a topping for ice cream, oatmeal, or other desserts.

Air fryer roasted bananas

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make air fryer roasted bananas:

• Bananas
• Oil (avocado or coconut)
• Cinnamon
• Salt (optional)
• Brown sugar (optional)

Method

First, preheat your air fryer to 375° F or 180° C. Then, slice your bananas into 1/8-inch thick diagonals or halves. Place the banana slices into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Brush or mist the banana slices with oil and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Cook the bananas for 5 minutes, then carefully flip them over and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are browned and caramelized. Remove the bananas from the air fryer and sprinkle with salt, if desired.

Serving Suggestions

• Over ice cream
• In a smoothie
• Straight out of the pan
• With chocolate sauce or ice cream
• As a topping for pancakes, waffles, French toast, chia pancakes, or desserts
• With chocolate chips, marshmallows, granola, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts

Air fryer bananas with ice cream

Ingredients:

• Bananas: Choose ripe but not overly ripe bananas. They should have bright yellow peels with occasional green striations. Avoid brown or soft bananas as they will be harder to work with and have too much moisture, inhibiting caramelization.
• Cinnamon: Adds a spicy sweetness to the bananas. Use fresh cinnamon with a good expiration date. Both Ceylon (Saigon) and cassia cinnamon work well.
• Oil: You can use avocado oil, coconut oil, or any other cooking oil. Oil is used to brush the bananas before air frying, adding a nutty flavor and promoting even cooking.
• Brown Sugar (optional): Adds a deeper level of sweetness. Mix it with cinnamon and sprinkle it on the bananas before air frying for a caramelized layer.
• Sea Salt (optional): A light sprinkle of high-quality flaky salt, such as Himalayan pink salt, enhances the natural sweetness of the bananas and cinnamon.

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F - 400°F (190°C - 204°C) according to the manufacturer's instructions. You may line the air fryer basket if desired.
• Prep the bananas by peeling them and cutting off the ends to make them flat. Then, cut the bananas into 1-inch pieces or slice them in half lengthwise.
• Brush the banana slices with oil and sprinkle cinnamon on top. You can also mix cinnamon with brown sugar and sprinkle it on the bananas for extra sweetness and caramelization.
• Place the bananas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are spaced out with at least a 1/4-inch gap between each piece. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air fry the bananas for 5-10 minutes at 375°F - 400°F (190°C - 204°C) until the tops are golden brown and caramelized. For some air fryers, you may need to flip the bananas halfway through the cooking process.
• Remove the bananas from the air fryer and serve immediately. They are best enjoyed warm, but you can also serve them at room temperature.

Serving Suggestions:

• Toppings: Air fryer bananas go well with various toppings such as marshmallows, granola, dark chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts. You can also add a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a delicious dessert.
• Breakfast: Air fryer bananas make a great topping for pancakes, French toast, waffles, oatmeal, or vegan baked oats. Try them with a dollop of Greek yogurt, peanut butter, or whipped cream for an indulgent breakfast treat.
• Dessert: For a simple dessert, serve the air fryer bananas with a scoop of ice cream and a dusting of cinnamon. You can also drizzle them with chocolate or caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch.
• Snacks: Enhance your yogurt bowls, chia pudding, parfaits, or peanut butter toast with air fryer bananas. They add a sweet and crunchy element to your favorite snacks.

Air fryer bananas with chocolate sauce

Ingredients:

• Bananas: Choose ripe but not overly ripe bananas. Look for fruits with bright yellow peels and perhaps a few green striations. Avoid brown bananas, as they will have too much moisture and won't caramelize well.
• Cinnamon: Adds spicy sweetness to the bananas. Use Ceylon (Saigon) or cassia cinnamon for the freshest flavour.
• Coconut oil: Virgin or raw coconut oil will give you the best sweet and nutty flavour.
• Salt: Himalayan pink salt is ideal, but any high-quality flaky salt will work.

Optional extras for serving:

• Chocolate sauce
• Ice cream
• Marshmallows
• Granola
• Dark chocolate chips
• Shredded coconut
• Chopped nuts

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• Prep the bananas by peeling them and cutting off the ends so they are flat. Then, cut the bananas into 1-inch pieces or slice them in half lengthwise.
• Place the banana slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure there is a little space between each slice. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Brush the tops of the banana slices with coconut oil and sprinkle with cinnamon.
• Air fry the bananas for 6 minutes at 375°F (180°C) or until the tops are golden brown and crisp.
• Remove the bananas from the air fryer and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.
• Serve immediately with your choice of toppings, such as chocolate sauce, ice cream, or chopped nuts.

Tips:

• Avoid overripe bananas, as they will become too mushy when cooked.
• Don't skip the salt, as it enhances the natural sweetness of the bananas. But be careful not to add too much, as it can overpower the other flavours.
• This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Enjoy your air fryer bananas with chocolate sauce!

Air fryer bananas with cinnamon

Ingredients:

• 2-4 ripe bananas
• Cinnamon
• (Optional) 2 teaspoons of coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil
• (Optional) A pinch of salt or sugar

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F.
• Peel the bananas and cut them into slices or halves.
• (Optional) Brush the bananas with oil.
• Sprinkle the bananas with cinnamon.
• Place the bananas in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each slice or half.
• Cook for 5-12 minutes, until the bananas are golden brown and crisp.
• (Optional) Sprinkle with salt or sugar and serve.

Tips:

• For crispier bananas, slice them thinly.
• Avoid using overripe bananas, as they may become too soft or mushy.
• You can serve air fryer bananas with ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, or granola for a tasty dessert or snack.

Air fryer bananas with maple syrup

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe yellow bananas
• 1/2 tablespoon melted coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• A pinch of salt

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F.
• Cut the bananas in half lengthwise.
• Place the cut bananas into a bowl and add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Use your hands to gently coat the bananas in the mixture.
• Place the bananas into the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Cook the bananas for 6-8 minutes, or until they are caramelized.
• Use a spatula to gently remove the bananas from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Tips:

• Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, granola, or chopped nuts for extra crunch and flavour.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the bananas in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes.
• For a vegan option, use plant-based ice cream or yogurt as a topping.
• If you prefer your bananas to be sweeter, choose bananas with some green striations as they will sweeten further when air-fried.

Frequently asked questions