Air-Fryer Banana Bread: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air Fryer Banana Bread is a quick and easy breakfast or snack option that can be prepared in just around 30 minutes. This recipe is perfect for those who want to satisfy their sweet cravings without having to turn on their oven. The air fryer banana bread has a crunchy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. It is also a healthier alternative to traditional banana bread, as it requires less oil and produces a moist and tender loaf. The recipe is highly customisable, allowing you to add your choice of nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruits. You can even make it in the form of mini loaves, which are great for portion control and make cute gifts.

Choosing the right bananas

• Ripeness: Look for very ripe bananas with brown speckles or spots on the skin. Ripe bananas are sweeter and more flavoursome, making your banana bread moist and delicious. If your bananas are still green or just turning yellow, they may not be ready for baking. Overripe bananas with lots of brown spots are ideal, as they will provide the necessary sweetness and moisture to your bread.
• Size: For a mini banana bread loaf, you will need a small to medium-sized banana. A larger banana may make the batter too heavy and damp, affecting the texture of your bread.
• Quantity: Depending on the recipe, you will need about 1-1.5 cups of mashed bananas. This usually translates to 2-3 medium or large bananas. Make sure you have enough bananas to meet the required quantity after mashing.
• Mashability: Your bananas should be easy to mash and combine into the batter. If they are not ripe enough, they may not mash smoothly, affecting the texture and cooking of your bread.
• Storage: If you don't have ripe bananas on hand, you can buy some ahead of time and let them ripen. Bananas can also be peeled and frozen in a sealed bag for up to a year, ensuring you always have ripe bananas ready for your air fryer banana bread!

Preparing the batter

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a basic banana bread batter, you will need:

• Ripe bananas (1 small to medium-sized banana for a mini loaf, or 2-3 large/medium bananas for a larger loaf)
• An egg
• Brown or granulated sugar (2-3 tablespoons of brown sugar, or 1/2 to 3/4 cup of granulated sugar)
• Oil (2 tablespoons; you can use vegetable oil, light olive oil, canola oil, coconut oil, or melted butter)
• Milk (1/4 cup; any type of milk, including non-dairy milk, will work)
• All-purpose/plain flour (3/4 to 1 1/2 cups; you can also use self-raising flour or experiment with whole wheat flour, coconut flour, almond flour, etc.)
• Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon; you can also use 1/4 teaspoon baking powder)
• A pinch of salt
• Optional extras: cinnamon or nutmeg, chocolate chips, nuts, etc.

Now, let's get started on preparing the batter:

• Mash the banana(s) well in a small bowl or jug. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavourful your banana bread will be.
• In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk or mix together the mashed banana, egg, sugar, oil, milk, and any optional extras you may be using (such as cinnamon or vanilla extract). Combine these ingredients until you have a smooth mixture.
• In another bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt. Give them a good mix to ensure they are well incorporated.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until everything is well combined, but be careful not to overmix. A few lumps are fine. If your batter seems too dry, you can add a little extra milk.
• If you are using any mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, gently fold them into the batter now.

And there you have it—your banana bread batter is now ready to be poured into your prepared pan and baked in the air fryer! Remember to adjust the quantities of ingredients based on whether you are making a mini loaf or a larger loaf. Enjoy the wonderful aroma of freshly baked banana bread!

Baking the bread

• Preheat your air fryer to 320°F/160°C.
• Line a small baking dish or loaf pan with baking paper and spray with a little oil.
• In a bowl, mash the banana well.
• Add the egg, sugar, oil, salt, flour and baking soda to the mashed banana and whisk until smooth.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Place the pan into the air fryer basket and bake for around 30 minutes.
• Check if the bread is done by inserting a skewer or toothpick into the centre. If it comes out clean, the bread is ready. If there is still raw batter, turn the bread upside down and put it back into the air fryer for an additional 5 minutes.
• Cover the top of the bread with aluminium foil during the second half of the cooking time if it is browning too quickly.
• Remove the bread from the air fryer and let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Storing the bread

Air fryer banana bread can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. It can be kept at room temperature for up to 2-4 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or frozen for up to 3-4 months.

If you want to freeze the bread, it is recommended to slice it first, then wrap the slices in baking paper and place them in small freezer bags. You can then defrost individual slices in the microwave as and when you want to eat them.

Recipe variations

There are many ways to change up this recipe and make it your own. Here are some ideas for variations:

• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Add a cup of chocolate chips and maple syrup to the batter for a delightful chocolatey twist.
• Air Fryer Banana Nut Bread: Mix in chopped nuts like walnuts, pistachios, pecans, or almonds to add a crunchy texture and extra flavor.
• Blueberry Banana Bread: Gently fold fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter for a burst of fruity goodness.
• Coconut Banana Bread: Add shredded coconut and coconut oil to the batter for a tropical flair and a hint of sweetness.
• Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread: Mix cinnamon and brown sugar, then swirl it into the batter for a delicious cinnamon-infused bread.
• Lemon Glazed Banana Bread: Drizzle a simple lemon glaze made from lemon juice and powdered sugar over the cooled banana bread for a tangy and sweet finish.
• Streusel-Topped Banana Bread: Sprinkle a streusel topping made from flour, brown sugar, vanilla extract, butter, and cinnamon over the batter before baking for a crunchy and crumbly topping.

Frequently asked questions