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

Banana bread is a delicious treat, but it can take a long time to bake in the oven. The good news is that you can make banana bread in an air fryer in half the time! It's a fun way to make your favourite classic bread recipe and a great way to use up brown bananas. You can also get creative with your ingredients and add pecans, walnuts, chocolate chips, or other nuts. The air fryer banana bread is tasty and tender, with a crunchy top and a soft, fluffy inside.

Choosing the right bananas

Opt for Overripe Bananas:

When making banana bread, it is best to use overripe bananas that are covered with black speckles or are almost completely brown. The browner the banana, the sweeter your bread will be. Overripe bananas have a higher concentration of sugars, which will give your banana bread a more intense flavour. If your bananas are still yellow with only a few brown spots, you can speed up the ripening process by placing them in a paper bag with an apple overnight. Alternatively, you can use very ripe, fresh bananas and add a tablespoon of maple syrup to your batter to achieve a similar level of sweetness and moisture.

Amount of Bananas:

The number of bananas you need will depend on the size of the bananas and the recipe you are following. Most recipes call for one to three large or medium bananas, resulting in about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of mashed bananas. If your bananas are on the smaller side, you may need to adjust the quantity accordingly.

Mashing the Bananas:

Before adding bananas to your batter, make sure they are well mashed. Use a fork, your hands, or a potato masher to mash the bananas until they are creamy and free of large chunks. This ensures that your banana bread bakes evenly and that the centre cooks properly.

Storing Bananas for Later:

If you have extra overripe bananas, you can peel them, place them in a sealed freezer bag, and store them in the freezer for up to a year. Frozen bananas are great for future banana bread baking endeavours or for adding to smoothies.

In summary, when choosing bananas for your air fryer banana bread, opt for overripe bananas with brown speckles or a mostly brown peel. Adjust the number of bananas based on their size and your recipe, and make sure to mash them well before adding them to your batter. With the right bananas, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, flavourful banana bread in your air fryer!

Preparing the air fryer

Firstly, you will need to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 310°F (or 330°F) and heat for about 3-5 minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, grease a 6-7 inch cake pan with butter or oil. Tap the pan on the kitchen counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. You can also use a square, tall-sided pan or any similar-sized air fryer-safe pan.

Place the greased pan carefully in the centre of the air fryer basket.

If you are using a cake pan or loaf pan that is not a mini loaf pan, only fill it halfway with batter. This is because the batter rises, and you do not want it to overflow.

If you notice that the top of the bread is browning faster than the middle is cooking, cover the cake pan with aluminium foil after about 25-28 minutes of cooking time.

If you are using a loaf pan that only just fits in the air fryer basket, a 7-inch cake pan, or two mini loaf pans, will be easier to manage.

Mixing the batter

To make the batter for banana bread in an air fryer, you will need a large bowl and a medium bowl. In the large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. You can also add in wheat germ or whole-wheat flour for extra fibre and a toastier flavour.

In the medium bowl, place your ripe bananas and mash them until very smooth with a fork or potato masher. Make sure there are no large chunks remaining. To this, add the sugar, oil, sour cream or yogurt, vanilla, and egg. Whisk until the mixture is completely smooth.

Now, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Fold them together until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix. If you want to add walnuts, pistachios, pecans, chocolate chips, or other ingredients, gently stir them in now.

Your batter is now ready to be transferred to a greased baking pan and placed inside the air fryer.

Baking the bread

Now that you have your batter ready, it's time to bake your banana bread! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 310°F to 330°F (depending on the recipe you're following). This step is crucial as it ensures even cooking and the perfect crust on your bread. Preheat for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare Your Baking Pan

Use a 6-inch to 8-inch cake pan or a 7-inch round pan. Grease the pan with butter or cooking spray to ensure the bread doesn't stick. If you're using a smaller pan, you might need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Step 3: Pour the Batter

Carefully pour the batter into your prepared pan. If desired, sprinkle some chopped walnuts or other toppings of your choice on top.

Step 4: Place the Pan in the Air Fryer

Place the pan carefully in the centre of the air fryer basket. If you're using a larger pan, ensure it fits comfortably without touching the heating element.

Step 5: Air Fry the Bread

Close the air fryer and set the temperature to 310°F to 330°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the recipe and your air fryer, but it typically takes around 30 to 40 minutes. Check your bread's progress by inserting a toothpick into the centre—if it comes out clean, your bread is ready!

Step 6: Cool the Bread

Remove the pan from the air fryer and let the bread cool for at least 15 to 20 minutes before removing it from the pan. This step is important as it allows the bread to set and prevents it from crumbling.

Step 7: Slice and Serve

Once the bread is cooled, carefully remove it from the pan and slice it into wedges or desired portions. Serve it as is or with your favourite toppings and spreads. Enjoy the delicious, freshly baked banana bread!

Storing the banana bread

Storing banana bread

If you have leftover banana bread, it's important to store it properly to keep it fresh and delicious. Here are some tips to help you store your homemade banana bread:

Wrap it up: Once your banana bread has cooled down completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. This helps retain moisture and prevents the bread from drying out.

Airtight container: Place the wrapped banana bread in an airtight container. This creates a barrier against moisture loss and keeps the bread fresh for longer.

Refrigerate: Store the banana bread in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about five days. If you don't plan to eat it within a few days, freezing is a better option.

Freeze for longer storage: To freeze your banana bread, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and then place them in freezer bags or containers. This way, you can take out a slice whenever you crave it without thawing the entire loaf. Frozen banana bread can last for up to three months.

Thawing instructions: When you're ready to enjoy your frozen banana bread, simply take it out of the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours. You can also pop it into the microwave for quicker defrosting.

By following these simple storage instructions, you can make your homemade banana bread last longer and enjoy it whenever you want!

Frequently asked questions