Meet your new favorite crunchy snack: Air Fryer Banana Chips! These delightfully crisp treats transform simple bananas into bite-sized chips packed with sweet, cinnamon flavor—using just a handful of ingredients and your trusty air fryer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Seriously Addictive Crunch: The air fryer creates a crispy, chip-like texture that’s perfect for snacking anytime—without deep frying or excess oil.
- Super Simple Ingredients: You only need bananas, a drizzle of oil, and a sprinkle of cinnamon to make the magic happen—no complicated mix-ins necessary!
- Naturally Sweet, No Added Sugar: Ripe bananas provide just the right amount of sweetness, making this snack a feel-good alternative to packaged chips.
- Quick & Customizable: These Air Fryer Banana Chips come together in 30 minutes, and you can easily adapt them with your favorite spices.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how a few humble pantry staples can transform into such a snackable delight! Each ingredient in these Air Fryer Banana Chips brings something special, from the bananas’ natural sweetness to the warm embrace of cinnamon.
- Bananas (green or just yellow, not fully ripe): The star of the show! Firmer bananas hold up best for chips, giving you slices that crisp up rather than turn mushy.
- Avocado oil or olive oil: A light drizzle helps the chips crisp beautifully and ensures the cinnamon sticks to every bite.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with the bananas’ gentle sweetness.
Variations
The magic of Air Fryer Banana Chips is that you can tweak them endlessly! Don’t be afraid to play with flavors or use what you have on hand—this recipe is your canvas for snack-time creativity.
- Cocoa Banana Chips: Toss banana slices with a dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder before air frying for an irresistible chocolate twist.
- Sweet & Salty: Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the chips when they come out of the air fryer for the perfect sweet-salty snack.
- Spiced Up: Try swapping cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice or a dash of cayenne for a little unexpected heat!
- Ultra-Crunchy: Slice bananas extra thin (about 1/8-inch) for even crispier chips, just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
How to Make Air Fryer Banana Chips
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
Give your air fryer a quick 5-minute preheat at 300°F. This helps create a hot, head start environment so your banana chips cook up evenly and get beautifully crisp right from the beginning.
Step 2: Slice and Prep the Bananas
Peel the bananas and slice them into ¼-inch rounds—aim for consistency so they cook at the same rate. Lay the slices in a mixing bowl, making sure they stay as intact as possible for sturdy chips!
Step 3: Coat with Cinnamon Oil
Mix together your chosen oil and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Drizzle the cinnamon oil over the banana slices, gently tossing everything together so each piece gets a little flavor love.
Step 4: Air Fry in a Single Layer
Arrange the coated banana slices in a single, non-overlapping layer in your air fryer basket (you might need to work in batches). Air fry them for 25–28 minutes at 300°F, flipping each chip about halfway through to guarantee even color and texture.
Step 5: Let Them Cool & Crisp
Once golden and slightly firm, transfer the chips to a cooling rack and give them 5–10 minutes. They’ll firm up and reach peak crunch as they cool—patience truly pays off!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Banana Chips
- Banana Ripeness Matters: Always pick green to just-yellow bananas—fully ripe ones turn mushy in the air fryer and won’t crisp!
- Even Slicing Is Key: Try to keep banana slices exactly ¼-inch thick; thinner chips get crispy faster, but may overcook if not watched closely.
- Don’t Skip the Flip: Flipping the chips halfway through ensures that both sides are equally golden and crunchy, no soggy surprises.
- Let Them Cool Completely: Resist snacking right away! Banana chips continue to crisp as they cool, reaching their crunchiest potential after resting.
How to Serve Air Fryer Banana Chips
Garnishes
Banana chips are wonderful just as they are, but a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar or a light dusting of powdered sugar makes them extra special—especially for parties or lunchboxes! A little drizzle of honey is also fantastic if you’re craving a touch of indulgence.
Side Dishes
Pair your Air Fryer Banana Chips with creamy Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a balanced breakfast bowl, or set them alongside a scoop of nut butter for a wholesome afternoon snack. They’re also perfect on the side with cottage cheese or a smoothie for a satisfying crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, layer these chips in a mason jar with nuts and chocolate chunks for a homemade trail mix, or serve them on a platter with dried fruit for a colorful snack board. You could even tuck a handful into decorative bags for a thoughtful, homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, keep your banana chips in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay crisp and delicious for several days—just be sure they’re fully cooled before storing to prevent any unwanted sogginess.
Freezing
While you can freeze banana chips for up to two months, they may lose a bit of their signature crisp upon thawing. For best texture, enjoy fresh—or pop briefly back in the air fryer to refresh them if needed.
Reheating
If your banana chips soften a bit over time, just spread them on the air fryer tray and give them a quick blast at 300°F for 2–3 minutes. Let them cool, and they’ll be as crunchy as day one!
FAQs
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Can I use very ripe bananas for Air Fryer Banana Chips?
It’s best to use green or just-yellow bananas. Very ripe bananas are soft and sweet, but they won’t crisp up properly in the air fryer and tend to fall apart during slicing and cooking.
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Do I need to soak the banana slices before air frying?
No soaking required for this recipe! The oil and cinnamon mixture provides all the flavor and helps the chips crisp nicely, without any preservatives or additives.
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Why aren’t my banana chips crunchy?
If your chips aren’t as crisp as you’d like, they might be sliced too thick, you may have used ripe bananas, or they just need a longer cooling period after air frying. Letting them cool fully is key for achieving maximum crunch!
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Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! Just work in batches and avoid crowding the air fryer basket. Spacing out the slices ensures every chip comes out crisp and perfect.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fun, wholesome way to satisfy your crunchy cravings, Air Fryer Banana Chips are the answer! Give them a try—you’ll love how quick, easy, and downright irresistible these golden bites are. Happy snacking, friend!
Print
Air Fryer Banana Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: N/A
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crunchy and delicious, these Air Fryer Banana Chips are a healthy snack that’s easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy this guilt-free treat in no time.
Ingredients
- 2 bananas, green or yellow (not ripe)
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Banana Chips:
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 300 degrees F.
- Prepare Bananas: Peel and slice the bananas into slices ¼ inch in thickness. Place banana slices in a large bowl.
- Mix Cinnamon Oil: In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and oil.
- Coat Bananas: Pour the cinnamon oil over the bananas and carefully mix together so the banana slices are coated.
- Air Fry: Place banana slices in a single layer in your air fryer and cook for 25-28 minutes at 300 degrees F, flipping halfway through cooking time.
- Cool: Remove from the air fryer basket and let cool for 5-10 minutes to crisp up.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
