If you crave a crispy, naturally sweet snack that feels a little indulgent but is secretly good for you, you’re going to be obsessed with these Air Fryer Banana Chips! They transform simple bananas into a crunchy, cinnamon-kissed treat that’s impossible to resist—perfect for snacking, lunchboxes, or late-night munchies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Satisfying Crunch: Air Fryer Banana Chips get irresistibly crispy—without frying in oil!
- Simple, Whole Ingredients: Just bananas, a drizzle of oil, and a touch of cinnamon make for a wholesome snack.
- Quick & Easy to Make: You only need 30 minutes start to finish, and the air fryer does almost all the work.
- Perfect for Snacking Anytime: Portable, packable, and totally addictive for lunchboxes or movie nights!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You might be surprised by how much flavor comes from just a few basic ingredients! These Air Fryer Banana Chips rely on quality bananas, a healthy oil, and a pinch of spice—each one playing a key role in the chips’ flavor and irresistible texture.
- Bananas (green or yellow, not ripe): Choosing underripe bananas ensures the chips get gloriously crisp and not sticky or chewy.
- Avocado oil or olive oil: Just a little oil helps the chips crisp up in the air fryer and carries the cinnamon beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds delightful warmth and cozy aroma—just enough to make these feel like a treat.
Variations
There are so many ways you can have fun with Air Fryer Banana Chips—don’t hesitate to get creative! With just a tweak or two, you can make these chips work for different palates, dietary needs, and moods.
- Spicy-Sweet: Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the cinnamon mix for a subtle kick.
- Classic Sea Salt: Skip the cinnamon and sprinkle the banana slices with flaky sea salt before air frying for a savory, chip-like experience.
- Cocoa-Dusted: Toss the chips with a little unsweetened cocoa powder after cooking for a chocolate-banana treat.
- Maple Drizzle: As soon as the chips come out of the fryer, toss them lightly with a touch of maple syrup for natural sweetness and a glossy finish.
How to Make Air Fryer Banana Chips
Step 1: Prep Your Bananas
Start by peeling your bananas and slicing them into even ¼-inch rounds. Using firm, green or just-yellow bananas makes the slicing so much easier, and results in the best crispy texture. Try to keep the slices the same thickness, as this helps them cook evenly and prevents some from burning while others stay chewy.
Step 2: Infuse with Cinnamon-Oil Magic
In a small bowl, whisk the ground cinnamon and your chosen oil together until fully combined. Pour this heavenly-scented mixture over the banana slices in a large bowl. Gently toss the slices until each one is evenly coated—this ensures that every chip is flavorful and crisps up just right!
Step 3: Air Fry for Perfect Crunch
Preheat your air fryer to 300°F for about 5 minutes. Lay the banana slices in a single layer in the basket, making sure they’re not overlapping (you may need to work in batches). Cook them for 25–28 minutes, flipping each slice halfway through. Be patient—the magic happens when they turn golden and just a little deeper at the edges.
Step 4: Let Them Crisp Up
Remove the banana chips from the air fryer and let them cool on a rack or paper towel-lined plate for 5–10 minutes. They might seem a bit soft at first, but as they cool, they become irresistibly crisp. (Waiting is the hardest part, but it’s absolutely worth it!)
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Banana Chips
- Banana Selection Matters: Always opt for green or just-ripe yellow bananas—overripe ones turn mushy and never get the signature crunch.
- Slice Uniformly for Even Crisping: Take your time to slice the bananas as evenly as possible; thinner slices cook faster, but might be fragile, so keep an eye on them.
- Don’t Crowd the Air Fryer Basket: Airflow is key for crisp chips, so arrange banana slices in a single layer—even if it means a second batch!
- Crisp on Cooling: Resist eating right away; the chips will crisp up perfectly as they cool out of the air fryer.
How to Serve Air Fryer Banana Chips
Garnishes
These banana chips are wonderful as they are, but you can give them a fun finishing touch by dusting with extra cinnamon, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, or a pinch of sea salt just as they cool. For a sweet treat, try a light drizzle of honey or a scattering of finely chopped nuts right before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair Air Fryer Banana Chips with vanilla yogurt, a fresh fruit salad, or your favorite smoothie for a perfect, energizing breakfast or snack. They also shine as a crunchy companion to savory dips like guacamole or creamy peanut butter, offering an unexpected yet delightful combo!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun presentation, serve your banana chips in parchment-lined jars for on-the-go snacking, or pile them onto a pretty platter with little bowls of yogurt or chocolate sauce for dipping. You can even layer them on a snack board with almonds, dried fruit, and fresh berries for a beautiful, nutrient-packed spread!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your completely cooled Air Fryer Banana Chips in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay crunchy and tasty for up to five days—if they last that long! Be sure they’ve cooled fully before sealing up to keep them crisp.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for Air Fryer Banana Chips, since the chips tend to soften and lose their delightful crunch once they thaw. If you’d like to save them longer, it’s best to make smaller batches fresh as needed for peak texture.
Reheating
If your banana chips lose a bit of crunch, pop them back into the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes, watching closely so they don’t burn. Let them cool again to restore that lovely crisp texture!
FAQs
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Can I use ripe bananas for Air Fryer Banana Chips?
For this recipe, firmer bananas (green or just turning yellow) work best. Ripe bananas are too soft and will result in chewy chips that won’t crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Save those for smoothies or baking!
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How thin should I slice the bananas for the best results?
The sweet spot is about ¼-inch thick. Thicker slices may stay chewy, and thinner slices can become too brittle or burn quickly. Try to slice as evenly as you can for uniform, crunchy Air Fryer Banana Chips.
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What if my banana chips aren’t crisp when I take them out?
Don’t worry! Banana chips continue to crisp as they cool. Let them rest for at least 5–10 minutes after air frying—the transformation is truly magical. If they’re still not crispy enough for your liking, return them to the air fryer for a few extra minutes.
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Can I double the recipe to make more chips at once?
Absolutely, but make sure not to overcrowd your air fryer. Cook in batches so each slice gets enough hot air to crisp up. It’s totally worth the extra round—everyone will be reaching for more Air Fryer Banana Chips!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a sweet, crunchy snack that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, give these Air Fryer Banana Chips a try! They’re easy, endlessly adaptable, and sure to become a favorite in your snack rotation—so go ahead, whip up a batch and share the crispy joy.
PrintAir 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
Learn how to make crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Banana Chips at home with just a few simple ingredients. These guilt-free snacks are a delicious treat for any time of day!
Ingredients
Banana Chips:
- 2 bananas green or yellow (not ripe)
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil or olive oil
Seasoning:
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 300 degrees F.
- Prepare the bananas: Peel and slice the bananas into slices ¼ inch in thickness. Place banana slices in a large bowl.
- Make the cinnamon oil: In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and oil.
- Coat the 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 and crisp: Remove from the air fryer basket and let cool for 5-10 minutes to allow the banana chips to crisp up.
Notes
- Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your banana slices and your particular air fryer. Most of the time, it will take between 25-28 minutes for your banana chips to get crispy and delicious.
- Mixing together the cinnamon with the oil helps the cinnamon be distributed more evenly than just sprinkling on. Don’t skip this step!
- Let the banana chips cool for 5-10 minutes after coming out of the air fryer to allow them to crisp up.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg