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These crunchy Air Fryer Banana Chips turn regular bananas into irresistible, crispy treats without the need for deep frying. They're great for using bananas that are starting to get spots, giving you a wonderful mix of natural sweetness with a hint of warm cinnamon in every crunchy bite.
I came up with this idea last summer when my kids kept asking for snacks but I didn't want to give them regular potato chips. Now they ask for these banana chips every week and they even like to help make them!
Ingredients
- 2 ripe but firm bananas: cut into ⅛ inch rounds. Pick bananas with just a few brown spots for the best mix of sweetness and texture.
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or melted butter: The coconut oil brings a nice tropical taste that works really well with banana.
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or coconut sugar: If you have coconut sugar, it'll give a richer, caramel-like flavor.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Using fresh cinnamon really changes how good the final result tastes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cool and enjoy:
- Put the chips on a wire cooling rack right after taking them out of the air fryer. They'll get even crispier as they cool down. This cooling step is super important to get that satisfying crunch.
- Air fry to crispy perfection:
- Put the banana slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overlapping. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning them over halfway through. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes since they can burn quickly.
- Preheat your air fryer:
- Turn your air fryer to 350°F and let it warm up for 3 to 5 minutes. This important step makes sure the bananas start cooking right away when you put them in, which helps them get nice and crispy.
- Create the coating mixture:
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until they're mixed well. Gently toss the banana slices with the melted coconut oil or butter so each slice gets a light coating. Then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mix over them, making sure to coat both sides.
- Prepare the bananas:
- Peel and slice the bananas into thin, even ⅛ inch rounds. Getting them all the same thickness helps them crisp up evenly. If they're too thick, they'll stay soft in the middle; if they're too thin, they might burn.
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The thing I love most about making these is watching how the bananas change as they cool down. They come out of the air fryer looking a bit soft, but like magic, they turn into perfectly crispy chips while cooling. My daughter calls it our kitchen science experiment and always checks on them every couple minutes.
Perfect Ripeness Matters
Getting great banana chips starts with picking fruit that's just right. Go for bananas that are yellow with a few small brown spots. These will be sweet enough but still firm enough to slice nicely. All-yellow bananas with no spots will work too but won't be as sweet, while really spotted bananas will be harder to slice evenly and might stick to your air fryer basket.
Storage Solutions
Your homemade banana chips will stay crispy for up to a week when stored right. Let them cool completely before putting them in an airtight container. If you live somewhere humid, try putting a small paper towel in with them to soak up extra moisture. For keeping them longer, put them in the fridge where they'll stay good for up to two weeks, though they might not be as crispy after a while.
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Flavor Variations
Try different flavors to keep this snack interesting. Add a bit of nutmeg or cardamom to your cinnamon sugar mix for a nice spice blend. For a tropical feel, add some unsweetened shredded coconut before air frying. If you love chocolate, try drizzling cooled chips with melted dark chocolate and let it harden for a fancier treat. My family really likes adding a tiny bit of sea salt to the sugar mixture for an addictive sweet and salty combo.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How thin do I slice bananas?
Cut the bananas into ⅛-inch-thick rounds so they cook evenly and get crispy.
- → Is butter okay instead of coconut oil?
Sure, melted butter’s a great swap for coconut oil when coating the slices.
- → How do I stop the chips from sticking?
Place the banana slices in a single layer in the air fryer so they won't stick or overlap.
- → How do I keep them crisp after cooking?
Cool them fully, then store in a tightly sealed container for freshness.
- → What are sugar-free alternatives?
Swap regular sugar with coconut sugar or skip it altogether for natural banana sweetness.
- → How long do they stay fresh?
In a sealed container, they stay crunchy for up to 7 days.