Air Fryer Banana Chips
Crispy air fryer banana chips are perfectly dehydrated, resulting in a pleasant crispness. The banana chips are mixed with oil and cinnamon to give them a delightful flavor.
It took me several tries to perfect this dried banana chip recipe for you. This required consuming a lot of bananas. I’m not complaining, but I was ecstatic when I finally perfected the timing and temperature for crispy banana chips!
Unfortunately, other recipes I tried resulted in burnt banana chips that remained soft and never crisped up. But I tried and tested them, so you don’t have to!
The key to my recipe is to cook for a longer period of time at lower temperatures. That is what you need to fully dry the bananas so you can produce those crispy dehydrated banana chips. So, I hope you try and enjoy!
Ingredients
2 green or yellow bananas (unripe)
2 teaspoons olive or avocado oil
¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Peel and slice bananas into ¼ inch thick pieces. Place the banana slices in a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and oil.
4. Pour the cinnamon oil over the bananas and gently stir until the slices are coated.
5. Place the banana slices in a single layer in your air fryer (you may need to do two batches) and cook for 25-28 minutes at 300 degrees F, flipping halfway through.
6. Remove from the air fryer basket and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
Notes
The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your banana slices and the type of air fryer you have. Most of the time, it takes 25-28 minutes for your banana chips to get crispy and delicious. If your banana slices are smaller than ¼ inch thick, they may fry faster. Check constantly to avoid burning.
Mixing the cinnamon with the oil distributes the cinnamon more evenly than simply dusting it on. Do not skip this step!
After removing the banana chips from the air fryer, allow them to cool for 5-10 minutes to crisp up.
Nutrition
Health Information
Air fryer banana chips are a healthier option than typical fried banana chips. Here’s why.
Lower in Calories and Fat:
Traditional banana chips are deep-fried in oil, making them rich in calories and bad fats. Air frying utilizes little to no oil, resulting in much lower calorie and fat content, making air fryer banana chips a healthier option.
Rich in Nutrients:
Bananas include a high concentration of vital elements such as potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and dietary fiber. Potassium is very beneficial to heart health, and vitamin C helps the immune system. Fiber assists digestion and promotes a healthy weight.
No Added Sugars:
When using an air fryer, you have complete control over the materials utilized. Unlike store-bought chips, which may have additional sugars or artificial flavorings, homemade air fryer banana chips are naturally sweet and additive-free.
Gluten-Free:
Because air fryer banana chips are naturally gluten-free, they are an ideal snack for anyone who are gluten sensitive or have celiac disease.
Preserved Antioxidants:
Air frying is a gentler cooking method than deep frying. This helps retain the antioxidant content of bananas, which aids in the fight against inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
Portion Control:
Because air fryer banana chips are often thinner and crunchier than fried equivalents, portion sizes are easier to control, minimizing the temptation to overeat.
Supports heart health:
Potassium-rich, which aids with blood pressure regulation and cardiac function.
Potassium helps to regulate sodium levels, lowering the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Improves Digestive Health:
High in dietary fiber, which assists digestion, prevents constipation, and improves gut health.
Prebiotics promote the growth of healthy intestinal flora.
Promotes healthy weight management:
Fiber keeps you feeling fuller for longer, which reduces overeating and snacking.
Air fryer banana chips are a low-calorie alternative to typical fried chips.
Boosts energy:
Natural sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) provide a rapid energy boost, making it a great pre-workout snack.
Cooking Tips
Choosing the Right Banana:
Go for slightly under ripe bananas or plantains. They’re firmer and have less moisture, resulting in crispier chips.
Overripe bananas will be too soft and sweet to crisp up effectively in the air fryer.
Slicing bananas:
Slice the bananas thinly and uniformly. A mandoline slicer can help you create uniform slices that cook evenly. Aim for slices that are about 1/8 inch thick.
To keep the banana slices crisp and avoid browning, soak them in lemon water for a few minutes before cooking.
Using minimal oil:
To help the banana slices crisp up, lightly coat them with oil (e.g., coconut or olive oil). A cooking spray or a thin coat of oil works great.
You may also omit the oil for a completely oil-free version, though a little oil does help generate a nice crunch.
Season the Chips:
While basic banana chips are great, feel free to experiment with seasonings. For a savory variation, season with salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, or chili powder.
Before air frying, sprinkle with brown sugar or cinnamon-sugar. However, add sugar and they will caramelize quickly, so keep an eye on them.
Cooking Time and Temperature:
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/175°C. Place the banana slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap too much for even cooking.
Cook the banana chips for approximately 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact duration will vary depending on the thickness of the slices and your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Do not overcrowd the basket:
To get crispy fries, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You may need to cook the banana slices in batches depending on how many you’re cooking.
Cool before storing.
Once finished, let the banana chips cool fully before storing them. This allows them to become even crisper as they cool.
Keep your air fryer banana chips in an airtight jar at room temperature. They should remain crisp for about a week.
Conclusion
Air fryer banana chips are a nutritious, crunchy, and tasty snack that can be readily prepared at home with few ingredients. Compared to deep frying, utilizing an air fryer saves calories, harmful fats, and superfluous oils while retaining the nutrients and natural sweetness of bananas. With the right bananas, slicing, and seasonings, air fryer banana chips can be a delightful and personalized snack. Whether you want a healthy treat or a delicious crunchy snack, air fryer banana chips are an excellent choice that doesn’t trade flavor for nutrition.
