These Air Fried Bananas are flavorful, perfectly caramelized, and have just 4 vegan ingredients. Use them as a delicious topping for ice cream, oatmeal, crepes, and more. Or freeze them for quick and easy frozen banana bites any time you're in the mood for a sweet treat!
Air Fryer Bananas are the perfect easy treat. Use them as a topping for your favorite desserts or add them on to a special breakfast. Or freeze them so you can get a quick, sweet fix any time you want!
One thing I love about the recipe is that it's a great way to use up and preserve extra bananas. And since these banana bites can be frozen, they are ideal for meal prep.
If you've never tried air fryer fruit recipes before, this is an easy place to start. You just need 4 simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep. In just 10 minutes you'll have a delicious topping the whole family will love!
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Ingredients
Here's what you need to make air fryer bananas.
- bananas: Choose medium-sized bananas that are just ripe or slightly underripe but still firm. (Overripe bananas will turn out too mushy, so avoid those if you can.)
- vegan butter: This adds a layer of richness to the flavor and helps the cinnamon sugar mixture to the bananas.
- sugar: For sweetness and caramelization.
- cinnamon: For a rich, delicious flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here are step-by-step instructions with photos.
- Prep the ingredients: Melt the butter over low heat in a skillet or microwave. Add the cinnamon and sugar to a bowl and mix to combine. Peel the bananas and slice them into ½-inch rounds.
- Dip both sides of the bananas in the butter (or brush each side with butter). Then dip both sides of each banana into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Place all of the banana bites in a lined air fryer basket. If the bananas don't fit in a single layer or are too crowded, cook in two batches.
- Air Fry at 400F or 200C for 8 to 10 minutes (no need to preheat.) Let cool then serve right away or store for later.
Hint: Depending on the size of the bananas, you might need a little extra cinnamon sugar mixture, but the ratio is a simple 2:1 (2 parts sugar to 1 part cinnamon), so it's easy to make a little extra if you need it.
Variations
Here are a few ways to switch things up.
- Deluxe - add a splash of vanilla extract the the melted butter and a little nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Frozen Delight - after the bananas have cooled, pop them into the freezer in a single layer. After they're frozen transfer to a freezer bag or container for quick frozen banana bites that will blow your mind!
Want more air fryer fruit recipes? Check out these Air Fryer Nectarines or these Air Fryer Apples.
Equipment
For this recipe, you need an air fryer, two shallow mixing bowls or plates, and a cutting board. An air fryer liner is also great for this recipe since it's on the messier side.
All of my favorite products and kitchen tools can be found in my Amazon shop.
How to serve
Serve these delicious air fryer banana bites atop ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, crepes, pancakes, and more!
You can also freeze them for delicious frozen banana bites that you can grab any time you need a sweet treat!
Storage
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Or freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months.
Top tip
Be sure to use bananas that are just ripe or slightly underripe and still firm. Even if you (like me) generally prefer extra-ripe bananas, cooking the bananas in the air fryer will essentially "ripen" them. If your bananas are too ripe, they will turn to mush when you cook them.
FAQ
Choose the air fryer that best meets your needs. Consider things like price, size, and functionality. I personally love my Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer, because it has a bigger capacity, which better suits my family of four.
For more info, see my post What Air Fryer Should I Buy? or check out Good Housekeeping's review of the Best Air Fryers of 2024.
I prefer to use air fryer basket liners because they're a perfect fit, but if you don't have that, you could use regular baking paper that's folded up at the edges.
Related
Looking for more air fryer recipes? Try these:
Air Fried Bananas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 medium bananas ripe but firm
- 1.5 tablespoons vegan butter
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Melt the butter over low heat in a skillet or microwave. Add the cinnamon and sugar to a bowl and mix to combine. Peel the bananas and slice them into ½-inch rounds.
- Dip both sides of the bananas in the butter (or brush each side with butter). Then dip both sides of each banana into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Place all of the banana bites in a lined air fryer basket. If the bananas don't fit in a single layer or are too crowded, cook in two batches.
- Air Fry at 400F or 200C for 8 to 10 minutes (no need to preheat.) Let cool then serve right away or store for later.
Notes
- Depending on the size of the bananas, you might need a little extra cinnamon sugar mixture, but the ratio is a simple 2:1 (2 parts sugar to 1 part cinnamon), so it's easy to make a little extra if you need it.
Nutrition
Air Fryer and food safety tips
Here are a few safety tips for cooking with an air fryer.
- Cook food to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always use oven mitts or some protective hand covering when shaking the basket or removing food from the air fryer.
- Hot air comes out the back of the air fryer. Try to keep the back of the air fryer at least a hands length away from the wall, other ingredients, or anything else that could be damaged by heat.
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