If you’re a snacker at heart (aren’t we all, really?), you’re going to adore these Air Fryer Banana Chips. They’re crisp, sweet, wonderfully cinnamon-spiced, and—best of all—way better for you than the store-bought version. Get ready for an irresistible homemade treat that’s naturally gluten-free, made with just a handful of simple ingredients, and endlessly munchable!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Better-For-You Crunch: Air Fryer Banana Chips deliver all the crisp and flavor of traditional chips but with a fraction of the oil—you can truly snack without guilt!
- Super Simple Ingredients: With just bananas, a touch of oil, and cinnamon, you create an addictive chip that’s naturally gluten-free and vegan—no mysterious additives in sight.
- Endless Customization: You can easily jazz them up with your favorite spices or keep them classic—these banana chips are a blank (and tasty) canvas.
- Snack in 30 Minutes: These chips are ready in about half an hour, and since they cool quickly, you’ll be snacking before you know it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need three key ingredients for Air Fryer Banana Chips, but don’t let their simplicity fool you—each plays an important part in creating unbeatable flavor and the perfect chip texture. Here’s what to grab and why:
- Green or just-ripe bananas: These bananas hold their shape and get deliciously crisp without turning mushy. The less ripe, the crunchier the chip!
- Avocado oil or olive oil: Just a drizzle helps the chips crisp up in the air fryer and gives them that signature chip crunch; avocado oil adds a neutral flavor, while olive oil brings a buttery subtlety.
- Ground cinnamon: This isn’t just for aroma—cinnamon creates a naturally sweet spice and elevates the banana chips with cozy warmth.
Variations
One of the best things about Air Fryer Banana Chips is how versatile they are. Don’t be afraid to mix things up based on what you love or any dietary needs—you’ll be amazed at how easily these chips can be reinvented!
- Sweet & Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder with the cinnamon for a surprising and addictive kick.
- Purely Sweet: Skip the cinnamon and sprinkle the chips, after cooking, with a tiny bit of coconut sugar or powdered monk fruit for a dessert-like treat.
- Salted Banana Chips: Ditch the cinnamon and add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt instead—savory, salty, and just as snackable!
- Tropical Twist: Swap ground cinnamon for a mixture of lime zest and a dash of coconut flakes for a vacation-in-a-bite flavor.
How to Make Air Fryer Banana Chips
Step 1: Prep Your Bananas
Peel your bananas and slice them into even, ¼-inch thick rounds. Try to keep the slices as uniform as possible—this helps them cook evenly and crisp up at the same rate (no sad, burnt chips here!).
Step 2: Coat with Cinnamon Oil
In a small bowl, stir together the oil and ground cinnamon until combined. Pour this cinnamon oil mixture over the banana slices in a large bowl, gently tossing to coat. This step is a total game-changer—the oil helps the cinnamon stick to every slice, giving you maximum flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Arrange and Air Fry
Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (about 5 minutes). Arrange the banana slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket (don’t crowd them; work in batches if needed). Air fry for 25 to 28 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep a close eye during the last few minutes—chips can go from golden to overdone quickly!
Step 4: Cool for Crunch
Once the chips are golden and crisp, remove them from the air fryer basket and let them cool on a wire rack or plate for 5–10 minutes. (Trust me, this patience pays off—cooling is the secret to that extra crunch that makes Air Fryer Banana Chips completely irresistible.)
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Banana Chips
- Go for Green: Always choose green or just-yellow bananas. Super-ripe bananas will turn mushy instead of crisping up!
- Slice Consistency Matters: Take a moment to cut your banana slices as evenly as you can—this ensures every chip is perfectly cooked together, with no chewy stragglers or burnt edges.
- Check Early, Check Often: Since air fryer models vary, start checking a few minutes early so your banana chips come out golden, not overdone.
- Let Them Cool for the Crunch Factor: As tempting as it is to dive in right away, those few minutes of cooling time are crucial for maximum crispness.
How to Serve Air Fryer Banana Chips
Garnishes
While Air Fryer Banana Chips are delicious straight from the bowl, you can sprinkle them with an extra touch of cinnamon, a dusting of coconut sugar, or even a little sea salt for a flavor twist. Want to get fancy? Try a drizzle of dark chocolate for an indulgent dessert-style snack!
Side Dishes
Pair your banana chips with a creamy fruit dip, nut butter, or Greek yogurt for a balanced snack with a protein boost. They also add crunch as a topping for smoothie bowls, oatmeal, or a scoop of nice cream—so good!
Creative Ways to Present
Show off your homemade banana chips at snack time by serving them in parchment cones, pretty jars, or as part of a vibrant snack board with fresh fruit and nuts. They also make a thoughtful homemade gift—just pop some in a clear cellophane bag, tie it with twine, and share the banana chip love!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Air Fryer Banana Chips crispy by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay crunchy for up to a week (if you can make them last that long!). Just make sure they’re completely cool before stashing them, so they don’t steam and lose their crunch.
Freezing
While banana chips are definitely best fresh, you can freeze them in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Let them come to room temperature before eating—if they’re a little soft, just pop them back in the air fryer for a minute or two to re-crisp.
Reheating
If your banana chips lose some crispness after a day or two, simply toss them back in the air fryer at 300°F for about 2–3 minutes—good as new! Always let them cool before snacking to maximize crunch.
FAQs
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Can I use ripe bananas to make Air Fryer Banana Chips?
It’s best to use green or just-yellow bananas for this recipe. Ripe bananas are softer and tend to get mushy in the air fryer, leading to chewy rather than crispy chips.
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Why do I need to mix cinnamon and oil together?
Mixing the cinnamon with oil ensures every banana slice gets an even coating of spice, resulting in consistent flavor and improved chip crispness.
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Can I make Air Fryer Banana Chips without oil?
You can try skipping the oil, but the chips may be a bit less crispy and might stick to the air fryer basket. A tiny drizzle goes a long way for texture and flavor!
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How do I prevent the banana chips from sticking to the basket?
Lightly brush or mist the air fryer basket with oil before arranging your banana slices. Also, avoid overlapping slices—they need their space to get extra crispy.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a healthier snack that’s every bit as delicious as it is easy, Air Fryer Banana Chips are about to become your new go-to. I can’t wait for you to experience how fun and satisfying it is to make your own crispy chips at home. Enjoy every crunchy, cinnamon-kissed bite!
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: Any
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make crunchy and delicious Air Fryer Banana Chips with just a few simple ingredients. These healthy chips are perfect for snacking or as a topping for yogurt and oatmeal.
Ingredients
Banana Chips:
- 2 bananas (green or yellow, not ripe)
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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.
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. If your banana slices are thinner than ¼ inch thick, they may cook more quickly, so check frequently to make sure they don’t burn.
- 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: 12g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
