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Home » Desserts

Air Fryer Bananas

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

These air fryer bananas are easy to make in the air fryer in less than 10 minutes. These sweet, caramelized banana slices are perfect for topping on a stack of fluffy pancakes, or for serving over a bowl of ice cream.

Up close view of caramelized bananas served in a glass bowl with walnut ice cream.

For other easy air fryer recipes, try this air fryer toaster strudel, these air fryer frozen onion rings or these air fryer coconut shrimp.

Jump to:
  • Recipe Highlights
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • Instructions
  • How To Serve
  • Storage
  • Expert Tips
  • Variations
  • FAQ
  • 📖 Recipe

Recipe Highlights

  • These caramelized bananas can be used in a variety of ways. Add them on top of a stack of pancakes, mixed into granola, served on top of ice cream, or as a snack all on their own.
  • These bananas are cooked in the air fryer so there is minimal clean up.
  • They are easy to make, using only 4 ingredients, and in under 10 minutes.
  • Making these bananas in the air fryer is a much healthier option compared to deep frying them.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Ingredients needed to make the air fryer bananas.
  • Bananas: Use semi-ripe, firm bananas. The bananas should be mostly yellow with a bit of green on them. Don’t use soft bananas or bananas with brown spots. Bananas that are too soft will end up mushy after being cooked in the air fryer.
  • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar caramelizes in the air fryer to give the bananas a rich caramel flavor. If needed, you can substitute this with coconut sugar or granulated sugar, but it won’t have the same caramel flavor.
  • Butter: You can replace this with coconut oil or margarine if you prefer.
  • Cinnamon: A bit of cinnamon goes well with the brown sugar and butter. You can also add in a dash of nutmeg or pumpkin spice.

Equipment

  • An air fryer to make the bananas in.
  • Aluminum foil to line the bottom of the air fryer.
  • A brush to coat the banana slices in the sauce.

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon together. 

Step 2: Line the air fryer with tin foil. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to poke holes in it to allow for proper circulation. Dip the banana slices in the brown sugar and butter mixture and lay them side by side on the aluminum foil. Don’t overlap the slices. Add an extra brush of sauce to each banana slice. 

A collage of process photos illustrating steps 1 and 2.

Step 3: Air fry the bananas at 375F for 5 to 6 minutes until they are golden brown, flipping them halfway through.

Process photo illustrating step 3.

How To Serve

  • Ice Cream: Serve these banana slices fresh out of the air fryer over a scoop of ice cream. Try them with vanilla, maple walnut or banana caramel ice cream.
  • Banana Split: Instead of cutting the banana into slices, slice the bananas length-wise. Serve the air fried bananas with ice cream, and top them with whipped cream, hot fudge sauce and peanuts.
  • Pancakes & Waffles: These banana slices taste delicious served on top of a stack of fresh pancakes or waffles. These work as an easy substitute for the topping in these bananas foster pancakes.
  • Granola: For another breakfast idea, serve these bananas with vanilla yogurt, on top of granola.

Storage

These air fried bananas are best served as soon as they are out of the air fryer. 

However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in the air fryer at 350F for 1 to 2 minutes until heated through.

Air fryer caramelized bananas served with a spoon in a glass bowl of ice cream, on a grey marble table.

Expert Tips

  • For best results, use firm bananas and don’t overcook them. The bananas will become soft in the air fryer. If the bananas are too soft to start with, or are cooked for too long, they will become mushy.
  • When adding the bananas to the air fryer, don’t let the slices overlap, otherwise they won’t cook evenly. If they don’t all fit in your air fryer, cook them in multiple batches.
  • You may be left with a small amount of extra butter and brown sugar sauce. Either use a brush to coat the banana slices in extra sauce, or heat it for a few seconds in the microwave and drizzle it over your pancakes or ice cream, serving it with the bananas.
  • Serve the bananas fresh out of the air fryer. They taste best while they are still hot, before they have cooled down. Make only as much as you are planning to use.

Variations

  • Flavors: Experiment with different flavors. Try adding in a small amount of vanilla extract, pumpkin spice, maple syrup, ginger, or nutmeg.
  • Liquor: Add in a small amount of liquor such as Cointreau, brandy or rum.
  • Vegan: Replace the butter with coconut oil or a plant-based margarine.

FAQ

Are these bananas crispy?

Not really. They should be semi-soft when fresh out of the air fryer.

Why are the bananas mushy?

If you use brown or overly ripe bananas, or cook the bananas for too long in the air fryer, they may become mushy.

Can I use black bananas for this recipe?

No. They will end up too mushy. Try using brown or black bananas in this ricotta banana bread, this coffee banana cake or these banana almond flour muffins instead.

Do I have to preheat the air fryer?

No. For this recipe, you don’t need to preheat the air fryer.

Air fryer bananas served on top of ice cream, sprinkled with walnuts.
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📖 Recipe

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Air fryer bananas served on top of ice cream, sprinkled with walnuts.

Air Fryer Bananas


  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

These air fryer bananas are easy to make in the air fryer in less than 10 minutes. These sweet, caramelized banana slices are perfect for topping on a stack of fluffy pancakes, or for serving over a bowl of ice cream.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 banana, sliced

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon together until well combined.
  2. Dip each slice of banana into the mixture and place in an air fryer basket lined with aluminum foil. Don’t let the banana slices overlap. Use a brush to drizzle on extra brown sugar and butter sauce.
  3. Air fry at 375F for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway through. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Depending on your air fryer, you may need to poke holes in the aluminum foil.
  • Use firm bananas and don’t overcook them. If the bananas are too soft to start with, or are cooked for too long, they will become mushy.
  • Serve the bananas fresh out of the air fryer. Make only as much as you are planning to use.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Air Fryer
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 177
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 94mg
  • Fat: 11.7g
  • Saturated Fat: 7.6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 19.5g
  • Fiber: 1.6g
  • Protein: 0.8g
  • Cholesterol: 31mg

Keywords: air fried bananas, air fryer recipes

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Ali in a white tank top wearing sunglasses, with trees with yellow leaves in the background.

Hi, I'm Ali! Full-time nurse, lifetime foodie. Join me as I create, eat and drink the most delicious brunch, cocktail & dessert recipes! More about me —>

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