Get ready for a fantastic twist on a classic – this Easy Air Fryer Banana Bread! This recipe delivers an incredibly moist banana bread with a slightly crunchy exterior, a delightful cinnamon swirl, and plenty of chocolate chips, all baked quickly and conveniently in your air fryer. I absolutely love using my air fryer for baking quick breads like this Air Fryer Banana Bread because it preheats fast and often cooks quicker than a conventional oven. It’s perfect when you have ripe bananas and a craving for something sweet, comforting, and addictively delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Banana Bread
- Quick Air Fryer Baking: Cooks faster than traditional oven methods, perfect for small batches.
- Incredibly Moist: Using ripe bananas and oil ensures a wonderfully moist crumb.
- Flavor Packed: Features a cinnamon swirl and plenty of chocolate chips for extra deliciousness.
- Easy to Make: Simple batter and straightforward air frying instructions.
- Perfect Small Batch: Ideal for when you want banana bread without making a huge loaf.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Banana Bread
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious air fryer treat. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Cinnamon Swirl
- Granulated sugar (Sweetener) (Use organic for vegan)
- Ground cinnamon (Spice)
Banana Bread
- Granulated sugar (Sweetener) (Use organic for vegan)
- Neutral flavored oil (Avocado, canola, coconut, etc.) (Fat)
- Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
- Very ripe bananas, mashed (Fruit)
- All-purpose flour (spooned and leveled) (Dry Ingredient)
- Cinnamon (Spice)
- Baking soda (Leavening Agent)
- Baking powder (Leavening Agent)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Chocolate chips of choice (use dairy-free for vegan) (Chocolate)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the cinnamon-chocolate chip combination in this Air Fryer Banana Bread, but feel free to customize!
- Add Nuts: Fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips.
- Different Chips: Use butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips.
- No Chocolate: Omit the chocolate chips for a classic cinnamon swirl banana bread.
- Different Spices: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice along with the cinnamon.
- Make it Vegan: Ensure you use organic sugar (for processing without bone char), dairy-free chocolate chips, and check other ingredients if needed.
How to Make Air Fryer Banana Bread
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Air Fryer Banana Bread:
Prep Air Fryer, Pan, and Swirl
- First, I make the cinnamon swirl mixture. I place the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon into a small bowl and stir to combine well. I set this aside.
- Next, I preheat my air fryer to 325 degrees F (160°C).
- I find an air fryer safe baking pan that fits inside my air fryer basket (a 6.5 x 6.5 inch square pan or a small loaf pan often works). I grease it well with cooking spray.
Make the Banana Bread Batter
- In a medium-sized bowl, I place the granulated sugar, oil, and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.
- Then, I whisk in the mashed ripe bananas until combined.
- I add the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the bowl. Using a rubber spatula, I fold these dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined. It’s important not to overmix!
- Finally, I stir in the chocolate chips gently.
Assemble and Swirl
- I sprinkle the bottom and sides of the greased air fryer baking pan with half of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- I carefully fill the pan with half of the banana bread batter.
- I sprinkle the batter with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
- I top with the remaining batter, spreading it gently.
- Using a knife or skewer, I slightly swirl the cinnamon sugar layers into the bread batter. Don’t over-swirl, just a few passes.
Air Fry
- I carefully place the pan into the preheated air fryer basket.
- I air fry for 30-40 minutes, or until the bread has cooked through and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. Air fryer cooking times can vary, so start checking around the 30-minute mark.
Cool and Serve
- Cool slightly
- Cut and serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Air Fryer Banana Bread
Here are my secrets for making perfect Air Fryer Banana Bread:
- Use VERY Ripe Bananas: The spottier and browner, the better! They provide maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Find the Right Pan: Ensure your baking pan fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket with some room for air circulation around it. Metal pans usually work best.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Overmixing leads to tough bread.
- Check for Doneness: Air fryer models vary. Start checking for doneness earlier than the maximum time. Use a toothpick or cake tester.
- Parchment Sling (Optional): Lining your pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang, can make lifting the bread out easier.
How to Serve
This Air Fryer Banana Bread is delicious served:
- Warm: Enjoy a slice slightly warm, perhaps with a smear of butter.
- As Is: Perfect at room temperature for breakfast or a snack.
- Toasted: Try toasting a slice for extra texture.
- With Coffee or Tea: A wonderful accompaniment.
Serve sliced into bars or squares.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Storage: Once completely cool, store the Air Fryer Banana Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place slices in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently reheat.
FAQs about Air Fryer Banana Bread
- Can I bake this in a regular oven?
- Yes! Pour the batter into a standard loaf pan (approx. 8×4 or 9×5 inches) and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Why is my air fryer banana bread dry?
- This could be due to overbaking, overmixing the batter, or not using ripe enough bananas. Ensure you measure flour correctly (spoon and level) and use very ripe bananas. Check for doneness early.
- Can I make this without chocolate chips?
- Absolutely! It will be a delicious Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread. You could add nuts instead if you like.
Enjoy this moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy Air Fryer Banana Bread! It’s a fantastic way to use your air fryer for baking.
Print
Air Fryer Banana Bread
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Dessert, Bread, Quick Bread, Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Air Fryer Banana Bread is moist in the middle with a slightly crunchy exterior. This indulgent bread features a cinnamon-sugar swirl, chocolate chips, and is conveniently baked right in your air fryer.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (use organic if vegan)
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the Banana Bread:
- 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar (use organic if vegan)
- 1/4 cup (59ml) neutral-flavored oil (avocado oil, canola oil, melted coconut oil, etc.)
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 scant cup)
- 3/4 cups (94g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips of choice (use dairy-free if vegan)
Instructions
- Make Cinnamon Swirl: Place 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon into a small bowl. Stir to combine well. Set aside.
- Preheat Air Fryer & Prepare Pan: Preheat air fryer to 325°F (163°C). Generously grease an air fryer safe non-stick square baking pan (approx. 6.5 x 6.5 x 2.75 inches or similar size that fits your air fryer basket) with cooking spray.
- Make Banana Bread Batter:
- Place 1/3 cup granulated sugar, oil, and vanilla extract into a medium-sized bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Whisk in the mashed very ripe bananas until combined.
- Add the flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the bowl. Use a rubber spatula to fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Layer Batter and Swirl:
- Sprinkle half of the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the bottom and slightly up the sides of the greased baking pan.
- Pour half of the banana bread batter into the pan over the cinnamon sugar.
- Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter.
- Top with the remaining batter.
- Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar into the bread batter a few times. Do not over-swirl.
- Air Fry: Carefully place the baking pan into the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry for 30-40 minutes, or until the bread is cooked through and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check for doneness around the 25-minute mark, as air fryer models vary. If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely tent it with foil for the remaining time.
- Cool and Serve: Carefully remove the pan from the air fryer. Let the banana bread cool slightly in the pan before cutting, serving, and enjoying!
Notes
- Ripe Bananas: Use very ripe bananas (lots of brown spots) for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Flour Measurement: For accuracy, weigh your flour or use the spoon-and-level method.
- Vegan Options: Ensure your sugar is vegan (organic often is) and use dairy-free chocolate chips if making a vegan version. Use a plant-based oil like canola or avocado.
- Air Fryer Pan: Use a baking pan specifically designed for or confirmed to be safe in your air fryer model. The size mentioned (6.5×6.5×2.75 inch) fits many standard air fryers, but adjust based on your appliance.
- Air Fryer Cooking Time: Air fryers cook differently. Cooking time may vary. Start checking for doneness early.
- Storage: Store cooled banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.