Crispy, golden air fryer banana chips made with just 3 ingredients—your go-to healthy snack that’s crunchy, naturally sweet, and ready in minutes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few humble pantry staples to whip up Air Fryer Banana Chips, and each one truly makes a difference. The bananas offer the base and natural sweetness, while a dash of oil ensures a gorgeous golden crunch, and a hint of lemon juice brightens up every bite.
- Bananas: Choose ripe but still firm bananas for the best crisp texture and natural sweetness—overripe bananas will be too soft and won’t hold their shape.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a subtle tang and helps retain the bananas’ beautiful color during air frying.
- Olive Oil or Avocado Oil (optional): Just a touch promotes extra crispness, but feel free to skip if you want to make this snack oil-free.
- Salt (optional): A pinch turns these into a marvelous sweet-salty treat, but you can leave it out to let the fruitiness shine.
How to Make Air Fryer Banana Chips
Step 1: Slice the Bananas
Start by gently peeling your bananas, then slice them into very thin rounds—aim for about 1/8 inch thick. The thinner your slices, the crispier your Air Fryer Banana Chips will be after cooking. Take your time with this step; a sharp knife or a mandoline works wonders for uniform cuts.
Step 2: Toss with Lemon Juice and Oil
In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice and oil (if you’re using). Add your banana slices and toss them gently to ensure every single piece is lightly coated. This not only prevents browning but also sets you up for that beautiful golden color and perfect crunch.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) so it heats up while you prep the bananas. Preheating guarantees even cooking and consistent results with every batch of banana chips.
Step 4: Arrange and Cook
Arrange the banana slices in a single, non-overlapping layer in the air fryer basket. This is absolutely key—crowding leads to steaming instead of crisping. Air fry the slices for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping each chip halfway through for spectacularly even crunchiness. Keep a close eye during the last couple of minutes; banana chips can go from golden to overdone in a flash!
Step 5: Cool and Crisp
Once your Air Fryer Banana Chips are golden and just crisp, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. They’ll firm up even more as they sit, giving you that satisfying crunch we all crave. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt if you’d like, or enjoy their pure, naturally sweet flavor just as they are!
How to Serve Air Fryer Banana Chips
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt is classic, but don’t hesitate to get creative. Try dusting with a bit of cinnamon or cocoa powder for a sweet variation, or toss the warm chips with a dash of chili powder for a fun, spicy kick. You’ll be amazed at how these simple touches can elevate Air Fryer Banana Chips into something special!
Side Dishes
Banana chips are wonderfully versatile—pair them with creamy Greek yogurt as a breakfast side, use them to scoop up homemade guacamole, or serve them alongside a tropical fruit salad for bright, sunny vibes. They’re also fantastic next to a handful of mixed nuts or as a crunchy topping for an acai bowl.
Creative Ways to Present
Layer Air Fryer Banana Chips in small glass jars for a pretty snack you can gift or take on the go. For a party, arrange them on a platter with bowls of chocolate or caramel dip. You can even crumble the chips over ice cream or oatmeal for fun texture and a pop of flavor—let your imagination run wild!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, place any remaining Air Fryer Banana Chips in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delightfully crisp for up to 5 days, although chances are they’ll disappear much sooner thanks to their irresistible crunch.
Freezing
If you’d like to make a bigger batch, you can freeze the finished banana chips. Spread them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. This way, you can grab a handful whenever you fancy a quick snack—they’ll keep their texture for up to two months!
Reheating
Should your Air Fryer Banana Chips lose any crispness over time, simply pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes. Let them cool briefly, and they’ll be perfectly crunchy once again, as if just made.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for Air Fryer Banana Chips?
For the best results, stick with bananas that are ripe but still firm—they’ll hold their shape better and offer a crisp finish. Overripe bananas tend to be too soft and may turn mushy when air fried.
Do I need to use oil in this recipe?
Oil is totally optional! It does add a little extra crispiness and richer flavor, but you can easily skip it for an oil-free, super light snack that still delivers delicious crunch.
Why aren’t my banana chips crispy?
It’s all about the thickness and arrangement of your slices. Make sure your banana rounds are nice and thin (about 1/8 inch), don’t overlap them in the air fryer, and let them cool fully—they actually crisp up more as they cool down.
Can I make Air Fryer Banana Chips with plantains instead?
Absolutely! Plantains, especially when just ripe, make fantastic chips. They’re starchier and a bit less sweet than bananas, resulting in a heartier crunch with slightly different flavor notes.
How do I stop banana chips from sticking together?
Coating the slices with lemon juice and oil helps prevent sticking, as does spacing them out in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Flipping halfway through the cooking time also ensures even crisping and separates any slices that might try to cling.
Final Thoughts
It’s truly amazing how a couple of bananas and a few pantry staples can transform into a crispy, wholesome snack like Air Fryer Banana Chips. Once you try them, you might just find yourself making extra batches to share—or maybe to savor all for yourself! Give them a go, and get ready to crave snack time in a whole new way.
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Air Fryer Banana Chips Recipe
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Crispy, golden air fryer banana chips made with just 3 ingredients—your go-to healthy snack that’s crunchy, naturally sweet, and ready in minutes!
Ingredients
Banana Chips
- 2 ripe but firm bananas
Coating
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or avocado oil (optional, for extra crispness)
Seasoning
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bananas: Peel the bananas and slice them into very thin rounds, about 1/8 inch thick. Thinner slices will yield crispier chips.
- Coat the Slices: In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice and oil (if using). Gently toss the banana slices in this mixture to ensure they’re evenly coated, which helps prevent browning and adds crispness.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes so the chips cook evenly.
- Arrange in Basket: Lay the banana slices in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket, making sure the rounds do not overlap. You might need to cook them in batches for best results.
- Air Fry the Chips: Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through to promote even browning. Keep an eye on them in the last couple of minutes to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Transfer the golden chips onto a wire rack and let them cool. They will continue to crisp up as they cool down. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt if desired, or enjoy straight away!
Notes
- The thinner the banana slices, the crispier the chips will be.
- Use just-ripe, firm bananas for the best texture and mild sweetness.
- For a sweeter chip, use overripe bananas but note they may not get as crisp.
- Store cooled chips in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- You can experiment with a light sprinkle of cinnamon or chili powder for a flavor twist.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about half the recipe)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg