Air Fryer Banana Chips (Easy Snack Recipe!)

Name: Air Fryer Banana Chips
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 ripe and firm bananas (or plantains); 1 tablespoon brown sugar (for a sweet version); 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; Olive oil or coconut oil spray; Pinch of salt; Ground black pepper (optional)

Recipe Video Print

This Air Fryer Banana Chips recipe is the perfect family snack for any time of the day. These chips are healthy, crispy, and incredibly easy to make. Plus, making them at home is a budget-friendly way to enjoy a wholesome treat. In less than 30 minutes, I can have a batch of delicious, crunchy banana chips ready to enjoy!

I absolutely love creating recipes with bananas, like my popular chocolate banana bread recipe (if you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out). They are naturally sweet, incredibly versatile, and perfect for making simple, delicious snacks. I wanted to find a way to enjoy them in a crispy, light form without deep frying, and that’s exactly how this Air Fryer banana chips recipe came to life.

Why You Will Love This Recipe
What you will need
How to make
Expert tip
Recipe variations
Serving suggestions
How to store
Frequently Asked Questions
More Air Fryer recipes to try:

Bananas have always been a staple in my kitchen, and since my kids love them, I’m always finding new and creative ways to enjoy them. Whether I’m making a dessert like this banana cream cheesecake or something light and crispy like these banana chips, they always turn out delicious. This recipe is my favorite when I need a quick snack for my family, and the air fryer makes it so easy to prepare in no time.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Crunchy, sweet, and impossible to resist: I grew up loving simple, homemade snacks, and banana chips were always a favorite. Now, instead of buying them from the store, I make my own in the air fryer, and let me tell you, they turn out perfectly light and crispy every time.
Snack time just got easier: Life gets busy, and I don’t always have time to prep elaborate snacks. That’s why I love these banana chips. A few simple ingredients, a quick toss in the air fryer, and I have a fresh, crispy treat ready to go before I even finish my coffee.
A smarter way to snack: Store-bought banana chips can be loaded with extra oil and preservatives, and honestly, I’d rather keep things simple. When I make them at home, I know exactly what’s in them, and my kids can enjoy them without any worries, and even take them to school.
Great for munching anytime: Whether I need something crunchy to munch on while I work, or a fun topping for my morning yogurt, these banana chips always come through. I keep a batch on hand because once we start eating them, they disappear fast.

What you will need

Bananas – I use ripe but firm bananas or plantains so they hold their shape and crisp up perfectly. Overripe ones won’t work since they get too soft.
Sweeteners – A little brown sugar adds just the right touch of sweetness.
Acidic Balance – Fresh lemon juice helps keep the bananas from browning too quickly.
Light Oil Coating – A quick spray of olive or coconut oil helps the chips crisp up without making them greasy. It’s just enough to get that perfect crunch.
Seasonings – A pinch of salt and a little black pepper is great if I want a hint of spice. Sometimes, I skip the pepper for a purely sweet version.

How to make

1. Preheat and prepare: I set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit while I peel and slice the bananas into even 1/4-inch thick chips. If I want perfectly uniform slices, I use a mandoline cutter.

2. Season: Then, I toss the sliced bananas with a little salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice. This helps enhance the flavor and keeps them from browning.

steps how to make air fryer banana chips

3. Add the sugar: I sprinkle the brown sugar over the seasoned bananas, then mix everything well to ensure each piece is evenly coated.

4. Cook and Serve: Then, I place the sliced bananas in a single layer in the air fryer, spray them with oil and cook them for about 10 minutes or until crispy, repeating the step as needed. Once they are ready, I enjoy them warm as a snack or paired with my favorite dish.

Expert tip

Even slicing makes all the difference

If you cut some slices thicker than others, they won’t cook evenly, some will turn too soft while others get too crisp. I recommend using a mandoline slicer or taking your time to slice them evenly so they cook at the same rate and have that perfect crunch in every bite.

More tips to consider:

If the banana slices overlap, they won’t crisp up evenly. I always cook them in a single layer and work in batches if needed.
Right out of the air fryer, the chips might seem slightly soft. I let them sit for a few minutes, and they crisp up even more as they cool.
Overripe bananas will turn mushy instead of crispy. I always pick bananas that are just ripe but still firm enough to hold their shape.
Thicker slices take longer to crisp, while thinner ones cook faster. I keep an eye on them and adjust the time as needed.

Recipe variations

Spiced: I like to add a little ground turmeric for extra flavor, and it comes with plenty of health benefits too. Sometimes, I mix in a pinch of cinnamon for a warm, naturally sweet touch.
Savory: For a salty snack, I skip the sugar and add a little garlic powder or smoked paprika. This gives them a unique, slightly smoky taste.
No-Oil Version: If I want to keep things even lighter, I skip the oil spray. They still crisp up nicely but may take a minute or two longer in the air fryer.
Honey Drizzle: Once the chips have cooled, I sometimes drizzle them with a little warm honey. It adds a subtle sweetness without making them too sticky.
Other seasonings: I love experimenting with different flavors, and taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, or cajun seasoning all work great. Each one adds a unique twist, making these banana chips even more fun to snack on.

Serving suggestions

These crispy banana chips make the perfect healthy snack, but I also love using them in creative ways. I like tossing them on a homemade yogurt parfait for extra crunch or adding them to a scoop of my no-churn pineapple ice cream for a naturally sweet and delicious treat. They have the perfect light texture that pairs so well with anything creamy, making them a fun little extra for both breakfast and dessert.

For a savory twist, I like serving them as a crunchy side with my grilled salmon skewers or alongside beer-battered fish. My kids love toppings on everything, so I always look for fun ways to add a little extra crunch. These banana chips are surprisingly great on fish tacos, giving them a light and crispy texture.

How to store

Room temperature: Once completely cooled, I keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. This helps prevent any moisture from making them soft.

Freezing: Personally, I don’t recommend freezing them. I love enjoying them fresh, and honestly, they never last long enough in my house to even need freezing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which banana is the best to use?

I always go for ripe but firm bananas. If they are too ripe, they turn soft and won’t crisp up properly. The best ones have a bright yellow peel with little to no brown spots.

What is the difference between banana chips and plantain chips?

Both are very similar, but plantains tend to be starchier, slightly higher in calories, and have a greener color when unripe. Bananas are naturally sweeter, while plantains have a firmer texture. I can use either one in this recipe, depending on what I have on hand or the flavor I want.

Why are my banana chips not crispy?

If my banana chips turn out soft instead of crispy, it usually means they were sliced too thick or the air fryer was overcrowded. I make sure to cut them evenly and lay them in a single layer so the hot air can circulate properly. Letting them cool for a few minutes after cooking also helps them crisp up even more.

More Air Fryer recipes to try:

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