Air Fryer Banana Bread transforms forgotten bananas into a delicious classic bake. You only need one banana, and there’s no need to heat the whole oven with this easy air fryer recipe.
Why make Air Fryer Banana Bread?
We all have those forgotten bananas lurking in our fruit bowl, but sometimes there is actually only one banana left and the recipe calls for two or three. This recipe needs only 100g (1/4 cup) of mashed banana, which is roughly one small banana, to make a 1lb loaf.
Why should I make Banana Bread in my air fryer?
I’ve been making banana bread in my oven for more years than I care to remember. My Brilliant Blender Banana Bread recipe is perfect when I want to do a big bake. However, with energy costs increasing and just me and my husband at home, I don’t often do a big bake or need such a large cake. It’s much more economical to bake a small loaf in my air fryer.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a bit like a mini oven. However, the element is only at the top of the air fryer and it uses a powerful fan to circulate the heat. This combination of intense heat and circulation means that food crisps up quickly.
Air fryers were originally sold for their ability to create ‘fried’ food with less fat. However, the air fryer has developed and more people are recognising the potential to cook and bake all kinds of foods in this way.
What kind of air fryer can I use to bake Banana Bread?
You will need the kind of air fryer that has temperature control as well as a timer and no paddle. Otherwise, any air fryer brand should do the job very well.
I have two air fryers, one is the type with a pull-out square drawer and the other an oven type. Both need to be pre-heated before use and Air Fryer Banana Bread bakes well in both air fryers. If you have a different kind of air fryer you may need to adjust the timing or temperature by a minute or two either way.
What ingredients do I need to make Air Fryer Banana Bread?
The ingredients you need for this recipe are standard baking ingredients that you probably have in your larder and fridge. Here is what you will need:
- banana
- butter
- sugar
- egg
- self-raising flour
- bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- ground cinnamon
A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.
What kind of bananas should I use?
You will get the best flavour in your banana bread if you use ripe bananas. The bananas should have lots of brown spots on the skin and be soft inside. I have made banana bread with bananas that have completely black skins, as long as the banana inside is not too damaged just mash it up and it is perfect for this bake.
What kind of butter should I use to make Air Fryer Banana Bread?
The butter you use must be soft so that it mixes well with the other ingredients. If you keep your butter in the fridge then take it out for a few hours before you make the banana bread. You can speed up the process by cutting the butter into cubes.
Can I use non-dairy spread?
Yes, you can use non-dairy spread but it must be a full fat spread that is suitable for baking. Spreads that have a high water content will not make a successful loaf.
What kind of sugar should I use to make Air Fryer Banana Bread?
I use soft brown sugar because it adds a lovely caramel flavour to the banana bread. You can use dark brown sugar but I find that it overpowers the taste of the banana.
Can I use white sugar?
You can use white sugar. I recommend you use caster (superfine) sugar as it blends better into the bake but if you only have white granulated sugar then you can still make a successful banana bread.
I don’t have self-raising flour, what can I substitute?
If you don’t have self-raising flour you can make it at home using plain (all-purpose flour) and baking powder.
This recipe uses 110g (1/2 cup) self-raising flour therefore you need to add one and a quarter teaspoons of baking powder to plain (all-purpose) flour. This gives you self-raising flour, you will still need to include the additional bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) as listed in the recipe.
What is baking powder?
Baking powder is a chemical raising agent that is a combination of bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar. To make homemade baking powder combine ¼ of a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda with ½ a teaspoon of cream of tartar for every teaspoon of baking powder your chosen baking recipe requires.
I don’t like the taste of cinnamon, what can I substitute?
I love cinnamon but I know that it is not to everyone’s taste. You can simply leave out the cinnamon if you prefer, or you could add 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract. Other spices such as ground ginger and cardamom would also work well in banana bread.
Do I need any special equipment to make Air Fryer Banana Bread?
Most of the equipment you need is standard baking equipment. Here is what you will need:
- Air Fryer
- bowl
- fork
- weighing scales
- measuring spoons
- electric mixer or wooden spoon
- Pastry brush
- 1 1lb (18 cm x 11 cm x 9 cm) loaf pan
- Aluminium Foil
What kind of loaf pan can I use in my air fryer?
You can use any type of loaf pan that you would usually use in the oven. However, please check that it will fit in your air fryer before you start to make the banana bread.
I use silicone loaf pans bought from Lakeland Limited. As you can see I can actually fit two of these into my air fryer if I want to double the recipe.
They have a silicone handle on each side which makes it really easy to remove them from the air fryer. I can also fit a 1lb metal loaf pan in my air fryer, please do check as you may find that you already have a suitable loaf pan.
Why do I need to cover the Air Fryer Banana Bread with aluminium foil?
The heating element for your air fryer is at the top so although the air circulates, there is definitely more heat coming from the top.
I have tested this recipe several times and found that the top of the banana bread will burn if it is not covered. Also, if you put the foil on before you start to bake it then the loaf does not rise as well. I compromised by baking the banana bread for a short time, covering it with foil and then continuing to bake it.
Why might I need to turn the banana bread over and bake it again?
You may NOT need to do this. However if, after testing it with a skewer the Air Fryer Banana Bread is still slightly damp on the bottom, then remove it from the pan and lay it upside down in your air fryer and bake it for a further 5 minutes.
Can I make Air Fryer Banana Bread ahead of time?
You can keep Air Fryer Banana Bread in an airtight container for two to three days. Only slice as much as you need as sliced banana bread will dry out quicker than an unsliced loaf.
Can I freeze Air Fryer Banana Bread?
Banana Bread freezes really well. I find it’s best to freeze cut slices as they defrost quickly and you can take out as few or as many as you need.
Slice the loaf and lay out the slices on a baking sheet, then freeze. Once the slices are solid place them in a freezer bag or other freezerproof container. Air Fryer Banana Bread will keep frozen for up to 3 months.
To defrost
Simply remove the slices from the freezer and lay them on a cooling tray covered with a clean tea towel. They will take ten to twenty minutes to defrost depending on the temperature of the room.
Can I increase the quantities?
Yes, you can double or even quadruple these quantities. There are many air fryers available now that have a much larger capacity. If you have the space and the baking pans, then you can make as much as you can fit into your air fryer.
Vegetarian
This recipe is suitable for vegetarians.
Gluten Free
Air Fryer Banana Bread contains wheat flour and is not suitable for a gluten free diet.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How should I serve Air Fryer Banana Bread?
I like to serve banana bread spread with butter. It goes really nicely with a cup of tea or coffee and provides that little bit of sweetness that is so satisfying.
You can also serve a slice of banana bread as a dessert. It’s easy to warm up a slice in the microwave and top it with sliced bananas, toffee sauce and some whipped cream for an easy variation on Banoffee Pie!
More Air Fryer Baking Recipes
Air Fryer Banana Bread
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- 1 medium bowl
- 1 fork
- weighing scales
- Measuring spoons
- electric mixer or wooden spoon
- Pastry brush
- 1 1lb (18 cm x 11 cm x 9 cm) loaf pan *check that it fits into your air fryer*
- Aluminium Foil
Ingredients
- 100 g (¼ cups) ripe banana
- 60 g (2 oz) softened butter
- 60 g (2 oz) soft brown sugar
- 1 medium egg
- 110 g (½ cups) self-raising flour
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Mash 100 g (¼ cup) ripe banana with a fork in a medium bowl.
- Add 60 g (2 oz) soft brown sugar and 60 g (2 oz) butter and beat with a mixer or wooden spoon.
- Add 1 medium egg (beaten), 110 g (1 cup) self raising flour, ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and 1 tsp ground cinnamon and mix together with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Preheat your air fryer, if your model requires this. Brush a 1 lb loaf pan with 1 tsp vegetable oil OR cake release. Then fill the pan with the mxiture and bake the banana bread at 160 C (325 F) for 10 minutes.
- Cover the banana bread with foil and continue to bake in the air fryer at 160 C (325 F) for a further 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and test with a skewer. If the skewer comes out clean the banana bread is ready. If not then take the loaf out of the pan, turn it over so that the bottom of the loaf is uppermost and bake for a further 5 minutes at 160 C (325 F).
- Turn the banana bread onto a cooling tray.
- Wait until it is completely cold before slicing and serve spread with butter.
Chloe says
Really delicious, I got to test this recipe and it worked brilliantly, I can’t get enough of it slathered with butter and the size is ideal too!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, it’s such an easy cake to make.
Karen says
Love this recipe, the banana bread turned out perfect. I managed to bake 2 at once as you suggested, so freezing one for later.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks for letting me know. It’s always great to have positive feedback.
Sisley says
I love your air fryer recipes so much! This worked a treat!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it.
Cat says
I love smaller recipes because I love a tasty bake but don’t want too much so this was perfect. Turned out great, I love your air fryer baking recipes.
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, it is useful to have a small batch recipe.