When your sweet tooth calls for an easy, wholesome snack that still feels like a treat, look no further than Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips. These chips capture the essence of caramelized bananas, swirled with warm cinnamon and a delicate crunch, all made effortlessly in your air fryer. Whether you’re craving something to munch on between meals or a lighter alternative to classic chips, this recipe is a guilt-free delight that both adults and kids can get behind.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips lies in their simplicity. Each ingredient has a starring role, working together to create the perfect balance of flavor, aroma, and texture in every bite.
- Bananas: Choose ripe but firm bananas for slices that hold their shape and provide just the right natural sweetness.
- Melted coconut oil or avocado oil: The oil gives the chips crispness and a hint of richness, ensuring golden edges.
- Granulated sugar: Just a touch enhances the caramel notes and creates that addictive cinnamon-sugar crust.
- Ground cinnamon: Warm, spicy, and fragrant, cinnamon is the heart of this chip’s cozy flavor.
- Pinch of salt: A dash brings all the sweet and warm flavors into perfect balance, making every bite pop.
How to Make Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips
Step 1: Slice the Bananas
Start by peeling your bananas and slicing them into thin, uniform rounds about 1/8-inch thick. The thinner they are, the crispier your Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips will turn out—so aim for consistency. A mandoline works wonders if you have one, but a sharp knife and steady hand do the trick, too.
Step 2: Toss with Oil, Cinnamon, and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, gently combine the banana slices with the melted oil, sugar, cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of salt. Stir until each banana coin is glistening and evenly coated. Take your time with this step; a light hand ensures the slices don’t break but still get a perfect, even coating.
Step 3: Preheat and Set Up the Air Fryer
Before you start, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 2 to 3 minutes. This gets things hot and ready, so the chips start crisping right away. Arrange the banana slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket—avoid overlapping so each slice gets maximum airflow and can crisp up nicely. Work in batches if needed.
Step 4: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping each chip halfway through to promote even cooking and color. Watch them closely for those last few minutes, as every air fryer has a mind of its own and thin banana chips can brown quickly.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
After air frying, transfer your chips to a wire rack to cool. They might seem slightly soft at first, but don’t worry—they’ll continue to crisp as they cool down, rewarding your patience with satisfying crunch. Once cooled, your Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips are ready to devour!
How to Serve Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips
Garnishes
For an extra flourish, dust your banana chips with a finishing sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar straight out of the air fryer. A few shavings of dark chocolate or a drizzle of honey also make them irresistible for dessert-style snacking.
Side Dishes
Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips pair beautifully with creamy Greek yogurt, a peanut butter dip, or even swirled into smoothie bowls. Their sweet crunch brings a playful contrast to fruit salads or breakfast parfaits.
Creative Ways to Present
Layer in mini mason jars for a lunchbox surprise, or arrange elegantly on a dessert platter beside fresh berries and whipped cream. For parties, tuck them into paper cones as a fun finger food everyone will want to grab!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips at peak crunch, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay crisp and delicious for up to three days—if you manage to resist eating them all sooner!
Freezing
While freezing isn’t usually necessary (these go fast!), you can freeze entirely cooled banana chips in a zip-top bag. For best results, consume within a month and bring them back to room temperature before munching.
Reheating
If your chips soften a bit from humidity, revive them by popping in the air fryer again for 1 to 2 minutes at 350°F. Cool for a minute, and they’ll crisp right back up, ready for snacking.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?
For best results, stick to ripe but firm bananas. Overripe ones tend to fall apart and don’t crisp up as nicely in the air fryer, leading to soggy or sticky chips.
Is there a way to make these chips less sweet?
Absolutely! You can skip the sugar entirely and just toss your banana slices with cinnamon and a bit of salt. You’ll still get a warming, naturally sweet chip with plenty of flavor.
How do I prevent the chips from sticking in the air fryer?
Lightly greasing your air fryer basket or using a parchment liner with holes can help prevent sticking. Make sure your banana slices are coated with oil, which also aids in easy release and crisping.
Can I double the recipe?
You sure can! Just work in batches so your banana slices always have enough room—the key to ultra-crispy Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips is air circulation around each piece.
Are these banana chips gluten-free and vegan?
Yes, they are naturally gluten-free and vegan, especially if you use coconut or avocado oil. They make a great snack option for a variety of diets!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a snack that’s crunchy, naturally sweet, and a joy to make in under 15 minutes, give these Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips a try. You’ll be amazed at how addictively delicious such simple ingredients can be—don’t be surprised if you end up making them a weekly ritual!
PrintCinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips Recipe
Enjoy crispy, sweet, and cinnamon-spiced banana chips made effortlessly in the air fryer. These healthier chips are perfect for snacking or a guilt-free treat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
Banana Chips:
- 2 ripe but firm bananas
- 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil or avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Slice the Bananas: Slice the bananas into 1/8-inch thick rounds.
- Coat with Ingredients: Gently toss banana slices with melted oil, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until evenly coated.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 2–3 minutes.
- Air Fry: Arrange banana slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
- Cool and Crisp: Let the chips cool on a wire rack to continue crisping as they cool.
Notes
- Use slightly underripe bananas for best texture.
- For a no-sugar option, omit the sugar and just season with cinnamon and salt.
- Store cooled chips in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 batch
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg