I made Air Fried Cinnamon Bananas with just a few pantry staples, yielding caramelized banana slices you can spoon over ice cream or pudding.

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I can’t stop thinking about these Air Fried sweet slices. I first saw them tagged Fried Bananas Air Fryer and then they showed up under Air Fryer Recipes Dessert, simple but somehow irresistible.

With just bananas and brown sugar the edges go sticky and the taste becomes almost candy like. I know it sounds simple, but dont underestimate how addictive they are.

It feels fancy without trying hard, and every time I eat them I wonder why I ever ignored this combo. If you like fruity treats that punch above their weight, these will make you curious and probably crave more.

Ingredients

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Bananas: Sweet and slightly starchy, high in potassium and fiber, adds soft caramelizing sweetness.
butter: adds rich mouthfeel and browning, provides fat for crisp edges and flavor.
Brown sugar: Packed with molasses so it’s deep, sweet and helps with caramel color.
Cinnamon: Warm aromatic spice, boosts perceived sweetness and pairs well with banana.
Vanilla extract: Concentrated flavor lifts sweetness, adds roundness and a cozy bakery note.
Pecans or walnuts: Crunchy nuts add texture, healthy fats and a toasty, slightly bitter contrast.
Maple syrup or honey: Optional drizzle for extra sweet, floral notes and sticky, glossy finish.
Lemon juice: Tiny squeeze brightens flavors and balances sweetness with a quick citrus tang.
Salt: Tiny pinch amplifies sweetness and rounds flavors, keeps things from tasting flat.

Ingredient Quantities

3 ripe but still slightly firm bananas (about 12 oz / 340 g)

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

2 tbsp packed light brown sugar

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)

1 tsp neutral oil or cooking spray to grease the air fryer basket

1 tbsp maple syrup or honey for drizzling (optional)

2 tbsp chopped toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)

vanilla ice cream or yogurt for serving (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes while you prep the bananas and glaze.

2. Peel 3 ripe but still slightly firm bananas (about 12 oz or 340 g) and slice them either lengthwise into halves or into 1/2 inch thick coins, whichever you prefer.

3. In a small bowl mix 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice if you want a little brightness. Stir until smooth.

4. Brush or toss the banana pieces gently with the butter mixture so they are lightly coated. If any sugar clumps, break them up with the back of a spoon.

5. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with 1 teaspoon neutral oil or cooking spray so the bananas don’t stick. Arrange the bananas in a single layer with a little space between pieces. Don’t overcrowd the basket, do batches if needed.

6. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 6 to 8 minutes, checking and flipping the pieces once about halfway through so both sides get caramelized. If your bananas are extra ripe cut the time a little shorter, if thicker slices use up to 9 or 10 minutes.

7. When they’re golden and caramelized and a little soft around the edges remove them carefully — they’ll be hot. Let them cool for a minute so the sugars set a bit.

8. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey if you like, sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch, and serve over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for a quick dessert. Enjoy warm.

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer with basket (preheat to 375°F)
2. Cutting board
3. Sharp paring knife or small chef’s knife (for peeling and slicing)
4. Small mixing bowl and fork or whisk (to mix the butter/brown sugar glaze)
5. Measuring spoons (tablespoon and teaspoon)
6. Pastry brush or large spoon (to coat the banana pieces; use back of spoon to break any sugar clumps)
7. Tongs or small silicone spatula (to flip and remove the bananas safely)
8. Oven mitts or heatproof gloves — theyre hot when they come out
9. Plate or wire rack and a scoop or spoon for serving with ice cream or yogurt

FAQ

Question: What ripeness should the bananas be? Answer: Use ripe but still slightly firm bananas, yellow with a few brown spots. If they're too soft they'll turn mushy in the air fryer, if they're too green they wont caramelize well.

Question: What temp and time should I use in the air fryer? Answer: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) and air fry 6 to 8 minutes for halved or sliced bananas, flipping once halfway. Smaller pieces might only need 4 to 6 minutes. Keep an eye the first time cause air fryer models vary.

Question: How do I stop the bananas from sticking or turning to mush? Answer: Lightly oil or spray the basket, brush the banana slices with the melted butter mix, and don't overcrowd the basket or they'll steam instead of caramelize. You can also use perforated parchment but only put it in once the bananas are weighted down, never run the fryer with loose parchment.

Question: Can I make these ahead or reheat leftovers? Answer: Yes, store cooled bananas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer 2 to 3 minutes at 350°F (175°C) to crisp them back up, microwave will work but makes them softer.

Question: Any easy swaps or dietary changes? Answer: Swap butter for coconut oil or vegan butter, use honey or maple for sweetness, or skip added sugar if your bananas are very ripe. Lemon juice is optional to cut sweetness and slow browning. Frozen bananas arent ideal here cause they release too much water.

Question: What should I serve them with? Answer: Theyre awesome with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or yogurt, a drizzle of maple syrup or honey, and some chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch. A sprinkle of extra cinnamon never hurts.

Air Fried Bananas Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Unsalted butter (2 tbsp) → 2 tbsp melted coconut oil or vegan butter; coconut oil browns nicely and adds a mild coconut note, use refined if you dont want that flavor.
Packed light brown sugar (2 tbsp) → 2 tbsp coconut sugar or 2 tbsp granulated sugar + 1 tsp molasses to recreate brown sugar’s moisture and flavor.
Ground cinnamon (1/2 tsp) → 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice or 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg + pinch of ground cloves for a warm, spiced profile.
Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts (2 tbsp) → 2 tbsp toasted sliced almonds or 2 tbsp toasted sunflower seeds for a similar crunch and a nut free swap.

Pro Tips

1) Pick the right bananas and time it. If theyre very ripe theyll caramelize way faster so cut the cook time by a minute or two, if you sliced them thicker add a minute or three. A little lemon juice stops ugly browning but dont overdo it or youll mute the banana flavor.

2) Stop them sticking and keep the air flowing. Lightly oil the basket and use a perforated parchment liner or a silicone air fryer mat, or make sure foil has holes in it and doesnt cover the whole basket, otherwise you get uneven cooking. Leave space between pieces, dont crowd, and do batches if needed.

3) Control the sugar so it caramelizes not burns. Brush a thin first coat of the butter sugar mix then check early, flip once, and save a tiny bit of glaze to brush near the end for extra shine. If the edges start to darken too quick lower temp to about 350 F and finish a little longer.

4) Finish for texture and contrast. Serve warm over cold ice cream or yogurt, sprinkle toasted nuts and a pinch of flaky salt for crunch and to make the sweetness pop. If you want extra gooeyness drizzle syrup right after they come out so it soaks in.

Air Fried Bananas Recipe

Recipe by Sammy Hunter

0.0 from 0 votes

I made Air Fried Cinnamon Bananas with just a few pantry staples, yielding caramelized banana slices you can spoon over ice cream or pudding.

Servings

servings

Calories

201

kcal

Equipment: 1. Air fryer with basket (preheat to 375°F)
2. Cutting board
3. Sharp paring knife or small chef’s knife (for peeling and slicing)
4. Small mixing bowl and fork or whisk (to mix the butter/brown sugar glaze)
5. Measuring spoons (tablespoon and teaspoon)
6. Pastry brush or large spoon (to coat the banana pieces; use back of spoon to break any sugar clumps)
7. Tongs or small silicone spatula (to flip and remove the bananas safely)
8. Oven mitts or heatproof gloves — theyre hot when they come out
9. Plate or wire rack and a scoop or spoon for serving with ice cream or yogurt

Ingredients

3 ripe but still slightly firm bananas (about 12 oz / 340 g)
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
1 tsp neutral oil or cooking spray to grease the air fryer basket
1 tbsp maple syrup or honey for drizzling (optional)
2 tbsp chopped toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)
vanilla ice cream or yogurt for serving (optional)

Directions

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes while you prep the bananas and glaze.
Peel 3 ripe but still slightly firm bananas (about 12 oz or 340 g) and slice them either lengthwise into halves or into 1/2 inch thick coins, whichever you prefer.
In a small bowl mix 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice if you want a little brightness. Stir until smooth.
Brush or toss the banana pieces gently with the butter mixture so they are lightly coated. If any sugar clumps, break them up with the back of a spoon.
Lightly grease the air fryer basket with 1 teaspoon neutral oil or cooking spray so the bananas don’t stick. Arrange the bananas in a single layer with a little space between pieces. Don’t overcrowd the basket, do batches if needed.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 6 to 8 minutes, checking and flipping the pieces once about halfway through so both sides get caramelized. If your bananas are extra ripe cut the time a little shorter, if thicker slices use up to 9 or 10 minutes.
When they’re golden and caramelized and a little soft around the edges remove them carefully — they’ll be hot. Let them cool for a minute so the sugars set a bit.
Drizzle with 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey if you like, sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch, and serve over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for a quick dessert. Enjoy warm.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.