Air Fryer Banana Chips

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Skip the store-bought chips and try my crispy air fryer banana chips made with just four simple ingredients! They’re sweet, salty, and perfectly crunchy, ready in under an hour. Great for lunchboxes, road trips, or an easy snack anytime!

Thanks to their crispy texture and sweet flavor, these air fryer banana chips are one of my favorite healthy treats to make at home. I created this recipe because I wanted something quick and satisfying without all the fat and preservatives in store-bought banana chips. And I’m so happy to share that these totally have that “deep fried texture” without any extra oil!

It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and great for both kids and adults – it’s always a hit with my family! Whether you’re packing lunchboxes, building a trail mix, or just want a lighter chip alternative, these banana chips deliver. Not only that, my version is done in under an hour, no special equipment required.

🥘 Ingredients

You don’t need any fancy ingredients to make this recipe – it’s so easy! You likely already have everything in your pantry. Here’s what I use and why:

Fresh Banana Slices: I always go for bananas that are ripe but still firm, not overly soft or spotty. Firmer bananas slice more cleanly and crisp up better in the air fryer.

Lemon Juice: This helps prevent the bananas from turning brown while adding a brighter flavor. I use fresh lemon juice, but bottled works in a pinch.

Salt: Just a tiny pinch brings out the natural sweetness of the bananas and makes the chips more flavorful. It’s optional, but I think it really makes a difference.

Oil / Cooking Spray: A light mist of oil helps the chips get golden and crisp without becoming greasy. I typically use avocado oil spray, but coconut or olive oil spray works too.

🔪 How To Make

Making banana chips at home is way easier than you might think! Here’s how I do it:

Preheat Air Fryer, Prepare Bananas: To begin, I preheat the air fryer to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius). I cut the bananas into thin, even slices, about ¼ inch thick. The thinner the slices, the crispier the chips.

Season Banana Slices: First, I place the banana slices on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or sprayed with olive oil. Next, I coat them with lemon juice and sprinkle them lightly with salt. Then I spray the banana slices with a little oil.

Air Fry Banana Chips: I place the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, no overlapping! I work in batches if needed, depending on how many chips I’m making.

Air Fry & Check: I air fry the banana slices for 40 minutes, checking halfway through. Around the 20-minute mark, I gently lift or loosen any slices that may be sticking to the basket.

Remove From Air Fryer: Once they’re done, I transfer the chips to a cooling rack. They’ll continue to crisp up as they cool, so don’t worry if they’re slightly soft at first. Then I repeat the cooking process with the rest of the banana slices.

📖 Variations

This recipe is perfect as is but it also works as a base for all kinds of different flavors! These are some of my favorites:

Add Savory Spices: I’ll sometimes add chili powder, paprika, turmeric powder, black pepper, curry powder, a touch of cayenne pepper, or cumin for more of a spicy, savory flavor.

Lime Juice: Instead of the lemon juice, I’ll sometimes swap in freshly squeezed lime juice for a slightly different flavor.

Sweet Spices: My kids love it when I turn this banana chip air fryer recipe into a dessert by adding a sprinkle of granulated sugar, coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cardamom or even pumpkin pie spice to make these chips sweet and spicy.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

I often enjoy these air fryer banana chips on their own, but they also go really well alongside just about any sweet or savory dish. I’ll even use them as a substitute for regular chips as a side for lunch. Here are some of my other favorite ways to serve them:

With Dips: I’ll serve these with nut butter for dipping, vegan Nutella, or even my healthy guacamole and pineapple pico de gallo for a sweet and savory combo.

In Trail Mix: I love to toss these chips into homemade trail mix with roasted nuts, seeds, and dried fruit!

On Oatmeal Or Smoothie Bowls: I like the texture these chips add to smoothie bowls or on top of oatmeal. They taste great mixed into yogurt too!

With Dessert: Banana chips also work as a quick plant based dessert after a main meal, or as a topping for ice cream or frozen yogurt! They are delicious paired with my chocolate banana ice cream recipe or mango nice cream.

🧊 Storage Directions

To store, I let the leftover banana chips cool completely and then place them in an airtight container with a paper towel. The paper towel helps to absorb any excess moisture and keeps the chips crispy. They will keep at room temperature for up to 5 days.

I don’t recommend storing them in the fridge, the moisture in the fridge will make the chips soft and chewy. Similarly, I don’t recommend freezing these chips, they don’t defrost well.

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