These air fryer banana chips are crispy, naturally sweet, and made without oil using a low-temperature dehydrating method in under 30 minutes. They dry evenly and crisp up as they cool-perfect plain or tossed in cinnamon sugar, and much faster than oven-baked banana chips.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Air Fryer Banana Chips (Crispy, No Oil & Dehydrated)
- 🕒 Ready In: 25-30 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 2
- 🍽 Calories: ~100 per serving
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Bananas, lemon juice, cinnamon sugar (optional), salt
- 📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, no oil
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These banana chips are made using a low-temperature dehydrating method, so they come out crispy (not chewy) in under 30 minutes-much faster than oven-baked versions, with an easy cinnamon sugar option!
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
If you love my caramelized air fryer apples, you're going to love these. While the apples are soft and cozy (almost like apple pie filling), this recipe uses a low-temperature method to slowly remove moisture so the bananas turn into perfectly crisp chips.
I used to spend hours making banana chips in the oven, but once I tried the air fryer, I never went back. They come out crispy, naturally sweet, and with the best cinnamon-sugar kick-without any oil.
These are one of the easiest air fryer snacks I make on repeat. I love making a batch on Sunday to snack on for the next few days or enjoy as a healthier dessert.
If you're into air fryer fruit, you'll also love my air fryer pineapple and air fryer peaches-and for something savory, my air fryer pita chips are just as easy. Because honestly, the air fryer gets the job done faster-especially for recipes like this.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Why These Banana Chips Get Crispy
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Air Fryer Banana Chips (Step-by-Step)
- Expert Tips
- How to Enjoy Banana Chips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store & Meal Prep
- More Air Fryer Fruit Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I didn't know what to expect, but WOW-these were so good. I'd recommend them to anyone!
- Elizabeth
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Crispy banana chips, not chewy. This low-temperature dehydrating method removes moisture so they actually crisp up as they cool.
- Faster than oven-baked banana chips. Ready in about 25-30 minutes instead of hours.
- No oil needed. A lighter, naturally sweet snack made with just a few simple ingredients.
- Easy cinnamon sugar option. Turn them into sweet cinnamon sugar air fryer banana chips, or keep them simple.
- You don't need a dehydrator. This simple air fryer method works every time.
Why These Banana Chips Get Crispy
The key is cooking them low and slow. The air fryer gradually removes moisture, which is what gives them that crispy texture.
I've tested higher temperatures, and they brown too quickly before they fully dry out. They may seem soft at first, but as they cool, they crisp up perfectly. That's why this method works better than higher-heat air fryer recipes.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Bananas - Use ripe but still firm bananas (yellow with a few brown spots). I've found they're naturally sweet but still sturdy enough to hold their shape and crisp up properly in the air fryer.
- Lemon Juice - Since this recipe is made without oil, I lightly brush the banana slices with lemon juice to help prevent browning and keep them golden as they slowly dehydrate.
- Salt - Just a pinch enhances the natural sweetness and balances the flavor so they don't taste flat.
- Cinnamon Sugar (optional) - For a sweeter version, toss the chips in cinnamon sugar after cooking. It sticks best once they've cooled, giving them a cozy, dessert-like finish.
Scroll to recipe card for quantities!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- No lemon juice? You can skip it or use lime juice instead. The chips may turn slightly darker, but they'll still dry out and crisp up the same.
- Slice thickness variation. Thinner slices will be crispier, while thicker ones will stay slightly chewy.
- Savory banana chips. Skip the cinnamon sugar and add a pinch of salt, smoked paprika, or chili powder before air frying for a salty, snackable version.
- Cinnamon (no added sugar). Toss the chips with a little cinnamon after they've cooled.
- Cinnamon sugar banana chips. Toss the cooled chips with cinnamon sugar so they stick evenly and don't burn.
- Use plantains instead. If you want a firmer, more chip-like texture, green plantains work really well and crisp up differently than bananas.
How to Make Air Fryer Banana Chips (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: Cut the bananas into thin, even rounds (about ⅛-¼ inch thick) and lightly brush with lemon juice.
- Step 2: Place the slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece.
- Step 3: Air fry at 250°F for 20-30 minutes, until they look lightly golden and dry.
- Step 4: After about 20 minutes, remove any chips that are done, since smaller slices cook faster.
- Step 5: Let them cool completely so they crisp up, then toss with cinnamon sugar for a sweeter version.
Expert Tips
- Slice them evenly. This is the #1 mistake-if they're too thick, they won't crisp up fully. I keep mine around ⅛-¼ inch.
- Give them space. Don't overcrowd the basket-if they overlap, they'll steam instead of crisp.
- Pull chips as they're ready. Air fryers don't cook evenly, and the edges always finish first, so I grab those and let the rest keep going.
- Keep the heat low. This is what actually dries them out. If you turn it up, they brown too fast before they crisp.
- Add cinnamon sugar after air frying. I've tried it before air frying, and it burns. Toss it on after they cool, so it sticks and tastes way better.
How to Enjoy Banana Chips
- Snack on them as-is. They're perfectly crispy and naturally sweet, making them a great grab-and-go snack.
- Add to yogurt or oatmeal. I love tossing a handful on top for extra crunch and a little natural sweetness. Sometimes I throw them on my protein egg white oatmeal.
- Mix into trail mix. Pair them with nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate for a balanced, satisfying snack.
- Use as a topping. They're so good crumbled over my protein cottage cheese ice cream, high-protein acai bowl, protein oatmeal pancakes, or even toast with nut butter.
- Serve as a light dessert. Especially with the cinnamon sugar version-they taste like a healthier sweet treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use an air fryer on a low temperature to slowly remove moisture, which gives you the same crispy texture.
Yes! An air fryer works like a mini dehydrator when used at a low temperature. It circulates air to remove moisture, which is what gives you that crispy, chip-like texture.
Usually, it comes down to slice thickness, overcrowding, or not cooking them long enough. They also won't feel fully crisp right out of the air fryer-they firm up as they cool.
No. This recipe is made without oil and still gets crispy because the bananas are slowly dehydrated. Oil can help with browning, but it's not needed for texture.
Most batches take about 25-30 minutes at a low temperature, depending on how thick you slice them and your air fryer model.
Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If they soften, you can re-crisp them in the air fryer for a few minutes.
How to Store & Meal Prep
- Let them cool completely first. This is key-banana chips continue to crisp up as they cool, and storing them too early can trap moisture and make them soft.
- Store at room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. I like adding a paper towel to absorb any extra moisture and keep them crispy.
- Avoid the fridge. The humidity will make them soft and chewy.
- Re-crisp if needed. If they lose their crunch, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes at a low temperature.
- Great for short-term meal prep. I like making a batch on Sunday and snacking on them throughout the week-they're perfect for a few days and easy to refresh.
More Air Fryer Fruit Recipes You'll Love
If you loved these crispy air fryer banana chips, here are a few more recipes to try next:
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Banana Chips
Ingredients
- 2 medium ripe bananas, some brown spots, but still firm
- 1 - 2 tablespoon lemon juice, for brushing
- Pinch of salt
- 1 - 2 teaspoon cinnamon sugar, I batch make with ¼ cup sugar (white or coconut sugar + 1 tablespoon cinnamon)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer. Preheat to the lowest temperature (about 250°F).
- Slice the bananas. Cut into thin, even rounds (about ⅛-¼ inch thick).
- Arrange in the basket. Place slices in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Work in batches if needed-don't overlap.
- Brush with lemon juice. Lightly brush each slice to help prevent browning.
- Air fry low and slow. Cook at 250°F for 20-30 minutes, until the bananas are dried out and lightly golden.
- Check and remove as needed. Starting around 20 minutes, check every few minutes and remove any chips that are done. Smaller slices will finish first.
- Cool to crisp. Let the banana chips cool completely for about 10 minutes-they'll crisp up as they sit.
- Cinnamon Sugar Option: add cinnamon sugar or just cinnamon. Toss the cooled chips with cinnamon sugar for a sweeter version.
- Cinnamon (no sugar) Option: If you want a lightly spiced version without added sugar, sprinkle or toss the chips with cinnamon after they've cooled. Adding cinnamon before air frying can cause it to burn and taste bitter.
Andrea says
One of my favorite desserts! I love this recipe so much. Thanks!
Sammie says
Never thought to put a banana in an air fryer but wow this was great! Tysm
Tati Chermayeff says
I love these too, Sammie. So fun and so good!
Dr Dre says
As an athlete (and a Dr) I know bananas are a perfect snack — the crunchiness achieved in the air fryer added a new dimension to my bananas! Try them on top of oatmeal!
Elizabeth says
Ok I didn’t know what to expect when I was making these but WOW! These were so good. I would recommend these to anyone!