Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips

I discovered this banana chip recipe completely by accident last summer when I was desperately trying to salvage a bunch of bananas that were ripening faster than we could eat them. Too firm for banana bread but too ripe for my picky kid's lunch box, I remembered my new air fryer sitting on the counter. What started as a kitchen experiment to avoid food waste has turned into our family's most requested snack. My daughter now deliberately asks me to buy "extra bananas for the crispy chips," and my husband has been caught sneaking them straight from the cooling rack before I can even store them. They're that good.

Last month, I brought these to a playdate, and one mom texted me at 9 PM asking for the recipe because her son had talked about the "banana cookies" the entire evening. They're simple but somehow special enough to make an impression.

Fresh Ingredient Tips

• Bananas - This is key: you want them yellow with just a few brown spots – ripe enough to be sweet but still firm. Those super-soft, brown bananas that are perfect for banana bread will just turn to mush in the air fryer.
• Cinnamon - If your cinnamon has been sitting in the pantry for years, do yourself a favor and get a fresh jar. The difference in aroma and flavor is remarkable, especially in a simple recipe like this.
• Sugar - Regular granulated works perfectly, but I've started using coconut sugar for a more caramel-like flavor. Both are delicious, so use what you have on hand.
• Oil - Just a light spray is needed. I prefer olive oil in a mister, but any cooking spray works. This helps the cinnamon-sugar stick and promotes even crisping.

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Simple Method

Perfect Prep

Start by slicing your bananas into rounds about ⅛-inch thick. Consistent thickness is important for even cooking, so try to keep them uniform. If they're too thick, they'll stay soft in the middle; too thin, and they might burn before they're fully crisp. I find that slightly angling the knife helps get cleaner slices.

Sweet Coating

Lightly mist or spray the banana slices with oil – just enough for a fine coating, not enough to make them soggy. In a small bowl, mix your cinnamon and sugar (I use about 1 teaspoon cinnamon to 2 tablespoons sugar for 2 bananas, but adjust to your taste preferences). Sprinkle this mixture over the banana slices, flip, and sprinkle the other side.

Air Fryer Magic

Arrange the slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket. This is important – if they overlap, they'll steam instead of crisp. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to work in batches. Cook at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Keep an eye on them toward the end, as they can go from perfectly golden to burnt surprisingly quickly.

Patience Test

Here's the hardest part: let them cool completely on a wire rack before eating. The chips continue to crisp up as they cool, transforming from pliable to snappy. If you eat them too soon (which I'm guilty of doing almost every time), you'll miss out on that perfect crunch.

Storage Smarts

If you manage to not eat them all immediately (an impressive feat), store them in an airtight container. They'll stay crispy for about 2 days at room temperature. After that, they tend to soften, but a quick minute back in the air fryer at 300°F revives the crunch beautifully.

My son once brought these for his kindergarten snack share. His teacher later told me several children asked if I could "teach their moms how to make banana cookies." There's something weirdly satisfying about kids getting excited over fruit!

Serving Ideas

Transform these chips into a special after-school treat by using them to scoop up a small dish of peanut butter or chocolate hazelnut spread. The combination of crispy, sweet chips with creamy nut butter creates a snack that feels indulgent but is actually reasonably nutritious. My daughter calls this her "special dipping snack" and gets excited every time I make it.

Create a quick banana chip yogurt parfait by layering vanilla Greek yogurt with banana chips and a drizzle of honey. The contrast between the cool, creamy yogurt and the crunchy chips is absolutely delightful. This makes for a surprisingly fancy-looking breakfast or dessert that takes almost no effort to assemble.

For an elevated dessert that still takes minimal work, serve these chips alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm spice of the cinnamon against the cold creaminess of the ice cream, with the crisp banana chips adding texture, creates a restaurant-worthy dessert from simple ingredients.

Flavor Variations

Spice It Up

Add a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a more complex flavor profile. During the holidays, I use a mix that includes all three, plus a tiny pinch of cloves, for a festive twist that makes the house smell amazing.

Chocolate Drizzle

After the chips have cooled completely, drizzle with a small amount of melted dark chocolate for an extra-special treat. Let the chocolate set before storing. These fancy versions disappeared in minutes at our last book club meeting.

Savory Surprise

Skip the cinnamon-sugar entirely and instead sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and a dash of chili powder before air frying. These savory chips pair wonderfully with guacamole for an unexpected twist on chips and dip.

Storage Strategy

Counter Keeper

Store completely cooled chips in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay crispy for about 2 days. Mason jars with tight-fitting lids work particularly well for maintaining crispness.

If your chips start to soften after storage, all is not lost! A quick 1-2 minute reheat in the air fryer at 300°F will revive their crunch. Just watch them carefully to ensure they don't brown further.

For gifting or special occasions, portion the chips into small cellophane bags tied with ribbon. They make charming little treats for bake sales, care packages, or hostess gifts. My daughter's teacher received these as an end-of-year gift and texted me for the recipe the same evening.

Humidity Helper

If you live in a particularly humid climate, add a small food-safe silica gel packet to your storage container (the kind that comes in vitamin bottles). This helps maintain crispness longer.

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Chef Tips

Natural Sweetness

For naturally sweeter chips, use bananas with more brown spots. You can reduce the added sugar in this case.

Double Duty

If you're running the air fryer for another dish, make banana chips right after while the fryer is still warm. They'll cook even faster.

Parchment Hack

To prevent sticking and make cleanup easier, use perforated parchment paper designed for air fryers. Just make sure it's properly sized so it doesn't fly up into the heating element.

Last weekend, my neighbor's kids were playing at our house when I made a batch of these chips. The normally picky 7-year-old who "doesn't like bananas" devoured them, then asked if he could take some home. His mom called later asking what "magic banana cookies" I'd given her son who suddenly declared bananas were his favorite fruit. Sometimes the simplest recipes create the most memorable impressions!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why aren't my banana chips getting crispy?

If your chips aren't crispy enough, there are a few possible reasons: 1) The slices may be too thick - aim for 1/8 inch thickness, 2) Your air fryer temperature might be too low, 3) The cooking time may need to be extended, or 4) The bananas might be too ripe. Remember that the chips will continue to crisp as they cool.

→ Can I make these banana chips without sugar?

Yes! You can omit the sugar entirely for a naturally sweet snack, or use a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener, stevia, or erythritol. You can also keep the cinnamon for flavor without adding any sweetener.

→ How do I store these banana chips and how long do they last?

Store completely cooled banana chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. If they lose their crispness, you can refresh them with a quick 1-2 minute run in the air fryer.

→ Can I make these in a regular oven instead of an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake these in a conventional oven. Arrange the banana slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 225°F for about 2-3 hours, flipping halfway through, until they reach your desired crispness. The oven method takes much longer but works well.

→ What other flavors can I add to these banana chips?

Get creative with your seasonings! Try nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice instead of or in addition to cinnamon. For a savory twist, try a pinch of sea salt or even chili powder. Cocoa powder mixed with the sugar makes a chocolate version that's delicious too.