Air Fryer Banana Bread
Why this recipe works
- Simple mixing: Mashed banana, melted butter and eggs create a straightforward batter without creaming butter and sugar.
- Moist banana crumb: Very ripe bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture, while light brown sugar adds a gentle caramel note.
- Air fryer control: A moderate air fryer temperature helps the loaf rise steadily while the top develops a lightly browned crust.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Mostly hands-off: The active work is mainly mashing, whisking and folding; most of the total time is the air fryer bake.
- Rest before turning out: Leaving the loaf briefly in the tin helps it firm up before it is removed.
- Cool before slicing: Slice only once the loaf has cooled completely, as the crumb sets as it cools and cuts more cleanly.
Ingredient notes
- Use very ripe bananas: Bananas with heavily speckled skins give the best flavour, sweetness and moisture.
- Cool the butter slightly: Let the melted butter cool until warm rather than hot before adding it to the batter.
- Choose the sugar style: Light brown sugar gives a softer caramel note; caster sugar makes the sweetness lighter and cleaner.
Texture tips
- Fold gently: Stop mixing as soon as no dry flour remains to keep the crumb tender rather than dense.
- Check the centre: The loaf is ready when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Control browning: If the top browns before the middle is cooked, reduce the air fryer to 150°C (300°F) and continue baking gently.
Make-ahead tips
- Bake ahead: The loaf can be baked in advance and stored airtight once fully cooled.
- Freeze in slices: Freeze well-wrapped slices so they can be defrosted individually at room temperature.
- Refresh before serving: Warm slices in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for a just-baked texture.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Fit a loaf tin that suits your air fryer basket (roughly 20 x 10 cm works well). Preheat the air fryer to 160°C (320°F) for 3 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a microwave or small saucepan, then let it cool for a couple of minutes so it is warm, not hot. Peel the bananas into a mixing bowl and mash until mostly smooth.
- Whisk the sugar into the bananas, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla until well combined. The mixture should look glossy and slightly loosened.
- Add the melted butter and whisk briefly to combine. Sprinkle over the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon, then fold with a spatula just until you can no longer see dry flour.
- Scrape the batter into the loaf tin and smooth the top. Air fry at 160°C (320°F) for 40 to 50 minutes, until risen and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Leave the loaf in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out and cool completely before slicing. This helps the crumb set so it cuts cleanly.
Recipe notes
Tips
- If the top is browning too quickly before the centre is cooked, reduce the air fryer to 150°C (300°F) and continue baking until a skewer comes out clean.
- For the most flavour and natural sweetness, use bananas with heavily speckled skins.
- If you are pregnant, elderly, immunocompromised, or serving young children, use eggs that are produced to be eaten raw or lightly cooked, or ensure the loaf is baked until fully set in the centre.
Substitutions
- Replace Vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste for a more pronounced vanilla flavour.
- Replace Light brown sugar with caster sugar for a lighter, less caramel-like sweetness.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Store in an airtight container. For best texture, bring to room temperature before serving; or reheat slices in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 3 to 5 minutes. Freeze sliced, well wrapped, for up to 2 months and defrost at room temperature.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 8 servings
- Yield: banana bread loaf
- Total time: 1h 20min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: American
-
Allergens:
Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Skillet Cornbread with Jalapeño and Cheddar
Golden skillet cornbread with jalapeño and cheddar
Osterbrot (German Easter Bread with Raisins and Candied Peel)
Lightly sweet German Easter bread with raisins and candied peel
Stollen (German Christmas Fruit Bread with Raisins and Almonds)
German Christmas fruit bread with raisins, peel and almonds
Ramadan Pide (Turkish Iftar Flatbread)
Soft Turkish flatbread topped with sesame and nigella
American Banana Bread
Moist banana bread loaf with vanilla
Barmbrack (Irish Tea-Soaked Fruit Loaf)
Tea-soaked fruit loaf enriched with butter, egg and milk
Galette des Rois (Puff Pastry Cake with Almond Frangipane)
Puff pastry cake filled with sweet almond frangipane
Speculoos (Belgian Spiced Biscuits)
Thin, crisp speculoos biscuits with warming spices
Loukoumades (Greek Honey Doughnuts with Walnuts and Cinnamon)
Greek honey doughnuts topped with walnuts and cinnamon
Lokma (Turkish Fried Dough Bites in Lemon Syrup)
Fried dough bites soaked briefly in lemon syrup
Nieuwjaarsrolletjes (Dutch New Year’s Wafer Rolls)
Crisp Dutch wafer rolls flavoured with butter and vanilla
Stafidopsomo (Greek Raisin Bread)
Greek raisin bread with olive oil and cinnamon
American Banana Bread
Moist banana bread loaf with vanilla
Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
Air fryer oatmeal cookies with a chewy centre and crisp edges.
Air Fryer Snickerdoodles
Air fryer snickerdoodles rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked until puffed.
Hummingbird Cake
Spiced banana and pineapple cake with cream cheese icing
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
Giant skillet cookie with dark chocolate chips and vanilla
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Air fryer peanut butter cookies with tender centres and set edges.
You might also like
Flädlesuppe (Swabian Pancake Soup)
Clear beef stock with thin pancake ribbons and chives
Montaditos de Lomo con Pimientos (Pork and Pepper Mini Sandwiches)
Warm mini sandwiches with seared pork loin and sautéed peppers
Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage
One-pot rice jambalaya with andouille sausage and peppers
Choucroute Garnie (Alsatian Braised Sauerkraut with Pork and Sausages)
Braised sauerkraut with pork belly, sausages, potatoes and mustard
Egg Salad Sandwich on Brioche
Egg salad on toasted brioche with chives and lettuce
Brandade de Morue Gratinée (Salt Cod and Potato Gratin)
Salt cod and potato brandade baked with a golden breadcrumb topping
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Non-slip base
- Stainless steel
- Not microwave safe
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids
- Microwave safe
- BPA-free lids
- Glass is heavier
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
