Caramelized Air Fryer Bananas, complete with cinnamon sugar, are a dessert you're going to quickly become obsessed with making. This is a quick and easy recipe for bananas in the air fryer that is packed with flavor and perfect for pairing with ice cream, whipped cream, and candied pecans! You can even enjoy it with a sundae!
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Air Fried Bananas
When we first perfected these air fryer bananas after our extensive testing to find the best timing, we admittedly couldn't stop making them. They are just so good that once you try them, you're going to be looking for every excuse to make them again!
The good news is that there's hardly anything extra to making bananas in the air fryer, which means they're lighter on sugar and more wholesome than other dessert choices. But, they're so delicious, you wouldn't know it by taste!
Try serving air fryer caramelized bananas with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream, or enjoy them with other desserts like crushed candied pecans, an ice cream sundae, or even molten lava cake. You can't go wrong with this simple air fryer dessert recipe!
Ingredients
- Banana: Choose a ripe banana that is still nicely firm. A banana that is too soft will not work well for this recipe, as you will need to slice the banana in half with the peel still on. If the banana is too soft, it will most likely become mush if you try to cut it.
- Butter: We recommend using unsalted butter and adding in a sprinkle of kosher salt with the seasoning. If you're using salted butter, you can omit the added salt.
- Brown Sugar: Combines with cinnamon to create the cinnamon sugar seasoning used for the bananas. You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar. Dark brown sugar has a greater molasses flavor. You can also use coconut sugar.
- Ground Cinnamon: Combines with brown sugar to create the cinnamon sugar topping. Cinnamon complements the natural sweetness of bananas well.
- Kosher Salt (Optional): Use a sprinkle of kosher salt in your seasoning for the perfect treat. If you're using salted butter, you can omit adding any salt.
What to Serve with Caramelized Bananas
- Top with chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or even maple syrup for a special treat.
- Serve over peanut butter toast as an alternative to regular bananas.
- Sprinkle with nuts such as candied pecans and serve with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce to create a sundae.
- For a lighter option, you can serve these bananas with Greek yogurt.
- Slice caramelized bananas over oatmeal, waffles, french toast, or pancakes. Even better with chocolate chips!
How to Air Fry Bananas
Prep your air fryer
Place the air fryer rack under the air fryer basket, then line the basket with air fryer parchment paper liner (optional). The rack will lift the bananas closer to the heating element, which will help with caramelization, and the liner helps with cleanup.
Slice the banana and place in basket
Slice banana in half longways, with the peel still on. Place the banana halves in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Melt butter in the microwave
Add butter to a microwave-safe dish, then microwave on high for about 20-30 seconds to melt the butter.
Mix together cinnamon sugar
In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on bananas
Brush the melted butter on the banana halves, then top each with the cinnamon brown sugar mixture.
Air fry bananas
Air fry on air broil (if an option) at 400°F for 5 minutes, until the bananas are soft and the topping is bubbly.
Serve and enjoy!
Use tongs or a spatula to carefully remove the banana halves from the air fryer. Be careful when removing them, as they will be very soft. Serve with ice cream and candied pecans if desired, and enjoy an easy air fryer banana recipe you will want to make over and over again!
Recipe Tips
- If you don't have the air broil setting, just use the air fry setting.
- Choose firm bananas with little to no brown spots. A little green around the stem is fine, but overripe bananas will be too mushy to handle.
- You can easily double this recipe if another banana will fit in your air fryer basket in a single layer, but don't overcrowd the air fryer.
- Use an air fryer parchment paper liner for easier clean up if you prefer. Never leave your air fryer unattended when using parchment paper in the air fryer. Be certain the food is heavy enough to keep the parchment paper from flying up into the air fryer burner as this could be a fire hazard.
- We leave the peel on the bananas as they are easier to handle that way when removing from the air fryer. This recipe still works if you prefer to remove the peel and then slice the banana in half lengthwise. Follow the recipe as directed.
- Cook time may vary depending on your specific air fryer model, as all brands vary. As always, use the cook time as a guide until you are more comfortable with your specific brand of air fryer.
- If cooking in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early, as they may cook more quickly.
Air Fryer Snacks
Storage Instructions
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
FAQ
Bananas are a very soft fruit. If you air fry them after peeling them, they will be harder to remove from the air fryer. The peel allows you to air fry the banana in two halves without risking making a mess, and has no negative impact on the flavor. However, you can peel the banana first if you want.
You can, but we recommend using an air fryer parchment paper liner if you do to prevent making a mess. Please note that the texture will also be different and the cook time may need to be adjusted, as banana slices may brown more quickly.
Air Fryer Desserts
- Air Fryer Toaster Strudel
- Air Fryer S'mores
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
- See all of our air fryer desserts!
Leave a comment and review for us below if you enjoyed this recipe, or if you have questions about any of our air fryer recipes!
Caramelized Air Fryer Bananas
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- 2 Small bowls one microwave-safe
- 1 Knife
Ingredients
- 1 banana firm and sliced in half with peel on
- ½ Tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- ½ Tablespoon brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch of kosher salt omit if using salted butter
Instructions
- Place the air fryer rack under the air fryer basket, then line the basket with air fryer parchment paper liner (optional). The rack will lift the bananas closer to the heating element, which will help with caramelization, and the liner helps with cleanup.
- Slice 1 banana in half longways, with the peel still on. Place the banana halves in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Add ½ Tablespoon unsalted butter to a microwave-safe dish, then microwave on high for about 20-30 seconds to melt the butter.
- In a separate bowl, combine ½ Tablespoon brown sugar, ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of kosher salt.
- Brush the melted butter on the banana halves, then top each with the cinnamon brown sugar mixture.
- Air fry on air broil (if an option) at 400°F for 5 minutes, until the bananas are soft and the topping is bubbly.
- Use tongs or a spatula to carefully remove the banana halves from the air fryer. Serve with ice cream and candied pecans if desired, and enjoy!
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