This healthy No Added Sugar Air Fryer Banana Bread is perfectly moist, sweetened only with bananas, and cooks in just 20 minutes. It’s a great breakfast and healthy snack the whole family will love. Make this, and you won’t want to bake banana bread any other way again!
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My famous No Added Sugar Banana Bread has long been one of our family’s favorite recipes. We almost always have a loaf on the counter and one (or two!) in the freezer. Every week, I buy more bananas than I know we will eat just so I always have a stash of overripe bananas on hand.
Now, I don’t always share the backstory behind my recipes, but this one is worth telling. Picture me in my small Spanish kitchen last summer —in linen shorts and a bathing suit top, hair in a top knot, sweat dripping down my shins, just staring at five perfectly brown bananas. I desperately wanted to make banana bread, but with no AC in the kitchen and the outside thermometer reading 98°F, there was zero chance I was turning on my oven that afternoon.
Just as I started peeling the bananas to freeze for another day, I was struck with a crazy idea. What about baking this bad boy in the air fryer?
Instead of freezing the bananas, I blitzed up the batter in my blender, preheated the air fryer, and popped two mini loaves in —fully expecting banana bread batter to start oozing out of the air fryer at any point.
By some small miracle, though, that didn’t happen!
Air fryer banana bread yields an incredibly delicious, moist, and fluffy crumb on the inside while the outside is perfectly golden and crispy. Plus, it is ready in just 30 minutes —half the time of an oven-baked loaf.
If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy your favorite sweet treat, look no further than this air fryer banana bread recipe. From the first bite, you’ll be hooked!
Benefits of making banana bread in the air fryer
Now that I’ve made banana bread in the air fryer, I never want to do it any other way. Here’s why:
- It contains no added sugar. This loaf is sweetened only with mashed bananas, that’s it!
- Soft crumb, crispy crust. Air fryers are basically mini convection ovens. The circulating air and higher temps create a perfectly golden and crispy crust while keeping the inside fluffy and moist.
- You don’t have to heat up a whole oven (or the entire kitchen).
- It cooks in less time. Air fryers are incredibly fast and efficient, meaning that your banana bread can be ready in just 30 minutes, start to finish.
- Smaller loaves, fresher banana bread. If you’ve ever left a big loaf of banana bread on the counter for a few days, you know they turn moldy pretty quickly. This recipe makes 3 mini loaves, so you can devour one immediately and freeze the others for later in the week!
- Delicious results with minimal effort. For whatever reason, air fryer banana bread feels much simpler, easier, and faster than traditional banana bread. All you need to do is mix the ingredients, pour the batter into your greased loaf pans, and pop them into the basket. Then, set it and forget it! Waiting for it to cook is truly the hardest part.
Ingredients needed for air fryer banana bread
To make air fryer banana bread, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Overripe bananas
- Melted coconut oil or another neutral-flavored oil
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Kosher salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Mix-ins of your choice
Ingredient substitutions & variations
- Gluten-free air fryer banana bread: You can make it gluten-free by substituting regular flour with gluten-free 1-1 baking flour, like this one from Bob’s Red Mill.
- Egg-free banana bread: You can substitute regular eggs with an equivalent amount of flax eggs. For 1 flax egg, combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds (flaxseed meal) with 3 tablespoons of water and let the mixture rest for 10-15 minutes before using.
Step-by-step instructions for making air fryer banana bread
1. Prepare the pans and preheat the air fryer.
Lightly rub three mini loaf pans with butter or coconut oil. Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
2. Mash your bananas.
Using a fork, potato masher, immersion blender, or a traditional blender, mash or puree the bananas in a medium mixing bowl or right in the blender. If you have a kitchen scale, I recommend putting your blender on the scale, zeroing out the weight and then adding the bananas. This way, you always have the perfect amount and don’t have to bother with measuring cups!
3. Mix in the remaining wet ingredients.
Add the oil, eggs, and vanilla and mix with a whisk or blend for 5-10 seconds until well combined.
4. Combine the dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, combine 1 ¾ cups flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and any mix-ins desired. Stir until fully combined. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until the flour is fully incorporated.
5. Bake the loaves.
Divide the batter between your three prepared mini loaf pans. Place two loaf pans into your air fryer (or all three if they fit) and cook at 320°F for 17-21 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. I find mine are perfectly cooked around the 19-20 minute mark, but every air fryer is different, hence the wider range. Repeat until all loaves are cooked.
6. Cool and enjoy!
Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before attempting to remove them from the pan. To remove them, slide a butter knife around the edges, then turn the loaf upside down and use the butter knife to gently press into the
How can kids help make banana bread?
Involving little ones can decrease picky eating and increase appetite and willingness to try new foods. Here are a few ways they can help:
- Toddlers: Help with peeling and mashing the bananas, grease bread pan; whisk ingredients together, stir in flour, and mix-ins
- Little Kids: Peel and mash the bananas, measure the ingredients, pour batter into the pan
- Big Kids: All of the above
Variations of Air Fryer Banana Bread
There are so many ways to enjoy this healthy air fryer banana bread.
- Add chopped walnuts nuts for a boost of fiber, healthy hats, and a little crunch
- Stir in some chocolate chips for a little extra sweetness (my personal favorite)
- Slather a slice with softened butter and a drizzle of honey
- Make banana muffins instead of banana bread
Tips for making the best air fryer banana bread
When making air fryer banana bread, keep these few tips in mind to get the best results.
- Measure your bananas. The biggest mistake people make with this recipe is not measuring the bananas. Be sure to measure the bananas by weight or volume. If you don’t, your loaf may turn out too wet or not as moist and sweet as it should be.
- Only use overly ripe bananas. Overripe bananas are much sweeter and have a higher moisture content, which helps to create moist and flavorful banana bread.
- Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately before combining. This ensures that the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter and prevents overmixing, which can make your banana bread tougher.
- Grease your pans well. I find rubbing them with a little butter, or coconut oil prevents sticking, so your loaves slide right out.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The air fryer needs to be able to circulate the hot air around the banana bread to cook it evenly. If the basket is too full, the banana bread won’t cook properly. I find cooking two mini loaves at a time works best.
- Fill mini loaf pans about ⅔ of the way. This will allow enough room for the bread to rise without hitting the air fryer’s heating element.
- Mash or puree the bananas with the liquid. You’ll want to retain the liquid as this keeps the banana bread nice and moist.
- Minimize the mess with a blender. I like to weigh my bananas and puree them in the blender with the other wet ingredients. Stir in the dry and pour the batter right into the pans.
- Test the baking time. Cooking time can vary dramatically between brands of air fryers. As a result, I’ve given a wider-than-normal range for the suggested cook time. Start checking your loaves at around 17-18 minutes. After one or two rounds, you’ll know exactly how long it takes in your air fryer.
Helpful equipment and tools
To make the best air fryer banana bread, it’s important to have the right equipment and tools on hand. Here is the equipment I use and recommend to make this recipe:
- Cosori Air fryer
- 3 mini loaf pans or another small pan that will fit inside the air fryer basket
- Vitamix blender (not necessary, but it makes mashing the bananas a breeze and keeps the mess to a minimum!)
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons (love these because they’re narrow and fit right into most spice jars)
- Mixing spoon or silicone spatula
- Butter knife for getting it out of the pan
Best pans for baking bread in the air fryer
Mini-loaf pans are the best pans for baking bread in air fryers because you can cook 1-2 at a time, and fit no matter what size the air fryer you have. The smaller loaves are also nice because you can easily freeze what you don’t eat right away. Here are three I recommend:
- Nordic Ware aluminum mini loaf pans
- Silicone mini loaf pans
- Disposable loaf pans are great if you’re giving them as gifts
I have the Nordic Ware mini loaf pans and love them, but if you’re not ready to commit, you can also get a small pack of disposable mini loaf pans at most grocery stores, Amazon, or Target.
If you want to make one large loaf, you can also try a smaller cake pan with higher sides, like this one that measures 7 inches wide and 3 inches high, and fill it no more than ¾ of the way. I’ve never tested this recipe with a pan like this, but expect you may have a little batter leftover and the baking time to be slightly different.
What to serve with air fryer banana bread
This healthy air fryer banana bread is super versatile and can be enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert.
- For breakfast: Eat it as-is with your morning coffee, or crumble a slice over Greek yogurt and top with nuts, ground flaxseed, and a drizzle of honey.
- As a snack, air fryer banana bread goes great with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot cocoa.
- For dessert, top it with a scoop of ice cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
How to store air fryer banana bread
Once the air fryer banana bread is cool, it can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Keep in mind the warmer the weather, the faster the loaf will spoil at room temperature.
If you’d like to freeze this banana bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it into a freezer bag, pressing out as much air as possible when sealing. Store your banana bread in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. To thaw, simply move the banana bread from the freezer and let it thaw on the counter for 3-4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
No matter how you choose to store it, this healthy air fryer banana bread is sure to be a hit. It’s incredibly delicious, easy to make, and perfect for any occasion. You’ll be hooked from the very first bite.
How to make air fryer banana bread in the oven
If you love this air fryer banana bread but need or want to make it in the oven, head over to my original Healthy No Added Sugar Banana Bread recipe. It uses the exact same ingredients, just different baking directions!
Frequently asked questions
Banana bread typically lasts 3-5 days if left at room temperature. Because banana bread is so moist, it is more prone to molding. You can extend the shelf life by wrapping it well and refrigerating it for 7-10 days or freezing it for up to 4 months.
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen bananas to make air fryer banana bread. Let frozen bananas defrost completely in a freezer bag or bowl and let them come to room temperature. Cold bananas will cause the loaf to cook unevenly, so it’s essential they are at room temperature when you mix the batter. Also, make sure to incorporate the liquid released from the defrosted bananas into the batter.
More air fryer recipes you’ll love
- I keep a stash of these Air fryer chicken cutlets in the freezer at all times. They’re the perfect weeknight protein and oh-so versatile!
Healthy Air Fryer Banana Bread
This Healthy Air Fryer Banana Bread is perfectly moist, has no added sugar, and cooks in less than 20 minutes.
- Prep Time:
10 minutes - Total Time:
30 minutes - Makes:
3 mini loaves 1x
10 minutes
30 minutes
3 mini loaves 1x
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (500 g) mashed or pureed overripe bananas (from about 5–6 medium)
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or avocado oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups (198 g) white whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup mix-ins (optional; see notes)
Instructions
- Prepare the pans and preheat the air fryer. Lightly rub three mini loaf pans with butter or coconut oil. Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Mash your bananas. Using a fork, potato masher, immersion blender, or a traditional blender, mash or puree the bananas in a medium bowl or right in the blender. If you have a kitchen scale, I recommend putting your blender on the scale, zeroing out the weight and then adding the bananas. This way, you always have the perfect amount and don’t have to bother with measuring cups!
- Mix in the remaining wet ingredients. Add the oil, eggs, and vanilla and mix with a whisk or blend for 5-10 seconds until well combined.
- Combine the dry ingredients. In a separate mixing bowl, combine 1 ¾ cups flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and any mix-ins desired. Stir until fully combined. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix just until the flour is fully incorporated.
- Bake the loaves. Divide the batter between your three prepared mini loaf pans. Place two loaf pans into your air fryer (or all three if they fit) and cook at 320°F for 17-21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (I find mine are perfectly cooked around the 19-20 minute mark, but every air fryer is different, hence the wider range.) Repeat until all loaves are cooked.
- Cool and enjoy! Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before attempting to remove them from the pan. To remove them, slide a butter knife around the edges, then turn the loaf upside down and use the butter knife to gently press into the side of the loaf while pulling down. Allow loaves to cool on a wire rack for another 15-20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Bananas: The browner, the better. If using frozen, allow them to come to room temperature and incorporate any liquid released into the batter.
- Flour: If you don’t have white whole wheat flour, you can also use a combination of 1 cup all-purpose + ¾ cup whole wheat flour.
- Mix-ins: Walnuts, chocolate chips, whatever you like!
INGREDIENT PREP
- Mash the bananas; refrigerate for up to 2 days
- Measure your dry ingredients and store them in an airtight container.
NUTRITION
Nutritional information based on 1, 3-ounce slice; mix-ins not included
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1, 3-ounce slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
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I don’t have mini loves can I use just a regular size loaf pan this will be done in my air fryer
Hi Mary,
I’ve not been able to test it with a regular size loaf pan as my air fryer is not big enough, but I think it would be fine! I’d recommend checking for doneness around the 30 minute mark to be safe. Let me know how it turns out!