This air fryer banana bread recipe produces a moist, tender loaf without needing to heat the oven.
Using simple pantry staples and ripe bananas, this loaf cooks quickly in the air fryer and delivers great flavour and a soft crumb — perfect for breakfast, a snack or an easy dessert.
Made in a 2lb loaf tin and cooked in a Ninja Foodi-style air fryer, this simple banana bread stays deliciously moist with a golden crust. The air fryer works like a convection oven, circulating hot air around the tin so the loaf cooks evenly and retains moisture.
✔️ Why you’ll love this recipe!
- An easy air fryer cake recipe that requires no oven.
- Great for using up overripe bananas.
- Produces a moist, tender loaf with a soft crumb.
- Perfect for an after-school snack with a glass of milk.
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead convenience.
Love this air fryer banana bread. The chocolate chips gave it a lovely sweetness and it’s great for using up overripe bananas. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
– Sue
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Bananas – Use overripe bananas with brown or black spots for the best sweetness. This recipe uses two medium bananas.
- Butter – Softened unsalted butter works best for creaming.
- Sugar – A mix of caster (white) sugar and light brown sugar balances sweetness and depth of flavour.
- Eggs – Three large eggs at room temperature.
- Vanilla extract – Use a good-quality vanilla extract or vanilla paste for the best aroma.
- Self-raising flour – Contains the raising agent needed to give the loaf lift.
- Chocolate chips – Milk chocolate chips are used here, but white or dark chocolate, peanut butter chips, or chopped chocolate all work.
🔪 How to make banana bread in the air fryer
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions is below.
One: Preheat the air fryer to 160°C (320°F). Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with baking paper so the cake lifts out easily.
Top Tips
- Preheat the air fryer before you start making the batter to ensure even cooking.
- Grease the tin well and line it with baking paper to prevent sticking and to make removal easier.
- Use overripe bananas for the best sweetness and flavour.
- Air fryers vary — check for doneness with a toothpick or thin skewer from 45 minutes. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the loaf is ready; otherwise continue cooking and check every 5 minutes. Allow the loaf to cool fully before slicing.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve slices with softened butter and a drizzle of honey, or turn it into a simple dessert with a scoop of ice cream and fresh berries for contrast.
📖 Variations
- Fold in a handful of chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans or almonds) for texture.
- Add 1 tsp ground cinnamon or a pinch of mixed spice or ginger for warmth; a small pinch of salt balances the sweetness.
- Fold in 50g fresh berries (blueberries or raspberries), lightly tossed in flour to prevent sinking.
- For a double chocolate version, replace 25g of flour with cocoa powder and add extra chocolate chips.
🥡 Storage
Store: Keep the banana bread in an airtight container or cake tin at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Cool completely, wrap tightly in clingfilm and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Insert a toothpick or thin skewer into the centre. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the loaf is cooked through.
Yes—any oven-safe pan that fits inside your air fryer basket will work. Ensure there’s enough space for air circulation.
Overripe bananas give the best sweetness and banana flavour. If you only have unripe ones, you can soften and sweeten them by baking them (in their skins) at 150°C (300°F) for 15–20 minutes until soft and darkened.
Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Banana Bread
A simple air fryer banana bread packed with milk chocolate chips — a fuss-free way to use overripe bananas.
Course: Baking
Cuisine: British
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories (approx): 448 kcal per serving
Ingredients
- 175g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g caster sugar
- 75g light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 200g self-raising flour
- 2 overripe bananas, mashed
- 50g milk chocolate chips (plus 50g for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 160°C (320°F). Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with baking paper.
- Cream the softened butter with the caster and light brown sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Fold in the self-raising flour, then add the mashed bananas and 50g of chocolate chips. Mix until just combined.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared tin and sprinkle the remaining 50g of chocolate chips on top.
- Air fry for 55 minutes to 1 hour, checking from 45 minutes. Cover with foil after 30 minutes if the top browns too quickly. Cool completely before removing from the tin and slicing.
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer for consistent results.
- Line and grease the tin to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Check for doneness with a toothpick from 45 minutes; cooking times vary by air fryer model.
- Cool fully before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
Calories: 448 kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 23g | Sugar: 33g
Tried it? Leave a rating and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram — I’d love to see your photos and feedback.