Amazing 90 Calorie Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips

It’s one of those afternoons where the house is just too quiet, and I need a little something crunchy to get me through the afternoon slump. You know the feeling? When you want a snack, but you don’t want the guilt that comes with the chip bag? Well, I’ve got the answer that saves the day every time. Here it is: my recipe for Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips. I’m Anna Kowalska, and here I share tried-and-true homemade recipes that you and your family will love—everything is made with heart and flavor, trust me on this one!

These chips are seriously addictive, but they’re so simple, which is why they are now a staple in my kitchen, especially when the kids are home from school. They come out perfectly crisp, spiced just right, and they hit that craving spot without any fuss. Forget those overly sweet, soggy versions you might have tried before; these Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips are different!

Gathering What You Need for Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips

The secret weapon here, and I mean the absolute non-negotiable secret for getting that perfect crunch, is the banana itself. You must use green bananas, or at the very least, bananas that are only slightly yellow. If you use a ripe banana, you’re going to end up with soft, sweet, caramelized mush—delicious, maybe, but not a chip! We want structure here.

For the coating, we keep it wonderfully simple. You only need a tiny bit of oil—I prefer avocado oil because it has such a neutral flavor—and a lovely ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon. That’s it for the flavor base! When you toss those firm banana slices in the cinnamon-oil mixture, you’re setting up your Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips for success. Don’t skimp on the coating, but don’t drown them either. Just a light, even toss!

Equipment Required for Perfect Banana Chips

When it comes to the tools, this is where the air fryer really shines. It cuts down on mess and time, which is exactly what I need on a busy day. You’ll need a good sharp knife and a cutting board for slicing those bananas evenly. A couple of bowls—one for slicing and one for tossing—will keep things tidy.

But the star, of course, is your air fryer basket. Make sure it’s clean before you start! Since we are cooking these in a single layer, you might need to work in batches if you’re making a big snack haul. The air fryer circulates that heat so efficiently, giving you that satisfying crunch without having to stand over a skillet dropping oil everywhere. It’s just so much easier.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips

Alright, let’s get these beauties cooking! This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it’s so fast you’ll wonder why you didn’t start making these Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips weeks ago. Just follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have the crunchiest snack ready in under 35 minutes total.

Preparing the Bananas and Coating Mixture

First things first: always preheat your machine! I set mine to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about five minutes while I get the bananas ready. You want that heat waiting for them. Now, peel those firm, green bananas—no mushy ones allowed! You need to slice them consistently thin, about a quarter-inch thick. If your slices vary too much, some will burn while others are still soft, and that’s just sad.

In a separate little bowl, grab your oil—I’m using avocado oil today—and whisk in that ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon. Whisk it until it looks like a smooth, slightly gritty paste. You don’t want clumps of dry cinnamon sitting on one chip. Once that’s mixed, toss all your banana rounds into a bigger bowl. Pour that cinnamon-oil mixture right over the top. Now, use your hands—yes, wash your hands first!—and gently toss everything together. You’re aiming for a light coating on every slice. Don’t smash them!

Air Frying Technique for Crispness

This next part is critical for getting those perfect Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips. Once coated, you need to arrange the slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. I cannot stress this enough: they absolutely cannot overlap! If they overlap, the steam gets trapped, and you get soft spots instead of crisp edges. If you have a small air fryer, you’ll definitely need to work in two batches—it’s worth the extra time, I promise.

Pop the basket in, set the timer for 25 to 28 minutes at that 300°F setting. About halfway through—say, around the 14-minute mark—you have to pull the basket out and flip every single slice. This ensures both sides get that beautiful golden color. If you notice your slices were cut thicker than ¼ inch, you might need to add another minute or two at the end. You’re looking for them to be golden brown and feel dry to the touch. When they come out, they will seem slightly soft still. Don’t panic! Immediately transfer them onto a plate or cooling rack and let them sit for five to ten minutes. That cooling time is what locks in the final crispness. Don’t skip the cool-down!

Why You Will Enjoy These Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips

Honestly, I keep making these because they solve so many snack dilemmas at once! If you’re looking for a fast, satisfying treat that won’t derail your whole day, these are it. They are incredibly easy to pull together, especially since the prep is just about ten minutes of slicing and tossing. Who needs complicated baking when you can have this? If you enjoy simple, satisfying snacks, you might also like my recipe for banana oat cookies.

The best part about these Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips is that they feel indulgent without actually being heavy. They satisfy that salty-sweet craving perfectly. You get the wonderful warmth of cinnamon combined with the natural sweetness of the banana, all in a wonderfully crunchy bite. They are a fantastic way to get a little bit of fruit in a fun delivery system. For another healthy fruit-based snack, check out my guide on baked pears.

Here’s why I think you’re going to love having this recipe in your rotation:

• They are lightning fast: Ready in about 35 minutes total, making them perfect for last-minute cravings.
• Super simple ingredients: You only need three items, and you likely have two of them in your pantry right now!
• Healthier crunch: We use minimal oil and skip the deep fryer, giving you a snack that feels good to eat. For more on the benefits of air frying versus deep frying, you can read about general cooking methods.
• Perfect texture: When made right, these Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips deliver that satisfying snap every time.

Tips for Achieving Expertly Crispy Banana Chips

Getting those perfect, non-soggy Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips takes just a little bit of insider knowledge, which I’ve gathered over many, many batches! The biggest mistake people make is thinking they can cram too many slices into the basket at once. Remember what I said earlier? Single layer only! If you overcrowd them, the moisture released by the bananas gets trapped, and they steam instead of crisping up. You have to cook in batches if necessary; your air fryer is powerful, but it needs breathing room.

Another area where things can go wrong is the banana ripeness. If you see even one brown spot starting to form, set that banana aside for your morning smoothie instead. Overripe bananas have too much sugar and moisture, and they will burn on the edges before the center has a chance to dry out. We are aiming for golden brown, not black and brittle.

Finally, never skip that cooling time! Those Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips will feel a little pliable right when they come out of the heat. Trust the process and let them rest on the counter for at least five minutes. That residual heat finishes the drying process, making them truly shatteringly crisp when you bite into them. It’s a small step that makes all the difference!

Storage and Keeping Your Air Fryer Snack Fresh

We all know that the best part of making a snack like these Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips is having leftovers for later, right? But if you don’t store them correctly, they can turn soft faster than you can say “crunchy!” The absolute key here is making sure they are completely cool before they ever see the inside of a container. If you trap any residual heat or moisture, you’re inviting sogginess back into the party.

Once they’ve cooled down for that essential 5 to 10 minutes, you want to transfer them immediately to an airtight container. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids work perfectly, or any high-quality plastic container you have on hand. Make sure the container is completely dry, too! I usually manage to eat the whole batch within two days, but they should stay nicely crisp for up to a week if stored properly at room temperature. Don’t try keeping them in the fridge; that humidity is the enemy of crispness!

If you’ve had them sitting out for a bit and they’ve lost a little snap, don’t worry! You can usually revive them quickly. I’ve included a little guide below showing you exactly how long they last and how to bring back that fresh-from-the-air-fryer crunch. If you are looking for other great snack ideas, check out my recipe for Hissy Fit Dip.

Storage and Reheating Table

Here’s the simple rundown for keeping your Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips at their best:

Storage Duration	Storage Location	Reheating Method (If Needed)
Up to 2 Days	Airtight Container (Room Temp)	3 minutes at 325°F in the air fryer
3 to 7 Days	Airtight Container (Room Temp)	4 minutes at 325°F in the air fryer
Beyond 7 Days	Freezer (Airtight, freezer-safe bag)	Thaw slightly, then reheat as above

Common Questions About Making Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips

I’ve tested this recipe so many times to make sure it’s foolproof, but I always get questions, especially about the bananas! It’s important to get those few details right so you don’t end up with soft chips. Here are the things I hear most often about making perfect Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips.

Can I use ripe bananas instead of green ones? Oh, friend, I really advise against it! Ripe bananas have too much sugar and moisture already built in. When you air fry them, they tend to get sticky and burn quickly before they ever get dry and crisp. Green bananas keep their structure beautifully, which is what you need for that satisfying crunch.

What if I don’t have avocado oil? Can I use coconut oil? You absolutely can swap the oil! I prefer avocado because it’s flavorless, but coconut oil works well too, though it might add a tiny hint of coconut flavor. Just make sure whatever oil you use is liquid when you mix it with the cinnamon. Melted butter is also a fantastic substitute if you have that on hand!

My chips are soft after cooking. What went wrong? Nine times out of ten, this happens for one of two reasons. Either your banana slices were unevenly cut, so the thin ones burned while the thick ones steamed, or—and this is the big one—you didn’t let them cool down completely! The residual heat needs time to finish drying them out after they leave the basket. Be patient, and those Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips will crisp up on the counter.

Do I need to peel the bananas? Yes, definitely peel them! The peel won’t crisp up, and it will just make removing the chips a real pain later on. It’s a quick step, but it’s necessary for clean chips.

Estimated Nutritional Data for Your Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips

I know that for many of you, knowing what’s going into the snack is just as important as how delicious it tastes! Because we are using simple ingredients—just bananas, oil, and cinnamon—the nutritional profile is pretty straightforward and definitely better than grabbing a bag of store-bought fried chips. We keep the fat low since we aren’t deep-frying them, and we rely mostly on the natural sugars from the fruit.

Keep in mind that since the yield varies based on how many bananas you use and how thick you slice them, these numbers are based on the serving size provided in the recipe notes—about a half cup. It’s amazing how much flavor you get for only 90 calories! Here is a quick look at what you can expect from your batch of Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips.

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving (Approx. ½ Cup)
Calories	90
Total Fat	2g
Saturated Fat	0.3g
Total Carbohydrates	18g
Dietary Fiber	2g
Sugar	8g
Protein	1g
Cholesterol	0mg

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