Crispy Cinnamon Banana Chips

I stumbled on this banana chip method totally by chance when trying to save some bananas that were turning too quickly for us to eat last summer. They weren't soft enough for banana bread but too spotted for my choosy child's lunchbox. I glanced at my air fryer sitting unused on the counter and took a chance. What began as just trying to cut down on food waste has now become our family's go-to snack. My kid actually asks me to grab "extra bananas for the crunchy chips," and I've caught my spouse swiping them right off the cooling rack before I can pack them away. They're just that tasty.

A few weeks ago, I brought a batch to a kids' playgroup, and one mother sent me a text at night asking how to make them because her boy talked about the "banana cookies" all evening long. They're basic but somehow memorable enough to leave a lasting impression.

Smart Banana Picking Tips

• Bananas - This matters most: pick ones that are yellow with just a couple brown dots – sweet enough but still got some firmness. Those mushy, dark bananas that work for bread will just turn into goop in your air fryer.
• Cinnamon - If your spice jar has been hanging around for ages, grab a fresh one. You won't believe how much better it smells and tastes, especially in a basic snack like this.
• Sugar - Plain white sugar works great, but lately I've switched to coconut sugar for its deeper, almost caramel taste. Both taste fantastic, so just use whatever's in your pantry.
• Oil - You only need a light coating. I like olive oil in a spray bottle, but any cooking spray gets the job done. It helps the sweet topping stick and makes everything crisp up nicely.

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Easy Cooking Steps

Cutting Technique

First, cut your bananas into rounds about ⅛-inch thick. Making sure they're all the same thickness really matters for even cooking. If you cut them too thick, they'll stay soft inside; too thin, and they might burn before getting crispy. I find that tilting your knife slightly makes it easier to get clean cuts.

Adding Flavor

Spray the banana pieces lightly with oil – just enough for a thin layer, not so much they get soggy. Mix your cinnamon and sugar in a small dish (I usually go with about 1 teaspoon cinnamon mixed with 2 tablespoons sugar for 2 bananas, but you can change it to match what you like). Dust this mix over your banana slices, turn them over, and dust the other side too.

Cooking Time

Put the slices in your air fryer basket without overlapping them. This step really matters – if they touch too much, they'll steam instead of getting crispy. You might need to cook several batches depending on your air fryer size. Set it to 350°F and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway. Watch them closely near the end, as they can quickly go from golden to burnt.

Cooling Down

Now comes the tough part: you've got to let them cool fully on a wire rack before eating. The chips actually get crispier as they cool, changing from bendy to crunchy. If you munch them too early (which I do almost every time), you won't get that perfect snap.

Keeping Fresh

If you somehow don't eat them all right away (quite a feat), store them in a sealed container. They stay crunchy for about 2 days at room temp. After that, they tend to get softer, but a quick minute back in the air fryer at 300°F brings back their crunch beautifully.

My little boy once took these for snack time at his kindergarten class. His teacher later mentioned that several kids asked if I could "show their moms how to make banana cookies." It feels oddly good when kids get excited about eating fruit!

Tasty Pairing Ideas

Make an awesome after-school treat by using these chips to scoop up a small bowl of peanut butter or chocolate spread. The mix of crunchy, sweet chips with smooth nut butter makes a snack that seems fancy but is actually pretty good for you. My daughter calls it her "special dipping snack" and jumps for joy whenever I make it.

Whip up a quick banana chip breakfast bowl by adding layers of vanilla Greek yogurt with banana chips and a little honey drizzle. The mix of cool, thick yogurt and crunchy chips tastes amazing together. This makes a surprisingly fancy-looking breakfast or dessert that takes barely any time to put together.

For a simple but impressive dessert, toss these chips alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm cinnamon flavor next to cold, creamy ice cream, plus the crunch from the banana chips, creates a dessert that tastes like it came from a restaurant but uses really simple ingredients.

Flavor Switch-Ups

Spice Mix

Try adding a tiny bit of nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to your cinnamon-sugar mix for more interesting flavors. During Christmas season, I use all three plus a tiny bit of cloves for a holiday version that makes the whole house smell wonderful.

Chocolate Touch

After your chips have totally cooled down, add a thin drizzle of melted dark chocolate for a fancy version. Let the chocolate harden before you put them away. These fancy ones were gone within minutes when I served them at my last book group meeting.

Salty Twist

Skip the sweet stuff entirely and instead sprinkle with a bit of sea salt and some chili powder before cooking. These savory chips taste great with guacamole for a surprising take on chips and dip.

Keeping Them Fresh

Counter Storage

Keep completely cooled chips in a sealed container at room temperature. They'll stay crunchy for about 2 days. Glass jars with good lids work really well for keeping them crispy.

If your chips start getting soft after storing, don't worry! A quick 1-2 minute reheat in the air fryer at 300°F will make them crunchy again. Just watch them carefully so they don't get too brown.

For gifts or special events, put the chips in small clear bags tied with ribbon. They make cute little treats for school sales, gift packages, or thank-you presents. My kid's teacher got these as an end-of-year gift and texted me for the recipe that same night.

Moisture Fighter

If you live somewhere really humid, pop a small food-safe silica packet into your storage container (like the ones that come in vitamin bottles). This helps them stay crunchy longer.

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Pro Cooking Advice

Sweeter Option

For naturally sweeter chips, go with bananas that have more brown spots. You can cut back on the added sugar when using these.

Time Saver

If you're already using your air fryer for something else, make banana chips right after while it's still hot. They'll cook even quicker.

Easy Cleanup

To stop sticking and make cleanup simpler, use air fryer parchment paper with holes in it. Just make sure it fits right so it doesn't fly up into the heating part.

Just last weekend, my neighbor's kids were at our place when I made a fresh batch. The typically fussy 7-year-old who "hates bananas" gobbled them up, then asked to take some home. His mom called later wondering what "magic banana treats" I'd given her son who suddenly claimed bananas were his new favorite fruit. Sometimes the easiest recipes create the biggest impressions!

Recipe FAQs

→ Why do my banana chips stay soggy?

They may be too thick—go for thin, 1/8 inch slices. Also, check that your fryer’s hot enough, or extend the cooking time. Bananas that are overly ripe can also prevent crispiness. Chips firm up more as they cool down.

→ Can I skip the sugar or use a substitute?

Absolutely! Leave out sugar for a naturally sweet version. You can also swap it for alternatives like stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol. Cinnamon alone can still add flavor without sweeteners.

→ How should I store them, and for how long?

Keep the cooled chips in an airtight container. They stay fresh at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for about a week. To restore crunch, pop them back into the air fryer briefly.

→ Can I bake this without an air fryer?

Yes, you can use a regular oven. Lay the slices on parchment paper and bake at 225°F for 2-3 hours. Flip them halfway through. Though slower, the oven works well.

→ What other fun flavors can I try?

Experiment with new flavors! Replace or enhance the cinnamon with nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin spice. Add sea salt or chili powder for a savory touch, or mix cocoa powder with sugar for a chocolatey treat.