Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips

If you’ve been craving something sweet and crunchy but want to skip the candy aisle, these Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips are about to become your new obsession. They’re naturally sweet, perfectly spiced, and so much healthier than store-bought chips or candy.

The best part? Your air fryer does all the hard work, turning ordinary bananas into crispy, caramelized chips in just minutes. No dehydrator needed, no hours of waiting—just quick, delicious homemade snacks that taste like a treat but fuel your body with real fruit.

Let me show you how easy it is to make these addictive banana chips at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Healthy Sweet Treat: Satisfies a candy craving with natural fruit sugar and warm cinnamon spice instead of processed ingredients.

No Dehydrator Needed: The air fryer speeds up the process significantly compared to an oven or dehydrator. You’ll have crispy chips in under 15 minutes!

Portable Snack: Perfect for hiking, road trips, lunchboxes, or anytime you need a grab-and-go healthy snack.

Budget-Friendly: Bananas are one of the most affordable fruits year-round, making these chips an economical treat.

Kid-Approved: Even picky eaters love the sweet cinnamon flavor and fun, crunchy texture.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these sweet and crispy Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips:

Bananas (3 medium): Use firm, yellow bananas without brown spots. Overripe bananas will be mushy and won’t crisp up properly—you want them slightly starchy!

Coconut Oil (1 tablespoon, melted): Helps the edges crisp beautifully and adds a subtle tropical flavor. You can substitute with melted butter or avocado oil spray.

Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Provides that warm, cozy spice that makes these chips irresistible.

Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar (1 tablespoon): Adds a caramelized sweetness that complements the natural banana flavor. Coconut sugar is less processed, but regular brown sugar works great too.

Salt (tiny pinch): Just a whisper of salt highlights the sweetness and balances all the flavors.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making crispy banana chips in your air fryer is surprisingly simple. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Slice Uniformly: Peel your bananas and slice them into thin coins, about ¼ inch thick. Try to keep them as uniform as possible so they cook evenly. A slightly thicker slice takes longer but gives you a chewier chip.

2. Coat with Flavor: In a medium bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Add the banana slices and gently toss to coat each piece evenly. Be gentle—you don’t want to break the slices!

3. Arrange in Single Layer: Place the coated banana slices in your air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space between each one. Don’t overlap them or they’ll steam instead of crisp. You’ll likely need to work in 2-3 batches.

4. Air Fry: Set your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 8-10 minutes. Flip the slices carefully with tongs at the 4-5 minute mark to ensure even browning on both sides.

5. Cool Completely: Transfer the Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips to a wire cooling rack. They’ll feel slightly soft when hot but will crisp up beautifully as they cool. Let them sit for at least 10 minutes before snacking!

Tips for Success

Use Firm Bananas Only: This is crucial! Avoid bananas with brown spots or that feel mushy. You want them yellow and firm with just a hint of green at the stem. Starchy bananas crisp up; ripe bananas turn to mush.

Don’t Skip the Single Layer: If you stack or overlap the chips, they’ll steam instead of crisp. Proper air circulation is absolutely essential for that perfect crunch.

Watch Closely at the End: Bananas have high natural sugar content and can go from golden to burnt in about 30 seconds. Stay near the air fryer during the last 2 minutes and check frequently.

Cool on a Wire Rack: Letting air circulate underneath helps them crisp up faster and prevents the bottoms from getting soggy.

Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips Variations

Once you master the classic cinnamon-sugar version, try these delicious twists:

Salty Sweet Chips: Skip the cinnamon and sugar entirely and just toss with coconut oil and flaky sea salt for a savory-sweet chip that’s surprisingly addictive.

Plain Banana Chips: Use just the oil with no seasonings for a neutral chip that’s perfect for dipping or adding to recipes.

Chocolate-Drizzled: Once the chips are completely cooled and crispy, drizzle with melted dark chocolate and let it set. Pure indulgence!

Spicy Cinnamon: Add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper to the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a sweet-heat combination.

Vanilla Sugar: Replace the cinnamon with ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract mixed into the oil for a delicate, sweet flavor.

Serving Suggestions

These versatile banana chips work in so many delicious ways:

Trail Mix Addition: Toss them into homemade trail mix with almonds, cashews, dark chocolate chips, and dried cranberries for the ultimate hiking snack.

Breakfast Topper: Sprinkle over your morning oatmeal, yogurt parfait, or smoothie bowl for added crunch and natural sweetness.

Straight from the Jar: Keep them in a mason jar on the counter and grab a handful whenever you need a quick energy boost.

Ice Cream Garnish: Crush them and sprinkle over vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt for a fancy dessert topping.

FAQs

Why are my Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips chewy instead of crispy?
They either weren’t cooked long enough, or you didn’t let them cool completely. They should feel slightly flexible when warm but snap when fully cooled. If they’re still chewy after cooling, pop them back in the air fryer for another 2-3 minutes.

Can I use plantains instead of bananas?
Yes! Plantains make excellent chips and will be starchier, less sweet, and more savory. Use green plantains for the crispiest results and adjust your seasonings accordingly.

How long do these chips stay fresh?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If they lose their crunch, you can refresh them in the air fryer at 300°F for 2-3 minutes.

Can I make these without oil?
You can try, but the oil helps with crisping and allows the seasonings to stick. If you want to skip it, use a light spray of cooking spray instead of melted oil.

Final Thoughts

These Cinnamon-Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips are a fun, homemade alternative to store-bought dried fruit that’s loaded with preservatives and added sugars. They’re sweet, crunchy, wholesome, and made with ingredients you can actually pronounce!

Whether you’re meal prepping snacks for the week, looking for a healthier dessert option, or just want something delicious to munch on, these banana chips deliver every single time. Plus, making them at home means you control exactly what goes into your snacks.

Pin this recipe for your next banana haul! Drop a comment and let me know which flavor variation you’re most excited to try. I love hearing from you and seeing how you make this recipe your own!

Happy snacking!