Air Fryer Banana Bread – One-Bowl Small Loaf at 155°C

Air fryer banana bread bakes at 155°C / 310°F for 25–30 minutes in a small 15 x 8 cm loaf pan. Low heat is the trick: the air fryer browns the top fast, so a gentle temperature gives the middle time to cook through.

Everything is mixed in one bowl, and the riper the bananas, the better the loaf. Skins covered in brown spots are exactly what you want.

If you have apples rather than bananas to use up, bake Air Fryer Marble Apple Cake.

Banana Bread Ingredients

For the Banana Bread

• 🍌 2 large very ripe bananas (about 230 g mashed)
• 🥚 1 large egg
• 🫒 60 ml (¼ cup) vegetable oil or melted butter
• 🍚 70 g (⅓ cup) brown sugar
• 🍶 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 🌾 130 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
• 🥄 ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• 🌿 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 🧂 ¼ teaspoon salt

Optional Add-Ins

• 🌰 40 g (⅓ cup) chopped walnuts
• 🍫 40 g (¼ cup) chocolate chips

Pan Size and Tools

• Small loaf pan that fits your air fryer (about 15 x 8 cm / 6 x 3 inches)
• Baking paper
• Mixing bowl and fork
• Toothpick or skewer

How to Make It

1. Prepare the Loaf Pan: Line a small loaf pan with baking paper, or grease it well with oil. Make sure the pan fits in your basket with space around the sides.
2. Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine and add texture.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients: Whisk the egg, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla into the mashed bananas until well combined.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Fold gently with a spatula just until no dry flour is visible. Stir in walnuts or chocolate chips if using.
5. Fill the Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. The pan should be no more than three-quarters full.
6. Air Fry the Banana Bread: Cook at 155°C / 310°F for 25–30 minutes. After 15 minutes, check the top. If it is browning quickly, cover it loosely with foil and tuck the edges in securely.
7. Test for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If it has wet batter, cook for 3–5 more minutes.
8. Cool and Slice: Let the air fryer banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift it out and cool for another 10 minutes before slicing.

Why the Middle Stays Raw (and How to Fix It)

A dark top with a gummy center is the most common banana bread problem in an air fryer. The heating element sits close to the pan, so the crust sets long before the middle.

• Keep the temperature low. 155°C / 310°F, not the higher heat you would use in an oven.
• Cover with foil halfway. Once the top is golden, a loose sheet of foil stops it from browning further.
• Use the right pan. A small loaf pan cooks through; an oversized, deep one does not.
• Test the center. A skewer pushed into the middle should come out clean or with a few dry crumbs.

Baking Times for Loaves, Mini Loaves and Muffins

Add-Ins and Variations

• Chocolate chip banana bread: Fold in chocolate chips and sprinkle a few on top.
• Walnut banana bread: Add chopped walnuts for crunch.
• Banana bread muffins: Divide the batter into silicone muffin cups and cook for 12–15 minutes.
• Healthier version: Replace half the flour with whole wheat flour and use less sugar.

Baker’s Tips

Storing and Warming a Slice

Wrap cooled air fryer banana bread in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 1 week.

To freeze, wrap individual slices and freeze for up to 3 months. Warm a slice in the air fryer at 150°C / 300°F for 2–3 minutes.

Air Fryer Banana Bread FAQ

Final Notes

Ripe bananas, a gentle 155°C / 310°F and a sheet of foil halfway through are what make this air fryer banana bread soft all the way to the center.

Let the loaf cool before slicing; it firms up as it rests and cuts far more cleanly.

Written by

James Wilson

Air Fryer Recipe Creator & Food Writer

James Wilson is an air fryer recipe creator and food writer who loves making simple, crispy, and flavorful meals easier to prepare at home. He focuses on practical air fryer recipes, helpful cooking tips, and easy-to-follow ideas designed for everyday kitchens.