Air Fryer Banana Muffins
Air fryer banana muffins turn three or four overripe bananas into a batch of moist, cinnamon-scented muffins in under 20 minutes of baking. The silicone cups sit in the basket, the lower 320 °F setting keeps the tops from burning before the centers set, and you get 12 muffins from one bowl of batter.
- Temperature
- 320°F160 °C
- Total time
- 47min
- Prep time
- 10min
- Servings
- 12
- Per serving
- 220kcal
Why the air fryer works for banana muffins
Ripe bananas bring a lot of sugar and moisture to a batter, which is what makes banana muffins tender but also easy to over-brown. The air fryer helps in two ways. The chamber is small, so the cups heat quickly and the muffins rise before the sugar caramelizes, and the circulating air dries the surface just enough to form a thin golden crust over a soft crumb.
The key is a lower temperature than you would use for a vegetable or a piece of meat. At 320 °F, the sugars in the bananas and brown sugar brown slowly, and the center has time to set. The batter is wetter than a plain muffin batter, so allow a minute or two more than for basic vanilla muffins and judge doneness with a toothpick.
How to make banana muffins in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mash the bananas Mash the bananas in a large bowl with a fork until mostly smooth. Small lumps are fine and give the muffins pockets of banana.
- Mix the wet ingredients Whisk the brown sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla and milk into the bananas until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the dry ingredients Stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a separate bowl, then fold into the banana mixture just until no dry flour is visible.
- Fill the cups Spoon the batter into 6 standard silicone muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Six cups fit a 5–6 qt basket, so use 4 at a time in a 4 qt air fryer.
- Bake Preheat the empty air fryer to 320 °F for , then set the filled cups in the basket, touching each other. Bake for . If the tops brown fast, check at and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and repeat Let the muffins rest in the cups for , then lift them onto a wire rack. Bake the second batch of six at 320 °F for .
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Banana Muffins | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard muffins, silicone cups6 per batch | 320 °F (160 °C) | 16 min |
| Mini muffins | 320 °F (160 °C) | 9–11 min |
| Eggless (applesauce) | 320 °F (160 °C) | 17–18 min |
| With oats (half flour, half oats) | 320 °F (160 °C) | 16–17 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Use bananas with brown spots. The riper the banana, the sweeter and more fragrant the muffin. Green-tipped bananas make a bland, starchy batter.
- Do not overmix. Stir until the flour just disappears. Extra mixing develops gluten and gives chewy, tunnel-shaped muffins.
- Cook in two batches. Six muffins is the most that fit a standard 5–6 qt basket without crowding, and crowded cups bake unevenly.
What to serve with banana muffins
These muffins are good on their own with coffee, but a spread of peanut butter or a pat of butter on a warm muffin turns them into a quick breakfast. For brunch, serve them with Greek yogurt, sliced strawberries and bacon for a sweet and salty plate. They also pack well for a lunchbox or after-school snack.
Storing and reheating
Store cooled muffins in a sealed container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They freeze well for 2 months in a zip-top bag. Warm a muffin in the air fryer at 300 °F for 2–3 minutes (4–5 minutes from frozen), and it tastes freshly baked.
Variations
- Chocolate chip: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips for a chocolate banana muffin.
- Walnut crunch: Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts to the batter, or sprinkle a few on top before baking.
- Banana oat: Replace 1 cup of the flour with old-fashioned oats and bake 1 minute longer.
- Streusel top: Mix 2 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tbsp cold butter into crumbs and press them on top of each muffin.
If it does not turn out right
- The muffins are gummy in the middle
- Banana batter is wetter than plain batter. Bake 2–3 minutes longer at 300 °F, and use bananas that are ripe but not watery. Measure about 1½ cups of mashed banana.
- The tops are too dark
- Lower the temperature to 300 °F and add 2–3 minutes. Do not lay loose foil over the cups, because it can lift into the heating element.
- The muffins stick to the cups
- Let them cool for 5 minutes before you remove them. Very ripe bananas make a sticky batter, so a quick brush of oil inside each cup also helps.
Questions and answers
How long do banana muffins take in the air fryer?
About 16 minutes at 320 °F for standard-size muffins. Mini muffins need 9–11 minutes. A clean toothpick means they are done.
Can I make banana muffins without eggs?
Yes. Replace the 2 eggs with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce, or use a flax egg for each. The muffins come out denser, so add 1–2 minutes.
Are air fryer banana muffins healthy?
They are an easy way to use overripe fruit, and you control the sugar. You can cut the brown sugar to ½ cup if the bananas are very ripe, and swap half the flour for oats.
Can I bake banana bread in the air fryer too?
Yes. Use a 7x3-inch loaf pan and a lower 310 °F temperature. The banana bread recipe has the details.
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