Are you a fan of snacks that are both tasty and good for you? Try making dried bananas! They’re great by themselves or you can put them on your cereal, in your yogurt, or even in some desserts.
If you don’t have a food dehydrator, no worries — you can use your air fryer to make some awesome dried bananas. Let’s walk through how to do it, so you can start snacking on these yummy treats right at home.
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Why Dried Bananas?
Dried bananas keep their sweet taste and last a long time, making them perfect for a snack you can take anywhere. They’re full of good things like fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, which are much better for you than most snacks you find in stores. Plus, they taste great and have a chewy feel that’s really satisfying.
What You Need
Before you start, make sure you have these items:
- Ripe bananas — choose ones that are tasty but still a little firm
- Lemon juice (if you want to keep them from going brown)
- Your air fryer
- Parchment paper or a silicone mat to line your air fryer basket
- A container that seals tight for storing your banana slices
How to Make Dried Bananas in Your Air Fryer
Just follow these easy steps to turn fresh bananas into dried ones using your air fryer:
Step 1: Prep Your Bananas
- Pick bananas that are ripe but not mushy or bruised. They’ll be sweeter and dry better.
- Peel them and cut them into even pieces, about ¼ to ⅜ inch thick. Thicker slices will be more chewy, and thinner ones will be crispier.
- You can brush your banana slices with some lemon juice to stop them from browning. This step is up to you.
Step 2: Get the Air Fryer Ready
- Turn on your air fryer to 135°F (57°C). This low heat helps the bananas dry out slowly and keeps them tasting good.
- Put some parchment paper or a silicone mat in the air fryer basket. This will make sure your bananas don’t stick and makes cleaning up a breeze.
Step 3: Time to Dehydrate
- Place your banana slices flat in the air fryer basket on the lining. Don’t let them touch or overlap, so they dry properly.
- Pop the basket in your air fryer, set the timer for 2 hours, and start dehydrating.
- After 2 hours, flip the slices over, so they dry evenly on both sides. Keep dehydrating them for 2-3 more hours. Depending on how thick you cut them and how humid it is where you live, it might take a bit more or less time.
- Check on them from time to time to see if they’re done. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re bendy and leathery without any wet spots.
Step 4: Cool and Store
- Once they’re dried the way you like, take the basket out of the air fryer and let the banana slices cool down completely. As they cool, they’ll get a bit drier and crunchier.
- Transfer your dried bananas to an airtight container or a zip-lock bag, and keep them in a cool, dry place away from the sun.
Tips for Even Better Dried Bananas
- Try adding flavors like cinnamon, cocoa, or a little salt before you dry the bananas.
- If you want them sweeter, sprinkle some powdered sugar or drizzle honey on the slices before drying.
- Adjust the drying time to get them just how you like — chewier or crispier.
- Dried bananas can last quite a few weeks stored the right way. Over time, they might get softer and less crunchy.
- Don’t throw out bananas that are too ripe. Instead, slice and dehydrate them for a sweet snack.
Wrapping It Up
Making dried bananas with your air fryer is a simple way to have a snack that’s both yummy and wholesome.
Just follow these instructions and you’ll be munching on the sweet, chewy goodness of dried bananas at home. Don’t be afraid to play with different tastes, and enjoy these healthy treats on their own or added to other foods.
