Air Fryer Banana Cake

The Air Fryer Banana Cake recipe offers a quick and easy way to indulge in a wonderfully soft and fluffy dessert with minimal effort. With just 5 minutes of preparation time, this foolproof recipe is perfect for those seeking a delicious treat without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of mashed banana, golden brown sugar, yogurt, and other key ingredients results in a moist and flavorful cake. The use of an air fryer adds a unique twist, ensuring a quicker baking process and a slightly darker top compared to traditional oven-baked cakes. The addition of chopped walnuts provides a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, enhancing the overall texture.

The step-by-step instructions guide you through the process, from preheating the air fryer to checking for doneness with a simple knife test. The notes section offers valuable tips, such as thoroughly mashing the bananas and providing a Greek yogurt alternative. The recipe’s adaptability is highlighted, mentioning that it was tested in a specific air fryer model, acknowledging potential variations with other brands. The nutritional information is provided for those mindful of their dietary intake, showcasing a balanced profile with reasonable calorie content.

by Taboola

Ingredients

Dry ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt

Wet ingredients

½ cup + 2 tablespoons mashed banana about 1 very large
½ cup packed golden brown sugar
½ cup plain yogurt refer notes to use greek yogurt
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional ingredients

Chopped Walnuts as needed

Equipments used

Air Fryer
Cake pan

Instructions

Pre heat air fryer to 340°F for 6 minutes (the air fryer will run empty during this time, this helps to kick start the baking process). Prepare cake batter in the mean time.
Grease a 6-inch round cake pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Add all dry ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until combined.
Add all wet ingredients into a larger bowl, whisk until smooth and combined. Stir in the dry ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula, until just combined.Tip: Over mixing will create gluten development, and might make the air fryer banana cake dense and tough, instead of the soft and fluffy texture you are aiming for.
Transfer batter to the prepared pan, smooth top and sprinkle chopped walnuts on top.(The air fryer would have done pre heating by now). Set air fryer to 330°F for 35 minutes. When ready, place the cake pan into the air fryer basket and bake until done and brown.
Check by inserting a knife into the middle of the cake and it needs to come out clean.Pro tip: Baking time – This air fryer banana cake will have a darker top, when compared to an oven baked cake. So, cake might look done on the top but still be undercooked inside. Insert a tooth pick or a thin knife into the cake after 35 minutes and it should come out clean or with a few crumbs attached to it. Else, bake the cake 5 to 10 minutes longer.
Place the cake pan on a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Mash the bananas thoroughly. I like to use a potato masher, but a fork would also do the trick.

Use greek yogurt – Use ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons plain greek yogurt along with 2 tablespoons water instead of the regular yogurt in the recipe.

Cake pan – A 6-inch round baking pan.

Air Fryer used – This recipe was tested in Instant Pot 6qt Vortex Air Fryer, cooking time may vary for other brands.

Nutrition