The air fryer is much more than just a gadget for making crispy fries without using much oil. Today I want to share a recipe that takes a beloved classic and gives it a modern update: banana cake baked in the air fryer.
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Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Table of Contents
What Is the Story Behind Banana Cake?
The banana cake as we know and love it has roots going back to the 1930s — a time when housewives began experimenting with baking powder and baking soda as leavening agents. Bananas, once an exotic luxury, had become more available and were a perfect way to add moisture and flavor to baked goods. This simple yet delicious cake quickly became a favorite in many homes and has since found its way into the hearts of cake and dessert lovers all over the world.
A Personal Anecdote
I remember how my grandmother in Rislev used to make banana cake when I was little. Her kitchen smelled heavenly while the cake baked in the oven, and the wait felt endless. The first time I experimented with making banana cake in an air fryer, I was reminded of those days — but with considerably less time spent. It almost felt like cheating to be able to enjoy this childhood favorite in such a short time 😌
I recommend this delicious coffee with our homemade banana cake
A good cup of coffee and a freshly baked banana cake is a combination that rarely disappoints. The medium-roasted arabica has a smooth, rounded flavor with hints of caramel and mild sweetness that plays beautifully alongside the banana’s natural fruitiness and the warm scent of cinnamon from the cake. The coffee’s pleasant acidity cuts through the cake’s buttery creaminess and keeps the tasting experience fresh and balanced. I warmly recommend Freehand Gently Coffee Beans – 1 kg – a classic medium-roasted bean that lifts any afternoon break with homemade cake to a whole new level.
Things You Didn’t Know About Banana Cake
- Discovered as an “accidental recipe”: Did you know that banana cake was often made as a way to use up overripe bananas? Instead of throwing them out, inventive cooks discovered that these bananas were perfect for baking.
- The air fryer’s role: The air fryer, originally designed to cook food with less oil, is also an excellent baking oven. The circulating heat in the air fryer ensures that the banana cake bakes evenly and develops a lovely crust, while the inside stays moist and soft.
To make your banana cake even softer and moister, try adding an extra ingredient: Greek yogurt or applesauce. Add about ½ dl of Greek yogurt or applesauce to the batter. These ingredients not only add moisture but also contribute to a richer flavor. Greek yogurt gives a lightly creamy texture, while applesauce can enhance the cake’s sweetness with a subtle fruity undertone without overwhelming the banana flavor. This little trick can make a big difference in the texture.
Tips and tricks from the author: Morten Jensen
Variations of Banana Cake
There are countless ways to vary a classic so it suits different taste preferences and occasions.
Here are some popular variations:
- Banana cake with chocolate chips: Add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter for a decadent, chocolate-filled version of the banana cake.
- Banana cake with nuts: Chop walnuts, pecans or almonds and add them to the batter for extra texture and a nutty flavor.
- Spiced banana cake: Add an extra teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Vegan banana cake: Replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water per egg) and use plant-based butter for a vegan version.
Final Thoughts on Banana Cake in the Air Fryer
Next time you find yourself with a couple of overripe bananas and a little time, why not try making banana cake in your air fryer? It’s a wonderful way to bring a touch of nostalgia into your modern kitchen and share a piece of history with those you love most. So turn on that air fryer, and let’s carry the tradition forward, one slice of banana cake at a time.
FAQ
Bake the cake at 160 °C for about 25-30 minutes. Air fryers vary a little, so insert a toothpick in the center after 25 minutes – if it comes out clean, the cake is done. Then let it rest in the tin for 10 minutes before you take it out.
The riper, the better. Bananas with lots of brown spots are sweeter and easier to mash, and they make a moister cake. It’s the perfect way to use up the overripe bananas in your fruit bowl.
Keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze it in slices for up to 3 months and thaw them at room temperature whenever you fancy a piece.
Recipe
Banana cake in the air fryer
Cooking Guide
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Cost of the dish
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Airfryer size
All our recipes are tested in a Philips Airfryer 2000 Series NA230/00 – 6.2 L
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Ingredients
How to make it
- Prepare the air fryer:Preheat your air fryer to 160 °C. Lightly grease a cake tin of about 18 cm to prevent the cake from sticking. The tin should be no more than half full.
- Mash the bananas:In a bowl, mash the ripe 2 pcs banana with a fork until completely mashed.
- Add the wet ingredients:To the mashed bananas, add the melted 90 g butter, 2 pcs egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
- Mix the dry ingredients:In another bowl, mix 125 g plain flour, 100 g sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon together.
- Combine:Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir gently with a whisk or a spatula until just combined. Avoid overworking the batter.
- Bake:Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin. Carefully place the tin in the air fryer and bake the cake at 160 °C for about 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. If the top browns too much before then, lay a piece of foil over the tin and crimp it tightly around the edge so it doesn’t blow off.Start the online kitchen timer here
- Cool:Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes before removing it and letting it cool completely on a wire rack.
Our notes for the recipe
Your notes for the recipe
Nutrition per serving (Guideline)
Important about shelf life and nutrition
Nutrition per serving (guideline): Calculations are based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Shelf life (guideline): Shelf life data is provided, as far as possible, by public institutions, including national food authorities. Our information is therefore only indicative, and it is your responsibility to obtain and calculate accurate information about shelf life and nutrition for all recipes on airfryerkogebogen.dk
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