Description
Make soft, moist air fryer banana bread muffins with a bakery-style crispy top. Perfect for busy weeknights, breakfast, or snacks in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 3 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup neutral oil such as avocado or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (for batter)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar (for topping)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts or pecans (for topping)
Instructions
- Set the air fryer to 320°F and preheat for 5 minutes. Line 8 to 10 silicone or paper muffin cups and place them on a tray.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Whisk in the egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, yogurt, and vanilla until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Sprinkle the dry mixture over the wet mixture. Gently fold with a spatula just until the flour disappears. Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
- In a small bowl, stir together the topping ingredients: granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and finely chopped walnuts.
- Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Sprinkle the sugar-nut topping over each muffin, pressing it in lightly.
- Carefully place filled muffin cups in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Air fry at 320°F for 12 to 15 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- If tops brown too fast, reduce the temperature to 300°F and add 2 to 3 more minutes. Repeat with remaining batter, allowing the air fryer to reach temperature between batches.
- Transfer the muffins to a wire rack. Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use bananas with many brown spots for the best sweetness.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the crumb tender.
- Preheating the air fryer helps the muffins rise quickly and develop a crispy top.
- Keep muffin cups in a single layer for even air circulation and browning.
- Cool muffins on a rack to prevent steamy bottoms and maintain crisp tops.
- Store cooled muffins at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze muffins for up to 2 months after cooling completely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 to 15 minutes per batch
- Category: Baking
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American