This Air Fryer Banana Cake is irresistibly soft and fluffy, with a perfectly crusty top that adds just the right texture and flavor. With only 5 minutes of prep, it’s a foolproof recipe!
If you're craving more banana cake ideas, be sure to try my banana walnut cake or the banana sheet cake next!
👉 This air fryer banana cake recipe has been a reader favorite since I first shared the recipe in 2021. It was updated with new photos, step-by-step instructions and a short video in June 2025.
Unlike an oven, which circulates hot air evenly around the cake, an air fryer directs heat from the top down. This creates a deeply golden, crusty top while keeping the inside soft and tender, unlike oven-baked cakes, which are typically soft all the way through.
The result? A uniquely delicious texture that makes this air fryer banana cake a must-try!
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Why this recipe works?
The secret to perfectly baking a cake in the air fryer lies in using two different temperatures!
Start by preheating the air fryer at 340°F for 5 minutes—just like an oven, this ensures it's hot enough to begin baking the moment the cake goes in. Then, reduce the temperature to 330°F for baking. The lower temperature allows the cake to cook evenly all the way through without over-browning the top.
Featured comments
From Mrs Gelb: "Excellent! This is the first time a cake has worked perfectly in my airfryer after years of trying!" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From Kelly: "Delicious! We just unpacked our air fryer today and some ripe bananas were calling. Made a glaze with a tiny bit of vanilla, splash of rum, confectioners sugar, then milk til it’s pourable" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Short Video
Ingredients you'll need
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Banana - As in all ripe banana recipes, use very ripe, heavily speckled bananas for intense caramelly fruitiness
- All purpose flour - Gives a stable structure.
- Sugar - It compliments the caramel notes in bananas and is always my go to, like in almond flour cake.
- Leavening - A good dose of baking soda, along with baking powder, was necessary to make the hefty batter rise.
- Egg - Eggs gives crucial structural support, and also makes the cake tender with a light texture.
- Yogurt - It adds moisture, a slight tanginess and the acid needed to work with baking soda.
- Walnuts - For crunch and texture contrast.
How to make banana cake in air fryer?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
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What kind of cake pan can you use in the air fryer?
You can use any oven-safe pan in the air fryer—glass, metal, aluminum, or even silicone molds. Just be sure the pan fits comfortably in your air fryer and isn’t too tall, so the rising cake doesn’t come into contact with the heating element.
For this air fryer banana cake, I used a 6-inch cake pan, which fits perfectly in my Instant Vortex air fryer. You can also use an 8-inch pan, but keep in mind the cake will bake faster due to the thinner layer of batter.
Recipe tips
- Bananas – Mash the bananas thoroughly. I prefer using a potato masher for a smoother texture, but a fork works just fine too.
- How many bananas? – You’ll need two medium or one large banana for this recipe. Be sure to measure the mashed banana to match the quantity specified in the recipe, as the exact amount is key for the right texture.
- Cake Pan – A 6-inch round baking pan works perfectly.
- Air Fryer Used – This recipe was tested in the Instant Pot 6-quart Vortex Air Fryer. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.
- Cooking Time – The top of the cake will turn darker in the air fryer than it would in a traditional oven. Don’t rely on appearance alone—after about 35 minutes, insert a toothpick or thin knife into the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If not, continue baking for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Storage – Once cooled, store the banana cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Recipe FAQs
This usually happens when the cake is removed from the air fryer before it’s fully baked. To avoid this, bake for approximately 35 minutes, then check for doneness by inserting a toothpick or knife into the center—it should come out clean or with just a few crumbs. If it’s still wet, continue baking for a few more minutes until fully set.
Absolutely! Cut cooled cake into two layers (please refer this informative article on how to cut a cake into even layer), frost with your favorite frosting like chocolate butter cream, vanilla butter cream, whipped cream, chocolate peanut butter, Nutella, cream cheese or chocolate cream cheese.
I prefer to preheat the air fryer to jump-start the baking process, just like with a traditional oven. Then, I lower the temperature for baking. This method ensures the cake cooks through evenly while the top turns a deep golden brown without burning.
More Air Fryer Desserts
Air Fryer Banana Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons mashed banana about 2 medium
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons chopped Walnuts for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 340°F. It will run empty during this time, which helps jump-start the baking process. While it preheats, prepare the cake batter.
- Grease a 6-inch round cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a small bowl and whisk to combine.
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed banana, brown sugar, sour cream, oil, egg, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and well blended.
- Add the flour mixture and gently fold it in using a rubber spatula, mixing just until combined.
- Transfer batter to the prepared pan, smooth top and sprinkle chopped walnuts on top.
- Set the air fryer to 330°F for 35 minutes. Once ready, place the cake pan into the air fryer basket and bake until the cake is golden brown and fully cooked through.👉 Let the air fryer run at 340°F for at least 6 minutes, or until you're ready to place the cake inside. Then, reduce the temperature to 330°F and bake the cake.
- Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.👉 Baking Time – Air fryer cake tend to develop a darker top compared to oven-baked one. While the surface may look fully baked, the inside might still be undercooked. Start checking at the 35-minute mark using a toothpick or thin knife. If it doesn’t come out clean, continue baking for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Place the cake pan on a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love your feedback! Please let me know by leaving a comment or review below or snap a photo and share on Instagram.
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Jennifer
No oil mentioned in ingredients list recipe made the cake then realised oil was missing how much oil please
Maria Doss
Hi Jennifer, There is no oil used in this cake recipe, Maria
Therest
@Maria Doss,
The picture and video show oil added ??
Maria Doss
@Jennifer, Hi Jennifer, We are extremely sorry for the error on our end. There is in fact 1/4 cup vegetable oil in the recipe and due to an unfortunate error, it has been missed. Please accept our sincere apologies (the recipe has corrected with the necessary changes), Maria
Maria Doss
@Therest, Hi Therest, Due to an unfortunate error, we seem to have missed the vegetable oil (the recipe has been updated now). Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention and please accept our sincere apologies, Maria
Kelly
Delicious! We just unpacked our air fryer today and some ripe bananas were calling. Made a glaze with a tiny bit of vanilla, splash of rum, confectioners sugar, then milk til it’s pourable.
Maria Doss
Hi Kelly, I love the addition of glaze... sounds delish! Wishing your family a very happy new year, Maria
Ivonne
Just went in the air fryer right now.
Maria Doss
👍
Carrie
How many dang bananas?
Maria Doss
Hi Carrie, About 1 very large ripe banana, Maria
Allyson
My air fryer has a bake setting and (obv) an air fry setting. Which should I use? Thanks!
Maria Doss
Hi Allyson, We use only the "AirFry" setting - Maria
McKenzie
Made this using greek yogurt and the related instructions and it came out very overcooked, tough, and dense :/ my toddler loves it anyway, though, so not a total loss.
Maria Doss
Hi McKenzie, Was the air fryer preheated as recommended (some models do not come with a preheat setting)? A hot air fryer is important to give the cake a rise as soon as it starts cooking. Hope it helps - Maria
Mrs Gelb
Excellent! This is the first time a cake has worked perfectly in my airfryer after years of trying!
I baked it in a deep cake pan- delicious!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you enjoyed it hun! – Maria ♡
Katy
I made recipe and I loved it. My mom didn't like it said it was to goey on the bottom. I love bread pudding so was fine for me. Maybe if I cooked longer and also cooked on bake button.
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! Yeah, it needed few additional minutes in your air fryer. Hope it helps – Maria ♡
Marsha
Tried this twice and it turned out wonderfully, although the top of my cake tends to get a bit burnt but nothing goes to waste in this house. Haha! I love the use of yoghurt which used to be one of my mama’s secrets for the softest cakes. I was wondering if you had a chocolate version of this airfryer cake?
Maria Doss
Hi Marsha, That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it. We’re currently developing an air fryer chocolate cake recipe and expect to share it in the next couple of months. I’ll be sure to email you the final version once it’s ready. Thank you for your feedback—I truly appreciate it - Maria ♡