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    Home » Recipes » Muffins / Quick Breads

    Air Fryer Banana Muffins

    Published: Mar 31, 2022 · Modified: Mar 15, 2023 by Maria Doss · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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    Air Fryer Banana Muffins are made using standard cupcake paper liners and have a beautiful crusty exterior with fluffy inside, that is unlike an oven baked muffin. This might just become your new favorite air fryer muffin recipe!!

    banana bread muffins in air fryer basket.

    Air Fryer Banana Muffins

    This recipe is a muffin version of our hugely popular air fryer cake recipe with the addition of cinnamon and chopped walnuts. So, you know it's going to be a good one. It is light, fluffy and tastes delicious! We were simply amazed at the result every time we tested this recipe. Made with basic pantry ingredients, no silicone molds needed and great way to use that one banana you have lying around that no one wants to eat.

    Baking in air fryer are perfect when you want a small batch or don't have access to ovens. They are not overly sweet and taste amazing.

    The BEST recipe

    Here are a few reasons to love this banana nut muffin:

    1. Texture – They are soft and light with a deep colored crust and bits of crunchy nuts, that is absolutely amazing.
    2. Easy to make – No mixers required, just two bowls.
    3. Freezer friendly – These baked treats are not iced, crumb topped or frosted making it a great option to freeze.
    4. Small batch - It is perfect when you want just a small batch instead of a dozen.
    5. Air fried - A perfect recipe for college kids or when you don't have access to oven.

    Texture

    They are amazingly soft, fluffy inside with a slightly firmer crust and bits of crunchy nuts on the outside and a darker top when compared to the oven baked ones --> Thanks to the hot air blowing on top.

    How to make them moist?

    Make sure you’re using the right ratio of dry to wet ingredients. The oil, yogurt and brown sugar and plenty of mashed bananas guarantees moistness in this recipe.

    Best temperature to bake

    The secret is in two different cooking temperatures! We pre heat at 350° for 8 minutes (you prep the batter in this time) and then bake at 320°. The pre heating makes the air fryer hot enough to kick start the baking.

    TIP: Over mixing your batter can lead to tough and dense baked product. So, mix batter just until combined and not over mixed.

    Can you use silicone baking cups or paper cups?

    Both can be used! Silicone cups are a lot more studier since we are not using a muffin pan. If using silicone, make sure that the molds are designed for oven and can withstand heat for up to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). They are heavy and can easily be filled on the counter and transferred without spilling.

    How to use paper cupcake liners?

    We wanted to create a recipe that can be made with standard items available at home. However, the issue with using paper liners is that they are not sturdy enough/too weak to hold the wet batter without making them spill over.

    The solution was to triple the cupcake liners which gave them stability to hold the batter.

    Important Notes

    1. Use 3 layered cupcake paper liners for stability.
    2. Work quickly when pouring batter into paper cups so you don't loose much of the heat.
    3. Halve recipe to make 4 muffins and bake for 9 to 11 minutes.

    Why did my muffins didn't rise properly?

    It depends on the model used. Some blow hot air directly on top, allowing them to form a crust on top before giving them a chance to rise properly.

    How long to bake?

    This recipe makes 7 big ones! They take about 12 minutes. We recommend checking after 10 to 11 minutes. Insert a tooth pick in the middle to make sure that it comes out clean and are deep golden on top.

    Type of air fryer to use

    This recipe was tested in Instant Pot 6qt Vortex Air Fryer, cooking time may vary for other brands. Seven large muffins fit perfectly in the large basket. If you are using a smaller one, then you can halve the recipe to make 4 medium muffins.

    Pro Tips for Success

    How to use greek yogurt – Use ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons plain greek yogurt along with 2 tablespoons water instead.

    Use ripe bananas – Ugly over ripe fruits with dark yellow skin with lots of black/brown streaks.

    Mash thoroughly - We like to use a potato masher or the back of a fork to mash well.

    Golden Brown sugar – It adds moistness and caramell-y notes which compliment the fruit. Golden or light brown sugar works well.

    Ingredients

    This recipe requires a handful of basics, but each in the right proportion is important.

    1. Flour - Unbleached all purpose flour.
    2. Leavening - We use a mix of baking powder and baking soda for the perfect rise.
    3. Flavoring - Ground cinnamon, but vanilla extract may be added.
    4. Banana - Use very ripe sweet fruits with brown spots.
    5. Sugar - Golden brown sugar is delicious with banana.
    6. Yogurt - Plain yogurt or greek may be used.
    7. Oil - Oil adds softness to the recipe.
    8. Egg - One egg gives the perfect structure.
    9. Nuts - We used walnuts, but toasted pecans will be tasty too.

    Basic cake ingredients like all purpose flour, brown sugar, baking soda and baking powder for leavening are used. Vegetable oil, yogurt for moistness and ground cinnamon as flavoring. Egg provides structure, leavening, richness and color. Walnuts give a little crunch and nuttiness.

    Use ripe bananas

    The best bananas for any baked product are not the yellow kind! Select fruits that are streaked with black/brown and too soft ---> the darker the better. They pack more banana punch and are naturally sweet. There's no such thing as over ripe fruit.

    Variations

    1. Nut-free - Skip walnuts
    2. Use toasted chopped pecans instead of walnuts.
    3. Mix in semi sweet chocolate chips.
    4. Try other spices like vanilla extract, ground ginger or nutmeg.
    ingredients needed to make banana muffins in air fryer.

    whisking flour and leavening in a glass bowl.

    whisking egg, yogurt, brown sugar and oil in a bowl.

    mixing muffin batter with mashed banana.

    How to make?

    Pre heat air fryer to 350 degrees for 8 minutes (I use this time to make the batter).

    Mix dry – Whisk all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt together in a small bowl.

    Mix wet – Mash fruit with the back of a fork or potato masher and mix with brown sugar, yogurt, oil and egg until smooth.

    Finish batter – Stir flour mixture into the wet and mix until just combined (do not over mix). Stir in chopped walnuts.

    Bake – When 8 minutes is done, set air fryer to 320 degrees for 12 minutes. Working quickly, place 3-layered cupcake liners into the basket, divide batter into the liners and top with more chopped nuts. Cook until done.

    Can these be oven baked instead?

    Absolutely! Transfer batter to paper lined cupcake pan (makes about 8), bake in a pre heated 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes.

    How long will they last?

    They will stay fresh and soft (much longer than oven baked ones, thanks to the amazing crust) for up to 4 days, stored in an air tight container at room temperature.

    Can you freeze them?

    Sure can! Place in a sealed zip lock bag, they can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, let sit on the counter for 1-2 hours.

    banana muffin batter ready to be baked in air fryer.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Are banana muffins good for you?

    Homemade baked goodies are generally better than store bought ones. You are in control on the ingredients used and there are no additives or artificial ingredients. This recipe used healthier ingredients like banana, yogurt and oil instead of butter.

    How ripe do bananas have to be?

    Select fruits that are very soft and have brown or black spots. They are naturally sweet and pack more concentrated flavor. There's no such thing as over ripe fruit.

    How many calories in one muffin?

    One has 256 calories with 5 grams protein and 32 grams of carbohydrates.

    baked muffins in air fryer basket.

    a split banana muffin above an air fryer basket.

    More Air Fryer Breakfast recipes to try-

    • Peanut Butter Toast
    • Apple Crisp for Two
    • Air Fryer Omelette 
    • Oatmeal with Rolled Oats
    • Air Fryer Bread Pudding
    • French Toast with Regular White Bread

    Follow me on INSTAGRAM, TIK TOK, FACEBOOK or PINTEREST for more delicious recipes.

    baked banana muffins in air fryer basket.

    Air Fryer Banana Muffins

    Air Fryer Banana Muffins are made without silicone liners and have a beautiful crusty exterior with fluffy inside that is unlike an oven baked muffin. This might just become your new favorite air fryer muffin recipe!!
    4.8 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Air Fryer
    Cuisine: breakfast
    Prep Time: 6 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Additional Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 6 minutes
    Servings: 7 Muffins
    Calories: 256kcal
    Author: Maria Doss

    Ingredients

    Dry Ingredients

    • 1 cup all purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 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

    Additional ingredients

    • ¼ cup chopped walnuts

    Items used

    • Air fryer
    • Paper liners
    • Ice cream scoop
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Have 3 paper liners stacked for each muffin (to get a 3 layered liner) ready.
    • Pre heat air fryer to 350°F for 8 minutes (the air fryer will run empty during this time, this helps to kick start the baking process). Prepare muffin batter in the mean time.
    • 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 combined well (DO NOT OVER MIX). Mix in half the walnuts.
    • When air fryer is done preheating, working quickly, place the seven - 3 layered muffin liners into the air fryer basket (they will fit a little snug, which gives them stability), divide batter evenly into the paper liners, sprinkle remaining walnuts on top.
    • Close basket, set air fryer to 320°F for 12 minutes. Bake until the tops are deep golden in color and a tooth pick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes clean (check occasionally after 10 minutes).
    • Cool muffins and enjoy!

    Notes

    Use 3 layered cupcake paper liners for stability.
    Work quickly when pouring batter into paper cups so you don’t loose much of the heat.
    Halve recipe to make 4 muffins and bake for 9 to 11 minutes.
    How to use greek yogurt – Use ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons plain greek yogurt along with 2 tablespoons water instead.
    Use ripe bananas – Ugly over ripe fruits with dark yellow skin with lots of black/brown streaks.
    Golden Brown sugar – It adds moistness and caramell-y notes which compliment the fruit. Golden or light brown sugar works well.

      Nutrition

      Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 233mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g

      Nutritional information is based on third party calculations, should be considered estimates and not be construed as a guarantee. Varying factors such as product types, brands purchased, produce, the way ingredients are processed and more change the nutritional information in any recipe.

      Did you make this recipe?Mention @KitchenAtHoskins or tag #kitchenathoskins!

      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.

      All contents and images are my original work, unless and otherwise mentioned. Please do not use my recipes or images without linking back to www.kitchenathoskins.com. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite in your own words and don’t forget to include a link back to the original recipe.

      Some of the links above are affiliate links, which pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for supporting kitchenathoskins.com.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Heidi Faure

        August 01, 2022 at 5:31 pm

        This was so quick easy and perfect. Loved it. Thank you so much for the recipe

        Reply
        • Maria Doss

          August 02, 2022 at 12:06 am

          Hi Heidi, Happy to hear hun - Maria

          Reply
      2. Rachel de Kok

        September 26, 2022 at 6:11 pm

        My children loves these muffins! I added a bit more cinnamon and used vanilla yogurt, it tastes delicious!

        Reply
        • Maria Doss

          September 27, 2022 at 12:03 am

          Sounds wonderful hun, Maria

          Reply

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      Maria Doss
      Maria Doss

      I am Maria Doss, the recipe creator, photographer and writer behind Kitchen at Hoskins. Here you'll find lots of creative recipes that use clever techniques or flavor profiles. It might intertwine two cuisines together to create a perfect blend or use an innovative technique.
      About Maria ->

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