Air Fryer Banana Chips (Plantain Chips)

Name: Air Fryer Banana Chips (Plantain Chips)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 plantains; 2 tablespoon coconut oil; 2 teaspoon turmeric powder; ½ tsp salt

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Crunchy, crispy, and delicious, banana chips made with just 4 ingredients (including salt) are your go-to snack when you crave something salty and healthy. They are naturally gluten-free and vegan; are suitable for paleo and Whole30 diets. Air fryer and oven instructions included.

Banana chips step-by-step recipe with photos.

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About this recipe
Ingredients
Step-by-step instructions
Baking Instructions
Variations
Useful tips
FAQs
Bonus
Recipe card

About this recipe

Crispy and crunchy plantain chips are a healthy and delicious homemade snack that will be your new favorite. It is perfect when you crave something salty. Made with just 4 ingredients (including salt), they are ready in 15 minutes.

Made using plantain or green banana, these crispy chips are suitable for paleo and Whole30 diets. They are also naturally gluten-free, vegan, refined oil-free, and sugar-free. They are so addictive and moreish, you just cannot stop eating them!

Homemade banana chips are healthier than potato chips and an easy snack you can enjoy with masala chai and filter coffee. It is a perfect snack not just for your late-night cravings, but also for a school snack, parties, and picnics.

These chips originate from Kerala and are famously known as Kerala banana chips. Traditionally, these banana chips are made with 'nendran' bananas and are deep-fried in coconut oil. They are called 'nenthra-kaaya oopperi' in Malyalam.

Traditionally, they are deep fried but in this recipe, I am making them in an air fryer. I am also including baking instructions to make it in the oven. Make a healthier version of this deep fried snack at home in an air fryer using this simple recipe. Read on for ingredients, instructions, and variations of this air fryer banana chips recipe.

Ingredients

Plantains: Also called cooking bananas or raw bananas, this is the main ingredient.

Coconut oil: Use cold-pressed coconut oil to get authentic-tasting banana chips. You can also use olive oil, avocado oil, or any other cooking oil.

Turmeric powder and salt: These are the basic seasonings used in classic plantain chips. See below for variations.

Step-by-step instructions

Wash and peel the green bananas. Soak them in turmeric water (step 1). Pat dry the soaked plantain slices using a paper towel to remove excess moisture (step 2).

Slice bananas thinly taking care the slices are even (step 3). Combine coconut oil, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, and salt in a small bowl (step 4).

Rub the oil mixture into the plantain slices taking care all the slices are coated (step 5). Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

Air fry the sliced bananas at 300 F (150 C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping at around 5 minutes (step 6). Increase the temperature to 350 F (180 C) and air fry for another 2-3 minutes (steps 7 and 8).

Baking Instructions

To make homemade plantain chips in the oven:

Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C).
Wash and peel the green plantains. Soak them in turmeric water.
Pat dry the soaked plantain slices using a paper towel.
Slice them thinly taking care the slices are even.
Combine melted coconut oil, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, and a little salt in a small mixing bowl.
Rub the oil mixture into the plantain slices taking care all the slices are coated.
Line two baking trays with baking paper. Arrange the plantains in a single layer.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, until they are golden and crispy to enjoy homemade chips.

More air fryer recipes:

Variations

The classic banana chips are seasoned with turmeric and salt. However, here are some variations you can try to add a delicious twist to these air fryer banana chips.

Spicy - Make a spicy version of these chips by tossing the classic chips in some chili powder or pepper.

Chaat masala - Chaat masala is a salty-tangy spice blend that is used in most Indian street foods. Sprinkle a generous amount of chaat masala on these chips for a delicious twist.

Chili lime - This tangy-spicy version is my favorite. Add ½ teaspoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper along with turmeric before air frying/baking. Once the chips are done, drizzle lime juice just before serving.

Pepper - Toss some freshly cracked black pepper on the chips.

Sweet chips - Skip salt and turmeric and add brown sugar and cinnamon instead to enjoy them as a sweet treat.

Useful tips

Use plantains that are hard and have dark green skin to make the best-tasting chips. Firm bananas are easy to cut evenly. Avoid bananas with any brown spots or blemishes.

Do not skip soaking the plantains before slicing them. This will help get rid of excess starch from the plantain.

Slice the plantains into even and thin slices. You can also use a mandoline slicer to slice them. If you cut them into thick slices, the chips will become chewy,

Air fry at a low temperature first and then increase the temperature. This way, all the moisture content will be removed first making it more crispy when the temperature is increased.

Plantain chips stay fresh when stored in an air-tight container for up to two weeks. They can be stored at room temperature. Make sure the chips are completely cooled before placing them in the air-tight container.

FAQs

How to store these chips?

Are banana chips suitable for the keto diet?

No. Since plantains are high in starch, they are not suitable if you are following a keto diet. They are, however, suitable for paleo and Whole30 diets.

Bonus

These plantain chips are:
- crispy and crunchy homemade snack,
- healthier as they are air fried or baked,
- vegan and naturally gluten-free,
- perfect with a cup of masala chai.

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