Why prepare air fryer banana cake
Making an Banana Cake is much faster than using a traditional oven because the small space heats up instantly. The circulating hot air cooks the sponge evenly and keeps the inside soft while the outside develops a nice texture. This method also uses less energy which makes it a great choice for everyday baking. It is a very convenient recipe for beginners or anyone wanting a fresh cake with minimal effort.
Follow these 4 steps for air fryer banana cake
Prepare the base: Peel the ripe bananas and place them in a mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash them until they are mostly smooth with just a few small lumps. Stir in the melted butter and caster sugar until the mixture is well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract then whisk everything together gently.
Add dry ingredients: Sift the self raising flour and salt into the banana mixture. Fold the flour in using a spoon or spatula until you can no longer see any white streaks. Be careful not to overmix the batter as this can make the cake tough. A light touch ensures your cake stays airy and soft.
Fill the tin: Grease a small cake tin that fits comfortably inside your basket. Line the bottom with a circle of baking paper to prevent sticking. Pour the cake batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top with a spoon. Tap the tin on the counter once or twice to remove any large air bubbles.
Air fry the cake: Place the tin into the basket and set the temperature to 160 degrees. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly you can cover it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes. Let the cake cool in the tin for a while before moving it to a wire rack.
Good advice for making air fryer banana cake
Make sure your bananas are very ripe with plenty of brown spots on the skin for the best flavour. This provides natural sweetness and ensures the Banana Cake has a moist texture. If your has a very strong fan you might need to secure the baking paper with a bit of butter so it does not blow around. You can add a handful of chocolate chips or chopped walnuts to the batter if you want extra crunch.
Always check the cake a few minutes before the timer ends because different models can vary in heat intensity. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing it to get the neatest pieces. If you want a richer flavour you can use brown sugar instead of white sugar. This will give the Banana Cake a deeper colour and a slight caramel taste.
For a little more variety, you can also try
air fryer pulled chicken,
air fryer chicken nuggets or
air fryer mushrooms.
