5 Flavors Homemade Banana chips

Banana chips are a yummy, crispy, healthy snack. They are perfect for a midafternoon bite to eat, a side in your kids’ lunch boxes, or anytime you want something light and flavorful. And the best part is, with 5 different flavors to choose from, you are bound to find the flavor your family loves the best! Everyone in our family has a different favorite, which is fine because it is super quick to make multiple batches.

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This recipe was originally published in Dec 2018. It has been updated with cleaner instructions and text.

Jump to:

• Why should you make plantain chips at home?
• Healthy Homemade Air Fried Banana chips are a hit in kids snack bags! 
• What ingredients do you need for the recipe?
• How to make banana chips in the air fryer
• What type of bananas do I need?
• Pro tips and tricks
• What is the difference between banana chips and plantain chips?
• Five flavor variations for banana chips
• How do you store the chips
• Other amazing recipes
• Made it, tag it
• Homemade Banana chips

Why should you make plantain chips at home?

Store bought chips usually contain a ton of preservatives and added sugar to help increase shelf life. The added sugar increases the number of calories you’re eating and takes away some of the healthiness of the chips. 

Also, homemade banana chips  are a super easy, healthy snack. You only need a few ingredients including bananas or plantains and whatever you want to flavor them with.

Finally, homemade banana chips have a delicious fresh flavor. You really can’t get the same freshness from store bought varieties.

Healthy Homemade Air Fried Banana chips are a hit in kids snack bags! 

We’ve been baking banana chips for years! They are one of my kids’ favorite healthy snacks! They are so much better for them then potato chips or other salty or sugary snacks you can get at the store. 

And they are super easy to prepare ahead! You can make a huge batch over the weekend for a healthy snack all week long. Just store them in an airtight container and place them in airtight baggies to add to their lunch boxes. 

They are sure to delight your kids. And their friends may just ask you to pack more for them!

What ingredients do you need for the recipe?

You really don’t need much for banana chips. How much you need depends on how you plan to flavor them. (See flavors below). But here is what you need for the basic recipe:

• Plantains or Raw bananas - raw, hard fruit works best
• Coconut oil - you could use another high heat oil like vegetable oil
• Turmeric powder - adds just a bit of extra flavor and helps the sweetness pop

Before frying the chips, you need to soak them in a bath of water. You’ll need:

• Salt
• Turmeric powder
• Medium bowl full of water

If you plan to air fry these, you obviously need a good air fryer. Also, a mandoline or slicer really helps to make the chips thin and even. To store the finished chips, you will need an airtight container.

How to make banana chips in the air fryer

• Air fryer banana chips use a small amount of oil to get a crispy crunch. Here’s what you need to do to use your air fryer. Directions may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.
• Before getting started, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. 
• As it heats, cut the ends off of the green bananas and peel.
• In a medium bowl, mix the turmeric and salt in cool water. Next, place the peeled banana in the water and let it soak for around 5 to 10 minutes.

• After it has soaked, remove the banana from the cool water bath and pat it dry. Next, carefully slice it on a mandolin. We usually use one of the thinner settings to make thin chips because they crisp up better that way. If you like thicker chips, you can make them thicker, just adjust the cook time if you make them thick so they cook through.
• Once they are cut into chips, coat them with a mixture of coconut oil and turmeric.
• Next, place the sliced green bananas inside the basket of the air fryer. Make sure you leave a little space between each chip. Unless you have a large basket, you will need to do multiple batches!
• Once the chips are placed in a single layer, cook for about 10 minutes. If they need additional time, leave them in for another few minutes. If some are crisp and ready, remove them and continue cooking the rest.
• Then, repeat the cooking process until all slices are cooked.
• Sprinkle some salt over the top, if you like, serve and enjoy!

What type of bananas do I need?

You’ll need raw, unripened or hard bananas or plantains for this recipe to work well. As a banana ripens, it starts to become softer, which makes it less ideal for making chips out of. 

Plantains are more starchy than bananas which makes them a bit more forgiving. But it is still best to use unripened plantains.

Pro tips and tricks

Before you start, here are some pro tips and tricks to get you started making crispy chips every time!

• Use a mandoline slicer to have uniform shaped chips.
• Brush on a thin layer of coconut oil before baking or air frying for added flavor.
• Slice them thinner for faster cooking and crispier chips.
• Slice the fruit lengthwise for a longer chip.
• Make sure you peel the bananas before slicing them.

What is the difference between banana chips and plantain chips?

There really isn’t much of a difference between banana chips and plantain chips. In India, people often refer to bananas as plantains or just plain banana chips. 

The main difference is that plantains are green in color. They are also a bit starchier and have slightly less sweetness. 

Both can be used for cooking. Bananas are often added to quick breads, like banana bread, yogurt, cereals, and other sweet or breakfast foods. Meanwhile, people often use plantains  as a sweet or savory side or main dish.

Five flavor variations for banana chips

When you are ready to make these healthy, homemade chips, you have a choice between five different flavors. Each one adds a unique taste the banana or plantain. And of course, you can make your own seasonings too!

Here are our favorite combinations of flavor:

• Plain – You will love the banana chips as they are! My kids’ second favorite choice after chili-lime.
• Salt and Pepper – Salt and pepper add just a touch of flavor while bring out and contrast the natural sweetness of the fruit.
• Curried – You can make a spicy curry version with curry powder, garlic, onion, and salt.
• Chili-Lime – My kids’ favorite! Toss the chips with lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Spicy – For a neutral spicy flavor, add a dash of smoked paprika and black pepper.

How do you store the chips

You can store banana chips in an airtight container for up to about 3 week if your family doesn't gobble them all up right away!

To store, place them in an airtight container. You can then add a piece of parchment paper between layers if you want to help keep them from sticking together.

When you are ready to eat, you can take out a small amount to serve. You can also place them in airtight baggies and send them as a healthy snack in a lunch box.

Other amazing recipes

You should make sure you try our favorite air fryer recipes:

How to Make Paneer Tikka

Rajma Chawal

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If you are a fan of healthy eating and have just purchased an instant pot, Try out our 175+Instant Pot Vegetarian Recipes. From Soups to Pasta and from Appetizers to Desserts and everything in between.

Made it, tag it

Did you make these healthy banana chips? Did you use one of our spice blends or try something different? Be sure to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @dbellyrulesdmind and let us know what you think!

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