Got a brown banana hanging around? Fan of freshly baked banana bread but don't want a big loaf lying around to tempt you? This mini banana bread is a super easy one bowl recipe and there’s no creaming of butter and sugar necessary. Just mix together a few basic pantry ingredients, pop the cake into your air fryer (or oven if it's already on) and you’ll be enjoying a delicious slice of healthy banana bread in around just 30 minutes.
1bananasmall to medium, mashed – the riper the better
1egg
2tablespoonsbrown sugarI add 2-3 tablespoons depending on my mood!
2tablespoonsoilI’ve used light olive oil and canola and coconut oils. Melted butter works really well, too.
¼cupmilkAny milk works, including non dairy such as almond and soy.
¾cupall-purpose flourI’ve used white, wholemeal, coconut flours, or a mixture + hemp flour. I've also used self raising flour instead and skipped the baking soda.
Line a very small ovenproof baking pan, glass dish or mini loaf pan (I've used 5 sq inches and also a 5x3 inch mini metal loaf pan) with baking paper and trim. Spray with a little oil.
Pre-heat air fryer or oven to 320F/160C.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg into the mashed banana. Then whisk in the sugar, oil, and milk.
1 banana, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons oil, ¼ cup milk
Add the flour and baking soda and salt and mix until just combined. Fold in any mix-ins e.g. chocolate chips, nuts.
¾ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 pinch cinnamon or nutmeg, raspberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, coconut, nuts, ½ teaspoon vanilla, 1 pinch salt
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in your oven or air fryer for 25 to 35 minutes or until a skewer poked into the bottom of the cake comes out clean. A little bit of sticky-ness is fine. For me it takes 30 to 35 minutes in my air fryer and 25 minutes in my oven.
Let cool for 10 minutes in the tin/dish, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Video
Notes
Banana: Because this is a mini banana bread, I use a small to medium banana for this recipe. You can vary the amount of mashed banana a bit, but if you use too much the base of the bread can become a bit heavy (although it's still delicious!). Cooking time: This banana bread usually takes 30 to 35 minutes to bake in my air fryer. In my oven it takes 25 to 30 minutes. Unfortunately I think the baking time will vary according to your oven. Just keep checking from 25 minutes onwards!Since sometimes an air fryer cooks the top of a cake faster than the inside, you can turn the banana bread over 5 minutes before the end of the cooking time.Storing: This banana bread will keep fresh for a few days in an airtight container.Substitutions: This small batch banana cake is very versatile. I’ve healthified it by reducing the sugar and swapping out the oil and flour for healthier versions (e.g. coconut oil, wholewheat or coconut flour…) and the recipe still works really well.I’ve also added chocolate chips, coconut flakes and raspberries to the original recipe. I particularly enjoy the raspberry version!Freezing instructions: This banana bread freezes well. I like to slice it into separate slices, wrap it in baking paper, and freeze in small freezer bags. I then either let it defrost then reheat for a few seconds in the microwave, or defrost completely in the microwave.