Homemade Banana Chips Recipe (2024)

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Homemade Banana Chips are inexpensive, easy, and healthy snack the entire family will love. Fresh bananas are sliced and dried in a dehydrator, oven, microwave or air fryer!

Homemade Banana Chips Recipe (1)

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This banana chips recipe is a great way to use overripe bananas when you don’t feel like making banana bread or chocolate chip banana bars. They are also a healthy snack the kiddos will love! Eat them on their own or dip into chocolate, salsa, hummus, or even guacamole!

How to Make Banana Chips

The basic premise of making banana chips is to slowly dry out the bananas until they are crisp like a chip. You can do this in the oven, in a dehydrator, air fryer, or even the microwave!

Air Fryer

I’m always looking for new air fryer recipes so this is my favorite way to make banana chips!

With the air fryer I recommend using barely ripe bananas that are firm. Peel and slice the banana thinly and soak the slices in lemon water for five minutes.

Meanwhile preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees. Spray the inside of the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray to make sure the chips don’t stick. Layer the chips in a single layer in the air fryer and air fry for 12 minutes.

Tip: Work in batches if you need to so that they are in a single layer not touching each other.

Check and if not yet crisp fry an additional 3 minutes.

Dehydrator

To make these chips in the dehydrator, prepare a bowl with 2 cups of water and 1/2 cup lemon juice. Slice bananas evenly and add to bowl. Allow to soak for 5 minutes before adding to dehydrator tray.

Dehydrate at 135 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 hours. After 10 hours flip the chips and dehydrate another 2 hours or until dry.

Oven

In the oven we prepare the bananas the same as the dehydrator, letting them soak in the lemon water five minutes before placing in a single layer on a foil lined baking sheet.

Heat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 2 hours or until dry, flipping after 30 minutes.

Homemade Banana Chips Recipe (2)

Microwave

Again prepare the banana chips as above, soaking in the lemon juice. Place in a single layer on a microwave safe plate and microwave for 1 minute. Flip chips and season if desired, then microwave 1 minute wait 30 seconds and microwave one additional minute.

If bananas are not fully dry add 30 second intervals until they are the desired crispness.

Regardless of which method you use, chips will crisp more as they cool.

Seasoning ideas & flavor variations

You certainly don’t need to season the bananas before drying but there are a lot of fun flavors to experiment with if you choose to change up the taste!

  • soak in lime juice instead of lemon juice
  • sprinkle with cinnamon
  • add salt to enhance the sweetness
  • 2partsgaram masala & 1partchili powder sprinkled over chips
  • sprinkle with brown sugar
  • sprinkle with powdered peanut butter
  • soak in water with salt & turmeric instead of lemon water
  • season with pepper
  • sprinkle with savory spices like garlic powder or paprika

The possibilities are endless!

Tips for best results

  • Slice the bananas thinly and evenly, a mandoline slicer is helpful for this (link below in the tools section)
  • the harder the banana, the easier it is to make the chips

FAQs about this Banana Chips Recipe

What kind of bananas do you use to make chips?

You can make banana chips with fresh or overripe bananas, firm bananas are the best however. You can even use plantains or green bananas that have yet to ripen.
If you use green bananas or plantains you will need to take an extra step of soaking the chips in water and lemon juice for 2 hours before drying. (Directions in recipe card below.)

How do you keep them from browning?

The secret to avoiding brown banana chips is to brush the chips with lemon water. This keeps them nice and fresh looking!

How to store banana chips

Store these chips in an airtight container up to two weeks.

Why are my banana chips soggy/mushy?

If your banana chips turn out soggy you have not cooked them long enough. Cooking time will vary depending on your oven/microwave and the thickness of your slices. Cook until dry. They will crisp more as they cool.

What is the difference in banana chips and plantain chips?

They are very similar but plantain chips have a slightly higher calorie count and more carbohydrates. They will also have a greener hue when dehydrated.

These are tools I use to make banana chips: (affiliate links)

You might also like these Chocolate Chip Banana Bars, Strawberry Banana “Ice Cream,” and this Banana Pudding recipe.

If you’ve tried this recipeplease comment and rateit below, I love hearing from you!

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Homemade Banana Chips Recipe (3)

Homemade Banana Chips

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

2.8 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Melissa Riker
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 24 chips 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Homemade Banana Chips are a healthy, inexpensive, and easy snack the entire family will love. Fresh bananas are sliced and dried in a dehydrator, oven ,microwave or air fryer!

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • 2 bananas
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice

Instructions

Dehydrator

  1. To make these chips in the dehydrator, prepare a bowl with 2 cups of water and 1/2 cup lemon juice.
  2. Slice bananas evenly and add to bowl. Allow to soak for 5 minutes before adding to dehydrator tray.
  3. Dehydrate at 135 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 hours.
  4. After 10 hours flip the chips and dehydrate another 2 hours or until dry.

Oven

  1. In the oven we prepare the bananas the same as the dehydrator, letting them soak in the lemon water five minutes before placing in a single layer on a foil lined baking sheet.
  2. Heat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 2 hours or until dry, flipping after 1 hour.

Microwave

  1. Again prepare the banana chips as above, soaking in the lemon juice.
  2. Place in a single layer on a microwave safe plate and microwave for 1 minute.
  3. Flip chips and season if desired, then microwave 1 minute wait 30 seconds and microwave one additional minute.
  4. If bananas are not fully dry add 30 second intervals until they are the desired crispness.

Air Fryer

  1. With the air fryer I recommend using barely ripe bananas that are firm. Slice the banana thinly and soak the slices in lemon water for five minutes.
  2. Meanwhile preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees.
  3. Spray the inside rack with nonstick spray to make sure the chips don’t stick. Layer the chips in a single layer in the air fryer and fry for 12 minutes.
  4. Check and if not yet crisp fry an additional 3 minutes.

Notes

  • You certainly don’t need to season the bananas before drying but there are a lot of fun flavors to experiment with if you choose to change up the taste!

    • soak in lime juice instead of lemon juice
    • sprinkle with cinnamon
    • add salt to enhance the sweetness
    • 2partsgaram masala & 1partchili powder sprinkled over chips
    • sprinkle with brown sugar
    • sprinkle with powdered peanut butter
    • soak in water with salt & turmeric instead of lemon water
    • season with pepper
    • sprinkle with savory spices like garlic powder or paprika
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: snack
  • Method: baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6 chips
  • Calories: 53
  • Sugar: 7.3 g
  • Sodium: 0.6 mg
  • Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13.7 g
  • Protein: 0.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

This recipe was originally shared in February 2018 and updated with additional information and new photos July 2020.

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Homemade Banana Chips Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are homemade banana chips healthy? ›

While they may seem healthy at first glance, banana chips can be loaded with calories, saturated fat, and added sugar. For a healthier alternative, look for dehydrated, non-fried banana chips made without added sugar. Better yet, choose a whole banana. If you decide to eat banana chips, be mindful of your portion size.

Why my banana chips are not crispy? ›

A common reason behind dehydrated bananas not being crispy enough has to do with the ripeness of the fruit before the drying process. Starting off with bananas that are a bit firm is best, as overripe bananas can take longer to dry and, as a result, become sticky rather than crispy.

How to dry bananas into chips? ›

Making banana chips in a dehydrator is even easier, but takes longer (it's hands off time). Slice the bananas thin, just like above, and toss with an acidic juice if desired. Spray your dehydrator trays with oil, then place the bananas on the trays, and dehydrate at around 135° F for 8-24 hours.

Are banana chips just dehydrated bananas? ›

Unsweetened dried banana chips are made from whole bananas, sliced and dehydrated with no sugar added. Enjoy the healthy taste of these naturally sweet, non-GMO, all natural, premium unsweetened dried banana chips conveniently packed in a resealable pouch.

How long does homemade banana chips last? ›

Banana chips are best stored in an airtight container or zip bag for up to a week. If they last that long! You can also season them with salt or a dash of cinnamon, making this snack even better.

Are banana chips better for you than potato chips? ›

If you are minding your diet, banana chips may be a good option. In comparison to typical potato chips, they have a lower glycemic index and more fiber, which may help with blood sugar control. To avoid consuming too many calories, it is vital to take them in moderation.

Do I need to pretreat bananas before dehydrating? ›

Pretreating some fruits like bananas help keep them from turning brown when dehydrating. Pretreat the sliced bananas with lemon juice or a product like Fruit Fresh to prevent the dried banana chip from turning a dark brown to black color during the dehydrating time.

How many hours to dehydrate bananas? ›

Dehydrator Instructions: Arrange banana slices in a single layer on dehydrator racks. Set dehydrator to 135 °F; takes 6 to 12 hours.

Do you put anything on fruit before dehydrating? ›

Pretreating Fruits

Place cut fruits in a solution of 3¾ teaspoons of powdered ascorbic acid (or crush 20 500-milligram vitamin C tablets) or ½ teaspoon of powdered citric acid in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes before placing on trays to dry.

Can you freeze homemade banana chips? ›

After the chips have fully dried, let them cool then store in an airtight storage container. I use freezer bags and store the chips in the freezer. The quality of the chips will last longer in a cool/cold dark storage area (freezer). The chips are great for snacking or adding to recipes for a surprise treat.

Do you need to soak bananas in lemon juice before dehydrating? ›

If you want your dehydrated bananas to have a light colour, you will have to pre-treat them with a solution that helps prevent browning before you dehydrate them. We use a simple mixture of lemon juice and water. The juice will not affect the taste of the bananas and bonus, it acts as a preservative.

Can you dry bananas in an air fryer? ›

It will take 6 hours to to make air fryer dehydrated bananas. Just arrange the banana slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, select the dehydrate function and set your time to 6 hours. Personally, I think actually air frying the chips is the way to go because it's so fast, but dehydrating will work as well!

Why are store-bought banana chips crunchy? ›

Banana chips from the store are often fried, making them less than a healthy snack! But these are baked low and slow, allowing for either crispy . Chewy dried banana slices will be slightly sticky but will not feel mushy.

What kind of banana is used for banana chips? ›

Banana chips or crisps are processed primarily from plantains. It is also possible to utilize the cooking-type cultivars, viz., 'Bluggoe' ('Saba' and 'Monthan').

Is eating banana chips healthy? ›

Health Benefits of Dried Banana Chips

The good news is that these chips deliver several valuable nutrients. For example, a one-third cup serving contains around one gram of protein and another gram of fiber. It also provides magnesium, vitamin A, iron, phosphorus, and potassium in small quantities.

How many calories are in homemade banana chips? ›

The banana chips calorie content is low, and one serving is about 160 to 170 calories depending on portion sizes. Snacking is a great way to avoid hunger pangs, and for those who want to stay healthy without sacrificing indulgences, raw, baked banana chips sound like a great treat.

Is banana chips OK on a diet? ›

If they are deep-fried, it may put an extra load of calories that may surpass the nutritional value of both banana and coconut oil. However, if banana chips are baked or prepared using an air-fryer, with minimal oil- they can be enjoyed sometimes as a part of a healthy diet," she tells DoctorNDTV.

Are homemade chips healthier than store bought? ›

Store-bought potato chips can put you at risk of obesity and many deadly diseases. However, if you are a potato chip lover and looking for a healthier version of this sinful food, you can make it at home by using minimal oil, less salt, and herbs and spices for seasoning.

Is it healthy to make your own chips? ›

Are baked chips better for you? Yes! Rather than deep frying the potatoes in lots of oil, we are able to use less meaning there's lots less saturated fat. You can also control the seasonings and they don't contain preservatives and additives to make them shelf stable.

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