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Homemade Banana Chips

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These Homemade Banana Chips are super simple, perfectly crunchy, and can be made in the oven, air fryer or dehydrator! If you have ripe bananas, these are the perfect way to use them up and have a healthy crunchy treat that is naturally sweet.

homemade banana chips in a white bowl with fresh bananas in the background homemade banana chips in a white bowl with fresh banana in the background

Homemade Banana Chips

Banana chips are a such a yummy crunchy snack. And the best part is, they are easy to make yourself and much less expensive than buying banana chips at the store.

A lot of people wonder if banana chips are healthy? This is actually a great question, because store bought banana chips are typically fried and contain a lot of ingredients that make them high in fat, sugar and calories.

When you make banana chips at home, they have the nutrition of bananas without the downsides of being highly processed.  Bananas are a good source of:

  • Fiber- for gut health
  • Carbs – bananas provide a good balance of carbs and fiber to keep you feeling fuller longer
  • Potassium- helps with muscle movement (great for child athletes)

If you have ripe bananas on your counter right now, these homemade banana chips are definitely a healthy snack option.

homemade banana chips on a cooling rack

Ingredients Needed for Banana Chips

Making banana chips at home is so simple because you really only need 2 ingredients!

  • Bananas – you will want to use ripe bananas that are still firm. If they are too ripe, they will be mushy and you won’t be able to slice them very well. If your bananas aren’t ripe enough, the banana chips won’t be sweet.
  • Lemon Juice – if you are using the oven or dehydrator method, you will need lemon juice to prevent the banana slices from turning brown and shriveling during the drying process. The slices will still brown some, but using lemon juice really helps with this.
ingredients needed for  homemade banana chips: fresh bananas, water, and lemon juice

How to Make Banana Chips

There are three different ways to make banana chips are home. I’m going to teach you the different ways depending on what equipment you have at home.

Oven Method

This method takes the longest, but is very hands off. There are a lot of other oven methods out there, but I have found this method produces the crunchiest banana chip!

  1. Slice. First, slice your bananas as thinly as possible and place in a bowl. I aim for less than 1/4 inch thick. This is tricky to do if you are just guessing and doing it with a knife. If your bananas are firm enough, you can use a mandolin to make sure your slices are all uniform.
  2. Prepare. Cover the bananas with water, and add lemon juice. Gently stir the bananas to make sure they are all exposed to the lemon juice mixture. Let them sit for a couple minutes.
  3. Dry. Gently spoon the banana slices out of the bowl and place them on a paper towel to blot excess water.
  4. Arrange. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and arrange the banana slices so that they are not touching.
  5. Bake. Set your oven to the lowest temperature it can go. I bake my banana chips at 170 degrees F. They will need to bake for about 5 hours.  After 5 hours, remove bananas and flip them over, so the underside gets crispy.
  6. Crisp. Put the tray back in the warm oven, turn the oven off, and let them sit in the oven overnight.  By morning, your banana chips will be super crispy!

Air Fryer Method

This method is the fastest and will definitely give you super crispy banana chips.

  1. Preheat. Set the temperature of your airfryer to 350 degrees F.
  2. Slice. First, slice your bananas as thinly as possible and place on a baking sheet (or plate). I aim for less than 1/4 inch thick. This is tricky to do if you are just guessing and doing it with a knife. If your bananas are firm enough, you can use a mandolin to make sure your slices are all uniform.
  3. Prepare. Mix lemon juice and oil together and coat your banana slices.
  4. Arrange. Place the banana slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket or tray. You might have to do this in batches to make sure none of the slices are touching or covering each other.
  5. Cook. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
  6. Cool. Remove from air fryer and let them cool. Repeat with remaining banana slices.

Dehydrator Method

I like this method because it is basically set it and forget it. It does take quite a few hours, but it doesn’t take up oven space and your banana chips don’t really need to be attended to while they are drying.

  1. Slice. First, slice your bananas as thinly as possible and place in a bowl. I aim for less than 1/4 inch thick. This is tricky to do if you are just guessing and doing it with a knife. If your bananas are firm enough, you can use a mandolin to make sure your slices are all uniform.
  2. Prepare. Mix water and lemon juice together. Pour into the bowl with your bananas, and gently stir the bananas to make sure they are all exposed to the lemon juice mixture.
  3. Arrange. Place the banana slices in a single layer on your dehydrator trays. Place the trays on your dehydrator and put the lid on.
  4. Dry. Set the temperature on your dehydrator to 135 degrees F. Your banana chips will need to dry anywhere from 8-12 hours depending on the type of dehydrator you have and how thick your banana slices are. I would recommend checking after 6 hours to determine how much longer your banana chips will need to dry.
three different methods for making homemade banana chips: oven method, dehydrator  method, and air fryer method.  Before being cooked and after being cooked photos of  each method.

How to Store Homemade Banana Chips

Once your banana chips are cooled, store them in an airtight container. They can be stored on your counter or pantry. The key is to keep them away from moisture. If they you store them in a cool, dry place they can stay good for 3-4 weeks.

If you live in a hot humid environment, I recommend storing in the freezer. They will stay crisp and fresh for 3 months stored in an airtight container in the freezer.

overhead view of homemade banana chip on a marble surface with fresh bananas and a wood cutting board in the background

More Favorite Banana Recipes

  • 16 Best Ways to Use Ripe Bananas – If you have ripe bananas, you need to book mark this post! It has 16 different ways you can use your ripe bananas with lots of yummy recipes to make sure you don’t ever have to throw them out.
  • Homemade Banana Pudding – This sweet, rich, and creamy banana pudding recipe goes light on added sugars and big on fresh banana flavor!
  • Healthy Banana Bread – Our healthy banana bread uses 100% whole grains, whole milk yogurt, plus honey or maple syrup as a natural sweetener 
homemade banana chip in a white bowl with fresh bananas in the background
homemade banana chips in a white bowl with fresh bananas in the background
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3.5 from 95 votes

Banana Chips

These Homemade Banana Chips are super simple, perfectly crispy, and can be made in the oven, air fryer or dehydrator! 
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time8 hours
Total Time8 hours 15 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 100 chips
Calories: 62kcal

Ingredients

Oven Method

Air Fryer Method

Dehydrator Method

Instructions

Oven Method

  • Slice. First, slice your bananas as thinly as possible and place in a bowl. I aim for less than 1/4 inch thick. This is tricky to do if you are just guessing and doing it with a knife. If your bananas are firm enough, you can use a mandolin to make sure your slices are all uniform.
  • Prepare. Cover the bananas with water, and add lemon juice. Gently stir the bananas to make sure they are all exposed to the lemon juice mixture. Let them sit for a couple minutes.
  • Dry. Gently spoon the banana slices out of the bowl and place them on a paper towel to blot excess water.
  • Arrange. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and arrange the banana slices so that they are not touching.
  • Bake. Set your oven to the lowest temperature it can go. I bake my banana chips at 170 degrees F. They will need to bake for about 5 hours.  After 5 hours, remove bananas and flip them over, so the underside gets crispy.
  • Crisp. Put the tray back in the warm oven, turn the oven off, and let them sit in the oven overnight.  By morning, your banana chips will be super crispy!

Air Fryer Method

  • Preheat. Set the temperature of your airfryer to 350 degrees F.
  • Slice. First, slice your bananas as thinly as possible and place on a baking sheet (or plate). I aim for less than 1/4 inch thick. This is tricky to do if you are just guessing and doing it with a knife. If your bananas are firm enough, you can use a mandolin to make sure your slices are all uniform.
  • Prepare. Mix lemon juice and oil together and coat your banana slices.
  • Arrange. Place the banana slices in a single layer in your air fryer basket or tray. You might have to do this in batches to make sure none of the slices are touching or covering each other.
  • Cook. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
  • Cool. Remove from air fryer and let them cool. Repeat with remaining banana slices.

Dehydrator Method

  • Slice. First, slice your bananas as thinly as possible and place in a bowl. I aim for less than 1/4 inch thick. This is tricky to do if you are just guessing and doing it with a knife. If your bananas are firm enough, you can use a mandolin to make sure your slices are all uniform.
  • Prepare. Mix water and lemon juice together. Pour into the bowl with your bananas, and gently stir the bananas to make sure they are all exposed to the lemon juice mixture.
  • Arrange. Place the banana slices in a single layer on your dehydrator trays. Place the trays on your dehydrator and put the lid on.
  • Dry. Set the temperature on your dehydrator to 135 degrees F. Your banana chips will need to dry anywhere from 8-12 hours depending on the type of dehydrator you have and how thick your banana slices are. I would recommend checking after 6 hours to determine how much longer your banana chips will need to dry.

Notes

How to Store Homemade Banana Chips

Once your banana chips are cooled, store them in an airtight container. They can be stored on your counter or pantry. The key is to keep them away from moisture. If they you store them in a cool, dry place they can stay good for 3-4 weeks.
If you live in a hot humid environment, I recommend storing in the freezer. They will stay crisp and fresh for 3 months stored in an airtight container in the freezer.

Nutrition

Serving: 10chips | Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 248mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Keyword : banana chips

www.superhealthykids.com

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

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25 Comments

I doubt it! I was just thinking they would brown less if I used it. I bet the drying is good enough to prevent too much browning. I say- go for it! let us know how it turns out!

Hi Elizabeth- I had some chewy ones too that weren’t cut as thinly. The thinly cut ones were crunchy though.. so maybe, cut the slices thinner??

Bummer Jenn-
I wonder how much of it has to do with climate? Other readers have a hard time with my fruit leather as well, and it turns out for me every single time! I’m so sorry this didn’t work!

Hi Amy,

Liked your blog article on banana chips.

One question though: If on days you are busy, would you like to get a good bunch of banana chips that are already ready for snacking?

We can send you some just to see if you’ll like it source (www.jncbananachips.com).

Thank you!
Gerard

I have been trying to find a recipe for not using a dehydrator. And found your blog. Needless to say, I am now addicted!

I scored about 3.5 pounds of bananas yesterday for 99 cents…so I need to find some things to make with them other than Banana bread…Do you have any other ideas. Besides my littles snacking on them? =)

I have been trying to find a recipe for not using a dehydrator. And found your blog. Needless to say, I am now addicted!

I scored about 3.5 pounds of bananas yesterday for 99 cents…so I need to find some things to make with them other than Banana bread…Do you have any other ideas. Besides my littles snacking on them? =)

This time of the year is the time to dry fruits..but not in the oven for 5hours or more..dry them under the sun even you can dry them in your balcony..it is easier and ChEAper…figs,grapes,apples etc. You can dry them under the sun..no need for recipes..

Attempted these TWICE along with the potato crisps…. and epic fail. I had chewy ones… my mum attempted first and she had alot of them burn. Then i tried again with the water/lemon juice and they were just chewy… I know its one of those things you have to keep trying..! I dont buy bananas often as they are very expensive here in New Zealand and they go very ripe very quickly…(not sure if older bananas or newer ones are best for this!)

Bronwyn,
I’m so sorry, what a bummer. I wonder if it has anything to do with our difference in altitude or humidity. Maybe someone in your country who has had success might be a good resource!

Incredibly, this article really helped me, and this article is very easy to follow and not complicated. So can’t wait to try. I look forward to other recipes.