The Air Fryer Hack That Instantly Ripens Your Bananas

Bananas may just be the world's most beloved fruit. Not just for snacking on the go or slathering in peanut butter, but for making delicious treats like banana bread, banana pancakes, and creamy banana smoothies. While from a food waste perspective you're better off buying green bananas, staring at those chartreuse fruits waiting for them to ripen could test the patience of a saint. The process can take days, and if you're craving a homemade banana dessert right now, you might be out of luck. "But what if there were a shortcut?" we hear you wondering. We got you. You're about to discover a new best friend for those times you need to speed up a banana's maturation: your air fryer.

To use the air fryer as a handy banana-ripener, simply place the bananas in the fryer basket (making sure they aren't overcrowded) and cook at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the unpeeled bananas for roughly 8 minutes, give or take depending on how ripe you need or want them to be. When they're done, the skin will be completely black.

This hack works because the heat from the air fryer speeds up the ripening process by softening the banana's flesh, allowing the natural sugars to come out. When the bananas are done in the air fryer, they'll be smooth, sweet, and ready to be mashed up for an easy banana pancake recipe.

While the air fryer trick isn't ideal for snacking on raw, it really is a lifesaver for baking. If you've been craving cinnamon banana bread muffins but don't have any ripe bananas on hand, this trick is here to save the day. 

The reason it works is quite simple: Ripe bananas, with their higher sugar content, enhance the flavor of baked goods; making them naturally sweeter without needing as much added sugar. In fact, ripe bananas are often used to replace granulated sugar or are used as a plant-based alternative for eggs when a dish needs binding. The soft texture of ripe banana makes them easier to mash and incorporate into batters, ensuring moist cakes, muffins, and pancakes. As it ripens, the starches in the banana breaks down into simple sugars; creating that rich, caramelized taste that makes banana-based recipes oh so delicious.

For the best results, if you plan on mashing your bananas for a recipe, wait a few minutes after removing them from the air fryer to let them cool. Once they've cooled, simply mash them up and they're good to get thrown into your next baking creation. No more crying over split milk or unripe bananas.