Jamaican Banana Bread (Air Fryer Recipe)
Intro:
Jamaican Banana Bread takes traditional banana bread to the next level with the bold flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vanilla—plus a splash of dark rum or coconut essence for tropical depth. Made in the air fryer, it’s quicker than baking in a conventional oven and yields a moist, golden loaf with a tender crumb and caramelized top.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Cooling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour
Ingredients (Makes 1 small loaf, 6–8 slices):
Dry Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp allspice
Wet Ingredients:
2 large ripe bananas (mashed)
¼ cup melted butter or oil
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp dark rum or ½ tsp coconut essence (optional)
Optional Add-ins:
¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 tbsp shredded coconut or raisins
Instructions:
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a bowl, whisk together:
Flour
Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Allspice
Set aside.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, mash bananas. Stir in:
Melted butter or oil
Brown sugar
Egg
Vanilla
Rum or coconut essence (if using)
Whisk until smooth and combined.
Combine:
Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
Stir just until combined (do not overmix).
Fold in nuts, coconut, or raisins if using.
Prep Pan & Air Fryer:
Grease a 6-inch loaf pan (or line with parchment).
Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top.
Preheat air fryer at 310°F (155°C) for 3 minutes.
Air Fry:
Place the loaf pan into the air fryer basket.
Cook at 310°F (155°C) for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
If top browns too fast, loosely cover with foil halfway through.
Cool:
Let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
Tips and Tricks:
Use very ripe bananas (the more brown spots, the better).
Don’t overmix the batter—this keeps the loaf tender.
Add a sprinkle of brown sugar on top before baking for a caramelized crust.
You can double the batch and bake in two small pans in separate batches.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve warm with butter, cream cheese, or a drizzle of honey.
Top with toasted coconut or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Toast slices and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Nutrition Facts (Per Slice – Approximate for 8 slices):
Calories: 185
Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Sugar: 14g
Protein: 2.5g
Fiber: 1.5g