You’re going to love this healthy air fryer dessert — Air Fryer Banana Split, chunky monkey style. It’s simple, fast, and perfect when you already have your air fryer out. Ripe bananas get sliced and filled with peanut butter and mini chocolate chips, then gently heated until the chocolate melts. A sprinkle of chopped peanuts and a pinch of sea salt finishes it off for a sweet-and-salty treat that works as dessert or an indulgent breakfast.
One quick version of the method: slice each banana down the middle most of the way, stuff with peanut butter and mini chocolate chips, wrap in tin foil, and air fry at 400ºF for about 6 minutes. Finish with chopped peanuts and a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt for texture and contrast. This snack is a parent- and kid-approved favorite.
What You Need for this Air Fryer Banana Split
- 2 ripe large bananas
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter (divided)
- 2 teaspoons mini chocolate chips (divided)
- 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts (divided)
- Coarse sea salt for serving
Don’t forget tin foil!
Wrap each stuffed banana in a piece of tin foil so it toasts and warms evenly without making a mess in the air fryer. Folding the foil closed at the top makes it easy to open and enjoy once cooked.
How Long to Air Fry an Air Fryer Banana Split
This dessert cooks up very quickly. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and air fry the wrapped bananas for about 6 minutes. Depending on how ripe the bananas are and how powerful your air fryer is, 6–8 minutes is the typical range. Check at 6 minutes — the banana should be soft and the chocolate melted but not burnt.
Different Variations and Topping Ideas
This recipe is very adaptable. The chunky monkey version (peanut butter, chocolate, and peanuts) is a favorite, but try any of the variations below to suit your taste or dietary needs:
- Coconut cream and toasted shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
- Almond butter and mini marshmallows for a gooey, nutty treat.
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream and warm caramel sauce for an over-the-top dessert.
- Cashew butter topped with colorful sprinkles for a fun, kid-friendly option.
- Nut-free option: sunflower seed butter and chopped roasted seeds for crunch.
Air Fryer Banana Split — Recipe
Serves: 2 | Prep: 5 mins | Cook: 6–8 mins | Total: ~11 mins
Ingredients
- 2 large bananas
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter, divided
- 2 teaspoons mini chocolate chips, divided
- 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts, divided
- Coarse sea salt, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Cut each banana lengthwise about three-quarters of the way through. Slice through the peel and fruit on top, but keep the bottom peel intact so the banana holds together.
- Spoon 1 tablespoon of peanut butter into the slit of each banana. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of mini chocolate chips into each peanut-butter pocket.
- Wrap each banana individually in tin foil, closing the foil on top so the filling stays inside and it’s easy to open after cooking.
- Air fry for 6–8 minutes, checking at 6 minutes. The bananas should be soft and the chocolate melted.
- Carefully remove from the air fryer and unwrap. Top with the remaining chopped peanuts, a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt, and serve warm.
Tips & Notes
- Cooking time varies with banana ripeness: riper bananas cook faster and will become very soft; slightly underripe bananas will hold more shape.
- Swap peanut butter for any nut or seed butter if desired.
- This recipe works well as a quick breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert.
- To add a cool contrast, serve with a small scoop of yogurt or ice cream on the side just before eating.
Storage & Serving Suggestions
Best served warm right after cooking. If you have leftovers, store unwrapped refrigerated bananas in an airtight container for up to 1 day; reheat gently in the air fryer for a minute or two or warm in a microwave. For a brunch or party, prepare the bananas in foil and keep them warm in the oven at a low temperature until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as an approximation:
- Calories: 282 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Sugar: 19 g
If you enjoy quick, satisfying desserts or healthy snack alternatives, this air fryer banana split is a must-try. The combination of warm banana, melted chocolate, nut butter, and crunchy peanuts creates a familiar dessert profile with minimal prep and a wholesome ingredient list.