Homemade Baked Banana Chips Recipe | Diethood (2024)

FAQs

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.

Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes. Check bananas, lifting slices up to separate from the paper once or twice. Continue baking until bananas are dried out, 30 to 90 minutes more. Let bananas cool until crispy, at least 5 minutes.

Dehydrated Banana Slices | Commercial Dehydrators

Soak the slices in the lemon juice solution for about 10 minutes. This is to prevent them from turning brown. Drain the banana slices for about 10 minutes then arrange in a single layer on the dehydrator trays. Dehydrate at 130°F for 6 - 10 hours.

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.

The Double-Fry Method

When it comes to the actual cooking, you want to fry the french fries twice. The first round is at a lower temperature to cook the inside of the potato and the second time you'll use a higher temperature to make the fries golden brown and crispy.

The trick to getting the chips to taste like they are straight from the chip shop is to fry them twice in the hot oil. The first fry is at a lower temperature and softens the potato; the second turn in the hot oil is at a higher temp and achieves that signature crispy exterior.

Bananas should be leathery when they are completely dried. To test, remove a slice and let it cool. It may have some bend but if you tear one in half and squeeze it, there should be no moisture that seeps out. If they have any signs of remaining moisture, put them back into the dehydrator or oven to dry longer.

Can you over dry bananas? Once you get to the stage where bananas are 28% of their starting weight, any additional time in the dehydrator will yield miniscule additional water evaporation. The dried bananas might get a little harder, but you can still enjoy them, even if you over dry them by an hour or two.

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.

Let the dried banana chips cool completely, then store them in an airtight container. I like to also pop a food grade silica gel packet in with them to absorb any moisture that gets in. They'll keep this way for months.

Are banana chips as healthy as bananas? ›

It is also important to note that banana chips are going to have significantly lesser potassium than a whole banana fruit, and more saturated fat. "So make sure to add whole banana fruit in your diet and not just in the form of chips," Agarwal adds.

A small serving of these chips can provide a substantial number of calories, so portion control is essential to avoid overeating. Fat Content: The deep-frying process increases the fat content of banana chips, and the type oil used can impact the healthiness of the snack.

The preparation of some processed banana products might make them less suitable for people with diabetes. For example, some food manufacturers market dried banana chips as a healthy treat or snack. However, these may contain added sugars or syrups to enhance flavor, which could increase blood sugar levels.

Bananas are rich in vitamins. Even after frying, the nutrients contained in bananas are preserved. The vitamins that banana chips contain include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin K and so on. Vitamin A can improve immunity to diseases and maintain the normal function of vision.

Spray your dehydrator trays with oil, then place the bananas on the trays, and dehydrate at around 135° F for 8-24 hours. The length of time will depend on how crispy you want them, so start testing them around 8 hours, and every hour thereafter until they are how you like them.

Make sure your oil is at the right temperature

If your oil is not hot enough, the plantain chips will be too limp or they become chewy and hard; if your oil is too hot, the plantain simply burns fast.