Soft Banana Bread for Babies
Make Baby Snacks with Banana Bread in the Air Fryer
Sharing a recipe for parents who want to make healthy snacks for babies who can’t yet eat sugar and salt. Ingredients that are optional but good to have are classified under ‘Seasoning.’ This recipe creates a moist and delicious banana bread perfect for your little one.
Essential Ingredients- 1 ripe banana
- 1 fresh egg
- 4 tablespoons flour or rice flour (using a tablespoon as a rice spoon)
Optional Ingredients for Enhanced Flavor- 10g unsalted butter
- 2 drops vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 10g unsalted butter
- 2 drops vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, melt about 10g of butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 20-30 seconds until soft. This will infuse a lovely aroma into the batter.
Step 2
If you’re using frozen banana, you’ll need to thaw it. Microwave it for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until it becomes soft and mashable. This will help it mix well with the other ingredients.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine the softened banana with the melted butter. Mash them together thoroughly with a fork or spatula until smooth and lump-free. You’ll start to smell the sweet banana aroma.
Step 4
Separate the egg yolk from the egg white. Add the egg yolk to the banana mixture and set the egg white aside in a clean, separate bowl. We’ll whip the egg white into meringue later.
Step 5
Gently mix the banana, melted butter, and egg yolk together with a spatula until well combined. Stir just until the ingredients are uniformly incorporated.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to whip the egg white into meringue using a whisk. (I used a handheld whisk for home use!)
Step 7
Whipping egg whites into meringue might seem a bit challenging, but keep going! A fluffy meringue will lead to a wonderfully soft bread.
Step 8
Whisk the egg white vigorously. Tilting the bowl slightly and incorporating plenty of air will help create a firm, glossy meringue. Continue whisking until stiff peaks form – when you lift the whisk, the meringue should stand up straight.
Step 9
Add 2 drops of vanilla extract while whisking the egg white. This enhances the banana flavor and adds a delightful, sophisticated aroma that babies often enjoy.
Step 10
It’s best to sift the dry ingredients. Measure out 4 tablespoons of flour (or rice flour) and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Sift them directly into the bowl with the banana mixture. (Tip: For a healthier option, I mixed whole wheat and rye flour, which resulted in a darker color. Feel free to choose based on your baby’s age and preferences.)
Step 11
After adding the sifted dry ingredients, gently fold them into the batter until just combined – you shouldn’t see any dry flour streaks. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread dense and chewy. Mix quickly and lightly, just until incorporated!
Step 12
Now, gently fold in the meringue you prepared earlier. To preserve the airiness of the meringue, use a spatula to lift the batter from the bottom and fold it over the top, as if you’re folding clouds. Be very gentle to avoid deflating the meringue.
Step 13
If you don’t have baking molds, silicone baby food molds or muffin liners work perfectly. Fill the molds about 80% full, leaving space for the bread to rise.
Step 14
Preheat your air fryer to 165°C (329°F). Place the banana bread batter into the molds and bake for approximately 20 minutes. Baking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the amount of batter, so check periodically. (The bread in the photo was baked at 170°C for 15 minutes and the crust got a little dark, but the inside was perfectly moist!)
Step 15
This moist and soft banana bread is incredibly delicious, made without any added sugar. The natural sweetness from ripe bananas and the fragrant vanilla extract create a wonderfully satisfying flavor that’s perfect for babies.
Step 16
Enjoy this healthy, homemade banana bread with your little one!
Step 17
Your baby will love it! 😊
