Crispy & Sweet Homemade Banana Chips
Homemade Fruit Chips with a Dehydrator: Banana Chips & Banana Nut Bars Recipe
Let’s make homemade fruit chips that are delightfully crispy and disappear in an instant! This dehydrator recipe is perfect as a healthy snack for children or as a sweet energy boost for students. (Source: Every Recipe in the World, 10000recipe)
Essential Ingredients for Banana Chips- Ripe bananas (2-3)
- Sugar (a small amount, for coating)
Optional Toppings for Banana Chips & Nut Bars- Corn flakes (for added crispiness)
- Milk (to serve with banana chips)
Ingredients for Banana Nut Bars- Homemade banana chips (1/2 paper cup)
- Granola (1 paper cup)
- Your favorite nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.) (1/2 paper cup)
- Sugar (5 tablespoons)
- Water (3 tablespoons)
- Oligosaccharide syrup (2 tablespoons, for shine and sweetness)
- Corn flakes (for added crispiness)
- Milk (to serve with banana chips)
Ingredients for Banana Nut Bars- Homemade banana chips (1/2 paper cup)
- Granola (1 paper cup)
- Your favorite nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.) (1/2 paper cup)
- Sugar (5 tablespoons)
- Water (3 tablespoons)
- Oligosaccharide syrup (2 tablespoons, for shine and sweetness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. Starting the Banana Chips: First, we’ll make the banana chips. Peel the ripe bananas cleanly. Then, slice them diagonally into about 0.7cm thick pieces for easy eating. Slicing them too thin can cause them to break, and too thick will prevent them from drying properly, so maintaining a moderate thickness is key.
Step 2
Lightly sprinkle sugar on both sides of the sliced bananas and coat them evenly. The sugar will help draw out some moisture from the bananas and caramelize during the drying process, adding a sweeter flavor. You can adjust the amount of sugar based on the ripeness of the bananas and your preference.
Step 3
Prepare the trays of your food dehydrator and carefully place the sugar-coated banana slices on them, making sure they don’t overlap. Now, set the dehydrator temperature to 65°C (149°F) and let them dry slowly for about 10 hours. The key is to dry them thoroughly until the moisture is completely removed and they achieve a satisfyingly crisp texture. Flipping them halfway through can help them dry more evenly.
Step 4
The freshly made crispy banana chips are delicious to eat right away, but proper storage is important too! Store them in an airtight zip-top bag in the refrigerator for about a week of freshness. If you want to keep them longer, you can store them in the freezer for up to a month. Since they are thoroughly dried, they can be stored for a long time.
Step 5
3. Making Banana Nut Bars: Now, let’s make banana nut bars with our crispy banana chips! In a clean bowl, combine the homemade banana chips, granola, and your chosen nuts. These ingredients will form the base of your crunchy and nutty bars.
Step 6
In a small saucepan, combine 5 tablespoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of water, and 2 tablespoons of oligosaccharide syrup. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens slightly to create a delicious caramel syrup. Be careful not to let the syrup burn.
Step 7
Carefully pour the prepared caramel syrup over the mixture of nuts and banana chips in the bowl. Using a spatula, quickly mix everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the syrup. Then, transfer the mixture to a square baking pan or mold. Press down firmly with a spoon or your hands to create an even, compact layer. Pressing it firmly will help it hold together when cut.
Step 8
Now, place the firmly pressed mixture in the refrigerator to chill and set. Let it chill for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the syrup to harden, binding all the ingredients together to form well-defined banana nut bars. Cut them into your desired sizes and enjoy! You can also add dried fruits or other ingredients to your liking.
