Banana bread has a practical origin rooted in early 20th-century home kitchens, when baking powder became common and cooks found ways to use overripe bananas instead of discarding them.
Over time, it became a winter favourite, especially during New Year gatherings, because it could be baked ahead and shared easily.
Walnuts entered banana bread recipes as winter staples since they store well and add structure to soft batters. In colder months, nut-based bakes were preferred because they felt filling in smaller slices. Banana bread with walnuts follows this tradition, offering a balanced homemade dessert that fits festive evenings without requiring elaborate preparation.
Using an air fryer for banana bread reflects modern kitchen habits. The air fryer shortens banana bread baking time and suits smaller holiday batches, making it ideal for New Year’s Eve plans. This method also works well for banana bread without egg, as bananas naturally bind the batter and keep it moist.
From a health perspective, ripe bananas bring natural sweetness, fibre, and potassium, reducing the need for refined sugar. Walnuts contribute healthy fats and plant nutrients that support energy needs during winter. Together, they create a dessert that feels indulgent yet measured.
For New Year’s Eve, baking often becomes spontaneous rather than planned. Banana bread in an air fryer fits this mood perfectly. It brings together old-style home baking, modern appliances, and winter ingredients into a simple, festive recipe that can be enjoyed fresh, sliced, and shared with ease.
Make New Years Party Delicious And Healthy With Banana Bread With Walnuts
Banana bread gained popularity in early 20th-century home baking as a way to use ripe bananas wisely. Adding walnuts made it a winter favourite because nuts stored well and added substance. This air-fryer version suits festive evenings, offering an eggless bake with shorter banana bread baking time and reliable results.
Ingredients (Serves 6-8 slices)
- Ripe bananas (mashed) – 1½ cups (about 3 medium)
- Whole wheat flour – 1¼ cups
- Baking powder – 1½ tsp
- Baking soda – ½ tsp
- Cinnamon powder – ¾ tsp
- Salt – a pinch
- Jaggery powder or brown sugar – ⅓ cup
- Oil (neutral or olive) – ⅓ cup
- Milk or almond milk – ¼ cup
- Vanilla essence – 1 tsp
- Chopped walnuts – ¼ cup
- Dark chocolate chips (optional) – 2 tbsp
Instructions
- Grease a small air-fryer-safe loaf tin and line the base.
- In a bowl, mash bananas until smooth.
- Add jaggery, oil, milk, and vanilla; whisk to combine.
- Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Fold dry ingredients into a wet mixture gently.
- Mix in walnuts and chocolate chips if using.
- Pour batter into the prepared tin and level the top.
- Preheat the air fryer to 160°C for 3 minutes.
- Bake at 160°C for 22-25 minutes.
- Check with a toothpick; cook 2-3 minutes more if needed.
- Rest 10 minutes, unmould, slice, and serve.