I love snacking, don’t you? There’s something so comforting about munching on a delicious treat in between meals. And when it comes to snacks, I am a huge fan of banana chips. They are crispy, sweet, and packed with flavor. The best part is, making banana chips at home is incredibly easy, especially if you have a microwave. Today, I am going to share with you my quick and easy recipe for making banana chips in the microwave. So, grab a bunch of ripe bananas, and let’s get started!
Gather Your Ingredients
The first step in making banana chips is to gather your ingredients. Luckily, you don’t need many things to make this delicious snack. Here’s what you’ll need:
– Ripe bananas
– Lemon juice
– Salt (optional)
Choose the Perfect Bananas
When making banana chips, it’s crucial to choose the right bananas. You want ripe bananas that are still firm enough to hold their shape after being sliced. Overripe bananas will be too mushy and won’t crisp up properly. So, make sure your bananas are yellow with a few brown spots, but not completely brown.
Prep and Slice the Bananas
Once you have your bananas ready, it’s time to prep and slice them. Start by peeling the bananas and cutting off the ends. Then, thinly slice the bananas into rounds, about 1/8 inch thick. You can use a knife for this step, or if you want to make the process even quicker, invest in a mandoline slicer.
Prepping the Bananas for the Microwave
Now that your bananas are sliced, it’s time to prep them for the microwave. This step is crucial to ensure that your banana chips turn out crispy and not chewy. Here’s what you need to do:
Soak the Slices in Lemon Juice
Bananas tend to turn brown when exposed to air, so to prevent that from happening, soak the banana slices in lemon juice. Lemon juice not only keeps the bananas from browning but also adds a tangy flavor to the chips. To do this, place the banana slices in a bowl and drizzle lemon juice over them. Give them a gentle toss to make sure all the slices are coated.
Season with Salt (Optional)
If you like your snacks on the savory side, you can season the banana chips with a sprinkle of salt. This step is entirely optional, but I find that a small amount of salt enhances the flavor of the chips and balances out the sweetness of the bananas. However, if you prefer your chips to be sweet, you can skip this step.
Microwaving the Banana Chips
With the prep work done, it’s time to microwave the banana chips and turn them into crispy goodness. Here’s what you need to do:
Arrange the Banana Slices on a Microwave-Safe Plate
Take a microwave-safe plate and arrange the banana slices in a single layer. Make sure they are not touching each other, as this will help them crisp up evenly. If you have a lot of banana slices, you may need to microwave them in batches.
Microwave in Intervals
Pop the plate of banana slices into the microwave and set it to medium-high heat. Start by microwaving them for about two minutes. After two minutes, take the plate out and flip the banana slices over. This will ensure that they crisp up evenly on both sides.
Continuing the Microwaving Process
Now, it’s time to pop the banana slices back into the microwave. Set the timer for another two minutes and let them cook. Keep an eye on them during this time, as microwaving times can vary depending on the wattage of your microwave and the thickness of the banana slices.
Check for Crispiness
After the initial four minutes, check the banana slices for crispiness. They should start to turn golden brown and become crispy. If they are not quite there yet, continue microwaving them in 30-second intervals until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
Cooling and Storing the Banana Chips
Once your banana chips are crispy and golden brown, it’s time to cool and store them. Here’s what you need to do:
Cool the Chips
Take the plate of banana chips out of the microwave and let them cool for a few minutes. They will become even crispier as they cool down.
Store in an Airtight Container
Transfer the banana chips to an airtight container to keep them fresh. Make sure the container is completely dry before storing the chips to prevent them from getting soggy. Banana chips can be stored at room temperature for up to a week, but trust me, they won’t last that long!
Enjoy Your Homemade Banana Chips
And there you have it—homemade banana chips made right in your microwave! This quick and easy snack is perfect for satisfying your cravings or serving as a healthier alternative to store-bought chips. Experiment with different seasonings and spices to create your own unique flavors. So, the next time you have a bunch of ripe bananas, don’t let them go to waste. Whip up a batch of these delicious banana chips in no time. Trust me, once you try homemade banana chips, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought ones again!