These air fryer oatmeal bites are soft, chewy breakfast bites made from mashed banana, rolled oats, applesauce and warm spices. There’s no flour, no eggs and no added oil, and they cook in about 6 minutes in a muffin tin inside the air fryer.
I’ve been making these for months. One of my sons can’t eat gluten, so I tested every batch with both regular rolled oats and certified gluten-free oats. Both work exactly the same, which makes this the breakfast I can put out for the whole family without making two versions.
I developed them in my Instant Vortex, but any basket or oven-style air fryer that fits a small muffin tin will work.
Why you’ll make these again
- Kid-approved. My kids eat them plain, with yogurt, or next to eggs and bacon.
- Five minutes of prep. One bowl, no mixer.
- Naturally sweetened. Ripe banana and applesauce do most of the work; honey adds the rest.
- Freezer-friendly. Bake a batch on Sunday and reheat all week.
Ingredients for Banana Oatmeal Bites
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Ripe banana: The spottier, the sweeter. It’s also the main binder.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: They hold their shape and give a chewy bite. Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture without fat.
- Honey: Sweetens and helps the bites hold together. Maple syrup works too.
- Vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger: The warm-spice mix that makes these taste like oatmeal cookies.
How to Make Oatmeal Bites in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Mash. Mash the banana in a bowl until mostly smooth.
Step 2: Mix. Stir in the oats and applesauce, then the honey, vanilla and spices. The mixture should hold together when pressed; if it’s crumbly, add a spoonful more applesauce.
Step 3: Fill the tin. Grease a muffin tin that fits your air fryer and press the mixture firmly into the cups.
Step 4 :Air fry. Cook at 330°F for 6 minutes. The tops should be golden and a toothpick should come out clean. If not, add 1–2 minutes. Let them rest 5 minutes so they firm up and pop out cleanly.
No muffin tin? Roll the mixture into balls, set them on parchment in a single layer without touching, and air fry at 330°F for 4–6 minutes until golden. [Confirm this time from your testing.]
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Oatmeal Bites
- Grease well. Banana and honey stick. Silicone muffin cups are the easiest option.
- Press firmly. Packed bites hold together; loosely spooned ones crumble.
- Cook in batches. Don’t stack tins or crowd the basket; air needs to circulate.
- Air fryers vary. Start checking at 5 minutes the first time you make these.
Mix-In Ideas
Fold in up to 1/2 cup total: diced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, diced apple, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts or raisins. Fresh fruit adds moisture, so you may need an extra minute of cook time.
Gluten-Free Oatmeal Bites
Oats are naturally gluten-free but are often processed alongside wheat. For a child with celiac disease or a gluten allergy, buy oats labeled certified gluten-free. Nothing else in the recipe changes.
How to Store and Freeze
- Room temperature: Up to 1 day in an airtight container.
- Refrigerator: Up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer, then move to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen at 330°F for 2–3 minutes.
FAQ
Can you cook oatmeal in an air fryer? Yes. Pressed into a muffin tin, an oat-and-banana mixture bakes into firm bites in about 6 minutes at 330°F. For a spoonable bowl, see my Air Fryer Blueberry Baked Oatmeal or Air Fryer Cherry Oatmeal Breakfast Bake.
Can I use quick oats? Yes, but the bites will be softer and more cake-like. Rolled oats give a chewier texture.
How do I make these vegan? Swap the honey for maple syrup or agave and use dairy-free chocolate chips if adding any.
My mixture is too dry. What do I do? Add applesauce or milk a tablespoon at a time until it holds together when pressed.
Can I bake them in the oven? Yes. Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes until golden.
Are these healthy? Each bite is roughly [70] calories with no added fat and [2] g of fiber. They’re a good carb-based snack; for more protein, serve with Greek yogurt or add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the mix.
More Easy Air Fryer Breakfasts
- Air Fryer Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
- Air Fryer Baked Blueberry Oatmeal
- Air Fryer Strawberry Oatmeal
- Air Fryer Cherry Oatmeal Breakfast Bake
- Air Fryer Cherry Oatmeal Pies
- Browse all oatmeal recipes
Air Fryer Oatmeal Bites
Description
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe banana
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, certified gluten-free if needed
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, adjust to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Mash the banana in a medium bowl.
- Stir in the oats and applesauce.
- Add honey, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt; mix until the mixture holds together when pressed.
- Grease a muffin tin that fits your air fryer.
- Press the mixture firmly into the cups.
- Air fry at 330°F for 6 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Add 1–2 minutes if needed.
- Cool 5 minutes, then pop out.
- Serve with yogurt and fresh berries.
Equipment
- Muffin tin or silicone muffin cups that fit your air fryer
Notes
Nutrition
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debbie
Thank you these taste great and very easy to make and thanks for including how to bake in traditional oven 😄