Take your medium banana and place it on a cutting board. Using a sharp chef's knife, cut the banana lengthwise—but here's the key technique: don't cut all the way through. You want to cut about three-quarters of the way down the side, stopping before you hit the other side. This matters because a completely separated banana will roll around in your air fryer basket and cook unevenly. By leaving one side partially intact, you create a natural "hinge" that keeps the banana open and steady. Gently peel back the skin slightly so the flesh is exposed and ready for seasoning.

This is where your flavor foundation gets built. Sprinkle the cinnamon evenly across the exposed banana flesh. Don't be shy—cinnamon adds warmth without sweetness, and it's a natural blood sugar regulator, which is a bonus from a nutritional standpoint. If you're using the optional bourbon or rum, drizzle just a whisper across the banana now. The alcohol will mostly evaporate during cooking, but it'll add incredible depth to the caramelization. If you're keeping it alcohol-free, skip this step entirely. Finally, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt across the top. Salt is magic in desserts—it suppresses bitterness and actually makes sweetness taste sweeter by comparison.

Place your prepared banana cut-side up in your air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 400°F and set the timer for 5 to 6 minutes. The exact time depends on your air fryer model and how ripe your banana is—every fryer has slightly different heat distribution. You'll know it's done when the banana flesh is soft and starting to caramelize at the edges. You might see a slight browning or darkening—that's exactly what you want. The banana should feel completely tender when you poke it gently with a fork. This is the sweet spot between warm and mushy.

While your banana is cooking, grab a small bowl. Add your ½ cup Greek yogurt and 1 teaspoon of maple syrup to the bowl. Gently stir together until the syrup is evenly distributed throughout the yogurt. Don't overmix—you want the yogurt to stay creamy and airy, not become dense. This step is important because it sweetens the yogurt without being overwhelming. If you add all the maple syrup at the end, you'll get pockets of pure syrup instead of balanced sweetness throughout.

Once your banana comes out of the air fryer and has cooled for about 30 seconds (it'll still be hot), it's assembly time. Transfer your banana to a plate, keeping it in that open position. Spoon the maple-yogurt mixture generously onto the warm banana. The heat from the banana will slightly warm the yogurt, creating this beautiful contrast between warm fruit and cool, creamy topping. Now scatter your chopped pecans across the top. The residual heat will slightly warm the nuts and bring out their natural oils and flavors. Drizzle the remaining 1 teaspoon of pure maple syrup across the entire sundae. Finish with a light sprinkle of additional cinnamon if you love that warm spice. If you're feeling fancy or serving guests, top with a fresh cherry or a light shower of rainbow sprinkles.