Cheap Nano Banana API - AI Image Generator with BananaAPI.com

Overview

This workflow integrates BananaAPI.com with the Nano Banana image engine to generate or edit AI images from text prompts and optional reference images.

Users simply fill out a form with their prompt and preferences, the workflow submits the request to BananaAPI, polls the status until it is complete, and then returns the final image link.

Why use it?

• Super affordable: only $0.025 per image
• Pay-as-you-go pricing — no monthly subscription
• Credits never expire — use anytime, no pressure
  Perfect for creators, marketers, and developers looking for a cost-effective AI image generator inside n8n.

Prerequisites

• A BananaAPI.com account + API key (Bearer token). Sign up at BananaAPI.com.
• An n8n instance (Cloud or self-hosted).
• Basic knowledge of crafting AI prompts for better quality results.

⚠️ Important: Never expose your API key in public workflows. Use n8n Credentials for production setups.

Setup Instructions

1. Obtain API Key

• Create an account at BananaAPI.com, generate your API key, and keep it safe.

2. Configure the Form

The Form Trigger collects the following fields:

• api_token (required) — Banana API key
• prompt (required) — image description (e.g., “a neon cyberpunk cat, detailed, 4k”)
• Output Format [optional] — choose PNG or JPEG
• Image Size [optional] — 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 3:4, 4:3
• image_url_1 ... image_url_5 [optional] — reference images for editing/transform

3. Workflow Execution

1. User fills the form and submits.
2. Workflow sends a POST request to https://bananaapi.com/api/n8n/generate/.
3. BananaAPI forwards the job to Nano Banana.
4. Workflow waits 5s, then polls status via image-status/{taskId}.
5. If status != completed, loop until ready.
6. Once completed, workflow returns the final image URL.

4. Outputs

The workflow returns:

• image_url — the generated image link
• task_id — task reference ID
• status — job status (completed/pending)

💡 Tip: Add a Webhook Response node to return clean JSON for frontend apps.

Customization Tips

• Enhance prompts with details like style (photorealistic, cartoon, cyberpunk), lighting, or action for better results.
• Use image_url_1 with a strong prompt to create image editing flows.
• Adjust wait time (5s → 8–10s) to optimize polling frequency.
• Add validation to ensure required fields are always filled in.

API Reference

• POST https://bananaapi.com/api/n8n/generate/
• GET https://bananaapi.com/api/n8n/image-status/{taskId}
  Docs: BananaAPI Docs

✅ Always include Authorization: Bearer <token> in headers.

Pricing Advantages

• $0.025 per image — cheaper than most alternatives
• Pay-as-you-go — no monthly subscription required
• Credits never expire — full flexibility to use anytime

This makes BananaAPI + Nano Banana one of the most budget-friendly AI image solutions for automation workflows.

Troubleshooting

• 401/403 Unauthorized → Check Authorization header (Bearer token).
• Invalid JSON → Ensure POST body is valid JSON (double quotes, no trailing commas).
• No imageUrl returned → Task still pending; wait longer or verify taskId.
• Slow performance → Increase wait interval (8–10s).

Security Best Practices

• Do not hardcode API tokens in public workflows.
• Use n8n Credentials for storing tokens securely.
• Hide sensitive fields in forms or use Webhooks for controlled access.