Baked Banana Donuts are soft, fluffy, cake-like donuts made with ripe bananas and baked in the oven instead of fried in oil. They have a naturally sweet banana flavor, a tender crumb, and a light golden outside that makes them perfect for breakfast, snack time, or even dessert. Because they are baked, they are lighter and less greasy than traditional fried donuts, which makes them easier to make at home and a little healthier too.
These donuts are simple enough for beginners and fun enough for kids to help make. If you have bananas sitting on your counter turning brown, this recipe is the perfect way to use them. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your donuts will be. With just a few basic pantry ingredients, you can create warm, homemade donuts that taste like a cozy bakery treat.
Why You Should Try Baked Banana Donuts
You should try Baked Banana Donuts because they are easy, quick, and almost impossible to mess up. There is no hot oil to worry about, no complicated steps, and no special skills needed. If you can mash bananas and stir ingredients together, you can make these donuts.
Another great reason to try this recipe is that it is very flexible. You can add chocolate chips, nuts, cinnamon, or even a simple glaze on top. They are perfect for busy mornings, lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or weekend baking fun with family. Plus, they make your kitchen smell amazing while they bake!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Ingredients you’ll need for Baked Banana Donuts
Here is everything you need to make Baked Banana Donuts:
- 2 large ripe bananas very soft and spotty
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional but delicious
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup melted butter or vegetable oil
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Toppings:
- Powdered sugar
- Cinnamon sugar
- Simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk)
- Melted chocolate
How to Make Baked Banana Donuts
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease your donut pan with cooking spray or a thin layer of butter so the donuts do not stick after baking. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas very well using a fork or potato masher until they are smooth and creamy with very small lumps remaining.
Step 2
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon so all the dry ingredients are evenly mixed. In the bowl with the mashed bananas, add the egg, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract, then stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
Step 3
Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture, stirring gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix because overmixing can make the donuts dense instead of soft. The batter should be thick but easy to spoon or pipe into the donut pan.
Step 4
Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full to give the donuts room to rise while baking. If you want neater donuts, transfer the batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag and pipe it into each section evenly.
Step 5
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into one comes out clean. Once baked, let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 6
If desired, dip the cooled donuts in glaze, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or coat them in cinnamon sugar while still slightly warm so the topping sticks better.
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Kitchen equipment you will need :
Before you start, make sure you have these kitchen tools ready:
- Mixing bowls one large, one medium
- Whisk
- Fork or potato masher for bananas
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Donut pan non-stick works best
- Spoon or piping bag
- Cooling rack
- Oven
Tips and Variation Ideas
Use very ripe bananas for the best sweetness and flavor.
Do not overmix the batter; mix just until combined.
Grease your donut pan well to prevent sticking.
Fill each donut cavity evenly for uniform baking.
What can I serve with this Baked Banana Donuts ?
I like making these baked banana donuts when I have ripe bananas and want something simple but comforting. They’re perfect for relaxed mornings or an easy afternoon snack, and my daughter really enjoys the soft texture and natural banana flavor. I usually serve them slightly warm, and they pair nicely with coffee, tea, or a fresh fruit smoothie. Lightly sweet, tender, and easy to make, these donuts never last long in
Commonly Asked Questions
How do I keep my donuts from sticking to the pan ?
Make sure to grease the pan very well with cooking spray or butter before adding the batter, and let the donuts cool slightly before removing them.
How long do these donuts stay fresh ?
They stay fresh at room temperature for about 2 days in an airtight container.
Can I add nuts to the batter ?
Yes, chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch and flavor.
Can I freeze baked banana donuts ?
Yes, wrap them individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave.
Baked Banana Donuts
Course: Breakfast, Snacks, DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings10
minutes15
minutes220
kcal25
minutesBaked Banana Donuts are soft, fluffy, and naturally sweet treats made with ripe bananas and baked instead of fried. They are quick to prepare, easy for beginners, and perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert.
Ingredients
2 large ripe bananas very soft and spotty
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional but delicious
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
⅓ cup melted butter or vegetable oil
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Powdered sugar
Cinnamon sugar
Simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk)
Melted chocolate
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease your donut pan with cooking spray or a thin layer of butter so the donuts do not stick after baking. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas very well using a fork or potato masher until they are smooth and creamy with very small lumps remaining.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon so all the dry ingredients are evenly mixed. In the bowl with the mashed bananas, add the egg, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract, then stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture, stirring gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix because overmixing can make the donuts dense instead of soft. The batter should be thick but easy to spoon or pipe into the donut pan.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full to give the donuts room to rise while baking. If you want neater donuts, transfer the batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag and pipe it into each section evenly.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into one comes out clean. Once baked, let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- If desired, dip the cooled donuts in glaze, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or coat them in cinnamon sugar while still slightly warm so the topping sticks better.
Notes
- Mash the bananas until smooth to avoid large lumps in the batter.
- Warm slightly in the microwave before serving leftovers.
- Swap butter with oil for a softer texture.
- Grease the donut pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
