Description
These baked banana donuts are a moist and flavorful treat perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made with ripe bananas, warm spices, and a tender crumb, they offer a healthier alternative to fried donuts with customizable options for nuts, chocolate chips, and dietary adaptations including gluten-free and vegan versions.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Donut Batter
- 2-3 ripe bananas (the riper, the better)
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons melted butter or oil
- Pinch of salt
Optional Add-ins
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (for a nutty twist)
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (for chocolate lovers)
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-free flour blend plus ½ teaspoon xanthan gum (for gluten-free version)
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg or ground ginger (to deepen spice profile)
- Flax egg and plant-based milk plus coconut oil (for vegan adaptation)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Bananas: Begin by mashing the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth, leaving a few small lumps to ensure maximum banana flavor and moisture in the donuts.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk or buttermilk, melted butter or oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Stir in the mashed bananas until evenly incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Sifting helps ensure an even mix and lighter texture for the donuts.
- Gently Fold Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter tender and airy.
- Fill Donut Pan and Bake: Lightly grease the donut pan, then spoon the batter into each cavity, filling about three-quarters full. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy plain or decorated with powdered sugar, glaze, or your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the donuts light and airy.
- For gluten-free donuts, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add ½ teaspoon xanthan gum.
- For a vegan version, replace eggs with flax eggs and use plant-based milk and coconut oil instead of dairy milk and butter.
- Add nuts or mini chocolate chips for added texture and flavor, if desired.
- Donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
