These banana donut holes are small, warm, and full of banana flavor. They brown to a golden crust on the outside and stay soft and tender inside. They smell sweet and cinnamon-y as they fry. They make a cozy snack or a quick dessert. You can dust them with powdered sugar or serve them plain with coffee.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: About 12 donut holes
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving (one donut hole):
- Calories per serving: 175 kcal
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
Why Make This Delicious Banana Donut Holes
These banana donut holes are quick to make and require simple pantry ingredients. They use ripe bananas for natural sweetness and moisture, giving a tender, cake-like interior. The outside fries to a crisp, golden shell that adds a pleasant contrast in texture. They are perfect for using up spotty bananas and for a weekend treat that fills the kitchen with a warm, sweet aroma.
How to Make Delicious Banana Donut Holes
Follow the clear steps below. Heat the oil to the right temperature and handle the batter gently for light, fluffy donut holes. Use a small spoon or a cookie scoop for even sizes. Work in batches so the oil temperature stays steady.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Make sure the bananas are well mashed so the batter is smooth with small banana bits.
Step 2: Mixing
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
Step 3: Cooking
Heat oil in a deep fryer or pot to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to keep the temperature steady. Drop small spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil, frying until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Do not overcrowd the pot; fry in batches.
Step 4: Finishing
Remove and drain on paper towels. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired. Enjoy!
How to Serve Delicious Banana Donut Holes
Serve warm for the best texture and flavor. They pair well with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a brunch spread, add fresh berries and yogurt. For a party, arrange on a platter and offer dipping sauces like chocolate ganache, caramel, or maple glaze.
How to Store Delicious Banana Donut Holes
- At room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Place a paper towel in the container to absorb moisture.
- In the refrigerator: Store up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat briefly in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to crisp the outside.
- Freezing: Freeze cooled donut holes in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen in a 325–350°F oven until warmed through, about 8–12 minutes.
Expert Tips for Perfect Delicious Banana Donut Holes
- Use ripe bananas (brown spots) for the best sweetness and aroma.
- Keep oil temperature steady at 350°F. Too hot and they burn; too cool and they absorb oil and get greasy.
- Use a small cookie scoop or two spoons for uniform sizes so they cook evenly.
- Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing makes the texture dense.
- Fry in small batches to avoid dropping the oil temperature.
- Drain on paper towels and serve as soon as possible for the best contrast between crisp outside and tender inside.
- For less oil, try baking at 375°F in a mini muffin tin for 10–12 minutes; brush tops with melted butter before baking.
Delicious Variations
- Chocolate Chip Banana: Fold 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips into the batter.
- Nutty Crunch: Add 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
- Spiced Banana: Add 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and a pinch of cloves with the cinnamon.
- Banana-Maple: Replace half the sugar with maple syrup and reduce milk by a tablespoon.
- Glazed: Dip warm donut holes in a simple powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar + milk) instead of dusting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- My donut holes are greasy. What went wrong?
- Greasy donut holes usually mean the oil was too cool. Make sure the oil stays around 350°F. Also don’t overcrowd the pot; adding too many lowers the temperature.
- Can I bake these instead of frying?
- Yes. Spoon batter into a greased mini muffin tin and bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes until golden and set. They will be less crisp but still tasty.
- Can I make these without eggs?
- Yes. Use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water, let sit 5 minutes) or 1/4 cup applesauce as an egg substitute. Texture will be slightly different but good.
- How do I keep them soft the next day?
- Store in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb moisture. Reheat briefly in an oven to refresh the outside.
- My batter is too runny or too thick. How do I fix it?
- If too runny, add 1–2 tablespoons more flour. If too thick, add a splash of milk (1 tablespoon at a time) until it holds a rounded spoonful. Batter should be scoopable but not pourable.
- Can I use whole wheat flour?
- Yes, you can substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor. The texture may be slightly denser.
Conclusion
These banana donut holes are an easy, comforting treat that bake or fry quickly and please both kids and adults. They make great use of ripe bananas and deliver a soft, banana-sweet interior with a crisp golden outside. For a plant-based two-ingredient take and inspiration from another simple banana donut holes method, see this recipe: 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes – The Conscious Plant Kitchen. Give these a try — they are quick, forgiving, and delicious.
Print
Delicious Banana Donut Holes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 donut holes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These banana donut holes are small, warm, and full of banana flavor, making a cozy snack or a quick dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Oil for frying
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or pot to 350°F (175°C). Drop small spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil, frying until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove and drain on paper towels. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Serve warm for best texture and flavor. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 day at room temperature or up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut hole
- Calories: 175
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
