Banana Baked Donuts Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Banana Donuts

• Ease of preparation: This banana donut recipe is built for busy days. You prep in about 15 minutes and bake while you tidy up, with total time around 35 minutes.
• Health-forward swaps: Using overripe bananas adds natural sweetness and moisture, plus a bit of fiber. Per donut, you get 268 calories with 3.5 grams of protein and 1.2 grams of fiber.
• Versatility: You can adjust the batter and icing based on what you have on hand. Want a lighter version or a different flavor? There are easy customization ideas later in the post.
• Distinctive flavor: Brown butter icing brings a nutty, caramel-like taste that makes baked donuts feel bakery-level.

Best part: Since these are baked banana donuts, they skip frying oil and still come out tender and golden.

If you are searching for healthy banana donuts or an easy banana baked donuts style treat, this recipe hits the sweet spot. The batter is simple, the ingredient list is short, and the results are snack-worthy any day of the week.

Learn more about banana nutrition and wellness at Cleveland Clinic: benefits of bananas.

Essential Ingredients for Banana Donuts

Here is everything you need for the Banana Donuts Recipe, including the dough and the brown butter icing.

• Tip for success: Use overripe bananas with many brown spots. They mash smoothly and give the best sweetness.
• Tip for accuracy: Measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling with a knife to avoid dense donuts.

Ingredients list: Banana Donuts

• 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (107 grams) brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 overripe bananas, mashed
• 2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg

Ingredients list: Brown Butter Icing

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup (113 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Milk or heavy cream, as needed

Special dietary options (quick guide)

Because this recipe uses standard baking ingredients, it is not automatically vegan or gluten-free. However, you can still customize based on your needs.

If you want more quick, everyday ideas for using ingredients efficiently, you might also like veggie fried rice for a simple weeknight meal that pairs nicely with a sweet breakfast treat.

How to Prepare the Perfect Banana Donuts: Step-by-Step Guide

This is the part you will actually use. Follow along and you will get tender banana baked donuts with a glossy brown butter glaze.

What you need before you start

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• Spray your donut mold with non-stick spray
• Get two bowls ready: one for dry ingredients and one for wet ingredients

Donuts (batter and baking)

1. First Step: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray donut mold with non-stick spray and set aside.
2. Second Step: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder.
3. Third Step: In a separate bowl, mix mashed bananas, melted butter, and egg.
4. Fourth Step: Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients gently until just combined. The batter will be thick, and that is normal.
5. Fifth Step: Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut molds until about ¾ full.
6. Sixth Step: Bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed.
7. Seventh Step: Let donuts cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing and cooling completely.

Quick timing breakdown:

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 17 to 20 minutes
• Total time: approximately 35 minutes

Brown butter icing (the easy glaze step)

1. First Step: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it foams and develops brown bits on the bottom, about 5 minutes.
2. Second Step: Remove from heat and cool slightly so the mixture does not seize.
3. Third Step: Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
4. Fourth Step: Thin with milk or heavy cream if necessary, until the icing is easy to dip.
5. Final Step: Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the icing. Let set before serving.

Brown butter flavor note: It keeps the baking outcome the same, but adds a nutty taste that makes these baked donuts feel special.

If you love the idea of mixing sweet and savory for parties, pair these with three-cheese peach prosciutto pizza for a fun brunch or game-day spread.

Nutrition snapshot (per donut)

Here is the nutrition info for each donut:

• Calories: 268
• Carbohydrates: 43.7 grams
• Protein: 3.5 grams
• Fat: 9.8 grams (Saturated Fat: 5.9 grams)
• Cholesterol: 48 milligrams
• Sodium: 164 milligrams
• Potassium: 208 milligrams
• Fiber: 1.2 grams
• Sugar: 28.1 grams
• Calcium: 42 milligrams
• Iron: 1 milligram

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Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Banana Donuts

You can absolutely make adjustments, but keep one thing in mind: baked goods depend on how ingredients interact. When you change one component, you may need to tweak texture and baking time slightly.

Protein and main component alternatives

In this recipe, the main binders are egg plus the moisture from bananas. There is also butter for richness.

• Egg replacement: Try a flax egg (mix ground flax with water and let gel) for a similar binding effect. Expect a slightly softer crumb.
• Butter replacement: Use plant-based butter in the same quantity if you need a vegan approach. If the donut mold releases poorly, increase greasing a bit.
• Lower sugar approach: Since bananas contribute sweetness, reduce brown sugar slightly if you prefer. Start small so the texture does not dry out.

Vegetable, sauce, and seasoning modifications

These donuts are fruit-forward, so you will get most flavor from banana. Still, you can switch up add-ins and glaze style.

• Add warmth: Mix in cinnamon or nutmeg into the dry ingredients if you want a cozy bakery flavor.
• Moisture support: If your donuts turn out dry, add ¼ cup of applesauce to the batter to improve moisture.
• Icing variation: Keep the brown butter method, but adjust thickness by adding milk or heavy cream until it dips smoothly.

Mastering Banana Donuts: Advanced Tips and Variations

Want bakery-style banana baked donuts every time? Use these tips and try a variation or two.

Pro cooking techniques

• Banana selection: Use overripe bananas with many brown spots for the best texture and sweetness.
• Flour measurement: Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level with a knife. This helps avoid dense donuts.
• Salt control: Use unsalted butter so you can control salt levels in the recipe.
• Bake timing: Donuts spring back when lightly pressed. Avoid overbaking to keep them moist.
• Cooling plan: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes first, then remove and cool completely before icing.

Flavor variations you can try

• Cinnamon banana donuts: Add cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a classic taste.
• Nutmeg glaze: Stir a pinch of nutmeg into the icing for a spiced twist.
• Brown butter only on top: Dip tops only, so the rest stays lighter and less sweet.

Presentation and garnishing ideas

• After dipping, add a quick sprinkle of powdered sugar or a small pinch of cinnamon.
• Serve with fresh fruit on the side for a breakfast-friendly plate.

Make-ahead options

• Batter ahead: The batter can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen before baking.
• Freezer method: Portion into the donut pan and cover, then freeze before baking for convenience.
• Best texture: Donuts are best eaten the same day they are baked, but fresh-baked flavor still stays strong.

Brown butter how-to, quickly: Melt butter over medium heat until it foams and brown bits form, then remove and cool.

How to Store Banana Donuts: Best Practices

Storage matters because baked donuts can dry out or become gummy depending on how they are kept. Follow these best practices to maintain flavor and texture.

Refrigeration

• For short-term storage, refrigerate in an airtight container.
• If you want to refresh texture, warm briefly before serving.

Freezing

• For longer storage, freeze baked donuts and keep them airtight.
• Thaw at room temperature and rewarm gently if needed.

Reheating

• Reheat in a low oven or microwave briefly to avoid drying.
• If the donuts are glazed, consider rewarming and then serving rather than reheating the glaze heavily.

Meal prep considerations

If you are making these for a busy week, it helps to bake and cool, then portion into containers. Batter can also be refrigerated or frozen before baking, which is great for students, working professionals, and busy parents.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Donuts

Banana Donuts

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🍌 Savor these moist, flavorful baked donuts made with ripe bananas for a naturally sweet treat that’s healthier than fried versions!
🥯 Perfect for breakfast or snack, they feature a nutty brown butter icing that elevates the banana goodness without the guilt.

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 donuts

Ingredients

– 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour

– ½ cup (107 grams) brown sugar, packed

– ½ teaspoon salt

– 1 teaspoon baking powder

– 2 overripe bananas, mashed

– 2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

– 1 large egg

– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

– 1 cup (113 grams) powdered sugar

– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

– Milk or heavy cream, as needed

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Instructions

1-First Step: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray donut mold with non-stick spray and set aside.

2-Second Step: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder.

3-Third Step: In a separate bowl, mix mashed bananas, melted butter, and egg.

4-Fourth Step: Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients gently until just combined. The batter will be thick, and that is normal.

5-Fifth Step: Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut molds until about ¾ full.

6-Sixth Step: Bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed.

7-Seventh Step: Let donuts cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing and cooling completely.

8-First Step: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it foams and develops brown bits on the bottom, about 5 minutes.

9-Second Step: Remove from heat and cool slightly so the mixture does not seize.

10-Third Step: Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.

11-Fourth Step: Thin with milk or heavy cream if necessary, until the icing is easy to dip.

12-Final Step: Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the icing. Let set before serving.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍌 Use overripe bananas with many brown spots for the best texture and natural sweetness.
📏 Measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling with a knife to prevent dense donuts.
🧈 Brown butter adds a nutty flavor; make sure to cool it slightly before adding sugar.

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 17-20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 donut
• Calories: 268
• Sugar: 28.1g
• Sodium: 164mg
• Fat: 9.8g
• Saturated Fat: 5.9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 43.7g
• Fiber: 1.2g
• Protein: 3.5g
• Cholesterol: 48mg