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If you love banana bread, this baked banana donuts recipe is a handheld version put over the top by a brown butter glaze.
I can't get enough donuts, from Oreo donuts to baked apple cider donuts to baked chocolate frosted donuts to strawberry glazed donuts to double chocolate donuts.
I also love to take advantage of ripe bananas for baked goods as well. So why not just combine the two?
If you've ever made banana bread like this whole wheat banana bread or cinnamon swirl banana bread, you realize not only how easy it is, but how tasty it is too.
Well these banana donuts are a banana bread recipe that just is converted to donut form. It doesn't hurt that it is topped with some brown butter glaze.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple - You just mix together some ingredients together in a bowl and bake in a pan.
- Quick to prepare - You can have these donuts prepared in 15 minutes.
- Utilizes leftovers - If you have some leftover bananas, then this recipe is perfect.
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Ingredient Notes
- All-purpose flour - the base for these donuts. They have not been tested with other types of flour so any changes might affect the outcome.
- Baking powder - important in giving that rise you see in donuts. Doesn't need to react with acid to create a rise.
- Bananas - the star of the show adds natural sweetness and moistness. You want super ripe bananas.
- Butter - when you brown the butter, it creates a nutty flavor that works great with the banana flavor.
Ingredient Swaps
Like any recipe you can mix up the ingredients. Some variations include:
- Although all-purpose flour is my preferred choice due to it being the most common, cake flour is also a great alternative that produces an even lighter pancake. Additionally, if you have a gluten intolerance, oat flour can be a suitable option to consider.
- I like to use light brown sugar with these donuts, but granulated or dark brown sugar can be used.
- If you want a vegan donut you can replace the egg. Stir 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal or chia seeds in 2 ½ tablespoon water and let sit for 5 minutes before using.
- While I use whole milk, you can substitute with dairy-free alternatives such as coconut or almond milk. Buttermilk is another option that can also be used.
- If you are continuing down the vegan donut route, replace the butter with any neutral oil.
Step-by-Step Photos
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl before adding the wet ingredients and stirring until just combined.
Add batter to donut pan and bake at 400°F for 9-10 minutes or until done. Remove from pan and set on cooling rack. Heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until it foams and has a nutty aroma.
Add the brown butter to a bowl and whisk in the sugar before adding the vanilla extract. You want it to be a smooth, pourable glaze. Dip each donut in the glaze and place back on the cooling rack.
FAQs
So I guess the real way to spell it is doughnuts but Dunkin’ Donuts popularized the spelling of donuts back in the 1950’s. For me, I go with donut.
While not exactly a health food, baked banana donuts are definitely a healthier option compared to fried donuts. Enjoy them in moderation and you won't regret it!
There is no such thing as a too ripe banana. The perfect banana is black, but you can also use bananas streaked with black/brown. The blacker the better however.
If you want to speed up the ripening process, place the bananas in a paper bag and fold down on the top. Add an apple which increase the ethylene gas and quickens the ripening process.
Similar to other cake batters, check for doneness of the banana donuts by inserting a toothpick. If it comes out clean, your donuts are ready!
Add the butter to the skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, it will foam up and then subside.
This is when you watch carefully as lightly browned specks will start to form at the bottom of the pan. You will know the butter is ready when there is a nutty aroma. I suggest watching this video if you are still concerned.
Leftover donuts will store well in at room temperature for 1-2 days in an air-tight container.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Even though they say non-stick, spray your donut pans with non-stick cooking spray to make sure the donuts come out.
- Ripe bananas have a sweeter flavor and are easier to mash, making them ideal for the donuts
- When measuring the flour, lightly spoon it into a measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife to get the right amount.
- You can spoon the batter into the donut pans, but the easiest way to get the batter in the pan is by using a pastry bag or Ziploc bag with the corner cut off.
- Just like with any cake type batter that you make, you’ll know the donuts are done when a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the baked banana donuts cool completely before you dip them in the glaze.
Other Donut Recipes
If you’ve tried this banana donuts recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Banana Donuts
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup mashed banana (1 large banana)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Brown Butter Glaze
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Donuts
- Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Add mashed banana, egg, butter, milk and vanilla extract and stir until just combined. (Over-stirring will make donut tough)
Brown Butter Glaze
- Heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until it foams and has a nutty aroma, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Transfer the brown butter to a shallow bowl and add the sugar. Whisk to combine and then add in the vanilla extract to make a smooth, pourable glaze. Dip each donut in the glaze and place back on cooling rack. Allow glaze to set for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Even though they say non-stick, spray your donut pans with non-stick cooking spray to make sure the donuts come out.
- Ripe bananas have a sweeter flavor and are easier to mash, making them ideal for the donuts
- When measuring the flour, lightly spoon it into a measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife to get the right amount.
- You can spoon the batter into the donut pans, but the easiest way to get the batter in the pan is by using a pastry bag or Ziploc bag with the corner cut off.
- Just like with any cake type batter that you make, you’ll know the donuts are done when a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let the baked donuts cool completely before you dip them in the glaze.
Sharon cooney says
Can I double this batch and have it tast alright
Ryan says
Yep. You'll just need to have 2 pans or use the pan twice.
Ann-Marie says
Can you freeze these donuts after they have been baked? I wouldn’t add the icing until they came out of the freezer and we’re thawed
Ryan says
Yep! I actually do it all the time as I have kids and they don't eat them all at once. And yes better to keep the icing separate.