If you're a fan of banana bread and donuts, then you're in for a treat with Banana Donuts! These donuts are made with mashed bananas, giving them a moist and fluffy texture, and are infused with a touch of sweetness from pure maple syrup.
Check out my Chocolate Banana Milkshake and my Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Bites more more delicious banana recipes.
Banana donuts are a delicious twist on traditional donuts, incorporating the natural sweetness and creamy texture of bananas into a baked treat. One of the benefits of banana donuts is that they can be a healthier alternative to traditional donuts, as bananas are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
They're also lower in fat and calories than some other types of donuts.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This recipe uses ripe bananas, which not only add a natural sweetness to the donuts but also make them moist and fluffy.
- This recipe incorporates yogurt, which adds a tangy flavor and keeps the donuts from being too dense.
- Includes a chocolate frosting that is smooth, creamy, and rich, which perfectly complements the banana flavor and takes these donuts to the next level.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bananas: The main ingredient in this recipe, bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture to the donut batter.
- Eggs: Used in the recipe to help bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the donuts.
- Plain Yogurt: Used in the recipe to add moisture and tanginess to the donut batter. It also helps keep the donuts from being too dense.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Adds a touch of sweetness to the donuts.
- Vanilla: Adds flavor and aroma to the donuts.
- All-Purpose Flour: Used to create a light and fluffy texture in the donuts.
- Baking Soda: Used in the recipe to help the donuts rise and become fluffy.
- Chocolate Chips: Provides a delicious and indulgent touch of chocolatey goodness.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 ℉. Grease a donut pan with cooking spray.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Step 4: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each mold about ⅔ full.
Step 5: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
Step 6: While the donuts are baking, melt the chocolate chips.
Step 7: Remove the donuts from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before removing them from the pan. Allow the donuts to cool completely before frosting.
Step 8: Once the donuts are cooled, dip the tops of the donuts into the chocolate frosting. Allow the frosting to set before serving.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Use ripe bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful they will be. You can tell when bananas are ripe when they have brown spots on the skin.
- Mash the bananas well. Make sure to mash the bananas thoroughly so that there are no large chunks in the batter. This will help the donuts cook evenly and prevent them from being too dense.
- Use plain yogurt. Plain yogurt is best for this recipe because it adds a tangy flavor without adding additional sweetness. Greek yogurt can also be used, but it may make the batter thicker.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing the batter can cause the donuts to be tough and dense. Mix the ingredients until they are just combined.
- Use a piping bag or ziplock bag. To make it easier to fill the donut pan, transfer the batter to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off. This will allow you to pipe the batter evenly into the donut molds.
- Use a non-stick donut pan. A non-stick donut pan will make it easier to remove the donuts from the pan without them sticking.
- Let the donuts cool before frosting. Make sure to let the donuts cool completely before adding the chocolate frosting. This will prevent the frosting from melting and running off the donuts.
Variations
- Add nuts: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds can be added to the batter to add some crunch and nutty flavor.
- Add spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger can be added to the batter to add some warm and cozy flavors.
- Add fruit: Blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries can be added to the batter for some added fruity sweetness.
- Make them gluten-free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Use a different frosting: Instead of using a chocolate frosting, you could try a vanilla glaze, cream cheese frosting, or caramel frosting.
- Make them mini: Use a mini donut pan to make smaller donuts, which are perfect for a party or for a smaller portion size.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: If you plan to eat the donuts within a day or two, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature. To store the donuts in the refrigerator, place them in an airtight container or sealable bag and put them in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Freezing: If you want to freeze the donuts, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They will last in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can use frozen bananas for banana donuts. Let the bananas thaw completely before using them in the recipe, and make sure to mash them well.
Yes, you can make the batter ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to bake the donuts, let the batter come to room temperature before filling the donut pan.
Yes, you can use a different sweetener instead of maple syrup, such as honey or agave nectar. Just keep in mind that this may change the flavor of the donuts slightly.
You can try using a different type of flour, such as whole wheat flour or almond flour, but this may change the texture and flavor of the donuts.
You can try using a different type of yogurt, such as Greek yogurt or vanilla yogurt, but this may affect the flavor and texture of the donuts.
Other Banana Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Banana Donuts
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas medium sized
- 2 medium eggs
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or your favorite type
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a donut pan with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each mold about ⅔ full.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
- While the donuts are baking, melt the chocolate chips.
- Remove the donuts from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before removing them from the pan. Allow the donuts to cool completely before frosting.
- Once the donuts are cooled, dip the tops of the donuts into the chocolate frosting. Allow the frosting to set before serving.
Notes
- The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful they will be. You can tell when bananas are ripe when they have brown spots on the skin.
- Make sure to mash the bananas thoroughly so that there are no large chunks in the batter. This will help the donuts cook evenly and prevent them from being too dense.
- Plain yogurt is best for this recipe because it adds a tangy flavor without adding additional sweetness. Greek yogurt can also be used, but it may make the batter thicker.
- Overmixing the batter can cause the donuts to be tough and dense. Mix the ingredients until they are just combined.
- To make it easier to fill the donut pan, transfer the batter to a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off. This will allow you to pipe the batter evenly into the donut molds.
- A non-stick donut pan will make it easier to remove the donuts from the pan without them sticking.
- Make sure to let the donuts cool completely before adding the chocolate frosting. This will prevent the frosting from melting and running off the donuts.
- Storing: If you plan to eat the donuts within a day or two, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature. To store the donuts in the refrigerator, place them in an airtight container or sealable bag and put them in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: If you want to freeze the donuts, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They will last in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Julie
These banana donuts with the chocolate icing look incredible! I need to try these ASAP!
Mirlene
I am so making this for the kids this weekend. These donuts look so good.
Diana Reis
This recipe is delicious and it is such a nice change of pace for kiddos.
Emily
Wow these banana donuts are so good! The kids and I enjoyed making them together, and then of course eating them!
Sharon Chen
Yummy tropical flavor! I can't wait to try your recipe 🙂