These delicious Banana Donuts are soft, sweet and bursting with flavor! A hidden pocket of caramelized banana in every bite ensures these donuts are moist, tender and packed with cozy goodness. Choose from a classic chocolate glaze, rich brown butter glaze or a simple cinnamon sugar coating to finish off these breakfast treats!
Looking for more donut recipe to try? You’ll love my Jelly Donuts, Glazed Donuts and these scrumptious Raspberry Cheesecake Donuts!
Banana Donuts Recipe
These banana donuts are soft, fluffy and full of banana flavor! They have a surprise inside filling that adds a ton of flavor and moistness to these donuts. Whether you coat the donuts in cinnamon sugar, add a classic chocolate glaze, or top them with a rich brown butter glaze, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast!
We love these donuts for weekends and special occasions but the truth is, they’re super easy to whip and can and should be enjoyed any day of the week. I usually opt for the chocolate glaze because I’m a traditionalist at heart but the cinnamon sugar and brown butter glaze or equally divine.
The best part? These donuts are baked, not fried, which means no messy oil or frying. With just a handful of pantry staples – flour, eggs, butter, and bananas – you can have a fresh batch ready in about 30 minutes. Next time you’re thinking about making banana bread, give these donuts a try instead!
Use bananas that are mostly yellow. They should be firm enough to still chop and not overly mushy. Overripe bananas can make the batter too moist, which might affect the texture of your donuts.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Soft, sweet, and packed with cozy cinnamon and brown sugar flavor, these banana donuts are the perfect way to use up those ripe bananas sitting on your counter. Baked instead of fried, they’re easy to make and come out perfectly fluffy every time. They are a fun and delicious twist on a classic banana treat!
- Easy to make. These banana donuts give you the same warm, comforting flavors of banana bread, but this time in a fun, handheld treat that bakes up in just 20 minutes!
- Soft, sweet, and full of flavor. With a hint of cinnamon, rich brown sugar, and sweet banana pieces in every bite, these donuts are anything but ordinary. They’re fluffy, perfectly spiced, and just the right amount of sweet – especially when topped with cinnamon sugar, brown butter glaze or chocolate glaze.
- Easy to make, no frying required. No need for a deep fryer or special equipment – these donuts are baked to golden perfection in the oven, making them lighter and way less messy than traditional fried donuts. Just mix, pipe, and bake for a quick and delicious treat that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon pick-me-up!
How to Make Banana Donuts
Get ready to fall in love with these soft, flavorful banana donuts! Lightly spiced, they’re baked to perfection and filled with sweet caramelized banana pieces for a delicious surprise in every bite. Whether you enjoy them as a morning treat or an afternoon pick-me-up, these donuts are the perfect way to put those ripe bananas to good use – no frying required!
As always, you’ll find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Combine brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped bananas in a small bowl.
- Spread onto parchment line plate or tray and place into the freezer.
- Whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
- Combine mashed banana, eggs, melted unsalted butter, vanilla extract and whole milk.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
- Transfer batter into a ziploc bag and cut a small hole at the corner of the bag.
- Pipe each donut mold halfway with the batter.
- Top with coated frozen banana pieces into the batter.
- Pipe the remaining batter into the donut molds.
- Bake the donuts between 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Place the donut pans on a cooling rack for 10 minutes before removing donuts.
- Cool donuts completely before you add a coating or glaze.
Chocolate Glaze
- Place chocolate chips and butter into a heat proof bowl and microwave 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each time, until chocolate is melted.
- Add water if the mixture feels too thick and stir until smooth.
- Dip each donut in the chocolate glaze. If using crushed peanuts, place on top before letting the glaze cool completely.
Cinnamon Sugar
- Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl for 15 seconds.
- Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, set aside.
- Brush donut with melted butter and gently toss in cinnamon sugar.
Brown Butter Glaze
- Melt butter in a small pot. Once the butter starts to foam, begin stirring until you start to see light brown specks.
- Remove from the stove, as the browning will continue.
- Combine butter with powdered sugar, cinnamon, salt, vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of milk.
- Whisk until smooth, adding more milk if needed.
- Dip donuts into glaze and place onto cooling rack. If you want to add the banana chips, do so prior to the glaze completely setting.
Freezing the cinnamon-sugar-coated banana pieces is a fun trick I like to use as it helps the bananas stay intact during baking and gives you that surprise burst of caramelized banana inside each donut!
Storage Information
These donuts are absolutely best fresh! They are still good the next day but the texture and glazes start to deteriorate after that.
Refrigerator: Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Unglazed donuts can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer: You can make the donuts without a topping and freeze them for up to 1 week. After this time, the donuts begin to dry out and lose their integrity and moistness. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds.
Reheat: To reheat, pop the donuts in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes. Add any topping or glaze after reheating to keep it fresh!
Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes! If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin instead. Simply adjust the baking time, as muffins may take a little longer to bake than donuts – check with a toothpick for doneness.
How do I prevent my banana filling from sinking to the bottom?
Freezing the banana pieces coated in cinnamon sugar before adding them to the batter will help prevent them from sinking while baking, keeping the surprise filling intact in the center of each donut.
Can I use green or very ripe bananas?
You are welcome to use a more green or more ripe banana, however, the banana filling should ideally be firm enough to hold up to the cinnamon and sugar coating, so this is why we recommend using yellow bananas.
Can I use a different kind of milk besides whole milk?
Definitely! Feel free to use any kind of milk you prefer in this recipe.
Do I have to make the banana filling?
No, you sure don’t! These donuts are delicious on their own! Keep in mind you will get fewer donuts without the filling.
Variations to Try
- Add mini chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolatey twist.
- Stir in chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for added crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the bananas.
- Instead of the brown butter glaze, try a maple glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a little maple syrup and a touch of vanilla extract.
- Add shredded coconut to the batter or sprinkle it on top of the donuts.
- For a decadent treat, swirl in a little Nutella into the batter before baking.
- Sprinkle the donuts with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar before baking for a cinnamon roll-inspired donut. You can also swirl in a little brown sugar and cinnamon mixture into the batter for a delicious twist.
- Add some fresh or frozen berries like blueberries or raspberries into the batter for a burst of fruity flavor. This creates a light and refreshing twist on the traditional banana donut.
- Experiment with different spices like nutmeg, allspice, or ginger in place of cinnamon to create a warm, spiced flavor.
Trish’s Tips
- Overmixing can make the donuts dense. Gently combine the wet and dry ingredients until just incorporated for soft, fluffy donuts.
- If you’re adding any toppings or glazes, make sure the donuts cool to avoid them melting off.
- Have fun with mix-ins like nuts or mini chocolate chips!
More Banana Recipes to Try
Banana Donuts
Equipment
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 medium yellow banana
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar 20 grams
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 grams
Donut Batter
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour 215 grams
- â…” cup brown sugar 120 grams
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 4 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking powder 4 grams
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt 3 grams
- 1 medium mashed banana
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, 28 grams
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup whole milk
OPTIONAL TOPPING VARIATIONS
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 28 grams
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 45 grams
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 5 grams
Brown Butter Glaze
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 56 grams
- 1 cup powdered sugar 110 grams
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 gram
- â…› teaspoon salt 1 gram
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- banana chips optional
Chocolate Glaze
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 90 grams
- 2 tablespoons butter 28 grams
- 1 tablespoon water optional
- salted and roasted peanuts crushed, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease donut pans and place on a parchment lined tray.
Banana Filling
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Dice the banana into small cubes, about the size of pebbles, and toss gently in the cinnamon sugar.2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 medium yellow banana
- Spread coated banana pieces into a single layer onto a small plate lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer while you prepare the donut batter.
Donut Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until well combined.1 ½ cups all purpose flour, ⅔ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- In a large bowl, combine mashed banana, eggs, melted unsalted butter, vanilla extract and whole milk. Whisk well to fully combine.1 medium mashed banana, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ¼ cup whole milk
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Whisk together until a smooth batter forms. Do not overmix.
- Transfer batter to a ziploc bag and cut a small hole at the corner of the bag.
- Remove bananas from the freezer (It’s okay if they are not completely frozen). Pipe each donut mold ½ way full with the batter. Then, gently place the coated frozen banana pieces into the batter. Pipe the remaining batter into the donut molds.
- Bake the donuts between 20 to 23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (keeping in mind that the center has a gooey banana mixture).
- Place the donut molds on a cooling rack for 10 minutes before removing them and putting each donut directly on the cooling rack.
- Let donuts cool slightly before eating. If you plan to make the optional variations, cool donuts completely before you add a coating or glaze.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- As the donuts are cooling, combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, set aside. Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl for 15 seconds.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Lightly brush one donut on top and along the sides with melted butter and gently toss in cinnamon sugar. Repeat with desired amount of of donuts.
Brown Butter Glaze
- Over medium-low heat, start melting the butter in a small pot. Once the butter starts to foam, begin stirring until you start to see light brown specks. Remove from the stove, as the browning will continue. Do not wait until the specks become dark brown as you will burn the butter.4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pour the butter into a medium bowl. Whisk in the powdered sugar, cinnamon, salt, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of milk. It will become smooth as you whisk. Adjust with 1 teaspoon of milk at a time until you reach the desired consistency.1 cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 tablespoons whole milk
- Dip donuts into glaze and place onto the cooling rack to let the glaze drip down and harden. If you want to add the banana chips, do so prior to the glaze completely setting. The glaze will dry matte.banana chips
Chocolate Glaze
- Put chocolate chips and butter into a heat proof bowl and microwave 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each time, until the chocolate is melted. Add the water if the mixture feels too thick and stir until smooth.½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon water
- Dip each donut in the chocolate glaze. If using crushed peanuts, place on top before letting the glaze cool completely. It can take up to 1 hour for the chocolate glaze to harden.salted and roasted peanuts
Notes
- Refrigerator:Â Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Unglazed donuts can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: You can make the donuts without a topping and freeze them for up to 1 week. After this time, the donuts begin to dry out and lose their integrity and moistness. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds.
- Reheat: To reheat, pop the donuts in the microwave for a few seconds or warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes. Add any topping or glaze after reheating to keep it fresh!
Can I make these donuts without a donut pan? Yes! If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin instead. Simply adjust the baking time, as muffins may take a little longer to bake than donuts – check with a toothpick for doneness.
Do I have to make the banana filling? No, you sure don’t! These donuts are delicious on their own! Keep in mind you will get fewer donuts without the filling.
Please see post above for more information, recipe tips and frequently asked questions.
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