Homemade Fluffy Banana Donut Holes Recipe: Sweet Bite-Sized Joy
Soft, golden banana donut holes dance with irresistible charm, blending homemade comfort with delightful banana-infused magic.
These miniature treats burst with sweet, tender goodness that melts in your mouth.
Each morsel carries the warm essence of ripe bananas and delicate spices.
The recipe combines simple ingredients to create bite-sized perfection that feels both nostalgic and exciting.
Crisp exterior and pillowy center make these donut holes an absolute crowd-pleaser.
Prepare to experience a delectable journey of flavor that transforms ordinary moments into memorable indulgences.
One bite will have you falling in love with these irresistible little treasures.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Calories: 190 kcal
Servings: 12
What You’ll Need for Banana Donut Holes
For Dry Ingredients:
Flour: Provides structure and base for the donut holes, selecting all-purpose flour ensures a tender texture.
Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden-brown caramelization during baking.
Baking Powder: Creates light and fluffy rise for soft donut holes.
Baking Soda: Helps neutralize banana's acidity and contributes to ideal texture.
Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic flavor that complements banana's natural sweetness.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances sweetness.
For Wet Ingredients:
Banana: Provides natural moisture, sweetness, and rich fruity flavor with ripe, spotty bananas being the most flavorful.
Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness to the donut holes.
Milk: Creates smooth batter consistency and adds subtle creamy undertone.
Vanilla: Deepens flavor complexity with its sweet, aromatic essence.
Melted Butter: Contributes rich, golden flavor and helps achieve tender crumb.
Equipment to Bake or Fry Banana Donut Holes
Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients without lumps.
Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient portions.
Mashing fork or potato masher: Great for creating smooth banana puree.
Baking sheet: Needed for baking donut holes.
Parchment paper or silicone mat: Prevents sticking and easy cleanup.
Medium bowl: For separating wet and dry ingredients.
Spatula or wooden spoon: Helps mix ingredients gently without overmixing.
Cookie scoop or tablespoon: Helps create uniform donut hole sizes.
Make Banana Donut Holes in Steps
Blend Dry Ingredients Grab a mixing bowl and toss in flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk these together until they look perfectly combined and fluffy.
Create Wet Mixture In a separate bowl, mash those ripe bananas until they're super smooth. Crack in an egg, pour milk, splash vanilla, and drizzle melted butter. Stir everything until the mixture looks creamy and consistent.
Combine Mixtures Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture. Gently fold and stir just until everything blends – don't go crazy mixing or your donut holes will turn tough! The batter should look slightly lumpy but well incorporated.
Shape and Prep Heat your oven to 375°F. Grab a mini muffin pan and lightly grease each little pocket. Use a small scoop or spoon to drop batter into each compartment, filling them about 3/4 full.
Bake to Golden Perfection Pop the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You'll know they're done when the tops turn a beautiful golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the center.
Cool and Enjoy Let the donut holes rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then gently transfer to a wire rack. They'll be super hot, so give them a few minutes to cool down before popping these delicious banana bites into your mouth!
Tips for Sweetening or Glazing Donut Holes
Ripeness Matters: Choose very ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor in your donut holes.
Avoid Tough Texture: Mix wet and dry ingredients gently, stopping just when combined to prevent developing gluten that can make donut holes dense and chewy.
Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring a similar soft texture.
Baking Hack: Use a mini muffin tin if you don't have a specific donut hole pan, which works perfectly for achieving the round shape and even baking.
Flavor Boost: Experiment with mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of nutmeg to add exciting variations to the basic banana donut hole recipe.
How to Serve Banana Donut Holes for Brunch
Breakfast Bliss Platter: Arrange donut holes next to scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh fruit for a delightful morning spread that combines sweet and savory flavors.
Dessert Dipping Station: Create a fun serving option with chocolate sauce, caramel drizzle, and whipped cream for guests to customize their donut hole experience.
Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these banana donut holes with a hot cup of chai or earl grey tea for a relaxed, indulgent snack that elevates your coffee break.
Party Presentation Trick: Serve donut holes on a tiered stand or wooden board with decorative toothpicks for an elegant and inviting appetizer-style display at gatherings.
Keep Banana Donut Holes Soft Overnight
Quick Cooling Technique: Let donut holes cool completely on a wire rack to maintain their crisp exterior and prevent sogginess.
Refrigeration Strategy: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, placing a paper towel underneath to absorb excess moisture.
Freezing Method: Wrap individual donut holes in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for future snacking. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
Moisture Protection: Keep the donut holes away from humidity and direct sunlight to prevent them from becoming soft or developing unwanted condensation.
Perfectly golden banana donut holes deliver a delightful twist on classic pastry delights. Sweet Caribbean-inspired treats combine ripe bananas, warm spices, and crisp exterior for a quick indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup (240 ml) all-purpose flour
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 ripe banana, mashed (about ½ cup or 120 ml)
1 large egg
Vegetable oil, for frying
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) milk
1 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsps milk
Instructions
Dry Blend Preparation: Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl until uniformly combined.
Wet Ingredient Fusion: Thoroughly mash bananas and blend with egg, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter until achieving a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
Batter Formation: Delicately incorporate dry ingredients into banana mixture, mixing minimally to prevent tough texture, stopping when ingredients are just combined.
Thermal Preparation: Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F, maintaining consistent temperature for optimal frying conditions.
Portioning and Frying: Carefully drop batter portions into hot oil using a small scoop, working in manageable batches to ensure even golden-brown coloration and crisp exterior.
Draining and Finishing: Extract donut holes with a slotted spoon, placing on paper towels to remove excess oil, then optionally dust with powdered or cinnamon sugar while still warm.
Serving Recommendation: Present immediately to preserve peak temperature and textural perfection, ensuring maximum flavor enjoyment.
Notes
Banana Ripeness Matters: Use overripe bananas with dark brown spots for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor profile.
Minimal Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients gently to prevent tough, dense donut holes by avoiding excessive gluten development.
Temperature Control Critical: Maintain consistent 350°F oil temperature to ensure crispy exterior and fully cooked interior without burning.
Batch Frying Strategy: Drop small quantities of batter to prevent oil temperature drop and guarantee evenly cooked, golden-brown donut holes.
Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
Food styling and photography for digital platforms.
Education
Box Hill Institute, Melbourne
Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.
William Angliss Institute, Melbourne
Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.
Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes.
Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.
Jenna Hartley
Founder & Recipe Creator
Expertise
Education
Box Hill Institute, Melbourne
William Angliss Institute, Melbourne
Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes.
Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.