I discovered these banana donut holes one evening when my sweet tooth was demanding attention, but my energy levels were hitting rock bottom. With just two ripe bananas sitting on my counter and minimal motivation to bake, I experimented and created what’s now become one of my family’s most-requested treats. The magic happens when the simplest ingredients transform into something that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen!
Why You’ll Absolutely Love These 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
- Truly beginner-friendly – If you can mash a banana, you can make these foolproof donut holes! Perfect for building kitchen confidence even if you’re new to baking.
- Ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish – ideal for those evenings when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
- Healthier than traditional donuts since they’re air-fried, not deep-fried, with no eggs or dairy needed.
- Perfect solution for using up overripe bananas that might otherwise go to waste.
The Secret to Success: Understanding Banana Ripeness for Your Donut Holes
The ripeness of your bananas makes all the difference in this recipe. The ideal banana should be spotted with brown speckles covering about 50-75% of the peel, or even fully brown in some areas.
At this stage, bananas contain more natural sugars and are softer, creating a sweeter, more flavorful donut hole with better binding properties. If your bananas aren’t quite there yet, you can speed up ripening by placing them in a paper bag with an apple overnight. The ethylene gas released will accelerate the process.
If your bananas only have a few spots but you can’t wait, you might need to add a touch more sugar to compensate for the lower natural sweetness. Remember, green or yellow bananas without spots will result in bland, dense donut holes that won’t hold together as well, as ripe, overripe bananas get sweeter and mushier.
Ingredient Spotlight: How Self-Rising Flour Works its Magic in These Banana Donut Holes
Self-rising flour is the secret star of this recipe, turning a two-ingredient concept into reality. Unlike all-purpose flour, self-rising flour contains baking powder and salt already mixed in at the perfect ratio.
When the moisture from the banana meets the self-rising flour, the baking powder activates, creating carbon dioxide bubbles that make your donut holes puff up and become light and airy during cooking. This eliminates the need to measure multiple leavening ingredients, simplifying the process significantly.
The beauty of this combination is that the natural sweetness and binding properties of ripe bananas work with the self-rising flour to create a dough that doesn’t need eggs, milk, or complicated mixing techniques. It’s science making your kitchen life easier!
Essential Ingredients for Delicious Banana Donut Holes
- 1/2 cup Banana (1 large banana)
- 3/4 cup Self-Rising Flour ((note 1))
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/4 cup Unrefined Sugar ((note 2))
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil (melted, or melted vegan butter)
- 2-3 teaspoon Melted Coconut Oil
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Perfect Banana Donut Holes
- Mash thoroughly. Mash the banana into a smooth puree, make sure you get 1/2 cup or the donut batter won’t come together with the same ratio of flour.
- Begin mixing. Add in the flour and stir with a rubber spatula at first, until it starts to form lumps. Now, oil your hands and knead with your slightly oiled hands to form a dough ball. The dough is sticky and moist, but that’s normal don’t over-add flour! If it sticks to the finger, keep kneading, using a bit of oil to smooth the dough and form a ball. Eventually, if it’s really too moist add up to a max of 2-3 tablespoons of flour, not more, or the dough turns bready. You should work this dough like foccacia, using oil to avoid sticking to fingers and shape, but the dough should stay moist and elastic, not saturated by flour.
- Form the balls. Grease your hand with melted coconut oil, grab about a tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball, and place it on a plate covered with parchment paper. Repeat until all the dough has been turned into balls. Spray avocado oil on top of the balls.
- Prepare for cooking. Spray oil in the air fryer basket and place the oiled donut holes in the basket, leaving 1 inch (3 cm) apart as they expand.
- Air fry to perfection. Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 6-7 minutes or until puffy and golden brown. They will have a rocky shape and be dry outside, and some will not be as round as balls; that’s normal.
- Add the final touch. To make these banana bread balls taste like donuts, brush each warm ball with melted coconut oil using a pastry brush. Then, roll the warm, oiled balls into cinnamon sugar to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately. Serve warm immediately.
Achieving the Perfect Dough Consistency
The key to these donut holes is maintaining that slightly sticky, moist dough. When properly mixed, the dough should feel tacky but not wet enough to stick heavily to your fingers. It should pull away cleanly from the bowl but still feel soft and pliable.
If you’re unsure, think of the consistency as similar to a soft cookie dough rather than a firm bread dough. The magic happens when you use oil on your hands instead of flour for handling. This keeps the moisture in the dough where it belongs, resulting in tender, cake-like donut holes rather than dense, bready ones.
Remember that the banana provides both moisture and binding, so trust that the dough will come together even if it seems too wet at first. Patience during kneading will reward you with the perfect consistency.
Expert Tips for Shaping Your Donut Holes
For perfectly uniform donut holes, I recommend using a small cookie scoop or measuring tablespoon to portion your dough. This ensures even cooking and a consistent end product.
When rolling, use a light touch with oiled hands. Cup your palms slightly and roll with gentle pressure in circular motions until the ball feels smooth. Don’t worry if they’re not perfectly round—these are homemade treats with character!
If the dough sticks to your hands during shaping, add a tiny bit more oil to your palms rather than more flour. The slight imperfections in shape actually create more surface area for the cinnamon sugar to cling to, resulting in more flavor in every bite.
Air Fryer & Oven: Getting Golden Banana Donut Holes Every Time
Air Fryer Method:
For perfect air fryer donut holes, preheating is essential. Run your air fryer empty for 3-5 minutes at 350°F (180°C) before adding your donut holes.
Arrange the donut holes in a single layer with space between them—crowding will create steam and prevent proper browning. Depending on your air fryer model, you may need to work in batches.
Check the first batch at 5 minutes by gently lifting one donut hole. The exterior should be dry to the touch with a light golden color. The inside should feel set but soft when pressed gently. Different air fryer models vary in cooking speed, so your first batch will be your guide for subsequent batches.
Oven Method:
If using a conventional oven, preheat to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (not wax paper) and place the donut holes about 1.5 inches apart.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until the tops are golden brown. For convection ovens, reduce the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and check after 7 minutes.
The visual cues for doneness are the same regardless of cooking method: look for a dry, slightly cracked exterior with a light golden color. The donut holes should feel light for their size and spring back slightly when touched.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Your Banana Donut Holes
- Problem: Donut holes didn’t puff up
Solution: This usually happens when your self-rising flour is old (baking powder loses potency over time) or if you added too much flour. Make sure your self-rising flour is fresh, and remember to measure carefully. Also, check that your banana was ripe enough to provide proper moisture. - Problem: Dough is too wet and won’t form balls
Solution: If your banana was extremely ripe or larger than standard, the dough might be too wet. Add additional flour one tablespoon at a time, but stop at the recommended maximum of 3 extra tablespoons. Remember that oiling your hands helps work with sticky dough without needing excess flour. - Problem: Donut holes are dense or heavy
Solution: This typically means too much flour was added. Next time, resist the urge to keep adding flour when the dough feels sticky. Instead, use the oil-hand technique and trust that the dough will come together with gentle kneading. - Problem: Uneven cooking or browning
Solution: Your air fryer or oven may have hot spots, or the donut holes might be different sizes. Try to make the balls uniform in size, and halfway through cooking, gently turn them for more even browning.
Beyond the Classic: Creative Coatings & Dipping Sauces for Your Banana Donut Holes
| Coating/Sauce Idea | Description/How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Chocolate Drizzle | Melt 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon coconut oil and drizzle over cooled donut holes |
| Maple Glaze | Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup until smooth, then dip the top of each donut hole |
| Coconut Dream | After the oil brush, roll donut holes in a mixture of powdered sugar and unsweetened shredded coconut |
| Spiced Sugar | Mix 1/4 cup sugar with 1/4 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom for a chai-inspired coating |
| Peanut Butter Dip | Stir 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter with 1 tablespoon maple syrup for a protein-packed dipping sauce |
| Berry Compote | Simmer 1 cup mixed berries with 1 tablespoon sugar until thickened for a fruity contrast to the sweet donut holes |
Make Ahead & Storage Tips for Your Banana Donut Holes
Dough Preparation: You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped in plastic. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before shaping.
Freezing Options: The shaped, uncooked donut holes can be frozen on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transferred to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Cook directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
Storage After Cooking: Cooked donut holes are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The texture will become slightly more dense over time.
Reheating: To refresh stored donut holes, warm them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 300°F (150°C) or in a preheated oven for 3-4 minutes at 325°F (165°C). After reheating, you can brush with a tiny bit of oil and roll in fresh cinnamon sugar to restore their original glory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Donut Holes
- Can I double or halve this recipe?
Yes! This recipe scales beautifully. For doubling, use exactly twice the ingredients. For halving, use a smaller banana (about 1/4 cup mashed) and reduce other ingredients accordingly. The cooking time remains the same regardless of batch size. - What if I don’t have self-rising flour?
You can make your own by combining 3/4 cup all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk thoroughly before using in the recipe. - Can I make these sugar-free or low-sugar?
Absolutely! The bananas provide natural sweetness, so you can reduce the added sugar or substitute with monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, or stevia (use according to package conversion guidelines, as these are sweeter than sugar). - How do different air fryer models affect cooking time?
Basket-style air fryers typically cook faster than oven-style models. For oven-style air fryers, add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time. Always check the first batch at the minimum time and adjust accordingly. - Can I use different oils in this recipe?
Yes, any neutral-tasting oil works well. Light olive oil, avocado oil, or melted plant-based butter are all excellent alternatives to coconut oil.
More Easy & Delicious Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these banana donut holes, you’ll definitely want to try these other quick and comforting air fryer treats from my kitchen:
- 5-Minute Air Fryer Cinnamon Toast – The breakfast classic transformed into a quick treat with minimal ingredients
- Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies – Using store-bought pie crust for a homemade-tasting dessert in minutes
- 2-Ingredient Air Fryer Bagels – Another miracle recipe that will change your breakfast game forever
- Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas – When you need a crunchy, protein-packed snack instead of something sweet
Enjoy Your Homemade Banana Donut Holes!
I hope these little bites of banana-y goodness bring as much joy to your kitchen as they do to mine! There’s something so satisfying about creating something delicious from just a couple of ingredients, especially when the results taste like you spent hours baking.
Did you try a different coating or come up with a creative dipping sauce? I’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment below with your experience or tag me in your photos on social media. And remember, even if your donut holes aren’t perfectly round or uniform in size, that’s the beauty of homemade treats – they’re uniquely yours!
Banana Donut Holes
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mash 1/2 cup of banana until it forms a smooth puree.
- Add self-rising flour to the mashed banana and stir, then knead with lightly oiled hands to form a moist, elastic dough ball, adding up to 2-3 tablespoons more flour only if absolutely necessary to prevent breadiness.
- Grease your hands, roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls, place them on parchment paper, and spray with avocado oil.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil, then arrange the donut holes, ensuring they are about 1 inch (3 cm) apart.
- Air fry at 350°F (180°C) for 6-7 minutes, or until they are puffy and golden brown; it's normal for them to be rocky and not perfectly round.
- Immediately brush each warm donut hole with melted coconut oil and then roll them in cinnamon sugar for an even coating.
- Serve the warm banana donut holes immediately for the best taste.
Notes
Note 2: Unrefined sugar adds a more natural sweetness to the recipe.
The dough will be sticky and moist; use a little oil on your hands for kneading and shaping, and avoid adding excessive flour to maintain a moist, elastic dough.
Do not worry if the donut holes have a rocky shape or are not perfectly round after air frying; this is completely normal.
