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These simple yet tasty 2-ingredient banana donut bites turn basic kitchen items into yummy snacks in just minutes. Great for rushed mornings or when you're craving something sweet, these tiny treats give you all the donut joy with barely any work or ingredients.
I came up with this idea during a stormy Saturday when my children were asking for donuts but I didn't feel like going to the bakery. These little bites were such a success that they've now become our weekend tradition, with everyone joining in the kitchen to shape the mixture and pick their top choice of coatings.
What You'll Need
- Ripe banana: Gives natural sweetness and acts as a binder so you won't need eggs. Go for bananas with dark spots for the sweetest flavor.
- Self rising flour: Makes things easy since it's already got the raising agents and salt mixed in. If measuring with cups instead of scales, remember to fluff your flour first.
- Avocado oil or coconut oil: Creates that nice golden outside. Pick avocado for no added taste or coconut if you want a bit of tropical flavor.
- Cinnamon sugar coating: Brings that real donut feel. You can tweak how much cinnamon you use based on how spicy you like it.
- Non stick cooking spray: Helps your donut bites come off the air fryer basket without sticking.
Making Your Donut Bites
- Squish your banana:
- Mash one ripe banana in a bowl until it's mostly smooth. The more spots on your banana, the sweeter your bites will be. A regular fork works great for this job.
- Mix your dough:
- Put the self rising flour in with your mashed banana and stir with a spatula or fork. At first it'll look too dry, but keep mixing until crumbly. Then use your hands to form it into dough. It should be a bit sticky but stay together as a ball. Don't mix too much or your bites will end up tough.
- Shape your bites:
- Split the dough into 7 equal chunks. Put a tiny bit of avocado or coconut oil on your hands so the dough won't stick. Roll each piece between your palms into smooth balls about 1.5 inches across.
- Get ready to cook:
- Spray your air fryer basket with non stick spray. Place the dough balls with room between them so they can grow and cook evenly. Don't crowd them or they won't get proper air flow.
- Cook them up:
- Air fry the dough balls at 350°F for 6 minutes flat. They should puff up a little and turn golden outside while staying soft inside. You don't need to turn them while cooking.
- Add the tasty coating:
- While they're still warm, brush each bite lightly with a bit of oil using a pastry brush. This helps the cinnamon sugar stick properly. Roll each one in the cinnamon sugar mix until they're fully covered.
- Eat them right away:
- These bites taste best when they're still warm, when you can really enjoy the difference between the crispy outside and the soft inside.
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The self rising flour really works wonders in this recipe. I wasn't sure something so basic would turn out good, but the raising agents in the flour plus the wetness from the banana somehow make a surprisingly soft inside. My daughter now asks me to let bananas get extra ripe just so we can make these donut bites together.
Prep Ahead Options
You can make these banana bites up to a day ahead of time. Keep them in a sealed container on your counter for two days max, though they're tastiest on the first day. The cinnamon sugar might get damp over time, so you could roll them in fresh cinnamon sugar right before eating if you've made them earlier.
Switch It Up
Turn these basic bites into something special with easy changes. For chocolate banana bites, mix in 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to your dough and roll in powdered sugar instead of cinnamon sugar. Make a coconut version by adding 2 tablespoons of shredded coconut to your mix and rolling in coconut sugar with cinnamon.
Fix Common Problems
If your dough feels too sticky, your banana was probably extra big or super ripe. Just add another tablespoon of self rising flour. If it seems too dry instead, add a teaspoon of milk or non-dairy milk until everything sticks together nicely.
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These quick banana donut bites give you the perfect mix of easy and yummy. They'll soon become a favorite in your home too!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I bake these banana donut holes in a regular oven?
You can definitely use a regular oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 10-12 minutes. Just put them on a baking sheet lined with parchment and watch for them to turn golden brown.
- → What can I substitute for self-rising flour?
Don't have self-rising flour? Make your own by mixing 3/4 cup regular flour with 1 1/8 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- → How ripe should the banana be?
Your banana should be super ripe with dark spots all over the peel to get the most flavor and sweetness. This makes it easier to mash and mix into your dough too.
- → Can I add other flavors to these donut holes?
You bet! Try adding a splash of vanilla, some nutmeg, or throw in mini chocolate chips. You can also play around with different toppings like powdered sugar or cocoa sugar for variety.
- → How should I store leftover banana donut holes?
Keep them in a sealed container at room temp for 1-2 days. If you want them to last longer, stick them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just warm them up a bit in the microwave before eating to get that fresh-made feel.
- → Why is my dough too sticky to handle?
If you're dealing with sticky dough, just add more flour, a spoonful at a time. How ripe your banana is changes how much moisture you'll have, so you might need to adjust. Putting a bit of oil on your hands also helps when you're working with sticky dough.