Healthier Banana Doughnuts – Baked not Fried

Love doughnuts? Love bananas? Well then, these healtier banana donuts are for you! Soft, moist doughnuts reminiscent of banana bread, are baked not fried, then dusted with cinnamon sugar. A tasty option for breakfast or a snack.

Baked Banana Donuts

It’s that time of year again when my banana trees are full of hundreds of bananas. Of course, since they all ripen at the same time it’s quite a challenge to find ways to use them up. Neighbors come in handy as they love the tropical flavor that fresh right off the tree bananas have so I pass as many out as I can and still have plenty left to find a use for.

In fact, I’ve learned to make quite a few recipes with bananas over the years. The family’s favorite is banana bread, so I bake up a regular version, a Peanut Butter Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips, and a Tropical Coconut Banana Bread version then freeze them for when we want to indulge.

But I’m no one-dimensional chef, so I usually pack my freezer full of frozen bananas to make smoothies and I always save some for Peanut Butter Banana Cookies for the grandkids and healthy Banana Pancakes for breakfast.

Today I had the biggest craving for doughnuts, and since I still had bananas left (yep there were that many!). I decided I would kill two birds with one stone and make some baked banana donuts.

They are healthier than a lot of doughnuts,  baked not fried, and packed with potassium,  Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, manganese, niacin & folate. And healthy banana donuts are surprisingly simple to make.

FAQs About Banana Donuts

How long will these donuts last?

They are best eaten the same day but will keep at room temperature for 1-2 days.

Can these doughnuts be frozen?

Yes, They can be frozen for up to 2 months. If freezing, do not apply either the cinnamon sugar or the chocolate glaze. Thaw and then glaze when ready to eat.

What’s the difference between a baked and fried donut?

A cake doughnut, such as these, is made with sweetened dough that uses baking powder and/or baking soda as a leavening agent. A fried doughnut is usually a yeast doughnut that uses yeast as the leavening agent.

Is a cake doughnut healthy?

I don’t think doughnuts can be considered healthy but cake doughnuts are lower in fat, calories and sugar than a fried one. And this one has all the benefits of bananas on its side. 

Summer is a great time for giving the kids a little treat for breakfast. It only takes about 10 minutes to prep and 12 minutes to bake and they’ll be following the delicious aroma right to the kitchen to make sure they get one. I know you’ll love them as much as we do. Enjoy!

If Donuts are your thing, check these out!

Baked Lemon Blueberry Donuts for a bright and cheery breakfast.

Mint Chocolate Donut is great for a Christmas breakfast.

Gluten Free Vanilla Donuts with chocolate glaze.

Also, try my Almond Danish Pastry with vanilla icing.

Find lots more healthy breakfast recipes here on 2CM!

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HEALTHY BAKED BANANA DOUGHNUTS

Love doughnuts? Love bananas? Well then, these banana doughnuts are for you! Soft, moist doughnuts reminiscent of banana bread, are baked not fried, then dusted with cinnamon sugar. A healthier option for breakfast or a snack.

5 from 5 votes

Print Rate

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Servings: 12 doughnuts

Calories: 219kcal

Author: Linda Warren

Ingredients

Doughnuts

• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup bananas, mashed (about 2 large)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup fat-free half and half (you can also use regular milk or buttermilk)

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoons cinnamon

Chocolate Glaze (for 6)

• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1 Tablespoon butter

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 6-cavity doughnut pans with nonstick spray. I used one pan & baked them one right after the other.
• In a large bowl, combine first 5 ingredients.
• In a medium bowl, mash bananas then stir in vanilla, eggs, vegetable oil and half and half.
• Pour in the banana mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared pan(s).
• Bake for 12 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool for 3 minutes in pan then invert onto wire rack.
• Immediately dip into cinnamon sugar to coat then allow to cool the remainder of the way.
• If using the chocolate glaze, heat chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl until melted. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring in-between, so that the chocolate stays liquid.
• Let doughnuts cool slightly then dip tops into chocolate glaze. Allow chocolate to harden then store in airtight container.

Notes

FAQs About Banana Doughnuts

How long will these doughnuts last?

They are best eaten the same day but will keep at room temperature for 1-2 days. 

Can these doughnuts be frozen?

Yes, They can be frozen for up to 2 months. If freezing do not apply either the cinnamon sugar or the chocolate glaze. Thaw and then glaze when ready to eat.

What's the difference between a baked and fried doughnut?

A cake doughnut, such as these, is made with sweetened dough that uses baking powder and/or baking soda as a leavening agent. A fried doughnut is usually a yeast doughnut that uses yeast as the leavening agent.

Is a cake doughnut healthy?

I don't think doughnuts can be considered healthy but cake doughnuts are lower in fat, calories and sugar than a fried one. And this one has all the benefits of bananas on its side. 

Nutrition

Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

This post has been updated with easier to follow instructions and photos. The original post was published on June 25, 2017.