Healthier Banana Doughnuts – Baked not Fried

Love doughnuts? Love bananas? Well then, these healthier banana doughnuts 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 & 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 Banana Pancakes for some healthier breakfast options.

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

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. 

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 Doughnuts are your thing, check these out!

Baked Lemon Blueberry Doughnuts

Healthy Baked Chocolate Mint Doughnuts

Vanilla Doughnuts with Chocolate Glaze (Gluten-free & standard)

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HEALTHY BAKED BANANA DOUGHNUTS

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

12 mins

Total Time

22 mins

 

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.

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keywords: baked doughnuts, banana donuts, banana doughnuts

Servings: 12 doughnuts

Calories: 219 kcal

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

Directions

1. 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.
2. In a large bowl, combine first 5 ingredients.
3. In a medium bowl, mash bananas then stir in vanilla, eggs, vegetable oil and half and half.
4. Pour in the banana mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
5. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan(s).
6. Bake for 12 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Cool for 3 minutes in pan then invert onto wire rack.
8. Immediately dip into cinnamon sugar to coat then allow to cool the remainder of the way.
9. 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.
10. Let doughnuts cool slightly then dip tops into chocolate glaze. Allow chocolate to harden then store in airtight container.

Recipe 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 Facts

HEALTHY BAKED BANANA DOUGHNUTS

Amount Per Serving

Calories 219 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Cholesterol 31mg10%

Sodium 96mg4%

Potassium 118mg3%

Carbohydrates 36g12%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 20g22%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 85IU2%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 33mg3%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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