Air Fryer 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes {Sweet & Soft}
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These easy 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes are the perfect air fryer treat when you are craving something warm, sweet, and delicious! Made with ripe banana and self-rising flour, these soft little banana bites cook in minutes, then get covered in a yummy cinnamon sugar coating. They are a simple vegan dessert or snack that is perfect for using up one ripe banana and satisfying your donut craving fast!
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Why You’ll Love 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
- They are amazingly easy to make – These banana donut holes use just two main ingredients for the dough: mashed banana and self-rising flour. The sticky dough is shaped into little balls and cooked right in the air fryer. It is a simple recipe for making a sweet treat without a complicated process.
- They are ready fast – These donut holes cook in just 6 to 7 minutes in the air fryer. That means you can enjoy a warm banana treat without waiting for a loaf of banana bread to bake. They are perfect for quickly satisfying a sweet craving. Serve them warm for the best texture and flavor.
- They have delicious banana bread flavor – Ripe mashed banana gives the donut holes natural sweetness and a tasty banana flavor. Once cooked, they are soft and puffy with a slightly golden outside. The cinnamon sugar coating makes them taste even more like donuts. Every bite is warm, cozy, and delicious.
- They are made without eggs or dairy – These banana donut holes are a great vegan dessert or snack. Melted coconut oil or vegan butter can be used for the sweet cinnamon sugar coating. They are also a wonderful way to use up one ripe banana. You can make a batch whenever you want a simple plant-based treat.
- The air fryer makes them so convenient – There is no need to fry these donut holes in a pot of oil. The air fryer gives them a puffed, golden exterior in just minutes. You do not even need to preheat the air fryer before cooking them. This makes the recipe quick, easy, and perfect for a small batch dessert.
- The cinnamon sugar coating makes them extra special – Warm banana donut holes are brushed with melted coconut oil or vegan butter after air frying. Then they are rolled in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. This adds sweetness and warm cinnamon flavor to every bite. It turns the simple banana dough into an irresistible donut-style treat.
Ingredients For 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
- Ripe banana – Use a very ripe banana for soft texture and naturally sweet banana flavor. Mash it until smooth before measuring it for the dough.
- Self-rising flour – This mixes with the mashed banana to form the easy donut hole dough. It helps the banana donut holes puff up as they cook in the air fryer.
- Melted coconut oil – A small amount keeps the sticky dough from clinging to your hands while you shape the donut holes. It is also used to lightly grease the air fryer basket.
- Unrefined cane sugar – This gives the warm donut holes their sweet donut-style coating after cooking.
- Cinnamon – Cinnamon adds warm, cozy flavor to the sugar coating and pairs perfectly with banana.
- Melted coconut oil or melted vegan butter – Brush this over the warm donut holes so the cinnamon sugar coating sticks to every bite.
For a printable card of the ingredients, check out the recipe card at the end of this article.
How To Make 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
- Add the ripe banana to a bowl and mash it thoroughly with a fork. Measure 1/2 cup of the mashed banana so the dough has the right consistency.
- Stir in the self-rising flour with a rubber spatula. The mixture will become a soft, moist dough that may feel slightly sticky.
- Rub a little melted coconut oil on your hands. Gently work the dough together, then divide it into 8 pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
- Lightly coat the air fryer basket with melted coconut oil using a pastry brush. Place the banana donut holes in the basket in one layer, leaving room between them to puff up.
- Cook the donut holes in the air fryer at 350°F for 6 to 7 minutes. There is no need to preheat the air fryer. They are ready when they look puffed and golden on the outside.
- While the donut holes cook, combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Melt the coconut oil or vegan butter for coating.
- Brush the warm banana donut holes with the melted coconut oil or vegan butter as soon as they come out of the air fryer.
- Roll each warm donut hole in the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated. Serve immediately while warm and delicious.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these banana donut holes warm, right after rolling them in the cinnamon sugar coating. They are soft, sweet, and especially delicious fresh from the air fryer.
- Dip them in melted chocolate sauce for an extra-rich dessert. The chocolate pairs wonderfully with the sweet banana and cinnamon flavors.
- Serve with date caramel for a naturally sweet dipping sauce. This is a tasty option for making the donut holes feel even more special.
- Pair them with homemade watermelon jam for a fruity contrast to the warm banana flavor. This makes a fun snack or simple dessert.
- Dip the donut holes in chocolate frosting for a decadent treat. This is a great idea when serving them for dessert.
- Enjoy them with blueberry syrup for a sweet and tangy flavor combination. The bright flavor is delicious with the banana donut holes.
- Instead of cinnamon sugar, finish the banana donut holes with a vanilla buttercream frosting for a bakery-style treat.
Tips For Success
- Start with a ripe banana. A soft, ripe banana is easy to mash and gives the donut holes their sweet banana flavor. Mash it very well with a fork until it becomes smooth. Be sure to measure exactly 1/2 cup of mashed banana after mashing. Using too much or too little banana can change the texture of the dough.
- The dough will be soft, moist, and slightly sticky. This is normal. Do not keep adding flour just because the dough sticks a little to your fingers. Too much flour can make the donut holes dry and bread-like instead of soft and tender. The easiest way to work with the dough is to lightly grease your hands with melted coconut oil before kneading and shaping it.
- When shaping the donut holes, try to make 8 balls that are close to the same size. This helps them cook evenly in the air fryer. They do not need to look perfectly round. After air frying, the outside may look slightly uneven or rustic, and that is completely fine.
- Lightly brush the air fryer basket with melted coconut oil before adding the dough balls. Arrange the banana donut holes in a single layer and leave some space between each one. They will puff up while cooking, so the extra space helps the hot air circulate around them.
- Cook the donut holes at 350°F for 6 to 7 minutes. There is no need to preheat the air fryer. Watch for them to become puffed and lightly golden on the outside.
- For the best cinnamon sugar coating, coat the donut holes while they are still warm. Brush each one with melted coconut oil or melted vegan butter, then immediately roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture. The warm coating helps the sugar stick evenly and gives each bite a delicious donut-style finish.
- These banana donut holes taste best served warm, soon after cooking. The outside will be freshly coated with cinnamon sugar, while the inside stays soft and full of banana flavor.
Variations And Substitutions
- Use all-purpose flour instead of self-rising flour – No self-rising flour in your pantry? Use all-purpose flour mixed with baking powder instead. This gives the dough the lift it needs as the donut holes cook in the air fryer.
- Make them gluten-free – A gluten-free flour option can be used instead of regular flour. Be sure to include baking powder if your gluten-free flour does not already contain a leavening ingredient. This helps the donut holes become puffy as they cook.
- Try a different sugar for coating – Unrefined cane sugar makes a delicious cinnamon sugar topping. Coconut sugar can also be used for a slightly different sweetness. For a sugar-free option, coat the donut holes with a monk fruit blend mixed with cinnamon.
- Use vegan butter for coating – Melted coconut oil works well for brushing the warm donut holes before rolling them in cinnamon sugar. Melted vegan butter can be used instead. It gives the coating a buttery flavor while keeping the recipe dairy-free and vegan.
- Add extra flavor to the dough – For more flavor, stir vanilla extract, cinnamon, or a small amount of salt into the banana dough. You can also add brown sugar or coconut sugar if you want the donut holes to taste sweeter before they are coated.
- Finish them with a glaze – Instead of rolling the warm donut holes in cinnamon sugar, cover them with vegan icing for a sweet glazed donut variation. This is a fun way to change the presentation and flavor.
- Serve them with dipping sauces – These banana donut holes can be paired with melted dark chocolate, date caramel, chia seed jam, vegan ganache, or vegan lemon curd. Each dipping sauce turns this quick air fryer snack into a slightly different dessert.
- Bake them instead of air frying – The dough balls can also be baked in a greased mini muffin pan at 350°F until golden brown and cooked through. This is a helpful alternative when you prefer to use the oven.
Storage And Reheating
- Room Temperature Storage – Store leftover 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Make sure they have cooled completely before placing them in the container.
- Best Texture – These banana donut holes are best served warm right after air frying and coating in cinnamon sugar. The coating and texture are freshest on the day they are made.
- Reheating In The Air Fryer – Place the donut holes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Warm them at 350°F just until heated through. No preheating is needed.
- After Reheating – The cinnamon sugar coating may soften during storage. After warming, you can lightly brush the donut holes with melted coconut oil or melted vegan butter and roll them in a little fresh cinnamon sugar before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes?
These 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes are quick little air fryer treats made with mashed ripe banana and self-rising flour. Once cooked, they are brushed with melted coconut oil or melted vegan butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. The result is a warm, sweet bite with banana bread flavor and a delicious donut-style coating. They are perfect when you want a small batch dessert without making a full loaf of banana bread.
Do I Need To Preheat The Air Fryer?
No, you do not need to preheat the air fryer for this recipe. Simply shape the banana dough into 8 small balls, brush the air fryer basket with melted coconut oil, and place the donut holes inside. Cook them at 350°F for 6 to 7 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden brown. This makes the recipe especially quick and easy.
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Why Is My Banana Donut Hole Dough Sticky?
The dough for these banana donut holes is supposed to be moist and slightly sticky. The banana adds moisture, which helps keep the finished donut holes soft. Instead of adding lots of extra flour, lightly grease your hands with melted coconut oil before kneading and shaping the dough. Adding too much flour can make the donut holes more dry and bread-like instead of soft and tender.
How Much Banana Do I Need For This Recipe?
You need exactly 1/2 cup of mashed ripe banana, which is about 1 large banana. It is important to mash the banana first and then measure it. Since bananas can vary in size, measuring the mashed banana helps keep the flour-to-banana ratio correct. This makes it easier for the dough to come together properly.
Can I Use All-Purpose Flour Instead Of Self-Rising Flour?
Yes, you can replace the self-rising flour with all-purpose flour combined with baking powder. Self-rising flour already includes the leavening needed to help the donut holes puff as they cook. When using all-purpose flour, the baking powder is important for achieving a similar result. Mix the flour and baking powder together before adding them to the mashed banana.
Can I Make These Banana Donut Holes Gluten-Free?
The source recipe notes that a gluten-free flour option can be used. When making this swap, be sure the flour mixture also includes the needed baking powder if it does not already contain it. The baking powder helps the little dough balls puff while cooking. Keep in mind that the texture may vary depending on the gluten-free flour mixture used.
Why Don’t My Donut Holes Look Perfectly Round?
It is normal for these banana donut holes to look a little rustic after air frying. The dough is soft and moist, so the finished donut holes may have slightly uneven edges or a rocky shape. They should still puff up and become golden on the outside. Once they are coated in cinnamon sugar, they look delicious and are ready to serve.
Can I Make These Banana Donut Holes Sweeter?
Yes, there are a few easy ways to add more sweetness. You can stir brown sugar or coconut sugar into the dough before shaping the donut holes. You can also make sure each warm donut hole gets a generous cinnamon sugar coating after cooking. Another delicious option is to serve them with melted dark chocolate, date caramel, vegan ganache, chia seed jam, or vegan lemon curd.
Can I Use Something Other Than Coconut Oil?
Yes, melted vegan butter can be used for brushing the warm donut holes before rolling them in cinnamon sugar. This keeps the recipe dairy-free and vegan while adding a buttery flavor to the coating. Melted coconut oil is also helpful for lightly greasing your hands when handling the sticky dough and for greasing the air fryer basket.
Can I Bake These Banana Donut Holes Instead Of Air Frying Them?
Yes, these banana donut holes can also be made in the oven. Place the dough balls in a greased mini muffin pan, then bake them at 350°F until they are golden brown and cooked through. The oven method is a useful alternative when you do not want to use an air fryer. After baking, brush the warm donut holes with melted coconut oil or vegan butter and coat them in cinnamon sugar.
How Should I Serve Banana Donut Holes?
These banana donut holes are best served warm, soon after they come out of the air fryer. The soft banana center and sweet cinnamon sugar coating make them delicious on their own. For an extra special dessert, serve them with melted dark chocolate, date caramel, chia seed jam, vegan ganache, or vegan lemon curd for dipping. You can also finish them with a sweet vegan icing glaze instead of cinnamon sugar.
How Do I Store Leftover Banana Donut Holes?
Store leftover banana donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Let them cool before placing them in the container. They taste best warm and freshly coated, so enjoying them soon after cooking gives you the best texture and flavor. These small-batch donut holes are easy to make when you want a fresh banana treat in minutes.
Other Easy Banana Recipes
- Banana Crumb Muffins
- Peanut Butter Banana Rice Cakes
- Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Chocolate Banana Nice Cream
- Double Chocolate Banana Bread
- 3-Ingredient Banana Pancakes
2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ripe banana mashed, from about 1 large banana
- 3/4 cup self-rising flour
- 2 tsp melted coconut oil for handling the dough
- 1 tsp melted coconut oil for greasing the air fryer basket
- 1/4 cup unrefined cane sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil or melted vegan butter, for coating
Instructions
- Mash the banana in a mixing bowl until smooth, then measure out 1/2 cup of mashed banana.
- Add the self-rising flour to the banana and mix with a rubber spatula until a sticky dough forms.
- Lightly grease your hands with melted coconut oil, then gently knead the dough until it comes together. It should be moist and slightly sticky.
- With oiled hands, shape the dough into 8 small balls and place them on a parchment-lined plate.
- Brush the air fryer basket with 1 teaspoon melted coconut oil. Arrange the donut holes in a single layer with space between them.
- Air fry at 350°F for 6 to 7 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. No preheating is needed.
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. While the donut holes are warm, brush them with melted coconut oil or vegan butter.
- Roll each donut hole in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated, then serve warm.
Notes
- The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. Grease your hands with melted coconut oil to make shaping easier without adding extra flour.
- No self-rising flour? Replace it with all-purpose flour mixed with baking powder, as noted in the source recipe.
