Oh, I absolutely live for those moments in the kitchen where chaos turns into something beautiful and delicious using next to nothing! If you’re looking for a treat that feels like a warm hug but takes about fifteen minutes start to finish, you’ve found your winner. I’m talking about my ridiculously simple, naturally sweet **2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes**. Honestly, these are pure magic. They bring me right back to my childhood, when my mom and I would mash whatever fruit was ripe and bake little surprises together—no complicated steps, just smiles.
These little bites capture everything I want Sena Recipes to be: warm, easy, and totally reliable. When you only need two things for the base, you can cook without stress! Trust me, even if you’ve never touched a rolling pin, you can nail these little wonders, and they are perfect for those quick, kid-friendly snacks we all need.
Why You Will Love These 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
I know you’re busy, so let me just tell you why these little guys are my go-to when I need a fast dessert. They really check every box for simple, stress-free baking.
- They are genuinely fast! From mashing to cinnamon sugar coating (including that quick air fry time), we are done in under 20 minutes total.
- Minimal cleanup is a massive win. Mostly, you’re just using one bowl for the dough, which is heavenly after a long day.
- The sweetness comes straight from the banana, meaning we skip loads of refined sugar—perfect for a healthy dessert idea.
- They are utterly foolproof for baking with little ones! Get them mashing and rolling; they feel like they made a whole bakery item themselves.
If you need more inspiration for quick family treats after those big dinners, you can check out some easy family dinner recipes, but trust me, these donut holes are unmatched for speed!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
Can you believe the main event here is just two things? Banana and flour! That’s the beauty of simple baking, right? It forces you to rely on real flavor. My biggest prerequisite, and please listen closely here, is that your banana needs to be seriously ripe. I mean, the skin should almost be black in patches. That’s where all the sweetness we need comes from, cutting down on anything else required.
We do add a couple of little extras for texture and that classic donut finish, but don’t let that scare you off the two-ingredient core of this snack. It’s such a relaxed recipe; you probably have everything in your pantry already!
For the Base 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
- 1 extremely ripe banana (if it’s still yellow, it won’t be sweet enough, trust me!)
- 3/4 cup self-rising flour (that’s about 95 grams if you’re being precise, but cup measurements work just fine).
Optional Coating for the 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
These add the necessary texture and that lovely cinnamon scent that makes them taste like real donuts! The light oil coating helps the sugar stick perfectly to that warm, newly cooked surface.
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or coconut oil (for brushing after cooking).
- Cinnamon sugar (just granulated sugar mixed with cinnamon to your favorite taste).
- A little bit of non-stick spray (like avocado oil spray) for the air fryer basket.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
Alright, let’s get these little guys into shape! It moves so fast, you’ll want to have your air fryer basket ready to go before you even start mixing. This is where your dough consistency really matters, so hang with me through the first couple of steps, okay?
Preparing the Dough for Your 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
First, that banana needs to be completely pulverized. Get a bowl and mash it until it’s practically liquid—no big chunks allowed! Then, toss in your self-rising flour. I like to start with a spatula or a sturdy fork to combine it gently, just until it starts looking shaggy and crumbly. Now, this is key: push the crumbs together with your hands until you form one smooth ball of dough. You are mixing *only* until the ball comes together. If you mix too much at this stage, you’ll wake up the gluten, and these will turn out tough instead of light!
Shaping and Air Frying the 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
Once you have that cohesive ball, divide it cleanly into seven equal pieces. Lightly oil your hands—just a drop or two of oil—makes rolling them into neat little balls so much easier (remember, the dough is sticky!). Now, spray the basket of your air fryer really well with non-stick spray. Place the donut holes inside, making sure they don’t touch each other; they need their space to puff up nicely. Pop them into the air fryer set to 350°F (177°C) and let them cook for exactly 6 minutes. That’s it for the baking part!
Coating and Serving Your Warm 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
The transformation happens right now! As soon as those 6 minutes are up, carefully pull out the basket. While they are piping hot, you’ll take that small amount of leftover oil you reserved and lightly brush it over the tops of the warm donut holes. This gives us the perfect sticky surface. Immediately roll them through your cinnamon sugar mix until they are fully coated. I can’t stress this enough: these are 100% better when eaten warm, straight out of the air fryer. Go grab one right now!
If you’re looking for more appliance-friendly recipes, I have some great suggestions for air fryer chicken when you’re somehow tired of donuts, but I doubt that’ll happen!
Tips for Success When Making 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
You know, recipes this simple only work if you pay attention to the details, even if we aren’t measuring seven different spices! My biggest tip, hands down, remains the banana ripeness. If it’s not mushy and dark, you’ll end up fighting a dough that’s too dry or just not sweet enough. We are relying on that fruit sugar!
When I first tested this, I used a slightly under-ripe banana and the dough was SO sticky it was clinging to my fingers like glue. If that happens to you, don’t panic and don’t reach for a ton of extra flour! Just lightly dust your hands with a tiny bit of flour—seriously, use less than you think you need—and gently knead it for just 30 seconds until you can roll a ball. A little stickiness is good because it means moisture, but unmanageable stickiness means a quick flour massage.
Also, remember that you are air frying, not deep-frying. They cook very quickly, so don’t walk away for that 6 minutes! You want them golden, not burnt. For fans of my classic banana bread, these share that same need for overripe fruit; you can check out my notes on that banana bread recipe with two bananas if you want more background on selecting the perfect fruit!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
Let’s talk specifics about the ingredients, even though there are only two! The most common question I get is about the flour, and you absolutely need self-rising flour here. That flour already has salt and leavening agents mixed in, which is crucial because we aren’t adding any baking powder separately. If you’re staring at your shelf and only have plain all-purpose flour, don’t fret! You can make a fast switch.
For a quick measure, for every cup of AP flour, just mix in 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and about ¼ teaspoon of salt. That will give you what the recipe needs here to puff up just right in the air fryer. And just like I mentioned before, that banana has to be brown and spotty—it’s the engine driving the flavor and moisture in this simple snack. If you love creamy banana flavors but want a tiny bit more structure, my cream cheese banana bread has a bit more substance!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
Because these are made with just banana and flour, they are absolutely best enjoyed the day you make them—that’s when they are at their softest and fluffiest. If you end up with a couple left over, don’t just toss them! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Don’t refrigerate them; that makes a moist cake turn hard!
To bring back that lovely warm texture, just toss them back into the air fryer for 2 minutes at 300°F, or give them 10 seconds in the microwave. That little bit of heat melts the interior just enough to bring them back to life. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions About 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
I know we covered a lot of ground for such a simple recipe, but I always get a few questions when I post these—especially since they move so fast! Here are the things folks ask most often about whipping up these quick snack preparations.
Can I make these 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes in the oven instead of the air fryer?
Yes, absolutely! While I adore the speed of the air fryer for these little guys, the oven works just fine if that’s what you have. You’ll preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C), just like the air fryer temperature. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the dough balls on it, leaving space between them. They will take a little longer—try checking them around 10 to 12 minutes. They’ll be slightly less perfectly round, but just as delicious!
What happens if my dough is really sticky—is it ruined?
Oh, that sweet banana stickiness! No, sweetie, it’s not ruined at all, it just means those bananas were perfectly ripe, which is a good thing! If you find the dough utterly impossible to roll, dust your hands *very* lightly with a little plain flour or even cornstarch. Work quickly and use minimal flour so you don’t end up adding a fourth ingredient! This is a sign they will be incredibly moist, a perfect healthy dessert idea.
Can I make these 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes gluten-free?
This is a tricky one because the recipe relies heavily on the structure provided by self-rising flour. To keep them truly to the spirit of a quick, easy recipe, you generally need that flour base. While you can try swapping in a good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, you will likely need to add a little extra liquid (maybe a teaspoon of water or milk) as GF blends absorb moisture differently. You might also need to adjust the air fryer time slightly. If you’re looking for more reliable gluten-free baking, you might check out some of my easy healthy chicken dinners while you’re here, as GF baking needs more careful attention!
Do these taste like bananas, or do the spices completely take over?
They definitely taste like banana, but in the best way! The flavor of the banana mellows out beautifully during the cooking process. Once you roll them in the cinnamon sugar, you get that perfect warm spice note that makes it feel like a proper treat, not just fruit. They are fantastic for after-school snacks, offering natural sweetness without feeling heavy. If you enjoy simple comfort food, you might also appreciate my quick budget-friendly dinners!
Estimated Nutritional Data for 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
Now, since we are relying on fruit for sweetness and keeping things super lean, these are a lovely option when you are looking for healthy dessert ideas! Please remember that this is just an estimate, since the size of your banana can change things in a two-ingredient recipe, but it gives you a good idea of a light treat.
Based on 7 servings, here are the averages per donut hole:
- Calories: About 100
- Total Fat: 2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 18 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
- Sugar: 5 grams
It’s a guilt-free little nibble! If you want more ideas for snacks that fit into a lighter lifestyle, take a look at my favorite healthy recipes for weight loss.
Share Your Easy 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes Experience
Well, that’s it! You’ve whipped up the easiest, coziest little treats imaginable. Now that you’ve made your batch of 2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes, I would absolutely love to hear how they turned out for you.
If you loved them as much as my family does, please take a moment to hop back up to the top of the post and leave a star rating. Ratings really help other folks who are searching for quick snack preparation ideas see just how reliable this simple recipe is!
And please, if you tried this recipe out with your own little helpers, tell me about it in the comments below! I always enjoy reading your stories about kitchen chaos turning into comfort food success. Did your kids love rolling the dough? Did you dust them more heavily with cinnamon sugar?
If you snap a picture of your beautiful golden donut holes, I would be thrilled if you shared it on social media and tagged me—you can find me over at Sena Recipes, I’m always hanging out where the good smells are! Happy baking, my friend, and thank you for letting my family’s simple recipe come to your kitchen!
Print
2-Ingredient Baked Banana Donut Holes
- Total Time: 16 min
- Yield: 7 donut holes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make these simple, naturally sweet banana donut holes using only two main ingredients. They are quick to prepare and perfect for a light snack or dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana
- 3/4 cup self rising flour (95 grams)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or coconut oil
- Cinnamon sugar (granulated sugar + cinnamon to taste)
- Non-stick cooking spray (such as avocado oil)
Instructions
- Mash the ripe banana in a bowl.
- Add the flour and mix with a spatula or fork until the dough becomes crumbly.
- Use your hands to form a smooth dough ball; mix only until the ball forms and avoid overmixing.
- Divide the dough into 7 equal pieces. Lightly oil your hands and roll each piece into a ball.
- Spray the basket of an air fryer with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the donut holes in the basket without touching.
- Cook in a 350F (177C) air fryer for 6 minutes.
- Carefully remove the donuts from the air fryer. Lightly brush with the remaining oil and roll in cinnamon sugar.
- Enjoy warm.
Notes
- This recipe is based on two main ingredients: banana and flour.
- The dough will be sticky inside but should form a cohesive ball.
- These donut holes are best eaten warm shortly after making them.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 6 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut hole
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: banana donut holes, 2 ingredient recipe, easy baking, quick snack, kid friendly, healthy dessert, air fryer donuts