When you need a snack that hits the sweet spot between healthy fuel and absolute deliciousness, you need something lightning fast. Honestly, most mornings are a blur around here, especially when I’m juggling my camera gear and trying to get the light just right. That’s why these Banana Oat Donut Bites are my absolute standby. They were actually born out of necessity one frantic morning while testing recipes for a shoot; I had three sad, overripe bananas staring at me and a tray of mini donut molds begging to be filled. The scent instantly transported me back to the bustling, fresh kitchens in California where simplicity always ruled. Trust me, these easy recipes, blending oats and banana, are the ultimate solution for picky eaters and busy parents alike. If you love quick baked goods, you absolutely must also check out my recipe for easy banana chocolate chip muffins!
Why You Will Love These Easy Banana Oat Donut Bites
I seriously can’t stress enough how perfect these little bites are for nearly every situation. If you’re looking for ways to keep things fun in the kitchen without spending hours, these are your answer. They are genuinely magic for busy weekdays.
- They come together so fast—seriously, you can prep them before your coffee even finishes brewing!
- They are fantastic for lunchboxes; kids adore them, and I feel good about what they’re eating.
- Because they bake up so nicely, they are perfect for meal prepping ahead of time for the whole week.
- The natural sweetness from the bananas means you can keep the added sugar way down, which is a win-win.
For more fantastic morning ideas, take a peek at my full collection of breakfast recipes!
Gathering Ingredients for Your Banana Oat Donut Bites
You won’t believe how few things you need for these incredible treats. It’s all about keeping the pantry stocked with the basics, and leaning on those super ripe bananas for flavor. I always keep extra bananas around just for recipes like this, or sometimes I’ll whip up a loaf of cream cheese banana bread if things get desperate!
For the main batter, you’ll need:
- 1 cup of your favorite milk
- 1/2 cup of quick cook oats—let these soak a bit!
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour—no fancy stuff needed here.
- 1-1/2 cups of granulated sugar
- 3 teaspoons of baking powder for lift
- 3 very mushy, over ripe bananas, mashed well
- 1 cup of butter, melted down and cooled off entirely (that’s two full sticks, folks!)
- 2 eggs, whisked lightly
Then, for the simple finish, just grab your confectioners sugar for the glaze and an extra 1/4 cup of oats for sprinkling on top!
Essential Equipment for Perfect Banana Oat Donut Bites
You don’t need a professional kitchen setup for these, fortunately! Having the right tools just makes the process so much smoother, especially when you need things fast. You’ll want a couple of solid mixing bowls—one large one for the main batter magic, and a small one for soaking those oats.
Of course, a good whisk is essential to get that batter blended just right. And the star of the show? You absolutely need either a mini-donut pan or, even better, a mini-donut maker if you have one. Having those ready means you’re only minutes away from snacking. If you’re looking for other quick handheld treats, check out my ideas for mini pancake recipes!
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Banana Oat Donut Bites
Okay, this is where the fun really starts! Getting the timing right makes all the difference, especially when you’re using a mini-donut maker – those things cook FAST. Remember that the oats need a little soak time, so get that going first while you pull out your mixing bowls. If you’re looking for a fun variation afterwards, definitely check out my recipe for chocolate glazed donut recipe, but for now, let’s focus on this banana goodness!
Preparing the Wet and Dry Components of the Banana Oat Donut Bites Batter
First things first: the oats need a bath! Pour your milk over the quick oats and just let that sit for about 10 minutes while you move on. In a big bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, and baking powder until they look perfectly uniform. Remember to make a little dip, or a well, right in the center of those dry ingredients. Trust me, this is important for keeping things non-gloppy later!
Now, into that well go the mashed bananas, the eggs, and finally, that cooled, melted butter. Give that a good whisking action before you fold in your now-soaked oats and milk mixture. Just mix until it’s smooth!
Baking Your Banana Oat Donut Bites
Whether you’re using an oven or a maker, make sure it’s preheated to 350°F first. Line those pans really well with cooking spray—don’t be shy here! Fill your donut wells only about three-quarters full. If you’re using the oven for full-size donuts, they need 8 to 10 minutes. If you’ve got that mini-maker going, it’s closer to 6 or 7 minutes.
Once they pop out looking golden, get those Banana Oat Donut Bites onto a wire rack to cool completely. Then, just repeat the process until you’ve used up every last bit of that amazing batter!
Glazing and Finishing the Banana Oat Donut Bites
You absolutely have to wait until these are cool before you try to glaze them, or you’ll just get banana-oat soup! For the simplest glaze, just whisk your confectioners sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk until it’s smooth and drizzle-able. Drizzle that right over the top.
The final touch that makes these Banana Oat Donut Bites look professional? Take that last little splash of oats you set aside and sprinkle them right over the drying glaze. Perfect little texture contrast!
Tips for Success with Your Banana Oat Donut Bites
Listen, even the simplest recipes can go sideways if you skip a tiny step. For these Banana Oat Donut Bites to turn out perfectly—moist but not gummy—you have to embrace the bananas! I’m talking black-spotted, practically weeping bananas. They bring all the sweetness you need so you don’t have to rely on extra sugar. That’s my biggest secret!
Another thing: don’t overmix the batter once you add the oats and milk. You want it smooth, yes, but stop stirring the second you don’t see streaks of flour. Overmixing makes them tough, and we want fluffy, not tire marks! If sticking is your nemesis, make sure you spray those donut wells generously before pouring anything in. If bananas are a no-go for someone, you can try swapping them for about 1 cup of applesauce, though you might want to adjust the baking powder next time. For more banana thoughts, you should check out my banana bread recipe with two bananas!
Storage and Make-Ahead Options for Banana Oat Donut Bites
One of the best things about these Banana Oat Donut Bites is that they are fantastic for future you! I always make a double batch because they are perfect for grab-and-go when I’m packing my camera bag for a location shoot. You definitely want to store them in an airtight container, which keeps them just right.
Now, here’s my little tip: if you plan on glazing them, it’s better to wait! The glaze can get a little sticky or even weep if stored for too long, especially if you have humidity where you live. Store the plain bites, and then mix up that simple glaze fresh the day you want to eat them.
They last great at room temperature for up to three days. If you want them to last longer, pop them in the freezer! For a quick breakfast later, just pop a couple out in the morning, and they thaw beautifully by snack time. If you need them ready fast, you can microwave them for about 10 seconds. They go perfectly with my recipe for apple cinnamon overnight oats!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Banana Oat Donut Bites
I know sometimes we all have to work with what we have on hand, right? That’s why I want you to feel totally confident making these Banana Oat Donut Bites even if you’re missing one tiny thing. First off, don’t even think about using unripe bananas; we need that deep sweetness, so let them get mushy and spotty!
If you need a milk substitute? Any plant-based milk works beautifully here—almond, soy, oat—it doesn’t matter much since the oats are soaking it up anyway. If you’re out of butter, melted coconut oil is a fantastic swap, though your final texture might be slightly less soft—it’s still delicious, though!
For the flour, if someone needs gluten-free, you can absolutely use a 1-to-1 GF blend, but you might need a tiny splash more liquid because GF flour can drink up the moisture fast. Feel free to try my recipe for blueberry banana overnight oats if you’re looking for other ways to use up ripe fruit!
Frequently Asked Questions about Banana Oat Donut Bites
I always get so many sweet messages after people make these! It’s exciting to see how many families adopt these as their go-to quick, kid-friendly snacks. Here are a few things I always get asked about when making these Banana Oat Donut Bites.
Q: What if I don’t have a donut pan or mini-donut maker?
That’s okay! I know not everyone has specialized pans lying around. You can absolutely turn this batter into a simple quick bread or muffins. Just pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake it for about 35 to 45 minutes at 350°F. They won’t look like donuts, but they’ll still be super moist and delicious!
Q: How much yield should I expect from this recipe?
This is the trickiest part because it depends entirely on your equipment! If you are using those popular mini-donut pans, you will get quite a few bites—sometimes 40 or more! If you are using a standard full-size donut pan, you’ll get closer to 18 to 20. It’s one of those easy recipes where you just use up all the batter!
Q: How can I make this recipe even healthier for my picky eaters?
To boost the nutrition for those little guys, you can substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Also, make sure those bananas are truly super ripe—that’s where most of your natural sweetness comes from! You can also skip the glaze entirely and just dust them with cinnamon sugar for a less sweet option.
For more healthy snack inspiration, check out my collection of healthy breakfast ideas!
Estimated Nutritional Snapshot
Okay, so these Banana Oat Donut Bites are wonderful because they feel like a treat, but honestly, they pack a pretty balanced punch for a baked good! Keep in mind these numbers are just an estimate, since my way of melting butter might be slightly different than yours, you know?
Per bite, you are looking at roughly 200 calories. We’ve got about 15g of sugar coming mostly from those fantastic ripe bananas and the glaze, 10g of fat, and 3g of protein. They are a great, simple snack option. If you’re tracking closely, you can find more ideas for lighter recipes in my collection of low-calorie foods and weight loss recipes!
Print
Banana Oat Donut Bites
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: Varies based on pan size
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Discover quick, kid-friendly baked donut bites made with oats and banana. These easy recipes are perfect for after-school snacks or simple kitchen activities.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup quick cook oats
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1–1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 3 over ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup butter, melted and cooled to room temperature (2 sticks)
- 2 eggs
- Glaze: 1 cup confectioners sugar
- Glaze: 2 tbsp milk
- Topping: 1/4 cup oats
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F or set your mini-donut maker to ready.
- Pour milk and oats into a small bowl. Allow the oats to soak up the milk for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
- In a larger bowl, add flour, sugar, and baking powder. Whisk these dry ingredients to combine. Make a well in the center.
- Whisk in the mashed bananas, eggs, then the cooled butter into the well.
- Add in your soaked oats and milk mixture. Whisk until you have a smooth batter with all ingredients combined.
- Spray donut pans with cooking spray or spray your donut wells in your maker.
- Fill the pans or maker wells 3/4 full with batter.
- Bake full size donuts for 8 to 10 minutes, or cook mini donuts in your maker for 6 to 7 minutes.
- Remove the donut bites and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
- Repeat the baking process until you use all the batter.
Notes
- For the glaze, whisk the confectioners sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk together until smooth. Drizzle over cooled donut bites and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of oats.
- These bites are great for meal prep; store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Banana Oat Donut Bites, quick snack, kid-friendly, baked donuts, easy recipe, banana oat recipe, mini donuts