Air fryer banana donut holes are quickly becoming a favorite for anyone who loves a soft, fluffy, and guilt-free treat. Unlike traditional donuts, these donut holes are made without yeast and are air fried instead of deep-fried, making them a healthier and convenient option. With just a few simple ingredients, including ripe bananas, flour, sugar, and cinnamon, you can have a warm dessert or snack ready in under 15 minutes.
These eggless, no-yeast air fryer banana donut holes are perfect for busy mornings, an afternoon snack, or a quick dessert when cravings strike. Their natural sweetness comes from ripe bananas, and they are soft, moist, and incredibly flavorful.
Here’s what makes these air fryer donut holes so special:
- Vegan-friendly
- Eggless and yeast-free
- Quick and simple to prepare
- Ready in less than 15 minutes from start to finish
Ingredients You’ll Need
Bananas: Ripe bananas work best for this recipe. They naturally sweeten the donut holes and act as a perfect egg substitute.
Flour: All-purpose flour is ideal for a soft texture, but you can use self-raising flour for a lighter version. Whole wheat flour can be added, but using half all-purpose flour helps avoid dense donut holes.
Baking Powder: This is essential if you’re using plain flour. It helps the donut holes rise and stay fluffy. If you choose self-raising flour, you can skip the baking powder.
Sugar: Fine sugar, brown sugar, or caster sugar works well. Some sugar is mixed into the dough, and additional sugar is used to coat the donut holes after air frying for a touch of sweetness.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a warm aroma and flavor. You can also experiment with nutmeg, vanilla, or pumpkin spice for variations.
Fat (Oil or Butter): Brushing melted butter or oil over the donut holes gives them a golden brown finish. Butter adds extra richness, but oil works just as well.
Optional Variations
This recipe is versatile and easy to customize. You can enhance your donut holes with:
- Chocolate chips or cocoa powder
- Chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds
- Fresh berries or dried fruits
- Desiccated coconut or citrus zest
- Rainbow sprinkles for a fun twist
You can also serve them with melted chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, or a drizzle of icing glaze for a more indulgent treat. They pair beautifully with ice cream for a decadent dessert.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Bananas
Peel and mash the bananas with a fork or whisk until smooth. Measure about 1/3 cup of mashed banana (this usually equals 1 medium banana or 2 small ones). Set aside.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Sift the flour into the mashed bananas. Add a pinch of salt, baking powder (if using plain flour), 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons sugar. Mixing the dry ingredients directly into the bananas helps form a consistent dough.
Step 3: Form the Dough
Gently fold the ingredients with a spatula until you have a shaggy dough. It should be slightly sticky but manageable. If it’s too sticky to shape, add 1-2 teaspoons of flour gradually.
Step 4: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating
In a small bowl, mix sugar with cinnamon for rolling the donut holes later. Set aside.
Step 5: Shape the Donut Holes
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (360°F) for 3-4 minutes. Line the basket with parchment paper and lightly brush it with oil. Using your hands or a spoon, scoop dough and roll into small balls, roughly 1–1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on the parchment paper with space between each ball. Brush lightly with melted butter or oil.
Step 6: Air Fry the Donut Holes
Air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 6–7 minutes or until golden brown. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the donut holes. Pierce one with a skewer to check if it comes out clean, indicating they are cooked through.
Step 7: Coat and Serve
While still warm, brush donut holes with melted butter or oil, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Tips for Perfect Donut Holes
- Avoid overmixing the dough; this can make them dense.
- Adjust flour gradually if the dough is too sticky.
- Keep donut holes uniform in size for even cooking.
- Air fry in a single layer with space between each for optimal results.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and reheated in the air fryer or microwave.
Soft and Fluffy Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes
- Total Time: 17 min
Ingredients
Ripe Banana (mashed) – 1/3 cup (about 1 medium banana)
All-purpose Flour or Self-Raising Flour – 1/2 cup
Baking Powder – 1/2 tsp (*skip if using self-raising flour)
Cinnamon Powder – 1/2 tsp
Fine Sugar / Caster Sugar – 3 tbsp (2 tsp in dough, rest for coating)
Melted Butter or Oil – 2 tbsp (for brushing)
Salt – a pinch (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
Peel and mash the banana using a fork or whisk. Measure 1/3 cup of mashed banana and set aside. - Step 2:
Sift the flour into the banana. Add baking powder (if using), a pinch of salt, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 2 tsp sugar. Mix to form a shaggy dough. Add more flour if dough is too sticky. - Step 3:
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (360°F) for 3–4 minutes. Line the basket with parchment paper and brush lightly with oil. - Step 4:
Scoop dough and roll into small balls (1–1.5 inches). Place on parchment paper, leaving space between each. Brush lightly with melted butter or oil. - Step 5:
Air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 6–7 minutes until golden brown. Pierce one to check doneness. - Step 6:
While hot, brush with melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use self-raising flour and skip baking powder.
- Donut holes are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes or microwave for 20–30 seconds.
- Customize by adding chocolate chips, nuts, berries, or coconut to the dough.
- Keep donut holes evenly sized for consistent cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 7 min
