Baked Banana Donuts

Soft, tender, warmly spiced, and rolled in the dreamiest cinnamon sugar, these Baked Banana Donuts are what happens when banana bread and an old-fashioned donut meet.

They come together in about 30 minutes from start to finish and make a full dozen donuts, which means you can have one warm from the oven and still have plenty to share. They’re baked instead of fried, so there’s no oil splatter or fuss. Just mash, mix, bake, and roll in spiced sugar. The result? A fluffy, moist donut packed with real banana flavor and cozy spice in every bite.

If you’ve got a few overripe bananas on the counter or in the freezer, you’re already halfway there.

These banana donuts are easy to make, baked in the oven, not fried, and are dusted with spiced sugar and served warm. This recipe has been a reader favorite on my website since 2015, when we finally used the donut pan that I bought the previous fall. Since then, I have made this recipe countless times, along with several others that have been added to my donut recipe collection.

Time To Make the Donuts

Are you old enough to remember that commercial? The one with the Dunkin’ Donuts guy?  “Time to make the donuts…” as he heads out the door to work, morning after morning.

That is a common statement around here. My hubby says that a lot of times when he heads to bed early, “I have to go to bed now, I have to get up and make the donuts.” It’s like that other statement, “Bring home the Bacon.” What’s with the breakfast foods? Am I right?

I texted my hubby a picture of my donuts and said, “Look! I made the donuts today, too!”  I am sure he rolled his eyes, then texted me back his usual “nice” response. He’s not much of a texter.  

There is a standing joke around here that when you text him, you will get one of two responses. “K” or “nice.” We like to add our own punctuation to the nice and see how it changes his reaction.

“NICE!” — “niiiiiiiice.” — “Nice?”

He says we are making fun of him… but we aren’t really. We are truly blessed to have him in our lives. He has always been an amazing Dad and husband. He works hard for our family and is a wonderful provider.

He didn’t get to enjoy one of these at 6 AM when he left, but I did have one ready for him, still warm, when he came home for lunch.  I knew he would love them, because he loves anything banana!

Ingredients In Bakd Banana Doughnuts

You will find the complete ingredients and instructions at the bottom of this post in the printable recipe card.

For the Donut Batter:

• All-purpose flour – Gives the donuts their structure and soft crumb. You can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed.
• Baking powder – Provides lift so the donuts bake up fluffy.
• Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the banana flavor.
• Baking soda – Works with the bananas to create a tender texture.
• Ground nutmeg – Adds that classic bakery-style donut flavor.
• Ground cinnamon – Brings warmth and pairs beautifully with banana.
• Ripe bananas (mashed) – The star of the show. The riper, the sweeter and more flavorful your donuts will be.
• Large eggs – Add structure and richness.
• Granulated sugar – Sweetens the batter and helps keep them moist.
• Vegetable oil – Keeps the donuts soft and tender. Melted butter can be substituted for a slightly richer flavor.
• Milk – Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter. Any milk, including dairy-free options, will work.
• Vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavors and enhances the sweetness.

To Make the Spiced Sugar:

• Granulated sugar – Creates that classic sweet coating.
• Cinnamon – Warm and cozy.
• Nutmeg – Deepens the spice flavor.
• Cloves – Adds a subtle hint of warmth that makes these taste extra special.

How to Make Baked Banana Donuts

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray two six-count nonstick donut pans.

In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, whisk the mashed bananas with the eggs, sugar, oil, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, which keeps the donuts tender.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pans, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

While the donuts bake, stir together the spiced sugar ingredients in a shallow bowl.

Let the donuts cool in the pan for about five minutes before removing them. While still slightly warm, generously coat both sides in the spiced sugar. The warmth helps the sugar stick beautifully.

Serve warm for the absolute best texture and flavor. They are also fantastic with some warm maple syrup!

Storage & Make Ahead

Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to five days.

To freeze, place cooled (uncoated) donuts in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw and warm slightly before rolling in fresh spiced sugar.

Love it? Pin it!

Ifyou can’t wait to make this baked banana donut recipe, keep the recipe handy! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

More Donut Recipes to Love

Ever since I bought my donut pan, I have been loving trying all sorts of donut recipes. I dressed up these Double Chocolate Donuts for Valentine’s Day, but these chocolate cake donuts, dipped in chocolate glaze, are perfect for any time! Pumpkin gets a bad rap. Why do people only feel like you can eat pumpkin in the fall? Well, I challenge you to think outside the box and bake up some of these Glazed Baked Pumpkin Donuts today!! 

These Baked Glazed Lemon Donuts are amazing, and if you love a Cherry Limeade in the summertime like me, you’ll love that I made these Cherry Limeade Baked Donuts to pay homage to my favorite Sonic drink.  

But it doesn’t stop there, Chocolate Covered Strawberry Donuts?  Yes, Please. Powdered Sugar donuts, Strawberry Lemonade donuts, Maple Bacon Donuts with Maple Glaze, and if you have never made Paczki, you simply must. I even make Biscuit Donuts and Donut Holes in my Air Fryer! You can see those pictured above.

Find all of my Donuts and Pastries Here, and while we are on the subject of Banana – don’t forget to save my Banana Bread recipe while you are here!

There’s something about the smell of bananas and warm spice baking in the oven that just feels like home. These baked banana donuts are simple enough for a weekday treat and special enough for a slow Saturday morning with coffee. Easy ingredients, no frying, and that perfectly spiced sugar coating, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to every time bananas start to spot.

This recipe was originally posted on June 17, 2015. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on March 2, 2026.