Ever find yourself with, like, two sad bananas on the counter and not much else in the pantry? Yeah, me too. These 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes are what I make when I need something sweet in ten minutes flat—no mixers, no weird stuff. Honestly, this recipe is so simple, it barely feels like cooking.
Oh, and for all you folks on that banana kick, check out this homemade banana pudding for another super easy treat. If you want quick, cozy, and a little nostalgic, you’re in exactly the right spot.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Let’s not make life harder than it already is. That’s why I’m so obsessed with these donut holes. First, only two ingredients. Zero confusing steps. You don’t need to be a pro in the kitchen—heck, my little cousin made these with just a fork and a bowl. The flavor? All banana, warm and naturally sweet (seriously, you don’t even need to add sugar, unless you just gotta).
They cook up golden on the outside and kind of fluffy inside—sort of like fried banana bread meets mini donuts. Plus, you can dress them up or just eat ’em plain. Do yourself a favor and try these when you’re feeling snacky and want something with zero fuss.
“I literally made these banana donut holes while waiting for my laundry to finish. My entire apartment smelled like a five-star bakery and my roommate ate the whole plate when she got home.” — Jess, actual human (and now, a believer)
2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
Key Ingredients
Okay, brace yourself. You will need just this:
Ripe bananas – The squishier, the better. Give those spotting bananas a new life.
Self-rising flour – This is what gives the dough some puff. If you only have all-purpose, just add a pinch of baking powder and salt. Told you it was easy.
That’s it! Genuinely, that’s all you need for the main recipe. Nothing wild, and probably stuff you already have if you bake at all. The best part? No eggs. No dairy. Obviously, if you want to go wild and add cinnamon or a drop of vanilla, I won’t stop you. (But these are kinda perfect as they are.)
2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
How to Prepare
Mash your bananas in a bowl until sort of lumpy but mostly smooth (a few chunks is nice—it’s not science). Dump in the self-rising flour. Mix until it just comes together into a thick, sticky dough. Seriously, don’t overthink it. It’ll look a little shaggy.
Heat oil in a small pan, enough for the donut holes to float. Scoop the dough into little balls—use a couple spoons or your hands and drop them (carefully) into the hot oil. Flip once they’re golden on one side. They cook fast, so keep an eye out (they’ll go from perfect to, um, not-so-perfect pretty quick).
Drain on a kitchen towel. If you want, toss the donut holes in cinnamon sugar while still warm so it sticks, but again, not required. Snag one right away, but don’t burn yourself. Now, try and stop eating them. Bet you can’t.
2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
Variations and Substitutions
Don’t have self-rising flour? Use all-purpose and add about 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder plus a pinch of salt for each cup. Gluten free flour mixes can work, just make sure there’s some leavening in there.
Wanna switch things up? Drop a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon in the dough. If you’re feeling a little wild, chunk in some chopped chocolate, nuts, or even dried fruit. These donut holes don’t judge.
Super ripe plantains? Go for it. The flavor’s deeper and earthier, but still delish. If you want to bake instead of fry, bake at 375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes (no promises they’ll be as golden, but still tasty). Some people even air fry!
Heck, dip them in melted chocolate or spread on a bit of nut butter if you’re feeling fancy. Make it your own—there’s literally no way to mess these up too badly. If you love banana recipes, you’ll probably want to bookmark my homemade cinnamon swirl banana bread, it’s a game-changer.
Common Questions
How ripe should bananas be? The riper, the better. A few brown spots? Perfect. Green bananas? Don’t bother.
Do I need fancy equipment? Nope. Just a bowl and something to mash with. Fry in any sturdy pan; if it holds enough oil for the donut holes to float, you’re good.
Is it necessary to use self-rising flour? Not absolutely, but it really helps. If none on hand, just see the substitutions above.
How do I keep leftovers? Honestly, don’t expect leftovers. If you do have some, they’re best eaten same day. You can store them in an airtight container, but after a day, they’re just not the same. A quick zap in the microwave helps.
Can I make these vegan or gluten free? Actually, they already are vegan (unless you fry in butter or ghee). For gluten free, use a good GF flour blend with leavening.
What oil do you use? Whatever’s cheap and neutral—canola, sunflower, peanut. Don’t bother with olive oil, it messes with the flavor.
What’s the texture like? Outside: crisp and golden. Inside: soft, banana-y, almost bread pudding-ish. Good luck waiting for them to cool down.
2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
Serving Suggestions:
- Roll in cinnamon sugar for a carnival treat mood.
- Eat plain with coffee (trust me).
- Drizzle with peanut butter, chocolate sauce, or just more mashed banana.
- Dunk in your favorite yogurt for breakfast vibes.
Also, trust your tastes—this recipe’s as chill as it gets.
2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
In my totally unfiltered opinion, these 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes might just be the best five-minute sweet snack out there. No yeast, no waiting, no drama. If you want to switch things up next time, throw in some spices e.g. cinnamon, or even dip your donut holes in chocolate (no rules here, remember?).
For other easy banana bakes, you can check out my homemade cinnamon donut bread, it’s another audience favorite. If you’re hungry for more, don’t miss the 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes – The Conscious Plant Kitchen. This recipe is all about having fun in the kitchen, and honestly, making something sweet out of almost nothing. Grab those bananas, let’s fry (or bake) some joy.
2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
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2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Quick and easy banana donut holes made with just two ingredients. Perfect for a sweet snack in minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup self-rising flour (or all-purpose with baking powder and salt)
Instructions
- Mash bananas in a bowl until lumpy but mostly smooth.
- Add self-rising flour and mix until it forms a thick, sticky dough.
- Heat oil in a small pan and scoop the dough into balls.
- Drop the balls into hot oil and flip them when golden on one side.
- Drain on a kitchen towel and optionally coat in cinnamon sugar while warm.
Notes
Serve warm for the best flavor. Can be customized with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 donut holes
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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