These air fryer donut holes are a total game-changer. Lightly crisped on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and packed with banana flavor thanks to a single ripe banana in the dough. No deep-frying, no fancy ingredients, just a few pantry staples and a little creativity. This recipe is fast, easy, and delicious. If you’re into quick treats with minimal cleanup, you’re in the right place.
Why These Air Fryer Donut Holes Are a Hit
While donut holes are always a favorite, using an air fryer is the game changer. These donut holes combine the charm of deep-fried sweet goodness with the ease and health-conscious approach of air frying. Plus, this recipe’s use of pancake mix and banana simplifies the process. You don’t need to be a star baker to nail it!
These delights are especially great for holidays, brunch days, or as a cozy after-school snack. From Christmas mornings to impromptu family gatherings, these air fryer banana donut holes will be your go-to snack when you want something quick, easy, and oh-so-good.
Ingredients
- Pancake Mix
- Ripe Banana
- White Granulated Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon
- Powdered Sugar
How to Make Air Fryer Donut Holes
This recipe is easy, non-intimidating, and a lot of fun to make. You’ll get deliciously fluffy 2 ingredient banana donut holes without the hassle of frying.
Peel a large ripe banana and add it to a medium mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash the banana into a smooth consistency thoroughly.
Add the pancake mix, stirring gently until the mixture begins to form large clumps.
Grease your hands (or gloves) lightly with nonstick spray and knead the dough together. Be careful not to overmix; you want the dough to come together while still retaining a slight stickiness.
Roll the dough into balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Keeping your hands greased will prevent the dough from sticking to them.
Spray your air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Place the dough balls in the basket about 1 inch apart, as they expand while cooking. Aim for around six balls at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Air fry the donut holes at 350°F for 7 minutes. Carefully remove them from the basket and repeat the process with the remaining dough until all of your delightful donut holes are cooked.
Coat the donut holes in a topping or eat immediately.
Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes Toppings
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
If choosing to coat your donut holes in cinnamon and sugar, simply combine ¼ cup white granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir well.
Spray the donut holes with nonstick cooking spray right before rolling them thoroughly in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. I do a couple at a time. Enjoy!
Banana Glaze:
If you’re choosing to coat your donut holes in the banana glaze, add a small banana to a small bowl and mash thoroughly using a fork.
Add the powdered sugar to the banana and stir until fully combined.
Drop the donut holes in the glaze and fully coat them before scooping them out with a fork. Rest on parchment paper or a plate. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Keep Them Even – When rolling the dough, try to keep the balls uniform in size. This ensures even cooking throughout.
The Stickier, the Better – The dough will feel a little sticky, and that’s okay! Sticky dough results in a soft and fluffy interior.
Don’t Overheat – Air fryers can vary, so keep an eye on your donut holes the first time you make them. You’re looking for a light golden-brown exterior.
Storage Tips
Storing in the Fridge – Place your leftover donut holes in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to three days. Pop them in the microwave to reheat before enjoying!
Freezing for Later – Got extras? Allow the donut holes to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll last up to two months. Thaw them at room temperature before reheating.
Reheating – To bring that fresh-out-of-the-air-fryer texture back, reheat the donut holes in the air fryer at 325°F for 3–4 minutes.
Variations & Substitutions
- Swap out the banana for applesauce if you’re looking for a slightly different flavor.
- Want a fall twist? Add a pinch of pumpkin pie spice.
- If you prefer a richer finish, dip the cooked donut holes in melted butter before rolling in cinnamon sugar.
- You can also use a vanilla or chocolate glaze instead of powdered sugar for a different coating.
Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes
Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes are lightly crisped on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and packed with banana flavor thanks to a single ripe banana in the dough.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ Cup Pancake Mix
- 1 Large Ripe Banana
- ¼ Cup White Granulated Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Small Ripe Banana
Instructions
- Peel the large banana and add it to a medium mixing bowl. Thoroughly smash the banana using a fork.
- Add the pancake mix to the bowl and stir until the ingredients start to clump together in large clumps.
- Using rubber gloves, if desired, spray nonstick spray on hands (or gloves) and start to knead the ingredients together. Don’t overmix. Knead and mix with your hands until the dough all comes together. It will be a little sticky, this is perfectly fine.
- Roll the dough into 1 tablespoon sized balls (about 1 inch), making sure to keep your hands or gloves well greased.
- Spray your air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray and place as many of the dough balls as you can in the air fryer basket, spacing them about 1 inch apart as they will expand. I usually fit about 6 at a time in my 2-quart air fryer.
- Air fry for 7 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully remove from the basket and repeat until all the dough has been used.
- Coat the donut holes in a topping or eat immediately.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- If choosing to coat your donut holes in cinnamon and sugar, simply combine ¼ cup white granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir well.
- Spray the donut holes with nonstick cooking spray right before rolling them thoroughly in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. I do a couple at a time. Enjoy!
Banana Glaze:
- If you’re choosing to coat your donut holes in the banana glaze, add a small banana to a small bowl and mash thoroughly using a fork.
- Add the powdered sugar to the banana and stir until fully combined.
- Drop the donut holes in the glaze and fully coat them before scooping them out with a fork. Rest on parchment paper or a plate. Enjoy!