Okay, confession time—I used to think making donuts at home was way too much work. Then one lazy Sunday, staring at a sad, overripe banana and my trusty air fryer, I had a “why not?” moment. Fifteen minutes later, I was biting into warm, golden banana donut holes that tasted like pure magic. The best part? Just two ingredients stand between you and this ridiculously easy dessert.

These 2-ingredient air fryer banana donut holes have become my go-to when cravings hit but effort levels are low. They’re the perfect solution for using up that last banana sitting on your counter, and kids absolutely lose their minds over them (mine fight for the “test” batch every time). No fancy equipment, no waiting for dough to rise—just mash, mix, and air fry your way to happiness.

Why You’ll Love These 2-Ingredient Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes

Trust me, these little bites of joy will become your new obsession—here’s why:

Lazy baker approved: Two ingredients. One bowl. Zero stress. I make these when I’m still in pajamas and they turn out perfect every time.
Kid magic: My picky eater actually begs for these (shocking, I know). Let them roll the dough balls—messy hands = happy memories.
Air fryer alchemy: Crispy outside, pillowy inside, with caramelized banana sweetness that smells like a bakery exploded in your kitchen.
Guilt-free(ish): No deep frying means you can totally justify eating three… or five. The banana adds natural sweetness so you can skip extra sugar.

Ingredients for 2-Ingredient Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes

Here’s the beautiful part—you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen right now. I love recipes that don’t require a special grocery run! Just grab:

1 ripe banana – I’m talking seriously spotty here. The blacker the better—those super ripe ones that you’d normally toss make these donut holes extra sweet and flavorful. Mash it until it’s completely smooth, no lumps!
1 cup pancake mix – Just the standard dry mix from your pantry. Use a proper measuring cup and level it off—no packing it down. My favorite is the classic “complete” mix where you just add water, but any variety works.

That’s it. Seriously. Though I won’t judge if you want to jazz things up with a sprinkle of cinnamon or dip them in melted chocolate later—we’ll get to those fun variations soon!

Equipment You’ll Need

Here’s the beauty of this recipe—you likely have everything already! My must-haves:

Air fryer (obviously!)—any model works, but I love my basket-style for easy flipping
Mixing bowl—I grab whatever’s clean, no fancy equipment needed
Spoon or spatula—for stirring that magical two-ingredient dough

Bonus if you have a piping bag for perfect rounds, but honestly? Your hands work just fine—mine usually end up covered in batter anyway!

How to Make 2-Ingredient Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes

Okay, let’s get to the fun part—turning those two simple ingredients into golden, pillowy donut holes that’ll disappear faster than you can say “seconds please!” Here’s exactly how I do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Banana Mixture

First, grab that overripe banana and mash it like you’re taking out your frustrations on it—no lumps allowed! I use a fork and go at it until it’s basically liquid gold. Then, dump in your pancake mix and stir like crazy. You’ll think “this can’t possibly work” when it starts looking dry, but keep going! After about 30 seconds of vigorous mixing, it magically transforms into this perfect, slightly sticky dough. Pro tip: if it’s too sticky, add just a teaspoon more pancake mix.

Step 2: Shape the Donut Holes

Now for the messy fun! I scoop about a tablespoon of dough (a regular spoon works fine) and roll it between my palms. Aim for ping pong ball size—about 1-inch diameter. Don’t stress about perfection here! Mine always look a little rustic, and that’s part of their charm. If you’re feeling fancy, pipe them using a plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Just leave them slightly bumpy—those irregular edges crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.

Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection

Here’s where the magic happens! Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 2 minutes—this helps them cook evenly. Arrange your donut holes in a single layer with some breathing room (they’ll puff up!). I can usually fit about 8-10 at a time. Cook for 6 minutes, then peek—they should be lightly golden. If not, give them another 1-2 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re firm to the touch and smell like banana bread heaven. Let them cool for 2 minutes (if you can resist!)—they firm up perfectly.

Tips for Perfect 2-Ingredient Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes

After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds—don’t judge my banana addiction), I’ve learned a few tricks to guarantee donut hole success every time:

Test drive your air fryer: All models run differently! Cook one sacrificial donut hole first to nail the timing. Mine takes exactly 7 minutes, but yours might need 6 or 8.
Parchment is your friend: Cut a round to fit your basket—no sticking disasters and cleanup takes two seconds. Bonus: it keeps the bottoms from over-browning.
Banana ripeness matters: The spottier the banana, the sweeter your donut holes will be. Green-tipped bananas? Save those for smoothies.
Space is key: Crowding = steamed dough balls. Give them room to puff and crisp properly—I do batches of 8 max in my 5-quart fryer.

Variations for 2-Ingredient Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes

Once you’ve mastered the basic version (which is dangerously addictive on its own), try these fun twists—I’ve tested them all during my “banana donut hole experiments” (a.k.a. Tuesday afternoons):

Cinnamon sugar coating: Toss warm donut holes in a mix of cinnamon and sugar—the classic combo makes them taste like churros!
Chocolate chip surprise: Stir in a handful of mini chocolate chips before shaping. The melty pockets take these to dessert heaven.
Glaze drizzle: Whisk powdered sugar with a splash of milk and vanilla for a simple glaze. Dunk or drizzle—no rules here!

Serving Suggestions

These banana donut holes are ridiculously versatile—I’ve served them every which way! My favorite is still warm with my morning coffee (the caramelized banana flavor pairs perfectly). The kids love them dunked in yogurt for breakfast or alongside fresh berries for dessert. Pro tip: they’re dangerously good straight from the air fryer basket—no plate needed!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Here’s the truth—these rarely last long enough to store! But if you miraculously have leftovers (teach me your ways), pop them in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. To revive that just-made magic, toss them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 350°F—they’ll crisp right up like they’re fresh. No air fryer? A quick 10-second microwave zap works in a pinch, though they won’t be quite as crispy.

Nutritional Information

Okay, full transparency—I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop on these banana donut holes based on my go-to pancake mix and medium-sized bananas. Remember, numbers can vary depending on your specific ingredients (especially pancake mix brands—they’re sneaky like that!).

For 3 donut holes (because let’s be real, who stops at one?), you’re looking at roughly:

120 calories – Basically a guilt-free snack!
6g sugar – Mostly from that naturally sweet banana
1g fat – Thank you, air fryer magic
25g carbs – Perfect little energy boost
2g protein – Pancake mix comes through

Compared to traditional fried donuts? It’s night and day. These give you that sweet fix without the oil bath. Though if you ask me, the real nutritional win is how fast they disappear from the plate—zero leftovers means zero guilt!

FAQs About 2-Ingredient Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes

Can I use regular flour instead of pancake mix?
Oh boy, I tried this once in a pinch—total disaster! Pancake mix has leavening agents already mixed in, which gives our donut holes their perfect puff. With plain flour, you’ll get dense little banana rocks. If you must substitute, add 1 tsp baking powder + pinch of salt per cup of flour.

Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Absolutely! I’ve baked them at 350°F (180°C) for 10-12 minutes when my air fryer was occupied with fries (priorities!). They come out slightly softer but still delicious—just space them well on parchment paper.

How ripe should the banana be?
Think “almost too ripe to eat” ripe! Those black-speckled bananas you’d normally toss make the sweetest, most flavorful donut holes. Green-tipped bananas won’t mash well or taste nearly as good.

Why are mine sticking to the basket?
Been there! Either skip the preheat (shocking, I know) or use parchment paper. The batter sets too quickly on hot metal. Also—don’t peek too early! Let them form a crust first.

Can I freeze these?
You bet! Freeze cooled donut holes in a single layer first, then transfer to bags. Reheat frozen in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes—tastes fresh!

Try this recipe and share your results in the comments—I want to hear about your banana donut hole adventures! If you are looking for other simple air fryer recipes, check out this guide on 3 ingredient air fryer donuts.

2-Ingredient Air Fryer Banana Donut Holes You’ll Crave Daily

Author: Ella Parker
Total Time: 13 minutes
Yield: 12 donut holes 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Easy and quick banana donut holes made in the air fryer with just two ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

1 ripe banana
1 cup pancake mix

Instructions

Mash the banana in a bowl until smooth.
Mix in the pancake batter until fully combined.
Scoop small portions and roll into balls.
Place in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each.
Cook at 350°F (180°C) for 6-8 minutes until golden.
Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Use a piping bag for even-sized donut holes.
Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model.
Top with cinnamon sugar or glaze if desired.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3 donut holes
Calories: 120
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 1g
Saturated Fat: 0.2g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 5mg

Keywords: easy dessert, banana recipe, air fryer snacks