3 Ingredients Banana Donut Holes You Can’t Resist

You know those days when you crave something sweet but don’t want to fuss with a long recipe? That’s exactly why I fell in love with these 3 Ingredients Banana Donut Holes. Seriously, two minutes of prep, a handful of ingredients, and boom—you’ve got warm, pillowy bites of banana goodness. I whip these up when my bananas get too spotty (no wasting fruit in this house!) or when my kids beg for a snack *right this second*. The best part? No fancy equipment, no weird ingredients—just bananas, pancake mix, and chocolate chips if you’re feeling fancy. Trust me, these disappear faster than you can say “donut.”

Why You’ll Love These 3 Ingredients Banana Donut Holes

Listen, I don’t blame you if you’re skeptical—three ingredients? Really? But oh, these little miracles will win you over fast. Here’s why:

• Crazy quick: From bowl to plate in under 20 minutes (I timed it while my toddler screamed for snacks).
• One-bowl magic: Mix, scoop, bake. Done. I don’t even bother with my stand mixer because stirring by hand is that easy.
• Kid-approved: My picky eaters go nuts for these, especially when I let them toss in extra chocolate chips.
• Cleanup? What cleanup: One bowl, one spoon, maybe a stray banana smear if you’re messy like me.
• Endlessly tweakable: Swap chocolate chips for cinnamon, nuts, or even a drizzle of peanut butter post-bake.

See? Toldja you’d love ’em.

Ingredients for 3 Ingredients Banana Donut Holes

Grab these three pantry staples—that’s it, I promise!

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed (the spottier, the sweeter!)
• 1 cup pancake mix (the just-add-water kind works perfectly)
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional but highly recommended for joy)

That’s your grocery list done. Now let’s talk tweaks…

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Bananas: Black-spotted bananas aren’t just okay—they’re ideal! The extra sweetness means you won’t miss added sugar. No ripe bananas? Microwave unpeeled ones for 30 seconds to soften.

Pancake mix: Gluten-free blends work beautifully here (I love the coconut flour kind). If your mix is sweetened, skip chocolate chips unless you want dessert for breakfast (no judgment).

Chocolate chips: Swap for chopped walnuts, a dash of cinnamon, or leave them out entirely. Mini chips distribute better, but regular ones give you melty pockets of happiness.

How to Make 3 Ingredients Banana Donut Holes

Okay, let’s get these babies baking! You’ll be shocked how simple this is—I still do a little happy dance every time I make them.

1. Fire up that oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). No sneaky shortcuts here—a hot oven means golden outsides and fluffy insides.
2. Banana mash party: Smash those ripe bananas in a bowl until they’re gloriously lump-free. I use a fork, but hey, get creative—potato masher, your clean hands, whatever works!
3. Mix magic: Dump in the pancake mix and stir just until combined. Overmixing = tough donut holes, and we’re not about that life. A few flour streaks? Totally fine.
4. Chocolate joy: Fold in those chips gently (if using). Pretend you’re tucking them into bed—no aggressive stirring!
5. Scoop & roll: Grab tablespoon-sized portions (or a small cookie scoop—my secret weapon) and roll into rough balls. Don’t stress perfection—rustic is charming!
6. Bake: Space them out on a parchment-lined sheet (they don’t spread much). Bake 10-12 minutes until they’re puffed and just golden. Your kitchen will smell like banana heaven.
7. Cool (ish): Let them sit for 2 minutes—just enough time to avoid burnt tongues but still enjoy warm, melty chocolate.

Tips for Perfect Donut Holes

Size matters: Keep ‘em small—about 1-inch diameter. Bigger = longer bake time = dry centers. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

Lump love: A few banana bits in the batter? Good! Over-smoothing makes dense hockey pucks instead of airy bites.

Peek test: Open the oven at 10 minutes. They’re done when they spring back lightly when touched. No toothpick needed!

Scoop hack: Lightly wet your hands or scoop between batches to prevent sticky frustration. You’re welcome.

Serving Suggestions for 3 Ingredients Banana Donut Holes

These little guys are delicious plain, but let’s be real—everything’s better with a little flair. Dunk them in your morning coffee (they hold up surprisingly well!), pile them on yogurt with fresh berries, or go full dessert mode with a dusting of powdered sugar. For special occasions, I melt extra chocolate chips with a splash of coconut oil and drizzle it over the top—total crowd pleaser. Kids love them with a side of peanut butter for dipping, and honestly? So do I.

Storage & Reheating

These donut holes are best eaten day-of (let’s be honest, they usually don’t last that long in my house). But if you’ve got leftovers, pop them in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days—just don’t refrigerate them unless you enjoy sad, dry donuts. To bring back that fresh-baked magic, microwave for 10 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Pro tip: add a damp paper towel when microwaving to keep them soft!

Nutritional Information

Here’s the scoop on these little bites—each donut hole clocks in at about 60 calories, with 12g carbs and 1g protein. Keep in mind these are estimates (your bananas’ size and mix brand can tweak the numbers slightly). Not bad for a treat that tastes this indulgent, right?

FAQs About 3 Ingredients Banana Donut Holes

Can I freeze these donut holes? Absolutely! Freeze cooled donut holes in a single layer first, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for a month—just thaw at room temp or microwave for 15 seconds.

What if I only have whole wheat pancake mix? It works, but expect a denser texture and nuttier flavor. I’d add an extra tablespoon of mashed banana to compensate for the dryness.

Can I make these without eggs? Good news—there aren’t any eggs in this recipe! The bananas and pancake mix do all the binding. (Check your pancake mix ingredients though—some brands include powdered egg.)

Why did mine turn out gummy? You probably overmixed the batter or used bananas that weren’t ripe enough. Next time, stir just until combined—lumps are your friend!

Can I air fry these? Yes! At 350°F for 6-8 minutes works great. Just spritz the basket lightly with oil first so they don’t stick.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—the easiest, tastiest little donut holes you’ll ever make. Try them once, and I bet they’ll become your go-to for last-minute treats. Tag me if you do—I love seeing your creations!

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