Banana Bread Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
Introduction
These banana bread donuts combine the comforting flavors of classic banana bread with the fun shape of a donut. Topped with a sweet maple glaze and optional toasted walnuts, they make a delightful treat for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup (107 g) packed light brown sugar
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed banana (from about 2 ripe bananas)
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
- For the maple glaze:
- 1 1/4 cups (141 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp milk, plus more as needed
- Finely chopped toasted walnuts, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Arrange oven racks in the upper and lower thirds and preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 6-cavity donut pans with cooking spray.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk the egg, brown sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir in the mashed banana and sour cream until combined. Add the dry ingredients and whisk gently until just combined.
- Step 4: Spoon the batter into each donut well, filling just below the center ring.
- Step 5: Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until the donuts are firm to the touch and the edges turn golden.
- Step 6: Transfer the pans to wire racks and let cool for 5 minutes. Remove the donuts from the pans and let cool another 5 minutes on the racks.
- Step 7: To make the glaze, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, and milk in a medium bowl until smooth. Add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the glaze is easily dippable.
- Step 8: Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the maple glaze and return to the wire racks. Sprinkle with chopped toasted walnuts if desired. Let the glaze set before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moisture in the batter.
- If you don’t have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt works well as a substitute.
- For a dairy-free version, replace butter with coconut oil and use a dairy-free yogurt alternative.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the dry ingredients for a warmer spice profile.
- Try dipping the donuts in melted chocolate instead of maple glaze for a different twist.
Storage
Store banana bread donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a microwave or toaster oven before serving to restore softness.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes, you can use a muffin tin as an alternative, though the shape will be different. Fill the wells about 2/3 full and adjust baking time as needed until a toothpick comes out clean.
How ripe should the bananas be?
Bananas should be very ripe with plenty of brown spots or even mostly brown skins. This ensures maximum sweetness and moisture for the best flavor and texture.
PrintBanana Bread Donuts with Maple Glaze Recipe
Delight in these moist and flavorful Banana Bread Donuts, baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious maple glaze. Infused with the warm taste of cinnamon and ripe bananas, these donuts make a perfect breakfast treat or an indulgent snack, finished with optional toasted walnuts for added crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Donuts
- Cooking spray
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup (107 g) packed light brown sugar
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed banana (from about 2 ripe bananas)
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
Maple Glaze
- 1 1/4 cups (141 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp milk, plus more as needed
- Finely chopped toasted walnuts, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Arrange oven racks in the upper and lower thirds and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 6-cavity donut pans with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and baking soda until evenly combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the egg, light brown sugar, melted and cooled butter, and pure vanilla extract. Then add the mashed banana and sour cream, whisking until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine wet and dry: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, whisking gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and maintain donut tenderness.
- Fill the pans: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan wells, filling each to just below the center ring to allow room for rising.
- Bake the donuts: Bake the donuts for 12 to 14 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch and the edges turn golden brown.
- Cool the donuts: Transfer the pans to wire racks and let cool for 5 minutes. Then carefully remove the donuts from the pans and allow them to cool on the wire racks for an additional 5 minutes.
- Prepare the maple glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to thin the glaze as needed to a dippable consistency.
- Glaze the donuts: Dip the tops of the cooled donuts into the maple glaze, then return them to the wire racks to set.
- Add walnut topping: Sprinkle finely chopped toasted walnuts over the glazed donuts if desired, adding a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is melted and cooled before mixing to prevent cooking the egg and keep the batter smooth.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough donuts; mix until ingredients are just combined.
- The glaze consistency can be adjusted with milk to suit your preference for thickness.
- For a nut-free option, omit the toasted walnuts.
- Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Keywords: banana bread donuts, baked donuts, maple glazed donuts, cinnamon banana donuts, breakfast donuts, glazed donuts with walnuts

