These healthy banana protein donuts are dense and moist with a cinnamon and banana flavor. They're made with almond flour and protein powder, only sweetened with bananas and topped with a chocolate fudge glaze. This protein donut recipe is gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly.
I rarely ate donuts growing up, but they're one of my favorite things to bake! I like that my family can indulge in treats like this without compromising on health. Because I don't want my kids to feel like they're missing out, creating healthier options like these banana protein donuts are a must for me.
These banana protein donuts are perfect as a side to breakfast or enjoyed for dessert. They are moist and tender and topped with a fudgy chocolate glaze. Since these donuts are made with almond flour and pea protein they are gluten and grain free. This protein donut recipe is also low in sugar, as they're only sweetened with bananas!
Why You'll Love these Banana Protein Donuts
- gluten free and dairy free - made with almond flour and protein powder
- paleo friendly - free from gluten, grains, dairy, seed oils and refined sugar.
- baked in the oven - since these donuts are baked instead of fried, they make for a healthier donut option
- easy to make - a simple, one bowl batter that's baked in the oven and topped with an optional chocolate glaze.
- moist and tender - these protein donuts are not dry, but moist and tender
Ingredients
The full recipe for these gluten free banana protein donuts can be found in the recipe card below, but here's an overview of the ingredients you'll need.
- ripe bananas - yellow bananas with many brown speckles
- large eggs - an egg free version has not been tested
- yogurt - any type of yogurt will work, but I used unsweetened coconut yogurt
- water - to thin the batter
- vanilla extract - added for flavor
- almond flour - these donuts are made with almond flour to keep them gluten free
- protein powder - I recommend pea protein for this recipe.
- cinnamon - optional for flavor
- baking powder - I like to make my own paleo baking powder, but any type will do
- salt - to enhance the flavors
- glaze: the glaze is optional, but if you want to add it then you'll need dark chocolate chips and sunflower seed butter (or any nut butter)
How to Make Banana Protein Donuts
The batter for these healthy banana protein donuts is made in one bowl, poured into a greased donut pan, then baked in the oven. Here are the steps:
- First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 8 slots of a donut pan with oil (I used avocado oil) and set aside.
- Combine all wet donut ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Then add in the dry ingredients.
- Pour the batter into your greased donut pan. Place the donuts in your oven and bake at 350 degrees for 25-28 minutes.
- After baking, let the donuts cool and make the chocolate glaze.
- Once the donuts have cooled, dip them into the chocolate glaze.
Tips and Tricks
- Use pea protein - no other protein powders have been tested, so I can't guarantee results with any others
- Bake the donuts in a silicone donut pan - they make the donuts easy to remove and cleanup is a breeze.
- Cool the donuts before adding the glaze - I like to pop the donuts in the fridge so that they cool faster. They need to be completely cooled before adding the glaze.
Storage
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container in the fridge, up to one week.
FAQ
While other protein powders may work, I have only tested this protein donut recipe with pea protein. Any brand of pea protein is okay. Pea protein tends to be quite absorbent, so if you try a different type of protein powder you may not need the water in the recipe.
I have not calculated the calories or macros for this recipe, but you can do so yourself using a free tool like MyFitnessPal.
More Healthy Baked Donut Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Healthy Banana Protein Donuts (Gluten Free, Paleo)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 donuts
Description
These healthy banana protein donuts are baked in the oven and topped with a fudgy chocolate glaze. They're gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly.
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 cup blanched almond flour (95g)
- ½ cup pea protein (48g)*
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup mashed banana (125g)
- ⅓ cup yogurt (I used unsweetened coconut yogurt)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp sunflower seed butter (or any nut butter)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 8 slots of a donut pan (I used avocado oil).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry donut ingredients. This includes the almond flour, protein powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
- Mix in the wet ingredients. This includes the eggs, mashed banana, yogurt, water and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour the batter into your greased donut pan, filling each slot nearly to the top.
- Place the donuts in the oven and bake at 350 degrees F for 25-28 minutes.
- Remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool about 10 minutes in the donut pan. Then transfer them to a wire cooling rack.
- Once the donuts have cooled to room temperature (you can place them in the fridge to speed up this process), make the glaze. Melt the dark chocolate, then mix in the sunflower seed butter**
- One at a time, dip the donuts into the glaze, then place them back on the wire rack. When all of the donuts have been glazed, place them in the fridge for the chocolate to set.
- Store leftover donuts in an airtight container in the fridge, up to one week.
Notes
*I have only tested this protein donut recipe with vanilla pea protein. Any brand or flavor of pea protein is okay. Pea protein tends to be quite absorbent, so if you try a different type of protein powder you may not need the ¼ cup water in the recipe.
**I recommend placing the glaze in a small bowl, just a little bigger than the size of the donuts. This makes dipping the donuts easy. If you don't have the proper sized bowl, then you can use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the tops of the donuts.
Katie
My family and I love these banana protein donuts. Enjoy!