Brown Butter Banana Donuts

Banana bread and donuts are combined to make banana donuts. Brown butter is used in the batter as well as the glaze for ultimate flavor.

Banana bread is my go-to recipe when I have brown bananas in the kitchen, but recently I’ve wanted a new go-to recipe that is just as delicious. Baked banana donuts are just the trick.

This recipe is an adaption of my banana bread recipe. The measurements are adjusted to yield a dozen baked donuts, then they are topped with a brown butter glaze.

Banana Bread Donuts Ingredients

Banana donuts call for the same ingredients as banana bread—flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla and, of course, banana.

The secret ingredient, or step, however is to brown the butter. It adds a special nutty flavor that takes the donuts from good to irresistible. All it takes is a few extra minutes.

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How to brown butter

Browning butter is rather simple. You will need butter and a light-colored pan so you can keep track of the color of the butter while it melts.

Over low heat, melt the butter and stir occasionally. It will start to foam and turn from yellow to golden to light brown. A nutty aroma will arise and that is your cue to remove the butter from the pan into a heat-safe bowl.

What are the specs in brown butter?

As the butter melts, the milk solids will separate and collect at the bottom. These are the specs you see! When the butter starts to brown, these fat particles will toast first. Keep stirring to keep them from burning on the bottom of the pan.

You can either add the brown specs to the batter or remove them in a fine mesh strain. I prefer to keep them for extra flavor, but some people aren’t fans of the toasty taste.

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Baked donuts vs. Fried Donuts

Fried donuts are made with yeast so they rise, then cut into a donut shape and fried in oil (think of a Krispy Kreme donut). Baked donuts are made of a batter that uses baking powder to help them rise, then they are either fried or baked in a pan in the oven.

I prefer to bake donuts instead of fry them, especially since I’m working in a home kitchen. Not only are baked donuts slightly healthier, but they’re less work intensive than fried donuts. You can find a donut pan on Amazon or at a local baking supply shop.

Baked donuts have more of a cake-y consistency, which lends well for this banana bread version. They also beg for a glaze or icing in my opinion.

Brown butter glaze recipe

Brown butter glaze is made with brown butter, confectioners’ sugar and a little milk to reach the right consistency. Simply whisk the ingredients together and add milk as necessary until the icing is thin enough to coat donuts (or any other baked good you need a glaze for!)

More banana recipes

If you have overripe bananas in the house, I recommend giving these recipes a try…

• Best Banana Bread Recipe
• Banana Cinnamon Muffins
• Banana Bars with Brown Butter Frosting
• Brown Butter Banana Cupcakes