Sweet Potato/Banana Donuts

If you love cozy baked treats with warm spice and soft texture, these Sweet Potato/Banana Donuts are a recipe worth keeping close. They combine mashed sweet potato and ripe banana into one tender, flavorful donut that feels like the best parts of fall baking and banana bread all in one bite. With cinnamon, nutmeg, and just enough sweetness, they come out soft, moist, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a simple homemade dessert.

What makes these donuts especially appealing is that they are baked, not fried, which keeps the process simple and approachable. The sweet potato adds a smooth richness, the banana brings natural sweetness and moisture, and the spices give the donuts that comforting bakery-style flavor. Once they cool, you can keep them simple with powdered sugar or dress them up with glaze or frosting depending on the mood.

They are easy to make, easy to share, and exactly the kind of recipe that makes the kitchen smell amazing.

Why I Love This Recipe

What I love most about these donuts is how naturally flavorful they are. The sweet potato and banana bring so much moisture and softness to the batter that the finished donuts taste rich and tender without needing a lot of fuss.

I also love that they feel seasonal and familiar at the same time. Sweet potato gives them that warm, cozy depth, while banana makes them approachable and easy for just about anyone to love. The cinnamon and nutmeg tie it all together in a way that feels like comfort baking at its best.

Another reason this recipe stands out is that it is flexible. You can serve the donuts plain, dust them with powdered sugar, drizzle on a simple glaze, or add your favorite frosting if you want something a little more playful.

Ingredients

• 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes, cooked and cooled
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Swaps and Notes

Make sure the sweet potatoes are cooked, mashed, and fully cooled before adding them to the batter. Warm sweet potato can affect the texture of the mixture and make it harder to combine evenly.

A ripe banana with brown spots works best here because it mashes easily and adds the most flavor and sweetness.

The spices are simple but important. Cinnamon and nutmeg give these donuts that warm, comforting taste that works so well with both banana and sweet potato.

Because these are baked donuts, the texture is softer and more cake-like than a fried donut. That makes them especially good for glazing, dusting, or enjoying alongside coffee or tea.

How to Make Sweet Potato/Banana Donuts

1. Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan well.

2. Mix the wet ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, mashed banana, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

3. Mix the dry ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

4. Combine the batter

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

5. Fill the donut pan

Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about halfway.

6. Bake

Bake for 15 to 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool

Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. Finish as desired

Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with a simple glaze, or top with your favorite frosting.

Tips for Success

Do not overmix the batter once the flour goes in. Stir just until everything comes together so the donuts stay tender.

Grease the donut pan thoroughly so the donuts release cleanly after baking.

Using a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped can make filling the donut pan easier and neater than spooning the batter.

Let the donuts cool before glazing so the topping stays on top instead of melting right into the donuts.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

These donuts are perfect for breakfast, brunch, afternoon coffee, or a cozy dessert plate. They pair beautifully with coffee, chai, hot tea, or a cold glass of milk.

If you love baking with banana, This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way to Use Up Overripe Bananasis another must-save recipe.

For another warm-spiced treat, These Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins Are My Favorite Fall Treat to Bake on Repeat fit right into the same cozy baking mood.

If you are building out a sweet brunch spread, These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites Are My Favorite Little Treat to Bake Anytime are another fun addition.

And for a crowd-pleasing dessert later on, This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert to Feed a Crowd is always worth keeping on hand.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Estimated per donut, based on 12 donuts without glaze:

• Calories: 155
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 30mg
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 11g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on toppings used.

Storage and Leftover Tips

Store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

If glazed or frosted, they may hold best in the refrigerator, especially if your kitchen is warm.

These also freeze well. Freeze the plain cooled donuts in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, then thaw and glaze when ready to serve.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you enjoyed these Sweet Potato/Banana Donuts, here are a few more recipes to try:

• This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way to Use Up Overripe Bananas
• These Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins Are My Favorite Fall Treat to Bake on Repeat
• This Pumpkin Delight Dessert Is My Favorite No-Bake Fall Treat
• These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites Are My Favorite Little Treat to Bake Anytime
• This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert to Feed a Crowd

Final Thoughts

These Sweet Potato/Banana Donuts are the kind of baked treat that feels cozy, simple, and just a little special. They are soft, warmly spiced, and easy to customize with powdered sugar, glaze, or frosting.

Whether you make them for breakfast, brunch, or just because you have sweet potato and banana to use up, they are the kind of recipe that is easy to come back to again and again.