Peanut Butter Banana Protein Donuts are soft and fluffy, with a hint of banana and topped with a thick chocolate peanut butter glaze. They’re also gluten-free and dairy-free, and made with wholesome ingredients. Perfect for that mid-afternoon sugar craving!
Happy National Peanut Butter Day! AKA, the best food holiday ever!
It’s been a while since I shared a peanut butter recipe with you guys, so I thought today was the perfect day to break out these Peanut Butter Banana Protein Donuts.
I’m also teaming up with some other peanut butter loving food bloggers today to celebrate all things peanut butter. Be sure to check out the links at the end of this post to see all the fantastic peanut butter themed recipes being shared today.
I have a few protein donut recipes on the blog already, and they’re all pretty popular. But they all have a seasonal theme – pumpkin, gingerbread, carrot cake. You get the picture. So I thought it was time to share a donut recipe that was perfect for any time of year. And what’s more appropriate for year round enjoyment than peanut butter and banana?!
What are Protein Donuts?
Okay, this is pretty simple to answer. It’s a donut loaded up with protein. Also called pronuts, if you’re into trendy names. I’m not exactly trendy, so I’ll just stick to calling them protein donuts.
While I change-up many of the ingredients in my protein donut recipes, some of them are pretty consistent, like vanilla protein powder. It’s just a quarter of a cup added to the recipe, but it’s enough to add a touch of sweetness and a little extra protein.
Some other protein donut staples include eggs, almond flour, buckwheat flour, oats, nuts and/or nut butter. Adding some of these to your recipe also helps boost the protein in your donuts and makes them more filling.
Perhaps the best part about protein donuts is that they’re typically healthier. At least in my house. No refined sugar (except for some dark chocolate) and only wholesome ingredients. So when the sweet tooth strikes, these donuts do the trick!
Reasons to love these Peanut Butter Banana Protein Donuts:
- They’re baked, not fried. Yay! (also see ‘wholesome’ and ‘healthier’ above!)
- The banana adds sweetness and moisture, without overpowering the donuts.
- The texture is perfectly fluffy and cakey, just like legit donuts!
- Since they’re made with buckwheat flour and almond flour, they’re gluten-free.
- And with almond milk and dairy-free chocolate chips, they’re also dairy-free.
- PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE GLAZE –> all caps because you’re going to want to slather this on everything!
Tips for making Peanut Butter Banana Protein Donuts:
- To keep these donuts gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free protein powder. And to keep them dairy-free, use dairy-free protein powder and chocolate chips.
- This recipe makes 12 mini-donuts. If you only have a 6-cavity pan that makes larger donuts, just increase the baking time.
- This recipe makes quite a bit of batter. I like to fill each donut cavity to the top with batter, and make extra-large mini donuts. This results in some of the donut holes getting covered up as the batter rises. If you want smaller donuts, you can spread the batter out into another pan to make about 18 smaller donuts. Just reduce the baking time by a few minutes.
- Make sure your bananas are super ripe as they will be sweeter and easier to mash. If you want to ripen your bananas quickly, check out these three ways by The Spruce Eats.
- I used natural smooth peanut butter as I didn’t want peanuts in the donuts, and I wanted the glaze to be smooth. If you use crunchy peanut butter, it will change the texture.
- And if you use natural peanut butter with added salt, you may wish to eliminate the added salt in the donut recipe.
Other peanut butter recipes you might like:
Apparently, I’ve only ever thought to pair peanut butter with chocolate! So this peanut butter banana combo is long overdue!
What are your favourite peanut butter recipes? Fill me in. I’m always looking for new ones to try!
PrintPeanut Butter Banana Protein Donut

Peanut Butter Banana Protein Donuts are soft and fluffy, with a hint of banana and topped with a thick chocolate peanut butter glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini donuts
- Category: Dessert; Snacks
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
- 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder (dairy-free, gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup mashed banana (about 2 large ripe bananas)
- 1/2 + 1/4 cup natural smooth peanut butter, divided
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (dairy-free)
- 1/4 cup chopped raw peanuts
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350F and grease a 12-cavity mini donut pan.
- In a large bowl, stir or whisk together the almond flour, buckwheat flour, protein powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
- In a separate medium-sized bowl, add the mashed banana, 1/2 cup peanut butter, honey, almond milk and egg, and whisk together until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir until the dry ingredients are well incorporated. The batter will be thick.
- Spoon batter into the prepared donut pan and bake for 14-15 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
- Let donuts cool in pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Add chocolate chips and remaining peanut butter to a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for two 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Once heated, stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Dip the top of each donut into the chocolate peanut butter glaze and let any excess glaze drip off before returning to the wire rack. Sprinkle on the chopped peanuts.
- Transfer donuts to an airtight container and refrigerate until chocolate is set. Store at room temperature and enjoy within 2-3 days.
Notes
- To keep these donuts gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free protein powder. And to keep them dairy-free, use dairy-free protein powder and chocolate chips.
- This recipe makes 12 mini-donuts. You can use a 6-cavity pan that makes larger donuts, just increase the baking time by a few minutes.
- This recipe makes quite a bit of batter which results in extra-large mini donuts. If you want smaller donuts, you can spread the batter out into another pan to make about 18 smaller donuts. Just reduce the baking time by a few minutes.
- If you use natural peanut butter with added salt, you may wish to eliminate the 1/2 teaspoon of salt added to the donut batter.
Keywords: protein donuts, dairy-free, gluten-free, peanut butter, banana
National Peanut Butter Day Recipes!
- Veggie Pad Thai by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Cinnamon Peanut Butter Dip by Blogghetti
- Jamming Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- School Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars by Creative Southern Home
- Lettuce Wrapped Sweet and Sour Pork with Spicy Peanut Sauce by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- The Best Double Chocolate Buckeyes by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Mom’s Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Crust by Family Around the Table
- Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies by House of Nash Eats
- Peanut Butter, Honey and Pear Open Faced Sandwiches by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- No churn Peanut Butter Ice Cream by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Peanut Butter Apple Breakfast Wraps by Kate’s Recipe Box
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Keto Fat Bombs by Our Good Life
- Strawberry Peanut Butter Quesadilla by Palatable Pastime
- Peanut Butter Hummus by Savory Moments
- Peanut Butter Granola Bars by Sweet Beginnings
- Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Puff Pastry Braid by The Baking Fairy
- Fluffernutter Pie by The Spiffy Cookie
OMG Leanne! I want to grab one right off my screen! So wish I had one right now with my morning coffee! Delicious work!
★★★★★
Thanks Mary Ann! They are pretty darn delicious for breakfast with coffee!
I never wanted a donut pan, until now! Wow what gorgeous looking donuts! I love that you added protein to this treat!
★★★★★
Thanks Terri! I’m so glad I picked up a donut pan a while back. I use it all the time!
I prefer making baked doughnuts at home over fried just because of the reduced mess! The addition of protein into the mix is an even better bonus. Especially since peanut butter is involved.
Thanks Erin! I’ve never made deep fried donuts, but I can imagine the mess. And yes, the peanut butter is the best part!
Oh yum!! These look super! I love the glaze and peanuts on top.
Thanks Amy! These are delicious on their own, but I definitely enjoy mine with the glaze and chopped peanuts!
Chocolate + pb is one of my all time flavour combos so these are totally calling my name! Wish I had one of these about 4 hours ago with my coffee. Then again, there’s always tomorrow 😉 Have a wonderful weekend ahead!
★★★★★
Thanks Dawn! Chocolate and PB is definitely one of my fave combos too! And they are pretty awesome with morning coffee! Hope you have a wonderful weekend too!
I’ve been meaning to buy a donut pan for a while….this is a sign that I MUST! YUM! Chocolate and peanut butter go together like PB+J for me. So much goodness! Love that these are healthier as well so you won’t go for a sugar crash after you eat them! Great recipe, Leanne!
★★★★★
I use my donut pan all the time, almost as much as I use my muffin pan. And I feel the same way. Chocolate and PB go together like PB&J! I love both combos equally. Thanks Haylie! Happy weekend!
I LOVE baked doughnuts! So light and delicious! This flavor combination is the bomb! Truly!! Chocolate and PB are a match made in heaven! Pinned!
★★★★★
Thanks Annie! Baked donuts make such a great snack. And the mini pan I use makes the right sized donuts for snacking! And I 100% agree that chocolate and PB are a heavenly match!
I’m all in for these donuts! Two flavors that I love together – Chocolate and PB!
Thanks Lisa! I love those flavours too!
You always have the best donut recipes!
The only thing better than the recipe are the pictures!
★★★★★
Thanks so much Terry! You’re always so kind with your comments!
I wish I could eat one of these right now! That glaze looks amazing. Such a winning flavour combo!!
Thanks Katherine! I’m trying to figure out a way to add the glaze to everything I eat! 😉
I’ve never heard of protein donuts! These look fabulous. The shiny glaze is amazing.
Thank you Karen! Gotta love the shine from melted chocolate!
Wow! These look incredible. If they look half as good as they look (which I am sure they are) then they are for sure a winner!
★★★★★
Thank you so much Kallee!
Yay for healthy snacks.
Agreed!
Pb and Chocolate it a can’t be beat combo and Banana is always a good addition to the party.
Right?! Thanks Patrick. They’re a great trio!
Protein donuts are such a great way to start the day. That chocolate glaze makes the donut!
Thanks Ellen! I could definitely start my day with one or two! 😉
These are awesome! I’ve been trying to find versions of my favorite treats with the protein content amped up.
Thanks Jolene! I hope you get a chance to try them!
Oooohh these might be my favorite donuts you’ve made. They look so good, Leanne! Peanut butter and banana were made for each other! Have a great weekend!
★★★★★
Thanks Kelsie! I don’t want to dis my other donut recipes, because I really love them, but these might be my favourite too! Happy weekend!
I’m not usually a banana fan, but these donuts are convincing me to give them another try!
★★★★★
Thanks Jaida! My husband isn’t a fan of banana either, but he really liked these donuts. The banana taste is very subtle.
I love that you use buckwheat in these…definitely an ingredient that doesn’t get used often enough!
Thanks Colleen! I’ve been trying to cut back on grains, so I use buckwheat flour and buckwheat flakes all the time lately. And buckwheat flour pairs wonderfully with almond flour.
These little donuts look scrumptious! I would have never thought they were secretly healthy!
Thanks Valentina. I like to balance a little decadence with wholesome ingredients!
The perfect ode to peanut butter! And that glaze on top is calling my name! Wish I had one of these along with my morning tea today :p
★★★★★
Thanks Tanya! I tagged these donuts as a healthy dessert, but a lot of people are wishing they had one to enjoy with their morning coffee or tea. I’m beginning to think I should have categorized these as breakfast!!
Wow Leanne! I need this glaze in my life. totally pinned this and bookmarked it in my heart. This is my favorite recipe from you so far!!!
Aww! Thanks Camila. That made my day! And I think you would really like the glaze! I’m trying to figure out ways to add it to all my desserts! Haha!
These peanut butter banana protein donuts look perfectly scrumptious! I love the extra texture with the chopped peanuts on top of that gorgeous chocolate glaze!
★★★★★
Thanks Amy! I like the little crunch the peanuts add too!
I have a donut pan I need to try this healthier version asap!
Thanks Cindy! I think you do for sure! 😉
Well, now it’s looks like I’m going to have to invest in a donut pan! Best flavour combo EVER!
★★★★★
Thanks Elaine! PB and banana is definitely a great combo. And you should totally invest in a donut pan. I use mine all the time!
Any time you can eat donuts for breakfast and not feel guilty is a good day. I think these fit the bill. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Thanks! Donuts for breakfast! I like the way you think!
Banana and peanut butter! And made with buckwheat and almond flour which I love. Adorable and delicious!
★★★★★
Thanks Nicoletta! Buckwheat and almond flour are great….especially together! Happy almost weekend!
Omg THESE ARE EVERYTHING. I have a donut pan and I know what I’m doing this weekend 🙂
Plus, protein. I *should* be eating these because they’re probably very good for baby, right? 😉
★★★★★
Haha! Totally Dana! Plus, how can you go wrong with chocolate and PB?! Hope you get a chance to make them!
I am ready to make these donuts! we are a fan of peanut butter and banana. Instead of chocolate can I spread some strawberry jam on top? yum!
★★★★★
Thanks Marilyn! Spreading strawberry jam on top sounds like a delicious idea! Let me know how it goes if you try that!
Leanne, I didn’t think it was possible to make donuts healthy-ish, but you’ve done it. Everything about this post is fantastic. I absolutely love your photography on this one too!
★★★★★
Thanks so much Yvonne! That is so lovely of you to say! I’m glad you like the post!
I totally agree with all your reasons for loving these donuts – they sound fantastic! The idea that they are baked and healthy too has me wanting to make them NOW!
★★★★★
Thanks Terri! I’m glad they appeal to you! Hope you’re having a great week!
Leanne you’ve done it again – my mouth is watering. I can’t wait to make these. They will fit in perfectly to my weekly meal plans.
★★★★★
Thanks Kristen! That’s so nice of you to say! If you make them, let me know!