Healthy & Easy Baked Peanut Butter Donuts: Your Guilt-Free Treat with Chocolate and Banana

If you’re looking to indulge in a sweet treat without the usual mess and guilt associated with traditional frying, then baked donuts are your perfect solution. Not only do they skip the deep-fryer for a healthier preparation, but they also offer a delightfully soft and cake-like texture. Our Baked Peanut Butter Donuts elevate this experience, delivering an explosion of flavor that will satisfy your cravings without compromising your health goals. This recipe smartly incorporates PB2 powder, a game-changer for anyone seeking that beloved nutty taste with significantly fewer calories and less fat than regular peanut butter. Its versatility makes it an excellent substitute in many recipes, helping you effortlessly cut down on calories. For those with peanut allergies, don’t worry – almond butter powder is a fantastic alternative, allowing everyone to enjoy this delicious creation.

Embarking on a healthy eating journey doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. If you’re seeking more guidance on incorporating delicious, diet-friendly recipes into your routine, be sure to explore our 30 Delicious Weight Watchers Recipes. And when it comes to starting your healthier baking adventure, these Peanut Butter Donuts are an absolute must-try!

Three Irresistible Reasons to Bake These Peanut Butter Donuts Today!

1. Enjoy Rich Peanut Butter Flavor Without the High Fat and Calories.

Peanut butter evokes a comforting sense of nostalgia for many of us, a flavor deeply rooted in childhood memories. However, its classic creamy form often comes with a significant caloric density – just two tablespoons can pack around 200 calories. With our innovative recipe, you don’t have to compromise on that beloved taste. By utilizing PB2 powder, you can savor an entire peanut butter donut for less than 200 calories. PB2 is made by pressing most of the natural oils from roasted peanuts, resulting in a powder that delivers all the authentic peanut flavor with significantly reduced fat and calories. This means you can indulge in the rich, satisfying taste of peanut butter as often as you like, completely guilt-free, making it an ideal choice for a health-conscious lifestyle.

2. Most of the Carbohydrates Come From Nutrient-Rich Bananas.

Unlike many traditional donut recipes that rely heavily on refined flour for structure, this recipe takes a healthier approach. With only half a cup of all-purpose flour for the entire batch of six donuts, each donut contains a mere two tablespoons of flour. The real star for both sweetness and structure here is the banana. Ripe mashed bananas not only contribute natural sugars, reducing the need for excessive added sugar, but they also provide essential nutrients, fiber, and moisture, resulting in a wonderfully soft and flavorful donut. This thoughtful substitution makes for a more wholesome treat, ensuring you get a boost of vitamins and minerals along with your delicious snack.

3. The Ultimate Trio: Peanut Butter, Chocolate, and Banana in Donut Form.

Some flavor combinations are simply legendary, and peanut butter, chocolate, and banana undoubtedly form one of the most harmonious trios. Imagine biting into a soft, fluffy donut bursting with the familiar comfort of peanut butter, the sweet indulgence of chocolate, and the natural goodness of banana. This recipe brings these incredible flavors together in a single, perfectly portioned treat, all for approximately 150 calories per donut. It’s a flavor explosion that feels decadent but is surprisingly light. This delightful combination is reason enough to make these donuts a regular feature in your weekly baking rotation – a truly irresistible experience that requires no further convincing!

Essential Ingredients for Your Healthy Peanut Butter Donuts:

• 1 large egg (for binding and richness)
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar (for a touch of molasses flavor and sweetness)
• 1 medium mashed banana (the key to moisture and natural sweetness)
• 1/3 cup 1% low-fat milk (to bring the batter together without excess fat)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (enhances all the flavors)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (provides structure to the donuts)
• 3 Tbsp PB2 powder (the secret to low-fat, high-flavor peanut butter goodness)
• 1 tsp baking powder (for a light and fluffy rise)
• 3 Tbsp Lily’s no-sugar-added dark chocolate chips (for a sweet, chocolatey topping without the added sugar)
• 1.5 Tbsp light or reduced-fat peanut butter (for the iconic peanut butter drizzle)

How to Craft Your Delicious Peanut Butter Donuts (Step-by-Step Guide):

1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 6-hole donut pan with a non-stick cooking spray, ensuring every crevice is coated to prevent sticking. This prepares your pan for a smooth release later.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk the egg and brown sugar together vigorously until the mixture becomes visibly lighter in color and slightly fluffy. This incorporates air, which contributes to the donut’s texture. Next, gently stir in the mashed banana, 1% low-fat milk, and vanilla extract until just combined. Don’t overmix; simply ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Introduce Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, PB2 powder, and baking powder to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter; overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough donuts. A few lumps are perfectly fine!
4. Fill and Bake: Carefully divide the donut batter evenly among the six slots in your prepared donut pan. You can use a spoon or, for neater results, a piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into one comes out clean.
5. Cooling Process: Once baked, remove the donut pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5-10 minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly. Then, gently use a knife or a small spatula around the edges to loosen them before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Ensuring they are fully cool is crucial before glazing.
6. Melt the Chocolate Topping: Place the Lily’s no-sugar-added dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl (or a flat plate for easier dipping). Microwave in 35-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each interval, until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. Using a flat plate can make the dipping process much simpler.
7. Dip the Donuts: Once the chocolate is melted and the donuts are completely cool, dip the top of each donut into the melted chocolate. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off. If needed, use a knife to gently spread the chocolate evenly over the donut surface.
8. Prepare the Peanut Butter Drizzle: In a separate microwave-safe bowl, warm the light or reduced-fat peanut butter in 35-second intervals. Often, one interval is enough to make it pourable. Transfer the melted peanut butter into a small ziplock bag, snip off a tiny corner, and elegantly drizzle it over the chocolate-dipped donuts.
9. Set and Enjoy: Allow the chocolate and peanut butter toppings to harden at room temperature for about an hour or in the refrigerator for quicker setting. Once set, your delightful, healthy peanut butter donuts are ready to be savored!

This recipe yields 6 delicious donuts. Here’s the approximate nutrition information per donut:

Calories: 150, Fat: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Carbs: 23 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sugars: 7 g, Sodium: 150 mg, Protein: 6 g.

Weight Watchers Points Breakdown:

Understanding the Weight Watchers (WW) points for each ingredient can help you manage your daily intake:

• Egg: 0 points (often a zero-point food on WW plans)
• Brown sugar: 3 points
• Mashed banana: 0 points (a fantastic zero-point fruit)
• 1% low-fat milk: 1 point
• Vanilla: 0 points
• All-purpose flour: 6 points
• PB2 powder: 2 points (a great way to get peanut butter flavor for fewer points)
• Baking powder: 0 points
• Lily’s no-sugar-added dark chocolate chips: 6 points
• Reduced-fat peanut butter: 5 points

Based on the WW app recipe creator, each donut is approximately 4 points.

If you are using an older version of the Weight Watchers program, here’s a breakdown for you:

• Personal Points: These donuts typically range from 3-4 Personal Points, depending on your individual list of zero-point foods.
• Smart Points (Blue/Purple Plan): Calculated at 3 Smart Points per donut using the WW recipe builder.
• Smart Points (Green Plan): Calculated at 4 Smart Points per donut using the WW recipe builder.
• Points Plus: Approximately 3 Points Plus per donut, calculated using a PP calculator.

Creative Ways to Customize Your Peanut Butter Donut Recipe:

• DIY PB2 Drizzle for Fewer Points: If you’re looking to further reduce points or prefer to use more peanut butter for the drizzle, consider making a drizzle directly from PB2 powder instead of melting traditional peanut butter. Simply mix PB2 powder with a small amount of water, gradually adding it until you achieve a smooth, drizzly consistency. This method offers the same great peanut flavor with even fewer calories and fat.
• Experiment with Chocolate Flavors: Lily’s no-sugar-added chocolate chips come in an exciting array of flavors beyond dark chocolate. Imagine a butterscotch-dipped donut complementing the rich peanut butter, or perhaps a sweet white chocolate glaze for a different twist. Feel free to explore and choose the flavor that best suits your palate!
• Reverse the Toppings: Get creative by reversing the topping order! Dip the donuts into a thin, loose mixture of rehydrated PB2 powder first, creating a light peanut butter base. Then, melt your chocolate chips and artfully drizzle them over the peanut butter layer. Alternatively, sprinkle chocolate chips directly onto the still-wet PB2 coating for a delightful textural contrast.
• Transform into Mini Muffins: No donut pan? No problem! This versatile batter works beautifully as mini muffins. Fill mini muffin tins about two-thirds full, sprinkle some chocolate chips directly into the batter before baking, and then drizzle the tops with melted peanut butter after they cool. Remember to reduce the baking time significantly, typically to about 10-12 minutes, as mini muffins bake much faster.
• Cream Cheese Frosting Alternative: For a decadent yet lighter frosting option, combine PB2 powder with fat-free cream cheese and a touch of stevia or your preferred sugar substitute. Mix until smooth and creamy to create a rich, peanut butter cream cheese frosting that will take these donuts to another level of deliciousness.

Expert Tips and Tricks for Making Your Best Peanut Butter Donuts:

• Optimal Storage for Freshness: These delightful donuts are best enjoyed within the first day. To maintain their freshness and prevent them from drying out, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator starting from day two. They also freeze exceptionally well, so don’t hesitate to bake a larger batch and freeze them for a quick, convenient treat later!
• Flour Substitution Smartness: If you find yourself without all-purpose flour, self-rising flour is a convenient alternative. Should you use self-rising flour, simply omit the baking powder from the recipe, as it’s already incorporated into the flour mixture.
• Patience for Perfect Glazing: It’s crucial that your donuts are completely cooled before you attempt to dip or drizzle them with any frosting or glaze. If the donuts are even slightly warm, the chocolate and peanut butter will melt and slide right off, creating a messy and less appealing finish. A fully cooled donut ensures a beautifully set and crisp topping.
• Avoid Overmixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until the flour streaks disappear. Overmixing the batter can lead to tough, dense donuts rather than the light, airy texture you’re aiming for. A few small lumps are perfectly acceptable.
• Filling the Donut Pan: For a cleaner and more professional-looking donut, consider using a piping bag or a large ziplock bag with a corner snipped off to fill the donut cavities. This allows for more precise distribution of the batter and helps create perfectly shaped donuts without mess.
• Ripe Bananas are Key: Always use very ripe bananas (the ones with brown spots) for this recipe. Ripe bananas are naturally sweeter and softer, contributing significantly to the donut’s moisture, flavor, and natural sugar content.

Explore More Delicious & Healthy Baked Treats:

• Double Chocolate Banana Donuts: If you’re a true chocoholic, these rich and moist donuts are packed with double the chocolate goodness, combined with the natural sweetness of banana for a truly indulgent yet lighter treat.
• Coconut Donuts: Transport yourself to a tropical paradise with these delightful coconut-infused donuts. Light, fluffy, and bursting with exotic flavor, they’re a perfect escape for your taste buds.
• Classic Chocolate Glazed Donuts: Sometimes, you just crave a classic! Our healthy take on chocolate glazed donuts delivers that familiar, comforting taste with a lighter touch, making them an ideal guilt-free indulgence.