Gluten-free banana munchkins – Perfect for Mardi Gras!

Gluten-free banana munchkins – Perfect for Mardi Gras!

Looking for a donut that is a little healthier than the store bought version, but still a delicious treat? Try our fun banana cinnamon munchkins! They are gluten-free and refined-sugar-free. 

Several years ago, one of our daughters asked, “Do you think we could make gluten-free donuts?” Mama, of course, asked the question of how we could make them somewhat healthy, and we came up with this recipe together. Our children love them, and we hope your family will too!

The munchkins are pictured here with Mardi Gras decorations because they can make great “Beignets de Carnaval,” but they can make a yummy treat at any time of the year.

The main ingredients are bananas and light buckwheat flour. To read more about how we came to love light buckwheat flour – a gluten-free flour with a light color and mild flavor – click here. These munchkins are fried in oil, but if you prefer a baked donut, check out our paleo donut recipe.

gluten-free munchkin

Let’s make munchkins!

Gather your kitchen supplies:

  • Mixing bowl
  • Potato masher (or fork)
  • Mixing spoon
  • 1 Tbsp
  • 1 tsp.
  • 1/2 tsp.
  • 1 cup
  • 1/4 cup
  • sauce pan
  • cookie scooper
  • slotted spoon
  • plate
  • paper towels

Gather your ingredients:

For the batter:

  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 cup light buckwheat flour
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup water

For frying:

  • vegetable oil – enough to fill 2″ deep in pan 

For dusting:

 

Measure, mix, cook, enjoy!

Step 1

Peel 2 ripe bananas and place them in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2

Mash the banana well, using a potato masher or a fork.

Step 3

Measure 1 Tbsp vegetable oil.

Step 4

Add the 1 Tbsp vegetable oil to the mashed bananas.

Step 5

Measure 1 cup light buckwheat flour.

Step 6

Add light buckwheat flour to the bowl.

Step 7

Measure 1 tsp. cinnamon.

Step 8

Add cinnamon to the bowl.

Step 9

Measure 1/2 tsp. baking soda.

Step 10

Add baking soda to the bowl.

Step 11

Mix all ingredients well, adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup water to get a thick, but moist, batter consistency.

Step 12

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. (Use enough oil for about 1.5 to 2 inches of oil in the bottom of the pan.)

Step 13

To test if the oil is the right temperature, place a wooden spoon handle into the oil. If bubbles form around the wood, the oil is hot enough.

Step 14

Using a cookie scooper, drop a number of munchkins into the oil. Be careful to be gentle so that the oil does not splash. Do not overcrowd the pan.

Step 15

Tip: Use a metal spoon to gently loosen the munchkins from the bottom of the pan, if necessary. The munchkins need to float in the oil.

Step 16

Let the munchkins cook in the oil until they are golden brown. (This only takes a few minutes.)

Step 17

Use a slotted metal spoon to remove the munchkins from the oil one by one. 

Step 18

Place the munchkins on a paper towel covered plate to let them cool (the paper towel absorbs excess oil).

Step 19

Tip: You may want to cut into a munchkin to see if it is cooked thoroughly in the middle. (Cook a little longer if necessary.) Repeat steps 14 to 18 until all munchkins are cooked. Let them cool while making the cinnamon “sugar” coating.

Step 20

Make the cinnamon “sugar” mixture by mixing together ground cinnamon and stevia powder. (About 2 packets stevia powder and 2 tsp. cinnamon should be enough, but make more if you prefer.)

Step 21

Roll the munchkins, one by one, in the cinnamon “sugar” coating. (Note: the cinnamon “sugar” coating is optional. If you prefer a munchkin that is less messy, skip the coating.)

Let the party begin!

Looking for masks and bead for Mardi Gras? We had so much fun decorting these masks last year, and thought these beads were great too. Enjoy!

We’re so glad you stopped by sparklesandsprinkles.blog today!

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Have a beautiful day! Bonne journée!

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Other links may or may not be affiliate links.  We provide links because we have found these products or services beneficial, and we think you might too.

Lemonade by the glass {easy, no refined sugar, low-carb}

Lemonade by the glass {easy, no refined sugar, low-carb}

Cheers to summer!  Are you ready to enjoy a fresh glass of lemonade with no worries about too much sugar?  Follow this simple recipe for a refreshing glass of lemonade any time!

lemonade supplies

Gather your kitchen supplies

Cutting board

Knife

Juicer

Spoon

8 oz (or larger) glass and (optional) a liquid measuring cup

lemonade

Gather ingredients

1 fresh lemon (or about 3 T lemon juice)

1 individual packet of SweetLeaf (or a spoonful or honey if you prefer)

Cold water

Ice (optional)

 

Let’s make lemonade!

lemonade

Step 1

Wash your lemon, then carefully slice it in half.

lemonade

Step 2

Juice the lemon.

lemonade

Step 3

Open SweetLeaf packet and pour it into the bottom of your glass.

lemonade

Step 4

Pour the lemon juice into your glass.

Step 5

Add cold water to your glass (either measure about 1 cup, or fill your glass directly from your faucet).

Step 6

Stir well.  Add ice (optional).  Enjoy!

lemonade low carb

After you make one glass of lemonade, you can decide to use more or less lemon juice and more or less sweetener the next time you make it.  Simply adjust the quantities to your liking.

Some books to enjoy while you sip your lemonade…

lime tree

Lemon or lime?  Just for fun, a little story about our “lemon” tree.  This is a photo of the tree we bought last year that was labeled as a Meyer lemon tree.  We were so excited to have a lemon tree when we learned that in our climate (growing zone 7), it can thrive in a pot outside and just be brought inside for the coldest months of the year.  So far we have only had green “lemons” so we are wondering if perhaps we actually bought a mislabeled lime tree.  It is full of blossoms again this spring, so we’ll keep you posted if we can make lemonade sometime this year with some homegrown lemons.  That would be exciting!

Do you have a lemon or lime tree?  We would love to hear your advice on growing citrus trees in the comments below!  

Note:  Some links on this page are Amazon Affiliate links.  Sparkles and Sprinkles is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Other links may or may not be affiliate links.  We provide links because we have found these products or services beneficial, and we think you might too.