These healthy donuts are baked, not fried, and are SO soft and fluffy! Made with just a handful of wholesome ingredients, they are gluten, dairy, and refined sugar-free but nobody will ever know!
Healthy Donuts (Doughnuts)
If you’re on the hunt for a delicious yet healthy treat, these gluten-free and paleo baked donuts are just what you need. Made with almond flour and tapioca flour, they deliver a perfectly fluffy texture while being grain-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. Whether you’re looking for a low-sugar indulgence or a wholesome snack option, with only 1/4 cup total sweetener, these baked donuts will satisfy your sweet cravings without spiking your blood sugar!
I love making these for Valentines Day, but they are great all year round or for any special occasion! These mini donuts would be so cute for a baby shower, gender reveal, birthday party, or even the holidays! If you are looking for more Valentines Day dessert ideas, try my strawberry marshmallows or my strawberry brownies!
watch me make a healthy donut boquet
Why Choose Paleo and Gluten-Free Baked Donuts?
Many traditional donuts are deep-fried and loaded with processed sugar and refined flours. Although totally fine as a treat every now and then, they can definitely spike blood sugar and not make you feel so great. I love a sweet treat more than every now & then, which is why I love making healthy donuts at home! These baked donuts are:
- Gluten-Free & Paleo-Friendly– Perfect for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, made with whole, unprocessed ingredients.
- The texture is perfectly soft and fluffy in the middle, and perfectly light on the outside.
- Naturally Sweetened – Uses honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar.
- Baked, Not Fried – A healthier alternative without excess oil.
- Super easy & Requires no yeast! They come together so quickly!
How to make healthy baked donuts
The full recipe is in the recipe card at the bottom of the post! Here is an overview!
equipment
- Donut pan, mini donut pan, or donut maker
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- Almond flour: Adds a rich, slightly nutty flavor while keeping the donuts moist and nutrient-dense! You can use tiger nut flour or cashew flour as a 1:1 substitute! Tiger nut flour is a great nut-free sub!
- Tapioca flour: Helps provide elasticity and fluffiness, mimicking the texture of traditional baked goods. Arrowroot flour may also work!
- Egg: I prefer using eggs in grain-free baking for structure and fluffiness. I haven’t tested an egg substitute and can’t say for sure how it’ll affect the overall outcome.
- Coconut oil: Avocado oil or a light tasting olive oil will also work!
- Maple syrup: Honey or agave are great as well.
- Pantry staples: baking powder, vanilla extract, sea salt
- Frosting/decorating – whatever you want to use for decorating: white chocolate, powdered sugar, etc.
Step by step instructions
- Turn your donut maker on/plug it in or preheat your oven to 350f. Spray your mini donut pan with spray oil.
- In a small bowl, combine the milk and apple cider vinegar and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Mix well, then add in the milk mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the donut maker or greased pan and cook until the tops are firm to touch – keep in mind the time will vary depending on the donut maker you’re using or the pan you’re baking with. I haven’t baked these in the oven, so i’d check them around 10 minutes.
- Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
- You can frost them or decorate them however you’d like! I melted some white chocolate and separated it between two bowls. I added some all-natural red food coloring to one bowl to create the pretty pink color. I dipped the donuts in the melted chocolate and placed them on a wire rack covered with a piece of parchment paper, then popped them in the fridge to firm up.
- Keep in mind if you use chocolate, the donuts will need to be stored in the fridge as the chocolate will melt if left at room-temp. You can also use a regular glaze, etc.!
Variations & Toppings
To make these paleo baked donuts even more delicious, try these variations:
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt dark chocolate and drizzle over the cooled donuts.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Brush donuts with a little melted coconut oil, grass-fed butter, or ghee and toss in a cinnamon-coconut sugar mixture.
- Berry Glaze: Blend fresh berries with a bit of honey and monk fruit powdered sugar for a naturally sweet glaze.
- Monk fruit powdered sugar (or regular powdered sugar!): Toss the donuts in powdered sugar for a classic powdered sugar donut.
More healthy desserts to try
- 2 Ingredient fudge
- Samoa cookie recipe
- Snickers ice cream cake (vegan, healthy!)
- Super moist protein banana bread
- Chocolate covered yogurt clusters
- Vegan cherry pie ice cream
- Easy frozen yogurt bites
- Healthy Dilly Bars
If you try these, i’d love it if you left a star rating & review below and tag me in your creations on Instagram @danishealthyeats!
Healthy Baked Donuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp tapioca flour
- 1 egg, room temp
- 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup plant-based milk or regular milk
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Turn your donut maker on/plug it in or preheat your oven to 350f. Spray your mini donut pan with spray oil.
- In a small bowl, combine the milk and apple cider vinegar and set aside for 10 minutes or so, as this creates a "buttermilk" like substitute and really adds to the texture of these donuts!
- . In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Mix well, then add in the milk mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the donut maker or greased pan and cook until the tops are firm to touch – keep in mind the time will vary depending on the donut maker you're using or the pan you're baking with. I haven't baked these in the oven, so i'd check them around 10 minutes.
- Note: if you're using a standard donut pan, you may need to bake them longer. Just keep an eye on them and try not to open the oven too many times!
- Once they're done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
- You can frost them or decorate them however you'd like! I melted some white chocolate and separated it between two bowls. I added some all-natural red food coloring to one bowl to create the pretty pink color. I dipped the donuts in the melted chocolate and placed them on a wire rack covered with a piece of parchment paper, then popped them in the fridge to firm up.
- Keep in mind if you use chocolate, the donuts will need to be stored in the fridge as the chocolate will melt if left at room-temp. You can also use a regular glaze, etc.!
Amazing!!! Loved it!
Yay, thank you Cam!
Healthy donuts can be a great choice for everyone whether it is about kids, adults or seniors. Thanks. The above information is really worth appreciation. Thanks.