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Whether you’re looking for a snack or ideas for dessert, it’s all here if you’re a big-time donut fan.
Obviously, we wouldn’t advocate donuts as a meal replacement. Well maybe… no, let’s stop that line of thinking right now!
On a more serious note, if you use this roundup in conjunction with our most popular vegan recipes write-up, you won’t go wrong.
For now, learn about all the different ways you can make donuts, nearly all of them are guilt-free as well, so what are you waiting for!?
Mouthwatering Donut Recipes
Carrot Cake Baked Donuts
Kat has a wonderful blog called The Baking Explorer that she started in 2012 which is a lot longer than many food blogs out there.
We love Kat’s approach, she’s honest with herself and you. The blog didn’t start out as a vegan collection of recipes, but now is since Kat started learning about the meat and dairy industry.
She’s gone through the same journey many of us have, once you see the truth that’s been hidden, there’s no other choice to make.
Like all food bloggers, some of Kat’s posts are sponsored occasionally. However, she’ll only feature products she personally likes and wants to share, and we love that approach!
Just looking at the recipe for these delicious carrot cake donuts, you can see the effort that goes into each of her posts. Everything is written with the reader in mind. Each picture has a purpose and the descriptions are clear and concise.
Even if you’ve never cooked before, it feels like you have an expert standing beside you showing you each step of the way, so the results are guaranteed.
The ingredients are made from whole foods that are easy to source and economical, too, so perfect for any budget.
The end result? Beautifully moist donuts that have been baked and taste incredible. Do go to the effort of making the glaze and adding the chopped pecans because they really are the icing on the cake, or should I say the donut!
Baked Strawberry Donuts (Gluten-Free)
Not only strawberry but baked as well!
This quick recipe has just a 5 minute prep time and altogether can be on the table in less than half an hour.
They include real strawberries and vanilla, so you know they’re going to taste great!
There’s a handy tool in the ingredients where you can change the number of donuts you want to make, and this will, in turn, alter the amounts listed in the ingredients.
These look great and taste even better!
Glazed Maple Cinnamon Doughnuts (Gluten-Free)
Cinnamon and donuts were simply made to go together.
These have everything, bursting with flavor and moist, yet the glaze exceeds any expectation you may have, they really are perfect.
These are baked so no deep frying going on here and if you look at the ingredients, you’ll see coconut, plantain flower and more. Great stuff.
Buttermilk Glazed Doughnuts (Gluten-Free)
In case you’re wondering, the ingredients part of the recipe has a section on how to make vegan buttermilk.
Follow this and you’ll create beautiful looking donuts that taste great and would be perfect for a party.
The ingredients illustrate the amount of thought gone into this recipe.
Donuts often firm up over time but these do a great job at retaining their soft texture. Delicious!
Ginger Glazed Purple Sweet Potato Doughnuts (Gluten-Free)
When I first saw these donuts I was taken aback—they’re purple!
So, is this fancy colouring just a gimmick?
Well, they are made using purple sweet potato so what other color would they be? I think these would be perfect for a party and even better for Halloween.
They taste great and need less than 15 minutes baking time. Get to it!
Pear Ginger Donuts (Gluten-Free)
A great recipe for healthy donuts, perfect if you’re in a hurry around breakfast time.
The amounts listed make for 6 donuts, so adjust accordingly. You’re looking at less than 30 minutes which includes prep and cooking time.
Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before serving. How will you eat yours?
Wholesome Banana Donuts (Gluten-Free)
These donuts are so good. You just need to glance at the list of ingredients and you’ll see you’re looking at a healthy recipe.
They are so moist and flavourful that you don’t need the frosting.
However, if you want to go all out and add that too, there’s a link at the end of the text and above the recipe.
Just one taste and you’ll immediately understand why Tessa includes the word, ‘wholesome’ in the title.
Gingerbread Donuts
As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one thing that equals cinnamon donuts, and that’s gingerbread donuts!
The ingredients are divided into three sections, the dry, the wet and finally the vanilla icing. Although they don’t need the icing, I recommend you go for it as it will make the presentation even better.
If you love gingerbread, you’re going to love these.
Baked Orange Donuts with Salted Caramel Glaze (Gluten-Free)
There are so many good things to say about this recipe, all of them are listed in the title!
These are baked, and without the glaze, are absolutely delicious.
Add the glaze and you have something very special indeed.
The recipe page is beautifully put together, not just describing every step, but there are great photos along the way as well.
Do look at the notes at the end of the instructions as they contain useful tips and information. You just have to make these!
Vanilla Earl Grey Donuts with Caramel and Blood Orange Zest
When it’s time to get fancy, count on this recipe.
Donuts are usually thought of as junk food and the last thing anyone would consider for a dinner party.
Well, take a look at the photo and tell me these won’t impress!
Really simple to make and the presentation is easier than you can imagine. If you love Earl Grey, you’re going to love these, it’s in every bite!
Apple Cider Donuts with Caramel Glaze (Gluten-Free)
Simply irresistible is a good way to describe these fantastic donuts.
They’re made with oat and almond flour. Then you have a bunch of flavors including cinnamon, applesauce and more.
Of course, we can’t miss out the caramel glaze which is literally, gorgeous. Put them together and you have a perfect match.
One Bowl Mini Baked Samoa Donuts
I really don’t know where to start describing these donuts. There is so much to them!
The donuts have a wonderful hint of vanilla in every bite. If this wasn’t enough, they’re topped with toasted coconut and then comes the healthy caramel sauce!
You have to make these as no excuse exists!
Unicorn Sushi Donuts (Gluten-Free)
These are donuts, but not as we know them!
If you want to wow your guests with your ingenuity, this has to be the recipe you use.
The ingredients section is divided into different parts of this dish.
Just looking at the photo, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s just too much effort.
Well, Jasmine and Chris provide a wonderful video that takes you through everything step-by-step.
It takes a lot of work to create recipe videos and we don’t see them very often so here be sure to make full use of it. Fantastic!
Glazed Chocolate Donuts (Gluten-Free)
Let’s get back to basics with chocolate donuts!
Certainly, one of the easiest donut recipes I’ve seen. If you want the taste of freshly baked donuts, you must try this recipe.
Just a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need to create these.
The glaze is extremely simple so I urge you to make it as well. I say this as the donuts are so tasty you may be tempted not to. Either way, you’re going to love them!
Banana Chocolate Chip Doughnuts (Gluten-Free)
If you love banana bread, just think of what these are going to taste like!
The donuts are incredibly soft and every mouthful is full of flavor with a wonderful texture. They are naturally sweet and incredibly easy to make.
The chocolate chips make these already fantastic donuts even better. Ignore this recipe at your peril!
Banana Chocolate Donuts (Gluten-Free)
How about donuts made entirely in a blender and then just baked? This is what we have here.
If you think banana and chocolate is already the perfect combination, let me tell you the recipe includes peanut butter, too!
The instructions and ingredients are listed towards the bottom of the recipe page but check out the video near the top, this takes you through everything step-by-step.
Obviously, you’ll need to double the ingredients because however many you make, it won’t be enough.
Chocolate Beetroot Doughnuts
If you’ve never had anything like this before where beets have been an ingredient in a dessert, let me assure you it all works perfectly.
They’re so easy to make it’s ridiculous. With prep and cooking time combined, you’re looking at less than 20 minutes to bring these to the table.
Add the chocolate topping, the glaze and you’ll have incredible looking donuts tasting better than you could ever imagine.
Chocolate Doughnuts with Pink Berry Icing
The thing is with donuts, people generally have an expectation of what they are supposed to look like. This recipe breaks that mold!
Without the glaze or the drizzle, these are wonderfully moist and chocolatey.
When you then add the raspberry topping and drizzle with a little chocolate it adds a whole new dimension. This is a first-class recipe.
Gooey Chocolate Doughnuts (Gluten-Free)
This recipe can certainly be a great snack. For me, however, it’s the ultimate dessert. Would be great for a birthday party!
The title says gooey and this is exactly what you’re looking at here! It’s the ultimate indulgence with ingredients such as vanilla, coconut flour and of course, chocolate!
There’s even some pumpkin purée which may surprise you! Let your imagination run free and decorate with a vegan ice cream topping, sprinkles, and more chocolate chips.
Let us know what you create!
Healthy Krispy Kreme Donuts
I really just want to talk about this recipe but I’m going to mention the brand-name briefly, as it’s in the title. At the time of writing, Krispy Kreme are far from healthy.
I’ve heard so many people say they taste artificial and I don’t think they do one donut that’s vegan-friendly! So, thank goodness for Katie and this recipe!
These are described as not tasting exactly like the brand-name, and I think that’s a big positive!
Looking down the ingredients you at least know what everything is, no weird numbers or unpronounceable words.
Follow the instructions and bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool and you’re done. They taste great!
Blueberry Lemon Chia Donuts
If there was ever a time to say OMG, this is it!
I’ve never seen donuts made with chia seeds before, so this was definitely exciting.
Ingredients are natural and wholesome. After mixing everything together according to the instructions, you bake for just over 10 minutes.
They are light, perfectly chewy and every bite is bursting with flavor!
Lemon Poppy Seed Donuts (Gluten-Free)
Don’t these just look great? So many times, you’ll see a glaze that is pink because it’s made from fruit or chocolate, and both of these are superb. Here we have something completely different.
In total there are just a handful of ingredients, everything from coconut oil, lemon juice and organic cane sugar.
The glaze couldn’t be simpler to make as well. The end product looks as though you bought it in a fancy store and the taste lives up to look!
“Flaky Donuts” with Blackberry-Cream Cheese Filling and Lemon Glaze
One thing I haven’t seen before, is a flaky donut, how unique!
Do note, this recipe is certainly longer than your average donut creation.
You are looking at over five hours and the reason is because of their unique texture.
When you consider these have a ‘cheese’ filling and a glaze, together with their unique flaky texture, this is where all that effort goes.
The end-product is something different and more delicious than anyone could describe. Try it, you won’t be sorry.
Apple Crumble Doughnuts
The title of this recipe was all I needed to make my mouth water. Apple crumble and donuts in the same sentence!
The ingredients are divided into three sections, the crumble topping, the donuts and the frosting.
Including prep and cooking time you’re looking at having these ready in just over 25 minutes which is remarkable given the different textures involved.
The taste is exactly as described and it’s something you have to experience to truly appreciate. Delicious!
Apple Cider Baked Doughnuts
A wonderful recipe for soft donuts that bring together the classic combination of apple and cinnamon.
With extra flavors such as vanilla, ginger and a couple of extra surprises, these would be the perfect holiday companion.
I can just see them on the table during the holidays for the entire family to enjoy. However many you make, it won’t be enough!
Sweet Potato Pecan Pie Donuts
The title gives you three things that wouldn’t normally go together. Do the flavors combine? They most certainly do.
A perfect holiday treat with a color that has to be seen to be believed and that’s thanks to the turmeric.
The sweet potatoes are roasted, which contributes to the amazing full flavor.
Then you get the sweetness from the maple syrup and that classic crunch from the pecans. Altogether, the perfect combination.
Raw Red Velvet Doughnuts (Gluten-Free)
Donuts are the last thing on your mind when you think of healthy eating. The traditional recipe is all about deep frying, refined sugar and white flour. This turns all of that on its head.
The ingredients are all recognizable, real food that you’re already familiar with, the ingredients are divided into two sections, apart from the donuts, you’re also going to make the glaze which is a beautifully vibrant deep red color, thanks to the dried raspberries and grated beats.
The end-product is guilt-free and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Green Tea Doughnuts with Crunchy Coconut Glaze
Green donuts! Obviously, a St Patrick’s Day favorite although too delicious to make just once a year.
These are easy to create and in every bite you taste green tea, so if you’re a fan of this, you’re going to want to make these pronto!
The amounts listed in the ingredients make 12 donuts so adjust as necessary.
I love the hint of coconut in every bite as it matches perfectly with the matcha green tea. Absolutely delicious!
Baked Blueberry Donuts with Coconut and Strawberries
What I really love about this recipe is the blueberries aren’t mashed up during the process. You end up with wonderful looking donuts with dollops of real fruit throughout.
If that wasn’t enough, the glaze and toppings are all about coconut and strawberries.
These treats are made with real food and baked so you can indulge yourself guilt-free!
Mini Cake Donuts (Gluten-Free)
Aaron always makes great recipes, we also love the way he plans his blog posts. As well as reading the ingredients, you get to see them as well!
Rather than endless photos of the end product posted over and over again, each picture has a purpose and walks you through each step, so if you’ve never made donuts before, this would be a great place to start.
The ingredients are great, no E-numbers in sight! If you don’t make these, you’re seriously missing out!
Mini Powdered Donuts (Gluten-Free)
I love powdered donuts but don’t eat any nowadays because they’re deep-fried when it comes to this kind of treat.
In addition, you’re looking at ‘refined sugar city’ right? Not here!
You’re going to use your oven and the sweetness comes from medjool dates.
Do check the recipe listing as it gives you other options if you want to avoid powdered sugar which is listed at the end. The result is a guilt-free treat suitable for all the family. Enjoy!
Wrapping Up
Who knew there could be so many different ways of making donuts?
Not one of them here deep-fried, yet every one of them full of good wholesome ingredients. The days of avoiding donuts are long gone!
We’ve got donuts for the holidays, for special family occasions and there’s even one for St. Patrick’s Day!
Ultimately, they’re all for you.
Do let us know which are your favorites as we love hearing from you!
