There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, fluffy, and sweet paczki to brighten your day. Traditionally enjoyed in Polish culture around Fat Tuesday, these delightful doughnuts are usually filled with luscious fruit jams or custard and dusted with powdered sugar.
But what if you’re following a vegan lifestyle and think you can’t enjoy this classic treat? Good news — vegan paczki are absolutely possible and just as delicious!
Using plant-based ingredients and simple swaps, you can create paczki that are soft, rich, and bursting with flavor, without compromising your dietary choices.
This recipe captures the essence of traditional paczki with a vegan twist, making these treats perfect for celebrations or anytime you crave a sweet indulgence. From the airy dough to the jammy filling, every bite is a little piece of heaven.
So, get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into making these irresistible vegan paczki in your own kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First, this vegan paczki recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. No complicated or hard-to-find items here!
The dough is incredibly fluffy and tender thanks to the use of plant-based milk and aquafaba, which acts as an excellent egg substitute.
Another reason to love this recipe is the versatility. You can fill your paczki with any vegan jam or jelly you prefer — raspberry, apricot, or even vegan chocolate spread.
Plus, since these paczki are fried to golden perfection, they have that classic texture and flavor that everyone adores.
Finally, making these at home lets you enjoy fresh paczki anytime you want without relying on store-bought versions that may contain animal products. It’s a fun and rewarding baking project perfect for sharing with family and friends!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm unsweetened almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
- ¼ cup aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup vegan butter, melted, plus more for greasing
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup vegan fruit jam or jelly (raspberry or apricot recommended)
- Vegetable oil for frying (canola or sunflower oil works well)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand mixer with dough hook attachment (optional but helpful)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rolling pin
- Sharp knife or dough cutter
- Deep frying pan or heavy-bottomed pot
- Slotted spoon or spider skimmer
- Cooling rack
- Pastry bag or zip-top bag (for filling paczki)
- Thermometer for oil temperature (optional but recommended)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm almond milk with 1 teaspoon of sugar and the active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This shows the yeast is alive and ready to work.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl (or your stand mixer bowl), whisk together the aquafaba, melted vegan butter, vanilla extract, and the remaining sugar.
- Combine dry ingredients: Add the flour, ground nutmeg, and salt to the wet mixture. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and begin mixing. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment on low speed.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, sprinkle a little flour on your work surface and work the dough until it springs back when pressed.
- First rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with vegan butter. Place the dough inside, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 to 1 ½ hours or until doubled in size.
- Roll and cut: Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface to about ½ inch thickness. Use a round cutter or glass to cut out circles approximately 3 inches in diameter.
- Second rise: Place the dough circles on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover them loosely and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Heat oil: In a deep frying pan or pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer if available to maintain consistent temperature.
- Fry paczki: Carefully drop 3-4 doughnuts at a time into the hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Avoid overcrowding the pan to keep the oil temperature steady.
- Drain and cool: Remove the paczki with a slotted spoon and transfer to a cooling rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Fill paczki: Once cooled but still warm, fill a pastry bag fitted with a small round tip with your favorite vegan jam. Poke a small hole on the side of each doughnut and inject about 1 tablespoon of jam inside.
- Dust with sugar: Generously dust the filled paczki with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips & Variations
“For extra flavor, try adding a splash of orange zest or a teaspoon of cinnamon to the dough — it adds a lovely aromatic touch!”
Feel free to experiment with different fillings like vegan chocolate ganache, lemon curd, or even coconut cream for a tropical spin. If you don’t want to fry, you can bake the paczki at 375°F (190°C) for 15-18 minutes, but frying gives the classic texture everyone loves.
To keep paczki fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Reheat them gently in a toaster oven to regain some softness and warmth.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount per paczki (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
Serving Suggestions
Vegan paczki are best enjoyed fresh and warm, paired with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or plant-based milk for a cozy snack or dessert. For a festive brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit and a vegan yogurt parfait for a well-rounded treat.
They also make delightful party treats. You can arrange them on a platter dusted with extra powdered sugar and garnish with fresh berries for a colorful display.
If you’re interested in more vegan baking adventures, consider trying out the Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious or the Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves to complement your paczki experience.
Conclusion
Making vegan paczki at home is a rewarding experience that brings the joy of traditional Polish pastries to your plant-based kitchen. With simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can enjoy warm, fluffy, and jam-filled treats that everyone will love — whether vegan or not.
This recipe shows that vegan baking can be just as indulgent and flavorful as the classic versions, without compromising on taste or texture. Plus, it opens the door to countless variations to suit your personal preferences and seasonal fruit choices.
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to explore more delicious vegan ideas such as Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes or Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas for wholesome meals made easy.
Happy cooking and happy indulging in your vegan paczki adventure!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegan Paczki Recipe
Description: Fluffy and sweet Polish doughnuts made vegan-friendly with plant-based ingredients. Perfectly filled or plain, these paczki are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Prep Time: PT30M
Cook Time: PT15M
Total Time: PT45M
Servings: 12 paczki
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup warm almond milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup vegan butter, melted
- 2 large flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup vegan fruit jam or jelly (for filling)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine yeast, warm almond milk, and 1 tbsp sugar; let sit 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix flax eggs by combining ground flaxseed and water; let rest 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, and salt.
- Add yeast mixture, flax eggs, melted vegan butter, and vanilla extract to dry ingredients; mix to form dough.
- Knead dough on floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into 3-inch circles.
- Place a small spoonful of jam in the center of half the circles, then top with remaining circles and seal edges.
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry paczki in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
- Drain on paper towels and dust with powdered sugar once cooled.
Nutrition: Calories: 250 | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Carbs: 35g
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