Donuts are a beloved treat around the world, but traditional recipes are often loaded with butter, eggs, and tons of sugar. If you’ve been craving that soft, fluffy, and sweet donut experience without compromising your healthy lifestyle or vegan principles, you’re in for a treat.
This best healthy vegan donuts recipe is a delightful way to enjoy guilt-free indulgence, packed with natural ingredients and free from animal products. Whether you’re new to vegan baking or a seasoned pro, these donuts are simple to make, irresistibly delicious, and perfect for any occasion.
We use wholesome flours, natural sweeteners, and plant-based milk to create a tender crumb that rivals traditional donuts. Plus, these donuts are baked, not fried, making them lighter and easier on your digestion.
Get ready to satisfy your sweet tooth while nourishing your body with every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is a game-changer for anyone wanting to enjoy donuts without the usual unhealthy additives. Here’s why it stands out:
- Healthy Ingredients: We use whole wheat flour and coconut sugar for added fiber and lower glycemic impact.
- Vegan & Allergy-Friendly: No eggs, dairy, or refined sugars, making it suitable for most dietary needs.
- Baked, Not Fried: These donuts are baked to perfection, reducing oil intake and making cleanup easier.
- Quick & Easy: From mixing to baking, you’ll have delicious donuts ready in under 30 minutes.
- Versatile: Easily customize with your favorite spices, toppings, or glazes to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour for lighter texture)
- ½ cup coconut sugar (or organic cane sugar)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Optional toppings: powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or vegan chocolate glaze
Equipment
- Donut pan (6-8 cavity, silicone or metal)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease your donut pan with coconut oil or non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix the almond milk, melted coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the donuts light and fluffy.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the donut pan cavities, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
- Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before glazing or topping.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar, roll in cinnamon sugar, or drizzle with vegan chocolate glaze for extra flavor.
Tips & Variations
“For the fluffiest texture, don’t overmix your batter and be sure to measure your flour correctly — spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife.”
- Glaze ideas: Mix powdered sugar with a splash of almond milk and vanilla for a simple glaze. For chocolate lovers, melt vegan chocolate chips with a bit of coconut oil.
- Flavor twists: Add ½ tsp of ground nutmeg or cardamom for a warm spice note. You can also stir in fresh blueberries or vegan chocolate chips before baking.
- Flour substitutions: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version, but you may need to adjust liquid slightly.
- Storage: Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Make it savory: Check out our Jamaican Minced Beef Recipes for some flavorful vegan meal inspiration after your sweet treat.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Donut |
---|---|
Calories | 140 kcal |
Carbohydrates | 22 g |
Fiber | 3 g |
Sugars | 8 g |
Fat | 5 g |
Saturated Fat | 4 g |
Protein | 2 g |
Sodium | 110 mg |
Serving Suggestions
These vegan donuts pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee or your favorite plant-based latte. For a decadent brunch, serve them alongside fresh fruit and a vegan yogurt parfait.
You can also enjoy them as a midday snack or dessert with a drizzle of natural peanut butter or almond butter for added protein.
Don’t forget to check out our other delightful recipes to complement your vegan treats, like the Magic Dough Recipe for a versatile dough base or the sweet, fluffy Marzipan Challah Recipe for your next holiday celebration.
Conclusion
Enjoying donuts doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your health or vegan values. This healthy vegan donuts recipe offers the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and nutrition without the guilt.
With simple, natural ingredients and a quick baking process, you can whip up a batch any time you crave something sweet and satisfying. Whether you’re sharing with family, impressing friends, or treating yourself, these donuts are sure to become a favorite staple in your plant-based kitchen.
Experiment with toppings and flavors to make them uniquely yours, and remember that healthy baking can be just as indulgent as the traditional kind. If you loved this recipe, explore more creative vegan delights like our Julie Marie Eats Recipes for more inspiration!
📖 Recipe Card: Best Healthy Vegan Donuts
Description: Delicious and fluffy vegan donuts made with wholesome ingredients. Perfect for a guilt-free treat any time of day.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT35M
Servings: 12 donuts
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flours, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix almond milk, applesauce, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Spoon batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: glaze or dust with cinnamon sugar once cooled.
Nutrition: Calories: 150 kcal | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 5 g | Carbs: 24 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Best Healthy Vegan Donuts”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “Delicious and fluffy vegan donuts made with wholesome ingredients. Perfect for a guilt-free treat any time of day.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT35M”, “recipeYield”: “12 donuts”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour”, “1/2 cup oat flour”, “1/2 cup coconut sugar”, “1 tbsp baking powder”, “1/2 tsp baking soda”, “1/2 tsp salt”, “1 cup unsweetened almond milk”, “1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce”, “2 tbsp melted coconut oil”, “1 tsp vanilla extract”, “1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C) and grease a donut pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a large bowl, whisk together flours, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In another bowl, mix almond milk, applesauce, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Spoon batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Optional: glaze or dust with cinnamon sugar once cooled.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “150 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “3 g”, “fatContent”: “5 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “24 g”}}