• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fearless Dining
  • New? Start Here
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • GF Resources
    • Pantry
  • Welcome! Are You Ready To Start Living Gluten Free?
  • Reader Testimonials
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Resources
    • My Pantry
  • Testimonials
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Resources
    • My Pantry
  • Testimonials
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About
×

Home Recipes Donut Recipes

Gluten Free Healthy Donuts {Dairy-Free}

Published: May 26, 2017 · Modified: Jan 23, 2021 by Sandi Gaertner · 70 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

  • Facebook
  • Yummly
  • Flipboard
Jump to Recipe
a pinterest collage of 3 donut photos

You are going to love my new healthy donuts recipe! Imagine delicious baked gluten free donuts that taste like dessert! This is a gluten free breakfast donuts recipe with zero guilt! I also include a vegan egg-free version!

donuts on a rack with an icing drizzle
Jump to:
  • Why you need to make these donuts:
  • Ingredient Notes:
  • Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
  • Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:
  • Substitutions and Variations:
  • More Gluten Free Donuts Recipes:
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Donuts for breakfast?? Absolutely not! Donuts have a bad rap. Sugary, sweet, fried, and unhealthy....but oh so delicious.

After making gluten and dairy-free lemon donuts earlier in the week, my kids have been begging me to make more donuts. I decided to attempt a healthy breakfast donut recipe that is so healthy any mom would feel good giving them to their kids for breakfast.

These gluten free healthy donuts are also dairy-free and refined sugar-free too. Will your kids know these are healthy donuts? Not unless you tell them!

Check out all of my donut recipes in The Best Gluten Free Donut Recipes post.

a donut on a white plate next to an espresso

Made these today as muffins (baked 26 minutes). Followed the recipe except I substituted ¾ cup honey for the maple syrup. Intolerance issue. Added walnuts and no raisins. Turned out amazing 😋😋"

Helen H., Facebook

Why you need to make these donuts:

This healthy donuts recipe has all of the good stuff!! Even better, they taste like a dessert!

How do you cook this healthy gluten free donut recipe? My saving grace has been this Babycakes Mini Donut Maker. It makes baked donuts in under 5 minutes, which is perfect for a busy morning.

If you're just learning how to eat gluten free, go ahead and have these donuts for breakfast - they're guilt-free!

Top Pick
King Arthur, Measure for Measure Flour 3 lbs
King Arthur, Measure for Measure Flour 3 lbs

This is one of my favorite gluten-free flour blends for cookies, cakes, pie crust, biscuits, and muffins! (Do not use this flour blend for yeast recipes.)

Buy Now
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Ingredient Notes:

healthy donut ingredients

Check out the wholesome ingredients packed into this easy-baked donuts recipe:

  • gluten free flour blend - I tested this recipe using Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend and King Arthur's Measure for Measure Gluten Free Blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
  • xanthan gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
  • rolled oats - Be sure to use certified gluten free oats.
  • almond flour - I highly suggest using almond flour and not almond meal. Almond meal is more coarse and will make your donuts grainy.
  • chia seeds - Stealth protein!
  • flaxseed meal - Full of omega 3s!
  • raisins - They add just the right amount of sweetness.
  • eggs - you can make this recipe vegan by using an egg replacer like Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer.

Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

ingredients being mixed for a gluten free donuts recipe

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and whisk to blend.

Step 2: In a smaller bowl, add the wet ingredients and mix. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix.

You may ask how I can make these donuts healthy...Check out all of the good stuff in this delicious gluten free breakfast donut recipe! You can visibly see the flaxseed, chia, and raisins in them.

ingredients for a gluten free breakfast donut recipe in a mixing bowl

Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix them into a batter.

One thing you will notice is this donut batter is thick, much thicker than other donut recipes I have posted. That is because it is jam-packed with nutrition.

donut batter in the donut maker

Note this photo of the batter in the donut maker is from my pumpkin donuts recipe. I forgot to snap a photo of the donut batter cooking, but I thought it was important to show you a picture so you can see all the steps to make these.

Step 4: If you make these donuts in a donut maker, it will take 5-8 minutes per batch.

Step 5: If baking these in a donut pan, you will need to bake for 20-25 minutes at 350º F (depending on how high you fill the donut sections in the pan.).

Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:

Can you bake these healthy gluten free donuts in a donut pan?

You can also bake the donuts in a donut pan. If you do this, don't forget to spray the pan with coconut oil so they are slightly crispy on the outside.

How long do these donuts take to bake?

As a result of the thicker batter, these breakfast donuts take a bit longer to cook in the donut maker, but they are still moist and flavorful.

Can you make these donuts nut-free?

You can make these donuts nut-free by omitting the almond flour and adding ⅓ cup additional gluten free flour blend. Make sure to use a different milk that isn't almond or nut-based.

Can you make these donuts egg-free to be vegan?

Yes! I recommend using Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer. Other brands may work; I just haven't tested them.

How long will these donuts keep?

These donuts will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container or for up to 4 months in the freezer.

a mini donut with icing on a small white plate

Substitutions and Variations:

  1. Add dried cranberries or blueberries instead of raisins.
  2. Add in some chopped pecans or walnuts for even more protein!
  3. Feel free to add a few chocolate chips if your kids are really picky eaters.
  4. If it is around the holidays, add a teaspoon of pumpkin spice!

More Gluten Free Donuts Recipes:

  • The Best Gluten Free Donuts Recipes You Need To Try
  • Easy Gluten Free Vanilla Donuts
  • Dairy-Free Gluten Free Lemon Donuts
  • Gluten Free Chocolate Donuts

📖 Recipe

donuts on a rack with an icing drizzle

Gluten Free Healthy Breakfast Donuts

Sandi Gaertner
Easy gluten free healthy donuts that are perfect for breakfast.
4.94 from 44 votes
dairy free allergen icon
gluten free allergy icon
soy free allergy icon
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Gluten Free Donut Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 18 donuts
Calories 191 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup gluten free flour blend * see note
  • ½ cup almond flour * see note
  • ¼ cup gluten free oats * see note
  • ½ cup lightly sweetened shredded coconut
  • ¼ cup ground flaxmeal
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • dash salt
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup applesauce
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅔ cup melted coconut oil
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • ½ cup raisins

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, add dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
  • In a medium bowl, add all wet ingredients and mix well.
  • Plug in the Babycakes Donut Maker to heat.
  • Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix well.
  • You will notice this dough is thicker than my other donut recipes. That is ok, it will add another minute or two to cooking...but these are still moist and delicious.
  • Spray coconut oil into donut sections of donut maker.
  • Add a spoon full of dough into each donut section in the donut maker.
  • Close the lid and cook for 4-5 minutes until done.
  • Move to cooling rack.

For A Donut Pan:

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
  • Add the donut batter to a piping bag or sandwich baggie with the corner removed.
  • Pipe into a greased donut pan.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes (depending on the size of the donut pan.)

Notes

  1. I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF, Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend, and Authentic Foods Multi Blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
  2. If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
  3. I highly suggest using almond flour and not almond meal. Almond meal is more coarse and will make your donuts grainy.
  4. Be sure to use certified gluten free oats.
  5. To make this recipe nut-free, omit the almond flour and substitute an additional ¼ cup gluten free flour blend.
  6. These donuts will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 3gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 47mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

the cover image of my lemon e-cookbook.

If you love the recipes you find on my blog, I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter (and get my free gluten free lemon dessert e-cookbook!)

More Gluten Free Donut Recipes

  • Gluten Free Banana Donuts with Chocolate Coconut Walnuts
  • a stack of three gluten free beignets
    How to Make Perfectly Fluffy Gluten Free Beignets
  • a stack of hot cocoa donuts
    Easy Gluten Free Hot Chocolate Donuts
  • a stack of three gluten free apple cider donuts on a small pedestal.
    Baked Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts
  • Facebook
  • Yummly
  • Flipboard

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Dee

    February 23, 2023 at 11:43 am

    5 stars
    I have baked these donuts several times, we love them! They hardly ever make it to the next day! So easy to make.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      February 23, 2023 at 1:45 pm

      I am so glad everyone loved them, Dee. It is so important to have good tasting no-guilt options :-).

      Reply
      • Dee

        March 29, 2023 at 12:46 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you so much for sharing!

      • Sandi Gaertner

        March 29, 2023 at 1:50 pm

        You are very welcome, Dee. I am glad you enjoyed the recipe!

    • Stacey N

      April 07, 2023 at 6:10 am

      I don't have the shredded coconut. Is there something else I could do instead?

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        April 07, 2023 at 9:58 am

        Hi Stacey, I haven't tested any substitutions. I would omit it and add a little more flour.

  2. Hamm Helen

    January 25, 2023 at 3:34 pm

    5 stars
    These turned out amazing. Followed the recipe except I substituted 3/4 cup honey for the maple syrup. Intolerance issue.
    No raisins but added walnuts.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      January 25, 2023 at 3:36 pm

      I am so glad you loved these donuts! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know.

      Reply
  3. Diana Stern

    August 30, 2021 at 3:48 am

    5 stars
    This is my favorite donut recipe. Have been looking everywhere for a decent breakfast donut. Thank you! I have this weekly with tea for breakfast. The donut maker is awesome!!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      August 30, 2021 at 9:45 am

      You made my day. I am so glad you like them!

      Reply
  4. Jennifer

    August 22, 2020 at 8:27 am

    I see where these can be baked for 25-30min, but I don’t see an oven temp to use?? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      August 23, 2020 at 7:32 pm

      Hi Jennifer. Thank you for catching that. I added 350 degrees F.

      Reply
  5. Mary Ann

    March 24, 2019 at 4:29 pm

    I made this for my family and it was an instant hit even for my picky teen who is not fond of coconut! I did leave out the raisins though. I don't have a donut maker but baked the batter in the Babycakes cake pop maker for about 4 minutes and it worked out fine. Thanks for sharing this recipe...it's a keeper!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      March 24, 2019 at 4:41 pm

      Thank you so much Mary Ann, I am so glad your kids loved these...even your picky eater :-).

      Reply
  6. Lisa Bryan

    August 30, 2018 at 7:46 pm

    5 stars
    Finally a donut that's healthy to eat! Haha. Love all the ingredients in this though - yum!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      August 30, 2018 at 10:11 pm

      I am so glad you are excited about these donuts. My kids love them for breakfast 🙂

      Reply
  7. Sharon

    August 30, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    5 stars
    What a wonderful way to start the day! These donuts are good and good for you, I love that.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      August 30, 2018 at 10:12 pm

      Thank you so much Sharon 🙂

      Reply
« Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

  • Amazon
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
A picture of my face standing in front of landscape bushes

Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you are here. I am a cookbook author and recipe developer. My recipes are easy to make, and I test each recipe multiple times, so you can be confident that my recipes work. If you are looking for family-pleasing gluten free recipes that taste like the real deal, you have come to the right place!

More about me →

GF Resources:

  • Living Gluten Free and My Best Tips
  • gluten free pantry items on shelves.
    My Gluten Free Pantry Essentials
  • whisking dry ingredients in a glass bowl.
    My Best Gluten Free Baking Tips
  • A photo of the inside of a restaurant.
    Safe Gluten Free Dining And How To Stay Safe

More Resources!

A glass bowl filled with my gluten free flour blend.

Try My DIY Gluten Free Flour Blend Recipe! It is also gum-free!

Trending Gluten Free Recipes:

  • two slices of gluten free bread on a plate
    Bake the Best Gluten Free Bread with Your Bread Machine
  • A baked pie crust in a pan.
    How to Make a Homemade Gluten Free Pie Crust
  • two bowls of chicken soup with a garlic press and garlic cloves next to the bowls
    Grandma's Chicken Soup From Scratch
  • a biscuit cut in half on a plate with butter
    The Best Flaky Gluten Free Biscuits

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up!

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Web Stories

Copyright © 2014-2023 Fearless Dining