Lemon gluten free donuts are the perfect homemade baked donuts to make for breakfast or brunch, and these gluten free lemon donuts are dairy free too! This easy gluten free donuts recipe is quick; the little lemon donuts are ready to eat in under 20 minutes.
Lemon gluten free donuts are just the snack my kids love when they get home from school. Drizzle icing on top, or eat these lemon gluten free donuts plain. You can even create a delicious dairy-free donut glaze by mixing 2 cups of powdered sugar with 1/4 cup of almond milk.
For even more delicious lemon desserts, check out my Top Ten Gluten Free Lemon Desserts roundup!
Take a look at this little lemon gluten free donut and you can see how moist and delicious it is! For a comprehensive list of all of my gluten free donut recipes, check out my BEST gluten free donut recipes!
More Lemon Desserts
As promised, here is another recipe that will use up some of those lemons. Our tree is still overflowing with lemons and I am working on finding a lot of ways to use them up.
My gluten free lemon tart recipe and my gluten free lemon bundt cake recipes are other great ways to use up those lemons :-). A delicious breakfast addition would be these gluten free lemon poppy seed muffins.
Can I make these lemon donuts in a donut pan?
(*Note, this donut maker style was discontinued. The new one makes 4 donuts at a time instead of 6.)
I get this question a lot from my readers. I tend to use this little donut maker in most of my donut recipes. It is easy to use, and it makes my donuts taste like they were fried…but they aren’t!
These moist and delicious gluten free donuts are so quick and easy to make with this Babycakes Mini Donut Maker. From start to finish we had little lemon donuts in under 20 minutes.
How long does it take to bake donuts?
It takes about 5 minutes to bake donuts in a donut maker.
If you prefer to use a donut pan, bake these gluten free lemon donuts for 350F degrees for 20 minutes. Remove the donuts from the pan onto a cooling rack.
Lemon Gluten Free Donuts Recipe Tips and Substitutions:
- I do suggest spraying the donut pan with a little coconut oil so the outside of the donut gets a little crispy.
- The beauty of this recipe is that you can easily customize the flavor. Omit the lemon and you have a delicious vanilla donut.
- Add white chocolate chips.
- Add blueberries or raspberries, which would taste delicious with this lemon donut.
I love to make gluten free lemon donut recipes for kids. This easy gluten free donuts recipe is a lot less guilt because I used applesauce to keep these gluten-free doughnuts super moist and to reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe.
Almond flour keeps these donuts moist and adds protein!
Almond flour helps add some protein so there isn’t a big sugar crash after eating one or two of these….(okay, maybe more like four or five. These are hard to resist!)
I highly recommend using almond flour instead of almond meal. Almond meal is ground thicker, which will make a more gritty texture to this donut recipe.
You can read more about the differences between almond meal and almond flour.
Can you make this gluten free donut recipe nut free?
You can easily make this gluten free lemon donut recipe nut free! To make these NUT FREE, instead of the almond flour, add 1/4 extra gluten free flour blend.
Can you use coconut sugar or another low glycemic sweetener instead of sugar?
You can definitely use coconut sugar in this gluten free lemon donut recipe. Note your donuts will be more of a brown color as coconut sugar is dark like brown sugar. To make a sugar free lemonade drizzle, use honey with a small amount of lemon juice.
Click here to see all of the lemon desserts recipes on this blog.
(**Please note there are affiliate links in this post. Making a purchase from an affiliate link will not change the price you pay for an item. A tiny commission will come to Fearless Dining to help offset the costs of running this blog. I truly appreciate the support !)
Tools needed to make this lemon donuts recipe:
- Babycakes donut maker. This is my favorite and most used kitchen toy 🙂
- Gluten-free flour blend. My favorite blend because it works so well.
- A donut pan, just in case you don’t have a donut maker.
How to Make Lemon Gluten Free Donuts:
Gluten Free Lemon Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup gluten free flour blend, (*Note, my flour blend has xanthan gum included. If yours doesn't, add 1 teaspoon.)
- 3/4 cup almond meal
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2/3 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and whisk together to blend.
- In a medium bowl, add all wet ingredients and whisk.
- Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Preheat the Babycakes Mini Donut Maker.
- Put a little dough into each section of the donut maker.
- Cook for 5 minutes until done.
- Remove and put onto cooling rack.
- Ice, frost, or eat plain.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 203 Total Fat: 11g Saturated Fat: 7g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 21mg Sodium: 71mg Carbohydrates: 23g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 10g Protein: 3g
Here are 8 More Yummy Donuts to Try!
-
- Chocolate Donut with Cookie Dough Frosting
-
- Vanilla Pudding Donuts
-
- Chocolate Orange Donuts
-
- Healthy Breakfast Donuts
-
- Grain Free Blueberry Donuts with Coconut Glaze
-
- Maple Bacon Donuts
-
- Gingerbread Donuts
-
- Pumpkin Donuts with a Honey Glaze
-
- Gluten Free Banana Donuts
Betty
April 30, 2019 at 8:06 amCan canola oil be substituted for coconut oil. My son is allergic to coconut.
Thanks
Sandi Gaertner
April 30, 2019 at 8:16 amHi Betty, I haven’t tried canola oil in this recipe, but I don’t see it would cause a problem…please come back and let us know how it turns out.
Sandi Ramirez
January 4, 2019 at 3:00 pmI am celiac so i eat truly gluten free which means no grains what-so-ever thus no Gluten free flours. Ay idea on other flours like Cassava to replace the first ingredient in your list… your ” gluten free flour blend”?I have been checking out all of your baking and they look yummy but include this so I would end up in the ER if i used it.man other than that this recipe looks spot on great.
Sandi Gaertner
January 4, 2019 at 3:53 pmHi Sandi, that is a tough question. I use Casava flour, but haven’t tried it in this recipe. Cassava is very light and airy compared to the regular gluten free flour blend I used for this recipe (Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF Blend.) I will add trying it out with Cassava flour instead of my blend, but it may be a bit before I have time to make it. If you try first, do let me know how it turns out.
makayla
October 15, 2018 at 6:03 pmI see alot of your recipes are also dairy free. if I substituted milk and butter for your non dairy items in the same amounts would they still work?
Sandi Gaertner
October 15, 2018 at 6:17 pmHi Makayla, it should be fine to substitute butter and milk, but please know I haven’t tested it. I would love it if you would come back and let us know how it works for you. Thank you!
Diana
July 29, 2018 at 6:22 amWhen the recipe says it makes 18, that’s 18 mini donuts, correct? We are needing to be gluten free and I never thought I’d get to eat donuts again – yours look so close to the real thing you’ve given me hope!
Sandi Gaertner
July 29, 2018 at 4:51 pmHi Diana, you are correct, 18 mini donuts, or 6 donuts if you make these in a donut pan.
ANGI
December 23, 2018 at 11:34 amI use mini donut pans in the oven (18 mini donuts each) and get at least 80 to 90 donuts from this recipe as written!
Natalie
March 19, 2018 at 6:34 pmI love donuts, it’s like I can eat them everyday. It always makes me feel better.
I’ve never tried to make donuts but omg you also have more 8 yummy donut recipe. That’s awesome!
I will give them a try soonnn xD
Sandi Gaertner
March 21, 2018 at 2:06 pmI am so glad you like these Natalie. I could live on donuts as well 🙂
Debra C.
March 14, 2018 at 2:29 pmooh these donuts look delicious – the perfect yummy bite! Love that you’ve eliminated excess sugar and thank you for all the great lemon recipes! We still have piles of lemons too!
Sandi Gaertner
March 15, 2018 at 4:11 pmThank you so much Debra…they are sooo good!
Nikki
November 20, 2017 at 7:03 pmHi Sandi, your recipe looks very interesting. I don’t want to buy a donut maker or a donut pan. Don’t have room for môre gadgets or baking pans. Can I try this with a mini muffin pan. Thanks.
Sandi Gaertner
November 20, 2017 at 8:49 pmHi Nikki, I haven’t tried it in a muffin tin, but I don’t see why not. Please come back and let me know how they turned out 🙂
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
November 6, 2017 at 4:59 amOh wow, having a lemon tree would be a dream come true! These donuts look awesome- especially that crunchy sugar on top!
Sandi Gaertner
November 6, 2017 at 8:20 amIt is a lot of fun to have lemons anytime 🙂
Tara
November 6, 2017 at 4:49 amYum! That looks like quite the neat gadget. I love that the doughnuts are gluten and dairy free. So beautiful with the drizzle over the top and the texture looks perfect.
Sandi Gaertner
November 6, 2017 at 8:20 amThank you so much Tara 🙂
Shashi at Savory Spin
November 6, 2017 at 4:01 amOh wow – yes, those donuts look so moist – only if I look at them for too long am gonna wanna climb through the screen to eat ’em!
Sandi Gaertner
November 6, 2017 at 8:20 amLOL, I feel the same way looking at some of your recipe pictures 🙂
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours
November 6, 2017 at 2:00 amHomemade donuts are always so lovely and fresh. Your recipe sounds delicious, with a great alternative for the gluten free version.
Sandi Gaertner
November 6, 2017 at 8:20 amThank you so much Helen 🙂
Shumaila
November 5, 2017 at 10:52 pmOur lime tree has been flourishing this year too, and even after sharing with neighbours we are left with a lot at our disposal. Have never tried a gluten free donut, but would love to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.
Jo Klofta
March 7, 2017 at 7:35 amLovely recipe. I used coconut flour instead of almond flour and they came out great.
Sandi Gaertner
March 7, 2017 at 1:39 pmI am so glad you liked these Jo. Thank you so much for your kind note. Great that the coconut flour worked well :-).
kellie@foodtoglow
July 21, 2015 at 1:02 amI have a donut pan and have yet to christen it, but your attractively presented donuts and easy recipe will have me in the kitchen making these very soon. Gorgeous!
Sandi Gaertner
July 21, 2015 at 2:02 pmWish I could send you some lemons to make yours with too 🙂
Bonnie
May 25, 2015 at 10:22 amIs it 1/4 of a tablespoon plus 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice? I just wanted to clarify it wasn’t 1/4 or something else plus 1 tablespoon before I made them. Thanks!
Sandi Gaertner
May 25, 2015 at 7:26 pmHi Bonnie, it is 1 tablespoon plus 1/4. I wanted a little more lemon flavor in these donuts. Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoy these donuts!!
Rosemary
May 25, 2015 at 6:38 amAny suggestions how to cook them without a donut maker please? Thanks
Sandi Gaertner
May 25, 2015 at 6:49 amHi Rosemary,
You could use a donut pan and bake them in the oven. Just spray coconut oil on the pan so the edges get a little crisp. Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
Suhail
May 15, 2016 at 11:31 amWhat temperature and for how long please?
Sandi Gaertner
May 15, 2016 at 7:06 pmHi Suhail. I don’t bake the donuts so I can only suggest you bake at 350 degrees and watch to see when they are done. The donut maker cooks them in 4 minutes, but that is very different from the baking you want to try.
Angi
May 19, 2018 at 4:58 amI bake these in silicon mini donut pans at 350. 15 minutes is just about perfect. Yum!
Sandi Gaertner
May 21, 2018 at 9:51 amHi Angi, thank you so much for letting us know this recipe works in a donut pan too! I am so glad you liked them 🙂
Thrifty DIY Diva
May 20, 2015 at 9:04 amI shared your amazing recipe in my National Donut Day Roundup! Thank you so much!!
Sandi Gaertner
May 23, 2015 at 8:45 pmThank you, I hope the post was really successful 🙂
Rachel
April 26, 2015 at 2:53 amHi. Thank you so much for the post. my daugther has egg white allergy. Can I omit the egg igredient completely?
Sandi Gaertner
April 27, 2015 at 10:12 amI would think an egg replacer would work fine in this recipe.
April J Harris
April 19, 2015 at 9:29 amI love anything lemon and these cute little donuts look so good!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
April 18, 2015 at 1:49 pmI need one of those little donut pans now!
Diane
April 17, 2015 at 10:41 pmI have never made homemade donuts. These look so good I just want to lick off the icing and chow down on those lemony bites!
Sandi Gaertner
April 19, 2015 at 9:00 amThank you Diane 🙂
Catherine
April 17, 2015 at 9:02 pmDear Sandi, these are an absolute must-try! Your donuts look perfect and tasty. I am assuming that since I don’t have a donut maker, the oven will do! Have a wonderful weekend dear. xo, Catherine
Cindy B
April 17, 2015 at 6:38 pmThese look so good Sandi! We can’t use almond flour either but will sub as you suggested. Will let you know how they turn out.
Sandi Gaertner
April 17, 2015 at 6:41 pmI hope the boys enjoy it Cindy 🙂 I should just start mailing you care packages!
kellie@foodtoglow
April 17, 2015 at 5:16 amI’ve got a new donut pan and haven’t yet used it. This might be the one to break it in. A really lovely sounding (and looking!) recipe. Shared widely!
Sandi Gaertner
April 17, 2015 at 7:28 amAwesome. Let me know how the donut pan works 🙂
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
April 16, 2015 at 5:32 pmWow! These are absolutely gorgeous! They sound delightful with the yummy lemon (I’m so sad my lemons from my tree are gone)!
Sandi Gaertner
April 17, 2015 at 7:28 amThank you Patricia 🙂
Debi @ Life Currents
April 16, 2015 at 4:38 pmI can’t keep my husband away from doughnuts! If he hears there’s a mini doughnut maker out there he will have to get one! These look great! These ones I might make for him!
Sandi Gaertner
April 17, 2015 at 7:28 amLOL, men are too funny!
Mary
April 16, 2015 at 3:42 pmThese look delicious! looking forward to making these for my Gluten-Free daughter.
Sandi Gaertner
April 17, 2015 at 7:29 amI hope she likes them Mary 🙂
Healing Tomato
April 16, 2015 at 2:23 pmThese Donuts look absolutely divine. I am going to have to purchase a mini donut maker now.
Sandi Gaertner
April 16, 2015 at 2:31 pmLOL the mini donut makers just mean you make a lot of donuts 🙂
linda (Meal Planning Maven)
April 16, 2015 at 12:28 pmYour donuts looks incredible…I cannot believe they are gluten-free!
Sandi Gaertner
April 16, 2015 at 2:31 pmThank you so much Linda, definitely gluten free 🙂
Abigail
April 16, 2015 at 9:51 amThat looks so delish and love that it’s gluten-free!
Leah
April 16, 2015 at 7:12 amYUM! The texture looks absolutely perfect! Can’t wait to try these. You’re tempting me to plant a lemon tree with all of these delicious recipes 🙂
Sandi Gaertner
April 16, 2015 at 7:33 amI highly recommend lemon treas 🙂 We get lemons almost year round, though spring/summer we get a lot more than winter.
Emma
April 16, 2015 at 3:14 amI’ve always wanted a donut maker. My kids would be in complete donut heaven. I’ve been GF for awhile so these are a great recipe to start with.
Sandi Gaertner
April 16, 2015 at 7:35 amIf you give it a light spray of coconut oil before putting in the dough, it gives the outsides a crispiness like real donuts.
Arman @ thebigmansworld
April 16, 2015 at 2:07 amFirst the banana bread and now this…Sandi, you’re killing me.
(I don’t mind because they are both delicious!)
Sandi Gaertner
April 16, 2015 at 7:35 amThank you Arman 🙂
Elle @ Only Taste Matters
April 15, 2015 at 3:39 pmI love all the recipes you are making with lemon! I’m obsessed with them this week. This looks like another great one!
Sandi Gaertner
April 15, 2015 at 3:40 pmThank you Elle 🙂
Megan
April 15, 2015 at 3:18 pmAny suggested replacement s for almond meal as my LO has but allergy as well.
Sandi Gaertner
April 15, 2015 at 3:42 pmHi Megan, to maintain the moistness of these…I suggest substituting the 3/4 c almond flour with 2/3 cup additional gluten free flour blend and then increase the applesauce by another 1/4 cup. Please let me know how they turn out 🙂