If you love donuts but want a donut with a little more protein that doesn’t give up flavor, these apple cinnamon almond flour donuts are worth making! These little paleo donuts are full of juicy apples and lots of cinnamon flavor.
My kids are so excited we are breaking the rules today. Breakfast must be fun, but my biggest rule is that breakfast must have protein and not too much sugar. Nothing is worse than sitting through your first class, and your tummy starts to rumble. They tick off all of the checkboxes I have for breakfast rules. Delicious, protein, fruit, and low in sugar.
I love that these paleo apple donuts are made with all the healthy stuff….almond flour, cassava flour, egg, almond milk, and no-refined sugars. It makes these fall under the no-guilt; yes, you can have another donut category.
You can make them in a donut maker or bake them in a donut pan! And aren’t these gluten free donuts worth it? As a mom, I love that these include high-protein almond flour to prevent sugar buzzes!
Check out all of the Best Gluten Free Donut Recipes on my blog! You can also check out our favorite gluten free apple recipes.
Allergen Information:
This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. Note that this recipe contains nuts and eggs.
There are several gluten free almond flour brands. I really love Anthony's because they blanch their almonds first. This means no peels and less grit texture. The price is also great for four pounds!
Ingredient Notes:
- Almond Flour – I highly suggest using almond flour and not almond meal. Almond meal is coarser and will make your donuts grainy.
- Cassava Flour – You can also use tapioca starch or arrowroot starch.
- Ground Cinnamon, Baking Soda, and Salt
- Apples – I prefer tart apples, but you can use any variety.
- Coconut Oil – I love the flavor coconut oil brings to these cinnamon apple donuts. You can use another light oil if you prefer.
- Almond Milk – I used almond milk but other dairy-free milk will work. I do not recommend canned coconut milk. Regular milk will also work.
- Eggs – Use size large.
- Honey – Use an inexpensive variety of honey. Do not use corn syrup imitation honey.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract.
Step-By-Step Directions:
Step 1: Add the dry ingredients to a large
Step 2: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and add the apple chunks. Mix until just barely mixed. (This will help the donuts bake up fluffier.)
Step 3: The batter should be a little thick, but not too thick. See all of the delicious apple chunks? They are the highlight of this donut recipe!
🔑 Sandi says: Let the batter rest for 15 minutes if you have the time. Almond flour is grainy, but resting the batter can soften it a bit, so you have less gritty donuts.
Step 4: There are two ways you can cook these donuts.
- My favorite way to make donuts is in a BabyCakes Donut Maker. They taste fried, but these are just as healthy as baked donuts. You can also use a donut pan and bake these, they will taste just as good :-).
- Bake them in a donut pan at 350º F. Be sure to grease it before adding the batter.
TIP: If you use a donut pan, spray coconut oil in the pan, and it will help give a little crispness to your donuts.
Recipe FAQ:
If you use a donut maker, the donuts are ready in 5-7 minutes. If you are baking your paleo donuts in a donut pan, it will take 22 minutes.
I like to use apples that are on the tart side for baking. My favorites are Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Jonagold. They are more sweet-tart and really taste delicious in this gluten free apple donuts recipe.
I used almond milk, but other dairy-free kinds of milk will work, but I do not recommend canned coconut milk. Regular milk is also fine if you are not dairy-free
Store these donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe zip bag for up to 4 months in the freezer.
More Delicious Donut Recipes To Try:
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This helps others know that this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Paleo Apple Cinnamon Donuts with Honey Nectar
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour * see note
- ½ cup cassava flour * see note
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- dash salt
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ cup almond milk * see note
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 chopped apple peeled first
Instructions
- Preheat the BabyCakes Donut maker, or your oven to 350º F.
- In a small bowl, whisk all wet ingredients together.
- Take a large bowl, add all dry ingredients. Whisk to blend.
- Pour the web ingredients into the dry ingredients and add apple.
- Mix well.
- Add to sections of the donut maker or pan and cook 4 minutes in the donut maker, or until done in the oven. (*Please note, I am not listing cook time for using the oven. Many people have a mini donut pan, but most use a large donut pan and the cooking times vary between donut size.)
Video
Notes
- I highly suggest using almond flour and not almond meal. Almond meal is more coarse and will make your donuts grainy.
- You can use cassava flour, tapioca starch, or arrowroot starch.
- I used almond milk but other dairy-free kinds of milk will work but I do not recommend canned coconut milk.
- Let the donut batter sit for 10 minutes before adding to the donut maker. This will help the consistency of the donuts.
- These donuts will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
- Drizzle with honey :-).
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
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.
Yes, I want to make those big fat apple donuts! I need to get one of those Baby Cakes Donut Makers. I do bake mine but I would love to try this appliance too. Thanks for the recipe!
These seriously look amazing. I can’t wait to make these!
Thank you Kristen 😉
Honey nectar drizzle!?! I’m sold!!! I love donuts and these are a must plus I am really interested in finding truvia nectar, I am looking for that next time I am at the store
I hope you like it Dahn!!
They look spectacular!! I cannot believe these are grain free and I can’t wait to try out your recipe!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
I hope you like them Ambra 🙂
These donuts looks sooooo fluffy and delish! I have a baby cakes donut pan so I will make these soon!
Thank you so much Bethany 🙂
I can’t believe how fluff these are! Most paleo baked goods seem quite dense, but these look like a real treat!
Thank you so much Alisa…I think it is the Cassava flour mixed with almond flour that keeps them light and fluffy.
I don’t know how you keep your babycakes trays so tidy when you make donuts! I love that gadget, but it is a disaster by the time I am finished, though I guess donuts do turn out a bit more cleanly than when I make waffles 😉
Yummy looking recipe!
Clean up is a challenge because I am always afraid to get the bottom wet…so far it has made a lot of donuts without breaking though.
Sandi, seriously….. these look delectable! That drizzle…. wow! I want to eat a few of those!
Awww, thank you Megan 🙂
These look incredible, I really need to buy a donut pan!
I can definitely recommend it 🙂
Recipes like this make me with I had a donut mold.. YUM! Or maybe with practice I could make them anyway 😉
I love that honey drizzle!
Thank you Sarah 🙂
I love the Truvia Nectar! Your donuts look great as well!
Thank you so much Evi. This was my first time trying the nectar and it works in so many recipes. What do you like to use it in?
What a delicious donuts! And that honey drizzle. I would eat them quickly!
Enjoy Ilona 🙂
I’ve never eaten a donut in my entire life, I would love to give these a try.
I would send some…donuts are awesome!
These donuts look so good and I agree with you about breakfast needs to be protein packed. Loving that these are low sugar and gluten free. Pinning 🙂
Thank you so much Stephanie 🙂
Mmmmmm, these look soooo good, and have come at a PERFECT time as I was just browsing for some donut recipes this morning. I’ve not heard of Truvia before, but I wonder if these would come out just as good with maple syrup instead. They’re literally making my mouth water-can’t wait to try one. Thanks for sharing! <3
I really like that Truvia is a combination of stevia and honey…I can easily see it substituting for maple syrup.
I love that these are Paleo and use only ten ingredients!
Thank you Chrystal 🙂