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Fluffy Gluten Free Pumpkin Donut Recipe

Fluffy Gluten Free Pumpkin Donut Recipe

Published: Aug 24, 2022 by Sandi Gaertner · 64 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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If you love pumpkin, this delicious gluten free pumpkin donut recipe will become your new favorite pumpkin recipe to make. They are full of delicious pumpkin and fall flavors. I share simple directions to make these donuts in a donut maker or baked in a donut pan!

a stack of three mini pumpkin donuts
Jump to:
  • Why This Donut Recipe Is Great:
  • Ingredient Notes:
  • Canned Pumpkin vs. Fresh Roasted Pumpkin
  • How To Make Pumpkin Puree:
  • Recipe Step by Step Directions:
  • Donut Maker vs. Donut Pan:
  • Make Them Egg-Free!
  • Tips and Recipe FAQ:
  • More Delicious Gluten Free Pumpkin Recipes:
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Something about the sweet earthiness of pumpkin makes me want to use it more when the weather begins to cool. Our weather in the Bay Area has transitioned to cool mornings and evenings yet hot afternoons. It is the perfect time for pumpkin recipes.

Check out all of my delicious Gluten Free Donuts recipes for even more donut love!

mini gluten free pumpkin donuts on a rack.

Why This Donut Recipe Is Great:

  • One thing I love about the recipe is that this pumpkin gluten free donut recipe makes a healthy breakfast! Go ahead and eat them for breakfast! This is a sweet treat that has no guilt!
  • Your kitchen will smell incredible, with warm spices filling the air.
  • There is a very low amount of sugar in this donut recipe. There is only ½ cup of coconut sugar. Another benefit to using coconut sugar is that it is low glycemic.
  • If you use the optional glaze, it uses honey, so these gluten free donuts are completely refined and sugar-free.
  • I include lots of almond flour to give the protein.
  • These donuts are baked and not fried, so they have a lot fewer calories. They are the perfect fall treat!
  • I use simple, wholesome ingredients that you will find at your grocery store.

This is a great homemade gluten free pumpkin donut recipe for fall that your whole family will love. The donuts are moist and full of sweet pumpkin flavor. If you are looking for more fall desserts, try these Gluten Free Caramel Apple Donuts!

a gluten free pumpkin donut on a plate with a bite taken out.

Ingredient Notes:

  • 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 or Guar Gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn't include this, you will need to add one teaspoon in.
  • Baking Powder - Use aluminum free. Be sure to check Is Baking Powder Gluten Free to see if your brand is on the list.
  • Baking Soda - Be sure to use a gluten free baking soda.
  • Pumpkin Puree - I do not recommend using pumpkin pie filling.
  • Almond Flour - you can also use almond meal. See the FAQ below to see how to make these donuts nut-free.
  • Coconut Sugar - I used coconut sugar to make this recipe healthier and lower glycemic. You can also use brown sugar. Check Is Coconut Sugar Gluten Free to verify your brand is gluten free.
  • Almond Milk - I used unsweetened almond milk. You can use this or another non-dairy milk.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract - I do not recommend imitation vanilla in this recipe.
  • Coconut Oil - You can also use vegan butter or a different oil, like avocado oil, if you can't eat coconut.
  • Eggs - Use size large.

Canned Pumpkin vs. Fresh Roasted Pumpkin

First, let's talk about pumpkin puree. I used canned organic pumpkin to make this gluten free pumpkin donuts recipe. You can also use a non-organic pumpkin puree, but make sure it isn't pumpkin pie filling.

If you love pumpkin too, try these Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins or this Gluten Free Pumpkin Tart recipe.

How To Make Pumpkin Puree:

  1. Cut your pumpkin in half and remove the seeds.
  2. Brush the pumpkin halves with olive oil.
  3. Roast the pumpkin skin side down in a baking pan for 40 minutes until the pumpkin is soft.
  4. To make your puree, you will want to scoop out the cooked pumpkin and add it to a blender. Add a little water so that your puree is very smooth. If the pumpkin puree is too thick, it will prevent these muffins from getting light and fluffy.

If you are looking for more gluten free nut-free donut recipes, try these Gluten Free Jelly Donuts or these Gluten Free Peanut Butter Donuts.

Recipe Step by Step Directions:

dry pumpkin donut ingredients in a red bowl

Step 1: Add your dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Whisk together all dry ingredients.

wet ingredients poured onto the dry ingredients in a red bowl.

Step 2: Add your wet ingredients to a small bowl and mix well.

Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into your dry ingredients and mix. To keep these homemade pumpkin donuts fluffy, you do not want to overmix the batter. I recommend mixing the batter until it is just barely mixed.

gluten free pumpkin donut batter in a red bowl

Step 4: Your gluten free pumpkin donut batter will be on the thick side. This is normal, and your donuts will still be light and fluffy.

Donut batter in the Babycakes donut maker

Step 5: Heat the donut maker and spray coconut oil in each cavity. The donut maker is non-stick, but I find the coconut oil gives these mini donuts a slightly crispy outside. Scoop the pumpkin donut batter into each donut section.

Note that the donut batter is a little thicker than what you probably expected. Don't worry because I promise these donuts are still light and fluffy! If you love light and fluffy donuts, be sure to try this Gluten Free Vanilla Donuts too.

Baking Directions:

You can use a metal or silicone doughnut pan or donut mold. If you are baking these donuts in a pan, add the donut batter to a large ziplock bag or pastry bag. If you are using a ziplock bag, snip the corner and pipe the donut batter into each section of the donut pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 375º F.

Step 6: Optional, dust the donuts with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar.. Be sure to check to see if your powdered sugar is gluten free.

Donut Maker vs. Donut Pan:

You can make this recipe in either a donut maker or a donut pan.

I love, love, love my Babycakes Donut Maker. It is the best part of making donuts. I always use this donut maker because it bakes the donuts and makes my donuts taste delicious. (You know what I mean, crispy on the outsides like they were fried...but there weren't!!)

You can also use a donut pan if you prefer to bake these donuts in your oven. Baked pumpkin donuts are so much healthier than fried.

Donuts are so popular in the Fearless Dining household...if you crave donuts too, check out all of my Best Gluten Free Donuts Recipes. And, if you are a pumpkin fanatic, don't miss my best gluten free pumpkin recipes!!

two gluten free pumpkin donuts on a plate. One mini donut has a bite taken out

Make Them Egg-Free!

I transitioned it to egg free using two flax eggs. It is delicate but amazing flavor!!! We used Wilson donut pans. 425 degrees F for 7-9 minutes. I let them cool for 4 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack."

Jessica K.

Tips and Recipe FAQ:

Can you freeze these donuts?

Yes, you can freeze these pumpkin donuts, so make a double batch!!

Can you make this gluten free pumpkin donut recipe nut-free?

Yes, you can easily make this gluten free donut recipe nut-free too. Instead of almond flour, substitute ⅓ cup additional gluten free flour blend.

Can you make this recipe egg-free?

Yes! One of my readers sent me a message that this recipe worked beautifully with two flax eggs. She said it was a little more fragile with the flax eggs, but the flavor was amazing. (Note she baked her donuts in a donut pan.)

How long will these donuts keep?

Store these donuts will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

This recipe was updated with more detailed directions from an old September 2018 post.

More Delicious Gluten Free Pumpkin Recipes:

  • two pumpkin whoopie pies stacked on a white stand.
    Gluten Free Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
  • a plate of pumpkin waffles with syrup and pecan halves.
    Fluffy Gluten Free Pumpkin Waffles
  • A stack of pumpkin molasses cookies.
    Easy Gluten Free Pumpkin Molasses Cookies
  • gluten free oatmeal pumpkin cookies on a rack.
    Easy Gluten Free Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

📖 Recipe

Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts with Honey Glaze

Sandi Gaertner
Easy healthy gluten free pumpkin donut recipe.
4.95 from 20 votes
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Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Gluten Free Donut Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 18 donuts
Calories 167 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Donuts:

  • 1 cup almond flour *see note
  • 1 ¼ cup Gluten free flour blend *see note
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup coconut sugar *see note
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 4 ounces pumpkin puree *see note
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ cup almond milk *see note
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup coconut oil melted

Optional glaze

  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon cream

Optional powdered sugar dusting

  • ⅓ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your Babycakes donut maker.
  • In a large bowl, blend all of the dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
  • In a medium bowl, blend all wet ingredients.
  • Add the wet ingredients into the dry and gently mix until just blended.
  • Ensure the green light is on the donut maker, which indicates it is heated up and ready.
  • Place a spoonful of donut batter into each donut cup.
  • Close the lid.
  • Cook 2-3 minutes until cooked.
  • Remove donuts on to a cooling rack.

For Optional Glaze

  • Blend the honey and cream. Dip cooled donuts into the glaze and set back on the rack.

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 in this recipe. 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, add 1 teaspoon to your dry ingredients.
  3. You can also use almond meal.
  4. If you prefer, you can use brown sugar instead of coconut sugar.
  5. Please do not use pumpkin pie filling.
  6. You can use any non-dairy milk.
  7. Feel free to use a donut maker or bake in the oven in a donut pan.
  8. 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: 167kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 163mgPotassium: 38mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1011IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 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.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Brenda Kleinknecht

    October 24, 2020 at 8:59 pm

    I don't see on here how much nutmeg you used. Could you please let me know

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      October 25, 2020 at 7:49 pm

      Hi Brenda, I checked and it should be 1/4 tsp nutmeg. I added it in for clarification. Thank you so much!

      Reply
  2. Cathy macaulay

    October 22, 2020 at 1:18 am

    4 stars
    this recipe looks great, I would have to bake mine in the oven but you dont give a time, or temperature for this, thanks.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      October 22, 2020 at 9:35 am

      Hi Cathy, Thank you for your note. I recommend baking at 350º F in an oven donut pan.

      Reply
  3. Babs

    April 23, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    For the glaze, it says combine honey and cream, but the only other ingredients listed for the glaze are sugars. What cream? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 24, 2019 at 10:02 am

      Hi Babs, That cream was for an optional glaze. It looks like when I switched recipe card programs, it didn't add the right code for it to show. I corrected this, I hope it helps.

      Reply
  4. Courtney

    January 06, 2019 at 2:45 pm

    You have one teaspoon vanilla listed twice in the ingredient list...is that a typo?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      January 07, 2019 at 8:41 am

      Oh my gosh, yes, just one teaspoon. Thank you so much for letting me know. I have this fixed now.

      Reply
  5. Alisa Fleming

    September 21, 2018 at 7:40 am

    Look at the height of those babies! I'm seriously amazed by boisterous baked goods made with such healthful ingredients.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      September 21, 2018 at 11:56 am

      Thank you so much Alisa, they are seriously good!

      Reply
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