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This Vegan Donut Recipe comes together without the use of yeast, eggs, or dairy and is baked, not fried for a healthier gluten free donut recipe everyone will love! Topped with three different flavor options and super quick to make, these dairy free donuts are perfect for every occasion!
This recipe is part of our fast meals month, meaning from start to finish, it’s ready in 45-minutes or less!
A Vegan Donut Recipe for Breakfast or Dessert!
Move over Krispy Kreme! These vegan gluten free donuts are better than any you’ll find at your local donut shop and can be made from the comfort of your own kitchen. Admittedly, I might be a little biased, but once you taste this recipe, you’ll understand why I’m confident in making such a bold claim. After all, there are so many reasons why I know you’re going to love this gluten free donut recipe!
They’re Quick. From start to finish, these donuts take less than 45 minutes to make. If you want to save even more time, you can even opt for a pre-made frosting (but I highly recommend making your own).
They’re Gluten Free. Most donuts you’ll find in the store are made with yeast, meaning they contain large quantities of gluten. Luckily, this vegan donut recipe is made with gluten free flours and can easily be adapted to fit your specific needs.
They’re Baked. Unlike traditional donuts that are fried in inflammatory vegetable oils, these dairy free donuts are baked in the oven and contain a very small amount of heart-healthy oil such as refined coconut oil or avocado oil.
They’re Vegan-Friendly . Think you can’t enjoy good-tasting donuts on a vegan diet? Think again! This recipe is made without the use of eggs or dairy for super fluffy donuts everyone can enjoy.
They’re Versatile. If you’ve ever been to a donut shop or even browsed the aisles at your local grocery store, you’ve likely noticed that there are lots of donuts but only a few different flavor variations. Not to mention, most of them are made with high-allergen ingredients.
This means that for those following special diets, the variety of suitable options to choose from is slim. To remedy this problem and provide you with the best donut experience ever, this recipe comes with three different flavor variations and can be topped with whatever you like best so you can have your cake (er, donut) and eat it, too!
Vegan Gluten Free Donuts vs Fried Donuts
Although they look similar, there are several key differences between this vegan donut recipe and traditional fried donuts. For example, unlike fried donuts, this recipe is made with simple, whole-food ingredients and is free from additives. In addition, these dairy free donuts are baked in the oven! As a result, they have a slightly more cake-like consistency and a fluffier texture. Take a look to see how they come together below!
How to Make the Best Vegan Donut Recipe
Instructions
- Preheat. To begin, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and spray a donut pan with oil spray.
- Whisk. In a large bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients including the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Make sure they are well-combined.
Baking Tip: If the oat flour or almond flour is clumpy, be sure to sift it before whisking it together with the rest of the ingredients!
- Mix. In a second, smaller bowl, mix together the wet ingredients including the non-dairy milk, oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Then, let the wet ingredients sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to create a vegan “buttermilk.”
- Combine. After 10 minutes have passed, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, working in 2 batches. Gently stir the two until they are just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Pro-Tip: For even fluffier vegan gluten free donuts made with oat flour, let the mixed batter sit for 10 minutes! This allows the baking soda to absorb some of the liquid and the “buttermilk” to help soften the flour.
- Fill. To fill your donut molds, add the batter to a piping bag, and pipe the batter into the donut pan molds until they are ¾ of the way full. If you don’t have a piping bag, feel free to add the batter to a ziplock bag, and cut off a corner to create your own! Or, just use a spoon instead.
- Bake. Place your donuts in the oven for 14-15 minutes or until the edges are a golden brown color.
- Cool. After baking, let your vegan donuts cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing them and placing them on a cooling rack. Trust me, don’t skip this step! If you do, your donuts will likely fall apart!
Nut Free Ingredient Swap! For a super fast and easy swap that is nut free, replace the oat and almond flours with gluten free 1:1 flour! Just note that the baking times may vary, so be sure to keep an eye on your donuts if you do!
Allergy-Friendly Topping Options (3 Ways!)
Since variety is the spice of life, we’ve given you not one but three different flavor variations so you can create vegan gluten free donuts to satisfy all your taste buds!
Pick your favorite or mix and match all three! No matter which option you choose, you’ll need to combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix them together until they are smooth. Then, dip your baked donuts into the frosting, and add your favorite toppings!
Chocolate
- Coconut Whip Frosting (or dairy free topping of choice)
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- Sweetener of choice or Maple Syrup (to taste)
- Vegan Chocolate Chips or Dark Chocolate Chips
Berry
- Coconut Whip Frosting (or dairy free topping of choice)
- Raspberry or Strawberry Slices or Puree
- Maple Syrup (to taste)
Vanilla
- Coconut Whip Frosting (or dairy free topping of choice)
- Maple Syrup
- Vanilla Extract
Topping Options
Of course, you don’t have to add extra toppings. However, in my opinion, the more the merrier! Feel free to experiment with your own toppings and flavor variations. However, some of my favorite options include chocolate chips, edible flowers, berries, coconut flakes, sprinkles, and sparkling sugar!
Common Questions
How should I store egg-free/dairy free donuts?
If you can resist eating them all at once, these gluten free dairy free donuts will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days when stored in an
How do I know when they’re done baking?
You’ll know your donuts are done baking when the edges turn slightly golden brown.
Do I have to use a donut pan?
No! This recipe works well with a mini muffin tin as well. Just be sure to keep an eye on them as the baking time may vary.
Baked Vegan Donut Recipe (Gluten Free)
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
5 from 15 reviews
- Author: Lindsay Cotter
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 14–15 Donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Donut Recipe is baked instead of fried and served dessert-style with 3 different topping options for a gluten free treat you’ll love!
Ingredients
Units Scale
- 1 ½ cups (180 grams) gluten free oat flour
- ½ cup fine blanched almond flour
- ¼ cup arrowroot starch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine kosher salt
- ½ cup raw sugar or monk fruit sugar for lower sugar option
- 8–10 ounces non-dairy milk
- ¼ cup neutral oil (such as refined melted coconut oil or avocado oil)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting Options: Combine each flavor ingredients in a small bowl before topping.
Chocolate:
- ½–⅓ cup coconut whip frosting (or dairy free frosting of choice)
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- Optional sweetener to taste (ex: powdered sugar)
- Dark Chocolate Chips
Berry
- ½–⅓ cup coconut whip frosting (or dairy free frosting of choice)
- 4 Tablespoons raspberry or strawberry puree
- Maple syrup
Plain Vanilla
- ½–⅓ cup coconut whip frosting (or dairy free frosting of choice)
- ⅓–½ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Spray a donut pan with cooking oil, and set it aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (almond flour, oat flour, arrowroot starch, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar).*
- In another small bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (non-dairy milk, oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract). Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes at room temperature (to create a vegan “buttermilk”).
- Working in 2 batches, gently combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients. Stir to combine, being careful not to over mix.For fluffier donuts, let the batter sit for 10 minutes before pipping.
- Place the batter in a piping bag or ziplock bag with one corner cut off, and pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling the molds about ¾ of the way full.*
- Bake for 14-15 minutes or until the donut edges are lightly golden brown.
- Once fully baked, remove the donuts from the oven, and let them cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the donuts cool, prepare the toppings by whisking the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Dip the donuts in the frosting, and add toppings of choice.
Notes
*If the oat flour or almond flour is clumpy, sift them together before combining with other dry ingredients.
*If not using a piping or Ziploc bag, use a spoon to scoop batter into the pan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert/Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 6.5 g
- Sodium: 133.3 mg
- Fat: 4.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 29.4 g
- Fiber: .8 g
- Protein: 1.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Which version of this vegan donut recipe are you making first? Let me know in the comments below!
Cheers,
LC
