Light, cakey vanilla collagen donuts that make an ideal post-workout snack. These protein donuts are so good you wouldn't know that they're not the real thing! Naturally gluten-free and easy to make these vanilla donuts can be topped with sprinkles chocolate chips or your favorite glaze.
Amp up your protein intake and enjoy your snacks with this easy protein donut recipe.
Want to enjoy your snacks without eating the same thing over and over? Me too!
This is one of the reasons that I came up with these gluten-free protein donuts. these vanilla donuts taste almost like the real thing in the sense that they are light and cakey which is also really fun for kids!
Made with collagen powder to give them 9 grams of protein per serving these donuts are an easy way to bump up your intake (just like these chocolate protein muffins). Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp up it up.
Plus, they store well in the fridge which makes them a great meal prep recipe!
As a Certified Nutrition Coach I know you’ll love them as much as I do because they’re:
- Dairy-free and gluten-free
- Easy to make
- Cake-like
- A great way to curb a craving
- 9g protein per serving
Ingredients You’ll Need
You have a well-stocked gluten-free pantry you will already have all the ingredients you need for these vanilla protein Donuts.
However, unlike most protein donuts this recipe doesn't contain almond flour, almond milk or coconut oil! Not only does this make them easy and school-safe but it means the texture won't be up and down from the coconut oil.
Baking flour; you want to make sure to use baking flour and not all-purpose flour as they do absorb differently. I opt for bobs red mill baking flour because it's a consistent texture every time period
Collagen powder; Collagen powder is the cleanest form of protein you can grab (learn more about collagen versus bone broth) it's one of the components of bone broth and comes with a lot of health-boosting properties like better immune system ideal for hair skin and nails all the fun stuff it's also a great way to boost your protein intake and to get some protein into kids. Learn more about natural foods high in collagen to help keep you young.
Maple syrup; These protein donuts are sweet and lightly with Maple syrup not only does this help with the texture but it also gives him the sweetness that you'd expect from a donut.
Avocado oil: this I used in place of coconut oil and makes it so that the texture stays consistent. Plus, not melting coconut oil means you save a step!
Baking powder: these collagen donuts do rise so you don't need much baking powder. However, omitting the baking powder causes the gluten-free donuts to go from light and cake to deflated and sticky.
Vanilla extract: this adds just a hint more vanilla flavor to the donuts. I'm partial to Madagascar for the most potent flavor! Learn more about the types of vanilla and which one is best for this recipe.
Dairy free yogurt; There are a lot of dairy-free yogurts on the market all of them should work so long as you are opting for a dairy-free yogurt that is regular and not Greek based Greek yogurt is a little too thick for the recipe and what we want is to balance out the gluten-free flour an give the Donuts of lighter texture.
How To Make Collagen Donuts
- Add the ingredients into a large mixing bowl one by one setting the spinkles aside
- Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
- Grease a donut pan and pour in the mixture.
- Top each donut with some sprinkles.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Let cool completely in the pan
Step By Step Photos
Important Teaching Tips
Protein Donuts are really light and really cakey which means that they are also a little bit delicate period you really want to make sure to let them cool in the pan for about 15 minutes and then use a silicone spatula to very gently remove them.
The other option is to use a silicone mold for your Donuts in which case you want to let them cool fully in the pan and then take care to pop them out and keep their shape intact.
This recipe uses unflavored very pure collagen to get its protein intake. However, that doesn't mean that you can't use flavored collagen to adjust the flavor of the Donuts this means that you could use chocolate collagen or vanilla to give the Donuts a little bit more potency.
Sourced from grass-fed cows, collagen powder gives you 20 grams of protein in just two scoops. Amp up your protein, help out your gut, and reap the benefits of silky hair and strong nails by adding it into your diet.
Mini chocolate chips work just as well in place of sprinkles.
If you are celiac make sure to double check that your sprinkles are gluten-free likewise for dairy free as sometimes they do have sneaky ingredients.
The batter thickens slightly as it sits, do not add any almond milk, coconut milk, or liquid or you'll have very dense donuts.
When stored in the fridge these Donuts will firm up slightly but not enough that you need to let them sit at room temperature before eating. In fact, they are actually delicious straight out of the fridge as well which makes them a great meal prep recipe for busy days.
Choosing Collagen Powder
It’s no surprise that these protein donuts are made with collagen powder!
All the protein without the bloat.
I use collagen powder for amping up protein and boosting gut health.
Learn about the difference between collagen and bone broth as how to increase protein intake.
Honestly, as a busy mom collagen powder just makes it easy to eat more protein and not feel like I’m living off chicken and eggs.
And more protein means more energy, more natural beauty, and feeling your BEST.
Plus, in recipes like this, you can sneak protein into your kids as it’s one of the purest sources.
I grab my collagen from Perfect Supplements because they source their collagen from pasture-raised (grass-fed) cows. So, I trust it.
Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Frequently Asked Questions About Protein Donuts
Clear protein powder can't be used for collagen in this Donuts recipe. This is because protein powder especially vegan protein powder absorbs a liquid whereas the collagen in this recipe does not. So using any kind of protein powder would greatly alter the texture of the protein Donuts.
You may be able to use a flax egg in the recipe in place of the traditional but I have yet to try it.
If stored in the fridge the donuts should last about a week.
Unfortunately, because the donuts use baking flour, neither almond flour or coconut flour can be used. Baking flour absorbs liquid much differently than other flours and swapping it would alter the texture too much.
More High Protein Recipes You'll Love
- Flourless protein brownies
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Gluten-free chocolate protein donuts
- Cookies and cream protein shake
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Chocolate chip protein powder muffins
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- High protein cookies
- High protein pancakes
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- Chocolate protein fluff
- Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
- High protein snack recipes
Cakey Collagen Donuts (gluten-free!)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Gluten Free Baking Flour
- ¼ cup Collagen Powder
- ¾ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ cup Maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 tbs Avocado Oil
- 1 Egg
- ½ cup Non Dairy Yogurt Unsweetened
- 2 tbs sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl add the ingredients in one by one saving one tablespoon of sprinkles.
- Mix really well.
- Pour the donut batter into a silicone donut mold. If using a steel donut pan make sure to grease it first.
- Sprinkle the last of the sprinkles onto the top of the donuts.
- Bake for 27 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool in the tray for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Pop them out of the donut mold carefully or use a silicone spatula to help take them out of the donut tray and cool further.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Gina Abernathy says
Who can say no to a donut? Not me - especially a healthy one (or two)!
fitasamamabear says
Haha you and me both!
Glenda says
These were tasty AND pretty. I made them with my granddaughter and she loved them.
fitasamamabear says
Awww, did yours love the sprinkles as much as mine? lol
Rosanna says
These were delicious! Thank you for the recipe
fitasamamabear says
Glad you enjoyed them!
Angela says
I loved the texture and taste of these! A very good donut recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Can't go wrong with donuts!
Jacqui says
These are really great! I swapped the egg for “justegg” and it worked.
fitasamamabear says
Ohh good to know, thank you!
Jere Cassidy says
I bought a donut pan ages ago and have never made donuts. Can't believe it, but this recipe made me reach way back in the cupboard and find that pan. I am so glad you are using the collagen powder and giving all the helpful tips.
K says
Omg NEEDED! It had been forever since I had a doughnut but these hit the spot!!
fitasamamabear says
Haha and now donuts can be part of a healthy meal 😀
nancy says
tasty doughnuts and lovely to have extra collagen for the skin and bones!
fitasamamabear says
Yes!!
Jennifer says
What a terrific recipe! I loved the cakey donuts, and the flavor was great! Bonus points for getting a collagen boost - terrific!
fitasamamabear says
Haha isn't it nice when that works out??
MacKenzie says
This recipe is perfect. Love the addition of collagen. Healthy and delicious.
fitasamamabear says
Happy you enjoyed them!
Katie says
The ultimate beauty boosting dessert! These collagen donuts are so fun!
ChihYu says
I love a good donut and these are perfect! Light, delicious, easy to make and full of protein!
fitasamamabear says
That they are!
Donny says
I was a little worried when I saw the first ingredient is 'baking flour' but was so relieved when I realized you meant GF baking flour! So of course I had to make them and they really are so good!
fitasamamabear says
Haha totally a fair point lol they come out so light though which is awesome for gluten-free!
Stacey says
I have not had donuts in such a long time & these gluten-free donuts were just the kind of treat I was looking for. Perfect plain, with sprinkles, or with icing.
fitasamamabear says
That's amazing to hear! The sprinkles were a hit with my kiddos lol
Janessa says
Yum, such a great snack! I’ve never thought to get my collagen in through desserts- I’ll be making these regularly!
fitasamamabear says
Collagen is our "I put that sh*t in everything" thing lol
Ramona says
This donuts were beyond delicious. The addition of collagen is genius, all in all great recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Collagen solves life problems lol
Linda says
I've only ever mixed collagen into liquidy things, so this was super cool! (That's the exact brand I use, too!) Fun and yummy recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Haha it works for SO many things!!!
nancy says
i don't feel guilty eating this dessert. it was really tasty!
fitasamamabear says
Yay! Best thing ever!
Anybany says
What an idea of using collagen powder like that! I appreciate your creativity!!
fitasamamabear says
Thanks so much! I adore collagen powder: it's so easy!
Katie says
perfect gluten-free donut recipe! They're so easy to make too!
Shelby S says
I've been making these donuts for YEARS now because my kids love them so much!