These Healthy Protein Donuts are light, cakey, and taste like the real deal, only they’re made with collagen powder for an easy protein boost. Naturally dairy and gluten-free, they're simple to bake and they make an ideal post-workout snack or fun weekend treat (sprinkles highly encouraged).
"Perfect gluten-free donut recipe! They're so easy to make too!"
-Katie
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 32 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 6
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 218 kcals and 12 grams of protein
- 📋 Main Ingredients: Gluten-free baking flour, collagen powder, maple syrup, egg, and non-dairy yogurt.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free and gluten-free.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These soft, lightly sweetened collagen donuts deliver a cakey, bakery-style treat that’s protein-boosted and easy to grab on busy days.
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If you’re anything like me, you want to enjoy snacks without getting stuck in the same routine. That’s exactly why I started making these easy protein donuts: they’re light, cakey, kid-approved, and honestly taste surprisingly close to the bakery version. My girls get excited about sprinkles, and I get excited that we’re all getting a little extra protein (which is also the whole vibe inside the Strong and Sweet Protein Guide, which brings you dessert-like snacks).
I love baking with collagen because it gives these donuts 9 grams of protein while keeping them soft and fluffy, just like blueberry protein muffins or collagen cookies. You can learn more about the high-protein diet benefits, but the real magic is that these store beautifully in the fridge and make the perfect little meal-prep treat you actually look forward to eating.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: These gluten-free protein donuts require no major kitchen skills and are ready to go in just 30 minutes.
Tasty texture: Like most collagen dessert recipes, they have a cake-like texture that's far too easy to eat.
Delicious: They're sweet and soft, making them a great way to curb cravings.
Ingredients and Substitutions
You have a well stocked gluten-free pantry you will already have all the ingredients you need for these high-protein donuts.
- Gluten-free baking flour: 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 has a consistent texture every time period
- Collagen powder: High-quality 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 perks. Learn more about natural foods high in collagen to bump up your intake.
- Dairy free yogurt; There are a lot of dairy-free yogurts on the market (peek the best dairy-free swaps for beginners), all of them should work so long as you are opting for a dairy-free yogurt that is regular and not Greek yogurt-based. Greek yogurt is a little too thick for the recipe and what we want is to balance out the gluten-free flour and give the Donuts of lighter texture.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Add-Ins: I add sprinkles to the collagen donuts, but anything will work. Mini chocolate chips or even candy canes, like in these grain-free donuts, are a fun twist.
Chocolate: Absolutely everyone loves a chocolate flavor. Add raw cacao powder to the donut batter for a rich flavor. This works for protein pumpkin donuts, too.
How To Make Healthy Protein Donuts
Step 1: Add the ingredients into a large mixing bowl one by one setting the spinkles aside.
Step 2: Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
Step 3: Grease a donut pan and pour in the mixture.Top each donut with some sprinkles.
Step 4:Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan.
Expert Tips
These collagen donuts are really light and really cakey, which means that they are also a little bit delicate coming out of the oven. Make sure to let them cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, and be gentle as you remove them.
Use a silicone mold for your donuts as it's SO much easier.
If you are celiac, make sure to double-check that your sprinkles are gluten-free, likewise for dairy-free 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.
Store the protein donuts in the fridge in an airtight container once cooled. They will firm up slightly, but not enough that you need to let them sit at room temperature before eating them. In fact, they are actually delicious straight out of the fridge as well, which makes them a great meal prep recipe for busy days.
Healthy Protein Donuts FAQs
Some protein powders can be used in place of collagen in this healthy protein donut recipe. Whey protein and some beef-based protein will work, but vegan protein powder won't, as it absorbs too much liquid.
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 protein donuts will stay fresh for 7 days.
Unfortunately, because the donuts use baking flour, neither almond flour nor coconut flour can be used. Baking flour absorbs liquid much differently than other flours, and swapping it would alter the texture too much.
These healthy protein donuts do not freeze well, as they tend to crumble once thawed.
More High Protein Recipes You'll Love
If you tried this Healthy Collagen Donuts Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Healthy Protein 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"
Nutrition
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
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
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
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!
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!
Katie says
The ultimate beauty boosting dessert! These collagen donuts are so fun!
MacKenzie says
This recipe is perfect. Love the addition of collagen. Healthy and delicious.
fitasamamabear says
Happy you enjoyed them!
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??
nancy says
tasty doughnuts and lovely to have extra collagen for the skin and bones!
fitasamamabear says
Yes!!
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 😀
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.
Jacqui says
These are really great! I swapped the egg for “justegg” and it worked.
fitasamamabear says
Ohh good to know, thank you!
Angela says
I loved the texture and taste of these! A very good donut recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Can't go wrong with donuts!
Rosanna says
These were delicious! Thank you for the recipe
fitasamamabear says
Glad you enjoyed them!
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