Indulge in your favorite fall flavor while increasing your energy! These gluten-free pumpkin donuts are soft, chewy, and totally paleo. Whipped up in just one bowl and baked in the oven they make the perfect addition to an afternoon coffee.
It’s not often that we as moms actually sit down and enjoy a meal. In fact, what we do grab is as we’re running out the door.
Which is why having something like these high protein, gluten-free pumpkin donuts on hand makes busy days easier.
Not only do you get to bump up your protein for the day but you also get to savor the comforting flavor of pumpkin spice- which you can do with this high-protein pumpkin pudding too.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I know you’ll fall in love with these baked gluten-free pumpkin donuts because they’re:
- Easy: made in just one down
- Healthy: dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo
- Comforting: made with real pumpkin and your favorite pumpkin pie spice
- Fueling: they have 12 grams of protein
Ingredients You’ll Need
Canned pumpkin puree: make sure not to grab pumpkin pie filling to avoid the extra sugar.
Coconut flour: this flour is a gluten-free pantry staple because it’s low in carbs but gives baked goods that satiating feel.
Collagen powder: one of the easiest ways to increase your protein intake and protein in its purest form. Collagen powder is what gives these pumpkin donuts their fuel. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why collagen powder rocks.
Tapioca starch: tapioca flour helps bind all the batter ingredients so that the donuts hold together.
Eggs: any you have on hand is fine but ideally let them sit at room temperature before you crack them.
Vanilla extract: the purer the vanilla the more flavor you’ll get.
Pumpkin pie spice: you can use store-bought or homemade for these donuts.
Baking powder: adds a bit of fluff to the gluten-free pumpkin donuts for that classic feel.
Maple syrup: opt for real maple syrup for the best flavor and texture.
Avocado oil: any neutral oil will work here but avocado oil has a high heat point.
How To Make Them
Baked pumpkin donuts are the easiest things to whip up!
- In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients including the pumpkin pie spice.
- One by one, add in the gluten-free wet ingredients and begin to mix.
- Mix until combined but no more than that. Don’t leave any flour at the bottom.
- Portion manually into a silicone donut mild. You’ll need to scoop the batter as it’s pretty thick.
- Shape and smooth them out.
- Bake for 30 minutes and then turn the oven off and let them sit for another 10.
- Remove the gluten-free pumpkin donuts from the oven and let them cool fully before removing them from their molds.
Step By Step Photos
Important Teaching Tips
The pumpkin donut batter is pretty thick once it sits for a minute so you’ll need to manually shape the donuts. Take the time to smooth out the tops. Trust me, they bake batter this way.
If you can, lift the filled donut molds up and place them firmly back down on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
Don’t try to remove the baked pumpkin donuts from the molds before they’re completely cooled. They’ll just fall apart.
Sprinkling chopped pecans, or mini chocolate chips on top of the donuts before baking them is tasty.
Choosing A Protein
Collagen powder is the secret, protein-boosting ingredient in these gluten-free pumpkin donuts.
This is what gives them such a high protein hit without adding any protein powder.
Collagen is a beneficial part of bone broth and is wonderful for your hair, skin, and nails. Learn more about collagen and why you may want to boost your intake. However, unlike bone broth, it doesn’t taste like well, bone broth.
Similarly, collagen powder is odorless and flavorless. Plus, if ethically sourced is one of the purest forms of protein you can give to your kids!
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.
Silicone Donut Molds
Silicone donut molds work best. Even greased, a traditional donut pan makes it harder to get the donuts out and you’re more likely to rip them.
The ones I use are the ones linked above. Cooking times are going to vary based on the molds.
Topping The Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts
One of the best things about these pumpkin protein donuts is that you can dress them up or leave them as is depending on your mood.
If you like, drizzle the donuts with:
- Dairy-free caramel sauce
- Dairy-free chocolate ganache
- Dairy-free cream cheese frosting (you’d need to pipe it or thin it)
Or dip them into a cinnamon sugar mix like these cinnamon sugar donuts.
For the photos, I actually dipped the donuts into caramel sauce and then sprinkled them with a cinnamon sugar mix for some shimmer. Super indulgent.
When I'm eating these personally though, I don't top them with anything but some chopped pecans.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth & Fuel Your Body
The ultimate collection of high-protein, no-bake snacks for busy moms.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Protein Donuts
Store the pumpkin donuts in the fridge in an airtight container for 5-7 days.
Other Pumpkin Spice Recipes
Pumpkin Pie Protein Donuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- ¼ cup collagen powder
- 1.5 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tbs tapioca flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tbs maple syrup
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ tbs avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F
- In a large bowl, mix together all the wet ingredients until blended.
- One by one, add in the dry ingredients and begin to mix.
- Mix until combined but no more than that. Don’t leave any flour at the bottom.
- Portion manually (with a spoon) into a silicone donut mild. You’ll need to scoop the batter as it’s pretty thick.
- Shape and smooth them out with a silicone spatula.
- Bake for 30 minutes and then turn the oven off and let them sit for another 10.
- Remove them from the oven and let them cool fully before removing them from their molds.
- Enjoy them as is or top them with powdered sugar before serving.
Video
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Mary
I look forward to apple cider donuts every year at this time but it's so hard to find a good GF alternative to them. These pumpkin donuts have now taken their place officially! Love this recipe - a batch barely lasts a day or two in our house!
fitasamamabear
Ahh I'm so happy you like them!
Ella
I made this for breakfast this morning. Sooo good! I can seriously eat the entire batch.
fitasamamabear
Haha I could also eat the whole batch lol
jennifer
Okay, I made these plain and just scarfed them down -- so yummy and a great post workout and bedtime snack for me. Oh breakfast too -- now you know why they disappeared so fast. I liked your topping ideas and am going to make again for my son with the caramel option.
Tiffany
I made this and it was an epic fail on my first try because it was a little mushy but on the second try I have perfected it! it tastes soo good!! Other than that, it's a healthy go-to snack. Thank you!
fitasamamabear
Glad you got it worked out, not going to lie GF donuts can be finicky sometimes with mixing.
Remi
Double the batch because these donuts were gone in no time - my family devourrrrrrred them. So yummy!
fitasamamabear
Hahaa always awesome when the family approves!
Emily
I love pumpkin donuts but I've been missing them since I went gluten-free. I was so happy to find this recipe and it was delicious! Your step-by-step instructions were helpful, too.
fitasamamabear
Yay! It's hard to give up favorites when you go GF so happy I can give you one back!