Soft, sweet, and perfectly spiced, these Cinnamon Sugar Protein Donuts melt in your mouth. Baked in the oven with gluten-free flour and topped with a cinnamon sugar coating, this protein donut recipe comes together in just 25 minutes as a delicious breakfast, post-workout snack, or sweet treat.
"Cinnamon sugar donuts bring back childhood nostalgia like crazy for me. These were delicious and love that they've got a bit more nutrition than the typical recipe." -Gina
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 25 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 12
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 164 kcals and 9 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Gluten-free baking flour, collagen powder, eggs, dairy-free milk, cinnamon, cane sugar, and honey.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free and gluten-free.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: These gluten-free protein donuts are soft, lightly sweet, and packed with protein for a better-for-you treat.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Get the best of both worlds with these high-protein donuts. Unlike traditional donuts, these are baked in the oven, with no yeast, frying, or rising required, which makes them a lot more manageable (kind of like these pumpkin protein donuts). As a busy mom, recipes like this are my favorite because they deliver that warm donut flavor without turning breakfast into a whole production.
Even better, these protein donuts get their boost from collagen instead of traditional protein powder. It’s one of my favorite ways to sneak a little extra protein into everyday treats while keeping the texture soft and fluffy (check out more collagen powder recipes). Though these didn't make the cut for my Strong and Sweet Protein Guide, they're definitely one of my personal faves.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Healthier alternative: There's nothing funky in this protein donut recipe, it's made with everyday pantry staples which makes it a healthier choice than anything deep fried or store-bought!
Texture: Since these donuts are made with collagen powder, the texture remains light and fluffy, more of what you'd expect from a classic donut.
Yummy: Sweetened with honey and dusted with cinnamon sugar topping for the perfect treat.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Gluten-free 1:1 baking flour: Use baking flour and not all-purpose flour or the cinnamon sugar donuts won’t fluff up as you’d expect. For best results, use Bob's Red Mills flour.
- Collagen powder: One of the cleanest sources of protein, it blends into baked goods seamlessly. Learn more about how collagen powder and protein powder are different.
- Dairy-free milk: We use homemade hemp milk the most, but almond milk works just fine.
- Dairy-free butter: Any non-dairy butter should work for the donut recipe. If you don't need these to be dairy-free, use regular butter.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Topping: In place of the cinnamon sugar topping, you could also drizzle a dairy-free chocolate glaze or coconut milk caramel sauce over the top.
Add-ins: Sprinkles, coconut, or chopped nuts can all be mixed into the donut batter.
How To Make Baked Cinnamon Sugar Protein Donuts
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Melt the butter and add in the wet ingredients one by one. Mix well.
Step 2: Portion the donut batter into a silicone donut mold. Then, transfer to a cooling rack.
Step 3: Bake for 20 minutes in the oven and let cool in the mold. Mix together the cane sugar and cinnamon sprinkle.
Step 4: Gently brush melted butter on a donut before dipping it lightly into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Repeat the process for all the donuts.
Expert Tips To Make It
Silicone donut molds work best. Even when greased, a traditional donut pan makes it harder to get the donuts out, and you’re more likely to rip them.
Only mix the batter until just combined. Gluten-free flours are funky like that, and overmixed batter leads to a tough baked good.
A high-quality collagen powder is key for the donuts so that you know it'll blend smoothly and not be gritty. I use Perfect Supplements collagen because they're such a transparent company. If you give them a go, know that code mamabear saves you money.
Know that too much cinnamon in the cinnamon sugar sprinkle mixture makes the donuts come out with a very dark topping. If you’re making these to look good for a party (or just curling up to read some donut puns), keep the cane sugar high in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
You may be able to make these protein donuts with whey protein powder or Paleo Pro Beef Protein, as they tend to be similar in how they bind. However, a vegan protein powder or other beef proteins won't work as they absorb too much.
Storing: These cinnamon sugar donuts are best eaten at room temperature. Though you can store them in the fridge for 3-4 days, they do become a bit dense. Reheat them in the microwave before serving.
Cinnamon Sugar Protein Donuts FAQs
You may be able to use a flax egg in the recipe in place of the traditional but I have yet to try it.
Because gluten-free flour absorbs so much liquid in a recipe, it can’t be substituted directly for regular flour.
These cinnamon sugar donuts will last roughly three days on the countertop in a sealed container. In the fridge, they will last up to one week. However, know that they become dense when stored in the fridge, so you'll want to warm them up before enjoying.
Yes, you can freeze protein donuts between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight bag for up to 2 months. Let them come to room temperature before you need them, and then lightly heat them before serving. If you know you'll be freezing them, I would wait to add the cinnamon sugar topping until you're ready to serve them.
More High-Protein Desserts You'll Love
If you tried this Oven Baked Cinnamon Sugar Protein Donuts Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Cinnamon Protein Donuts (Gluten-free)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Donuts
- 1 ⅓ cup 1:1 Gluten-free baking flour
- 2 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ⅓ cup Collagen powder
- ½ cup Dairy-free milk
- 1 tbs Dairy-free milk yes you need both
- 1 teaspoon Apple cider vinegar
- 2 Eggs
- 1.5 tablespoons Butter
- ¼ cup Honey
- ⅛ cup Honey yes you need both
For the Topping
- 3 tbs Dairy-free butter
- 4 tbs Cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
- Melt the butter and add in the wet ingredients one by one.
- Mix well.
- Portion into a silicone donut mold. Then, transfer to a cooling rack.
- Bake for 20 minutes in the oven and let cool in the mold.
- Mix together the cane sugar and cinnamon sprinkle.
- Gently brush melted butter on a donut before dipping it lightly into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Repeat the process for all the donuts.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Gina says
Cinnamon sugar donuts bring back childhood nostalgia like crazy for me. These were delicious and love that they've got a bit more nutrition than the typical recipe.
fitasamamabear says
They remind me of being a kid too! Funny how certain flavors do that. Glad you like them!
Bella B says
We loved this one! Always appreciate finding good dairy free and gluten free recipes. Will be making this one again.
fitasamamabear says
Happy to hear it!
Jennifer says
Cinnamon donuts are my kryptonite and not only are these donuts delish but the added protein makes them good for me! Yum!
fitasamamabear says
Haha now you can eat them more often!
Sara says
These were delicious and surprisingly easy to make. My husband and I quick made them for weekday breakfasts and he's been raving about them since
fitasamamabear says
Wahoo! Always a hit when I win over a husband!
jennifer says
I made in my metal mini donut maker, but going to get the silicone one, that looks so "no fail" to get out!!! These were super yummy -- and I loved the protein boost!
fitasamamabear says
Haha I have also made them in a metal tin. They taste good but they get SO broken lol no matter how much you spray!! The silicone molds are a sanity saver lol