Soft, fluffy donuts topped with a sticky, dairy-free chocolate glaze. These protein donuts make the perfect healthy dessert when you want something sweet but also something fueling.
Made with vegan protein powder, these protein donuts are baked in the oven until perfectly fluffy. Then, dipped into a honey-based chocolate glaze you’ll never go back to normal donuts again!
Don’t think you can’t have your cake and eat it too- you can (this protein mug cake is literally just that)! These protein donuts give you the best of both worlds: a sweet, sugar-like indulgence combined with a bit of fuel to tide you over.
Learn how to make protein donuts and whip up a batch to keep in the fridge for when a craving hits. As a certified nutrition coach, I love that these protein donuts are:
- Made with easy ingredients
- Dairy-free and gluten-free
- Easy to whip up
- A healthier variation of a classic treat
- A hit with kids
- Customizable
- Delicious
With 10 grams of protein, these donuts are just a fun way to bump up your daily intake while enjoying a sweet treat. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Though almond flour, unsweetened almond milk, and coconut flour are common gluten-free pantry staples. You won't find any of them here (though they are te base of these paleo candy cane donuts)!
Vegan protein powder: the kind of protein powder you choose will alter the texture and the flavor of the donuts. If using a fermented pea protein powder the donuts will be a bit chewier. If using a non-fermented powder they will be fluffier.
Unsweetened applesauce: in a pinch yogurt should work here but know that it’s the applesauce that keeps the donuts from becoming too thick and dense.
Peanut butter: almond butter works as well. In fact, any nut butter can be subbed in. just make sure that you use fresh nut butter that’s a bit runny, otherwise the batter doesn’t blend as well.
Xantham gum: this is used to make the donuts hold together and give them that classic light but chewy texture.
Honey: this protein donut recipe uses honey to both sweeten and thicken the donuts. So, unfortunately, sugar-free maple syrup can't be used in its place.
Egg: unfortunately you can’t sub for flax egg in this protein powder donut recipe as they just don’t hold together the same.
How To Make Protein Donuts
- Combine the applesauce, peanut butter, honey, and egg. Mix well.
- Add in the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Portion into a silicone donut pan and smooth them out.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Let cool fully before dipping into the chocolate glaze.
Step By Step Photos
Important Teaching Tips
The protein donuts recipe works best if you use a silicone donut mold. Using a steel tray makes them very difficult to get out even if greased.
As it is, make sure to cool fully in the mold before removing them.
Since the donuts are very light, they’re also very delicate. It works best if you chill them in the fridge for an hour or two before glazing. However, you can do it once they’re cooled. Just know that you have to be extra careful.
Make sure the glaze is just coming off the warmer. As it cools it starts to thicken and harden making it extra tricky to dip the donuts.
Crucial Products
These vanilla protein donuts are made best when you use Genuine Health Protein powder.
Genuine Health’s Fermented Vegan Protein Powder is one of my favorites because it helps you truly fuel.
Made with 20 grams of plant-based protein, this vegan protein powder is dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and certified organic.
But my personal favorite is that this protein is fermented. This normally meals a little less "protein powder bloat" because it helps break down the grains, nuts, and legumes.
This protein powder literally gives you the best of both worlds.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Protein Donuts
These vanilla protein donuts are best stored in the fridge in an air tight container. They do firm up slightly when chilled but they’re still delicious. You can also let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving them.
Unfortunately, this protein donuts recipe wasn't made to freeze. Once frozen, moisture gets into the air pockets of the donuts and when thawing it tends to make them just a wee bit soggy. They’re best eaten when stored in the fridge.
Vegan protein powder absorbs much differently than whey protein powder. If subbing in whey protein you would probably need to increase the amount of xantham gum slightly so that the donuts hold together.
Other High Protein Recipes You'll Love
- The BEST dairy-free gluten-free brownies
- Protein granola
- Chunky monkey homemade protein ice cream
- Flourless peanut butter protein muffins
- Fudgy Protein Brownies
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Chocolate chia protein balls
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Chocolate chip protein powder muffins
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- High protein cookies
- High protein pancakes
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- Energizing protein bar
- Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
- High protein snack recipes
Gluten-Free Protein Donuts
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup Unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup Peanut butter natural
- ¼ cup Honey
- ¼ cup Vanilla vegan protein powder
- 1 tbs Vanilla vegan protein powder
- ¾ teaspoon Xantham gum
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- Chocolate Glaze
- 2 tbs Coconut oil
- 2 tbs Honey
- 2 tbs Cacao powder
- 1 tbs Coconut milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
- Combine the applesauce, peanut butter, honey, and egg. Mix well.
- Add in the dry ingredients one by one and mix. The mixture will thicken.
- Use a spoon and silicone spatula to portion the batter into the donut pan. Take care to shape them slightly.
- Bake for 15 minutes and let cool completely before removing from the mold.
- When you're ready to make the glaze, add the coconut oil and honey into a small sauce pot and heat on low.
- When the coconut oil melts, remove from the heat and whisk in the two other ingredients.
- Very carefully, remove the donuts from the molds and dip them gently into the glaze (they're delicate!). Place them on parchment paper to sit.
- Top with sprinkles if you wish.
Notes
- These protein donut recipe works best if you use a silicone donut mold. Using a steel tray makes them very difficult to get out even if greased.
- As it is, make sure to cool fully in the mold before removing them.
- Since the protein donuts are very light, they’re also very delicate. It works best if you chill them in the fridge for an hour or two before glazing. However, you can do it once they’re cooled. Just know that you have to be extra careful.
- Make sure the glaze is just coming off the warmer. As it cools it starts to thicken and harden making it extra tricky to dip the donuts.
- Makes 6 larger ish donuts or 7 smaller ones.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Camilla
Great recipe! I love donuts and so pleased to have found a healthier recipe.
fitasamamabear
Donuts are an easy win in this house, glad to give you a new one to try!
Lisa
The doctor said I need to up my protein in the morning. So I made these to bring into work on our weekly donut day. Even my coworkers were impressed.
fitasamamabear
Omg yay! So happy you gave them a go, definitely a yummy way to boost intake.
MacKenzie
These were delicious and I love the added protein.
fitasamamabear
Glad to hear it!
Sharina
Made these with the whole fam and we enjoyed them so much! Our donuts turned out to be so beautiful and delicious glazed with our all-time favorite chocolate glaze. We'll surely have these again. Thanks for these wonderful recipe Shelby!
fitasamamabear
Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm so happy you guys enjoyed them!
Mandy Applegate
I was craving something sweet after a hard workout and these fitted the bill and were so good!
fitasamamabear
Hehe yes!
Relle
You had me at chocolate. Always looking for ways to get more protein in. Thank you for sharing.
fitasamamabear
Chocolate is literally a life staple in my house haha
Katie Jacques
oh my goodness these donuts are so perfect!!
fitasamamabear
Hehe thank you!
Bernice Hill
These protein donuts are a substantial treat but still incredibly delicious. My family loved them!
fitasamamabear
Happy everyone enjoyed them!
Colleen
It seems impossible that these delectable donuts could be this healthy! I love that this protien is fermented, too. Extra points for gut health. Great recipe!
fitasamamabear
Haha definitely a little sneaky.. the best part!
Judith
A great healthy snack recipe.
fitasamamabear
Thanks!
Sage Scott
Oh, yum! And while this recipe won't work for vegans (egg + honey), we alpha gals can eat vegan + eggs + poultry + fish/seafood with our food allergy so neither is an issue. I love that it includes protein powder as I'm always still struggling to get enough protein in my diet as I adjust to my new normal with alpha-gal syndrome.
fitasamamabear
Ah that's awesome that you can fit it into your diet needs! Everyone needs donuts lol
Gina Abernathy
You had me at chocolate and donuts! A great and tasty recipe.
fitasamamabear
Lmao right?!
Any bany
We all enjoyed these donuts so much! Thanks for sharing!
fitasamamabear
Sp happy everyone loves them!
Kristen
These sound great, and I wanted to give them a try. Not a fan of protein powder at all though, so I ground some flax, hemp and chia together and adjusted the amount a bit and it worked great! The kids loved them and so did my hubby.
Michelle
Yum! I love the healthy twist on these donuts! Perfect for your kiddos! Such a great recipe!
fitasamamabear
Right?! It's a nice blend of healthy indulgence.
Tina
I love that the glaze is dairy free and that the instructions are super easy to follow!
fitasamamabear
Appreciate that!
Amber Hollis
Always nice to have a fun way to get added protein in my kids! These are delicious !
fitasamamabear
Haha can't go wrong with donuts!
Judith
These doughnuts are a tasty way of getting an energy boost! And I love that the are so quick and easy to make.
fitasamamabear
Definitely full of energy lol
nancy
protein donuts with sprinkles and glaze? Yes please! I never thought was making them this way but its nice to get a energy boost that i don't feel too guitly about
fitasamamabear
It's a nice balance between indulgence and not terrible for you hehe