20 Donut Recipes You Have to Try to Believe

Who doesn’t love a fresh, hot, chewy and gooey donut?

Pair it with some frozen yogurt and you’ve got the makings of a killer cheat meal.

Skip the Krispy Kreme and store-bought junk–here are 20 creative and delicious ways to do it better at home.

Whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, or just like to stay away from sugar, there’s a donut recipe in here for you!

Enjoy!

Doughnut Waffles with Maple Glaze

Picture courtesy of Handle the Heat

The biggest pastry craze to ever hit breakfast was the cronut, a combination of flaky croissant and glazed donut. The problem, though, is the pillowy croissant dough is hard to make at home.

So forget about croissants, and grab your waffle iron for a different kind of mash-up, a super fluffy waffle that’s topped with maple glaze.

Serves 20

Ingredients

Donut Waffles:

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. fine salt

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 large egg

1 egg yolk

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup low-fat milk

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Maple Glaze:

4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

2 Tbsp. low-fat milk

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 132

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 23 grams

Fat: 4 grams

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Baked Mini Buttermilk Doughnuts with Nutella Glaze

Picture courtesy of Just a Taste

Get a whole lot of donut flavor in a smaller package with these.

They’re classic buttermilk doughnuts, which is delicious enough, but then they are topped with irresistible Nutella. So while the mini size may help you scale back, you should still plan on eating more than one.

Serves 24

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups cake flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup Nutella, at room temp.

1/3 cup heavy cream

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 90

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 13 grams

Fat: 4 grams

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Mini Raspberry and Coconut Glazed Doughnuts

Picture courtesy of Christina Ross

Seeing as these donuts are from the cookbook Love Fed: Purely Decadent, Simply Raw, Plant-Based Desserts, their unique property can’t be kept secret. Not only are they made using coconut and almond flours, but these raspberry doughnuts are also raw!

As expected, the texture isn’t like a baked good. Yet you’ll end up with a fresh, fruity dessert that’s ideal for summer.

Serves 20

Ingredients

Donut Base:

12 pitted deglet dates

1 cup almond flour

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/4 cup coconut flakes

2 tsp. coconut sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup agave nectar

Raspberry Glaze:

2/3 cup raspberries

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup coconut butter, softened

1/4 cup coconut milk

3 Tbsp. agave nectar

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/4 cup coconut flakes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 159

Protein: 2 grams

Carbs: 30 grams

Fat: 5 grams

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Baked Funfetti Glazed Donut

Picture courtesy of Sally’s Baking Addiction

Although sprinkles don’t offer any nutritional value, it’s arguable that the joy caused by seeing rainbow-colored confections leads to health benefits in itself.

Follow this sprinkled donut recipe and I think you’ll agree. The glaze is finished with a spoonful of sprinkles, but there’s a surprise inside – more rainbow jimmies to ensure these baked donuts deliver big on the fun factor.

Serves 8

Ingredients

Donuts:

1 cup all-purpose flour

 1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup 1% milk

1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1 large egg

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup rainbow jimmies

Glaze:

1/4 cup 1% milk

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles (optional garnish)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 344

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 66 grams

Fat: 8 grams

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S’mores Doughnuts

Picture courtesy of Handle the Heat

The recipe for these baked chocolate donuts has scaled back the butter by using yogurt, but it’s no holds barred when it comes to the topping. Slather on warmed marshmallow; then sprinkle with finely crushed graham crackers.

Of course you can use the marshmallow fluff readily available in the jar, but it’s more rewarding to make a healthy marshmallow topping at home. Believe it or not, it takes just 10 minutes with a mixer, cream of tartar, your sweetener of choice, and the liquid from a can of chickpeas.

Serves 6

Ingredients

Chocolate Donuts:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp. plain yogurt

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

Topping:

1 cup marshmallow fluff

2 Tbsp. graham cracker crumbs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 272

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 51 grams

Fat: 6 grams

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Baked Snickerdoodle Donut Holes

Picture courtesy of Amy’s Healthy Baking

Can’t choose between baking sugar cookies or donuts? Now you don’t have to.

The secret to bringing the flavors together in this recipe is just a few drops. Butter extract is easy to find in stores, and once you have some in the cabinet, you’ll love adding it to healthy recipes for a kiss of indulgent flavor. But be careful in buying the kind with artificial flavors; there are all-natural extracts available too.

Serves 7 / Makes 22

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided

1/4 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

1 large egg, room temp.

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. all-natural butter extract

3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided

1/4 cup + 3 Tbsp. skim milk, divided

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 162

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 33 grams

Fat: 3 grams

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Sour Cream Coffee Cake Donuts

Picture courtesy of Ruffles and Truffles

Skip the box of Entenmann’s coffee cake and bake up these sweet cinnamon donuts instead.

Although not quite a crumble donut, the streusel topping will do the trick. It might seem like a donut is a bigger hit to your diet than coffee cake, but a slice actually adds up to almost 100 calories more than these.

Serves 12

Ingredients

Sour Cream Donuts:

3/4 cup extra-fine sugar

6 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

1 cup cake flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup low-fat sour cream

Streusel:

6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Pinch of salt

Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. low-fat milk

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 174

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 23 grams

Fat: 8 grams

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Lemon Poppy Seed Donuts with Vanilla Glaze

Picture courtesy of The Comfort of Cooking

Lemon has a light, bright flavor that’s perfect to perk up the morning. These donuts come complete with a simple vanilla glaze, but like lemon poppy seed muffins, they are delicious to eat plain too.

Since the glaze takes no time to whisk together – and they have to be fully cooled either way – you don’t have to make up your mind until the last minute.

Serves 8

Ingredients

Lemon Donuts:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. lemon extract

1 large egg

Zest from 1 lemon

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. milk

1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 213

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 41 grams

Fat: 4 grams

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Baked Red Velvet Donuts

Picture courtesy of Sarah Hearts

Instead of a full coat of glaze, why not go for an artful drizzle on your freshly baked donuts? Rather than topping them with sugar alone, why not mix in some cream cheese? That’s the line of thinking behind these lighter red velvet donuts.

Another health tip? Use beet juice instead of red food coloring, and you won’t be able to taste the difference.

Serves 12

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

2 oz. unsweetened chocolate

1/2 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 Tbsp. red food coloring

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 186

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 33 grams

Fat: 5 grams

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Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Picture courtesy of Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Think you can’t have fresh homemade donuts in a half hour or less? The batter for these fluffy cinnamon donuts doesn’t take long to mix together, and after that they spent less than 10 minutes in the oven.

The donuts get a quick coat of melted butter, followed by a dip in cinnamon-sugar. Devour them right away with a mug of coffee.

Serves 12

Ingredients

Buttermilk Donuts:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 214

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 35 grams

Fat: 7 grams

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Pączki (Polish Jelly Doughnuts)

Picture courtesy of Jenny Can Cook

These low-fat jelly doughnuts are baked instead of fried, but this healthy take on a traditional recipe still has more flavor and fluffy goodness to offer than any store-bought variety. As with most filled donuts, you can replace the jam with tart lemon curd or creamy custard.

Serves 12

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups + 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup + 1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. (1 packet) yeast

2/3 cup low-fat milk

3 Tbsp. extra-light olive oil

2 egg yolks

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

1 cup thick raspberry jam (or filling of choice)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 218

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 39 grams

Fat: 6 grams

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Salted Caramel Glazed Pumpkin Donuts

Picture courtesy of Diethood

It’s hard to pass up Dunkin’ Donuts when they have so many flavors to choose from – and the coffee to dunk those cakey pastries in too. But the donuts you make at home can be every bit as tempting, and you can bake seasonal flavors like spiced pumpkin.

A sticky glaze of salted caramel on top make these donuts into dessert, or switch it out for a cream cheese drizzle for breakfast.

Serves 12

Ingredients

Pumpkin Donuts:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree

Salted Caramel Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

3/4 cup caramel sauce

2 tsp. sea salt

3 Tbsp. low-fat milk

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 411

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 78 grams

Fat: 11 grams

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Healthier Powdered Donuts

Picture courtesy of On Sugar Mountain

There’s no way to avoid sugar when it comes to powdered donuts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve on the ones bought by the dozen in a white box.

Start by baking them instead of deep frying. If you want to take it a step further, compromise by using an all-natural stevia sugar substitute in the donuts and then coating them in powdered cane sugar.

Serves 8 / Makes 24 mini donuts

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. lemon zest

1/2 cup low-fat milk

1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 large egg

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 cup powdered sugar

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 280

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 47 grams

Fat: 10 grams

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Coconut Fudge “Pronuts” (Protein Donuts)

Picture courtesy of The Chalkboard Mag

The best way to give breakfast a makeover – at least if you ask any bodybuilder – is to bulk up the protein.

You can’t tell based on the rich candy bar-like flavor that these are packed with nutrition, but these chocolate protein donuts include chia seeds, ripe bananas, and plenty of coconut. They’re grain-free and, depending on your choice of protein powder, can be made vegan too.

For an Almond Joy effect, top with toasted almonds.

Serves 6

Ingredients

6 Tbsp. light coconut milk

5 Tbsp. chia seeds

1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup (about 2 scoops) WHEY+ chocolate protein isolate

1/4 cup raw cacao powder

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

3 Tbsp. coconut sugar

1 medium banana, mashed

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 233

Protein: 11 grams

Carbs: 18 grams

Fat: 15 grams

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Chunky Monkey Baked Banana Donuts

Picture courtesy of Sugar Dish Me

Instead of grabbing a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, bake up these healthy donuts inspired by the banana ice cream that’s chock full of walnuts and thick slabs of fudge.

This batter is like a mix of banana bread and sour cream donuts. Then, rather than chocolate chunks, there’s a rich fudge glaze studded with chopped nuts, which can be toasted for even more flavor.

Serves 12

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3/4 tsp. baking soda

Pinch of salt

2 large eggs

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup sour cream

1 medium banana, mashed

3 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 tsp. vanilla

6 oz. dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (or semi-sweet chocolate chips)

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 249

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 32 grams

Fat: 12 grams

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Gingerbread Protein Donuts with Lemon Glaze

Picture courtesy of The Fit Fork

Around the holidays, it’s hard to set foot in a café without being knocked over the head with a whiff of fresh-baked gingerbread. And you better believe they’ll have thick, iced slices of gingerbread to tempt you at the counter.

Luckily, you can get the same wintry taste at home as a gluten-free donut complete with lemony coconut-protein icing.

Serves 12

Ingredients

Gingerbread Donuts:

3/4 cup almond meal

1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour

2 scoops WHEY+ vanilla protein isolate (1 Tbsp. reserved for glaze)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. ground ginger

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1 Tbsp. stevia powder

3 large eggs

1/3 cup coconut oil

3 Tbsp. unsulphered blackstrap molasses

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Lemon Glaze:

2 Tbsp. coconut milk

1 Tbsp. coconut butter

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp. stevia powder

2 Tbsp. lemon zest

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 186

Protein: 9 grams

Carbs: 13 grams

Fat: 12 grams

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Peach Donuts with Pistachios & White Chocolate Glaze

Picture courtesy of Veggie Wedgie

When donut peaches (aka Saturn peaches) are at the peak of the season – from late spring to summer – they’re every bit as satisfying as a baked dessert. So why not cut out the cores and decorate them just like glazed donuts to trick the eye into finding this fruit even more delectable?

Fun aside, the combo of fruit and nuts makes a healthy snack, which is all the more reason why these peaches topped with pistachios should be on your must-eat list.

Serves 8

Ingredients

8 ripe donut peaches

Scant 1/2 cup (100 g) raw cacao butter

1/3 cup Brazil nuts or macadamias, ground into meal

4 Tbsp. agave powder (or agave syrup)

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup raw pistachios, finely chopped

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 182

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 18 grams

Fat: 12 grams

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Raisin-Apple Dutch Doughnuts

Picture courtesy of Honest Cooking

The original variety that launched the donut fad throughout America, these don’t have the round shape we’ve come to know, but they have flavor to back up the claim to historical fame.

Called oliebollen – which translates to oily balls – these traditional donuts definitely need to be deep fried. But then you’ll end up with a new favorite food that you can make in the comfort of your own home.

Serves 25

Ingredients

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. salt

3/4 oz. (3 packets) dry active yeast

1 1/4 cups milk, slightly warmed

1 Tbsp. granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/3 cups raisins

1 large apple, peeled and diced

Oil for deep frying

Powdered sugar for garnish

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 180

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 21 grams

Fat: 10 grams

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Simple Almond Bear Claw Doughnuts

Picture courtesy of My Paper Crane

Most bear claw recipes will get you close to the kind at your neighborhood coffee shop, but they’re either way too complicated to make at home, or are packed with sugar and butter.

This variety uses premade puff pastry for convenience, and then the delicate dough is filled with flavorful ground almonds and pecans for maximum flavor and nutrition.

Serves 16

Ingredients

1 cup almonds, ground

1 cup pecans, ground

2 large eggs

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed

Egg wash (an egg white mixed with water)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 168

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 12 grams

Fat: 13 grams

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Whole Wheat Apple Fritter Doughnuts

Picture courtesy of Texanerin

Since fritters are loaded with diced fruit, they have to be wholesome, right? Not quite. The inclusion of one healthy ingredient doesn’t mean the finished product is good for you, even if it does add a few vitamins and minerals to the meal.

These fluffy apple fritters don’t skimp on the flavor, but make excellent use of whole-wheat flour, apple juice, and minimal sugar to prove that “better fried food” doesn’t have to be an oxymoron.

Serves 16

Ingredients

Apple Fritters:

1 cup whole-wheat flour

2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg

6 Tbsp. apple juice, no sugar added

1 large egg, room temp.

1 large apple, peeled and diced

Canola oil for frying

Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. apple juice

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 220

Protein: 1 gram

Carbs: 15 grams

Fat: 18 grams

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What did you think of these donut recipes? Have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!