My raspberry donuts are fluffy, cakey, and full of tart yet sweet raspberry flavor. No yeast needed, they bake in 15 minutes. No deep frying required!

I try not to play favorites, but donuts have always been my go-to sweet breakfast. Once I realized how simple it is to make healthier donuts at home, I started recreating the ones my partner and I craved the most, in particular, raspberry donuts!

I tested this recipe several times to nail the texture. Because I’m using fresh fruit in the dough (most store-bought dough uses sweetened dried fruit!), I had to tweak the batter so they bake up with crisp edges while staying soft and pillowy inside. 

Fresh raspberries bring a natural tang and bursts of flavor, and I top them with a quick sugar glaze to add enough sweetness. They feel like a treat but are balanced enough to enjoy for everyday breakfasts!  

Table of Contents

1. Why make my raspberry donut recipe
2. Key Ingredients
3. How to make raspberry donuts
4. Arman’s recipe tips
5. Storage instructions
6. Frequently asked questions
7. Baked Raspberry Donuts (Recipe Card)
8. More easy donut recipes

Key Ingredients

Here’s what goes into raspberry donuts, along with my kitchen notes. The complete list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

• Self-rising flour. My cheat sheet flour already has baking powder and salt added. You can easily make it yourself.
• Agave nectar. Adds sweetness to the donuts and keeps them moist. You can also use maple syrup if you prefer. 
• Coconut oil. For texture and to give the donuts a tender crumb. Use refined coconut oil for zero coconut flavor. 
• Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk (to keep it dairy-free), but any milk will work.
• Raspberries. Fresh or frozen raspberries both work. If using frozen raspberries, let them thaw and remove the excess liquid before using. 
• Sugar glaze. Just a mix of powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.

How to make raspberry donuts

Step 1- Prep work. Coat a 12-count donut pan with cooking spray. 

Step 2- Make the dough. Sift your flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients (minus the raspberries) and mix until a thick dough remains. Carefully fold in the raspberries. 

Step 3- Pipe the donuts. Pour the donut batter into a large ziplock bag. Cut off one corner of the bag and pipe the batter into the prepared pan. Lightly wet your hands and shape them into the donut cavities. 

Step 4- Bake the donuts for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Step 5- Make the glaze. While the donuts are cooling, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, and one tablespoon of milk in a small bowl. Slowly add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until a thin glaze remains. 

Step 6- Glaze. Once the donuts are cool, drizzle each donut with the glaze. 

Arman’s recipe tips

• Avoid overmixing. My #1 tip for baking is to avoid overmixing the dough. The more you mix, the more gluten develops, and the donuts become dense and tough. 
• Don’t overfill. The donuts will rise as they bake, so leave some room at the top of the donut pan so they don’t overflow. I find 2/3 of the way full to be ideal.
• Reserve raspberries for the top. Similar to blueberry donuts, I like to reserve some raspberries to add on top for an extra finishing touch. 
• No donut pan? No problem! You can use a muffin tin instead. Follow the directions, but fill each muffin tin to ¾ full. If you want the donut shape, use a small circle cookie cutter to cut out the center of each donut. 

Storage instructions

To store: You can keep leftover donuts at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them fresher for longer, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. 

To freeze: Wrap each donut in parchment paper and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze the donuts for up to 3 months. Allow the donuts to thaw overnight. 

Frequently asked questions

More easy donut recipes

• Donut holes– Let’s be honest, they’re the best part of donuts!
• Air fryer donuts– The ultimate air fryer donut recipe, made with 3 ingredients and no yeast needed.
• Protein donuts– Sneak in your protein with these decadent, fudgy donuts. 
• Breakfast donuts– My family’s favorite way to start the day. 
• Krispy Kreme donuts– The best copycat version of classic Krispy Kreme donuts.

Originally published June 2019