Protein Donuts- Under 100 calories each!

Name: Protein Donuts (Under 100 Calories!)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup protein powder (I used chocolate plant based); 1 1/4 cups self-rising flour; 1/3 cup cocoa powder; 3/4 cup granulated sweetener of choice (I used erythritol); 6 tablespoon sunflower oil (any neutral flavored oil ); 1 cup + 2 tablespoons milk of choice (I used unsweetened almond milk * See notes); 3 cups powdered sugar substitute; 1/3 cup cocoa powder; 1/4 cup milk of choice

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These protein donuts are fluffy and cakey, you won’t believe that they are actually healthy! Made with just 6 ingredients, they pack in over 12 grams of protein and have less than 100 calories each!

Protein Donuts

I love it when my desserts have protein secretly in them, and some of my favorite recipes to make are brownies, cookies, and these protein donuts.

Recently, I’ve been working out late at night and am not a fan of whipping out the blender to make a protein shake after. Instead, I’ve been finding alternative ways to get my protein in. I was recently inspired by Dunkin Donuts’ new protein muffin, which boasts a whopping 16 grams of protein. While I didn’t go the muffin route, it did inspire me to make donuts!

Why this protein donut recipe will become a post-workout staple-

6 ingredients. I dare you to name an easier recipe that this! You also get an option for the chocolate or vanilla glaze, but honestly, these taste perfect on their own.
No eggs, yeast, or dairy. None of the traditional donut ingredients are needed but they are just as fluffy and cakey as the rest of them.
15 minutes. From start to finish, you’ll need just 15 minutes. The hard part is waiting for them to cool down before you glaze them.
Low calorie. These donuts clock in at under 100 calories each- Have three for breakfast if you want to be fancy!

What I love about these protein donuts is that they actually taste like real deal donuts. The secret to the perfect recipe is to use either brown rice or casein protein powder- These two blends have fantastic baking capabilities which mimic flour!

What are protein donuts made of?

For the donuts

Protein powder– Vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored protein powder. Opt for a brown rice protein powder or casein protein powder, as these two blends have the best baking qualities.
Self rising flour– Already has the leavening agents mixed into it. Don’t have any on hand? Easily make your own.
Cocoa powder– Unsweetened and sifted, to ensure there are no clumps throughout.
Granulated sweetener of choice– I used a brown sugar substitute, but monk fruit sweetener, coconut sugar, or even white sugar can be used.
Oil– Any neutral-flavored oil. I used canola oil.
Milk of choice– I used unsweetened almond milk, but coconut or soy are both also great.

For the glaze

Confectioners sugar substitute– Homemade keto powdered sugar has no calories or carbs but the exact taste and texture of real powdered sugar.
Cocoa powder– Like the donuts, be sure to sift it very well to ensure there are no clumps throughout.
Milk of choice– To thin the glaze out.

How do you make protein donuts?

Start by mixing together your dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Next, add in the oil and milk and whisk together, until a smooth batter remains. If the batter is too thick, add a little extra milk.

Now, transfer the donut batter into a piping bag. Pipe out the batter into a lightly greased 12-count donut pan. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until they bounce back slightly. Let the donuts cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, glaze the donuts.

To make the glaze, combine the confectioner’s sugar substitute with cocoa powder. Slowly add milk until it becomes thick and glossy. Moving quickly, dip each donut in the glaze and place them on a wire rack for it to firm up. Add some sprinkles, if desired.

How many calories does a protein donut have?

These homemade protein donuts have 100 calories per donut and pack in over 12 grams of protein in each one. Compare that to store-bought ones which can pack in over 300 calories each!

Tips to make the best protein powder donuts

Do not overbake the donuts, as they continue to cook as they are cooling down.
For a vanilla frosting (as pictured), omit the cocoa powder and add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can easily make these as muffins.

Storing and freezing tips

To store: Donuts should be stored in the refrigerator, covered. They will keep well for up to 1 week.
To freeze: Place donuts in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

More recipes using protein powder to try

Frequently Asked Questions

Which protein powder is best?

The protein powder you use is very important. I recommend brown rice or casein protein powder, as they are generally good blends to bake with. Whey protein can be very tricky and dry out the donuts. To test this out, make a protein brownie and see how it turns out. If it works out well, your protein powder will be perfect for this recipe!

Can I use almond flour or coconut flour?

This recipe has only been tested with self-rising flour. If you’d like donuts with almond or coconut flour, try keto donuts.

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