Protein Donuts
These protein donuts are so soft and fluffy, you won’t believe that they are actually healthy! No sugar and no eggs are needed, they take less than 15 minutes to make!
Protein Donuts
When it comes to protein desserts, my favorite recipes to make are brownies, cookies, and these protein donuts.
As someone who enjoys working out, I make it a point to ensure my protein intake is in check. Usually, I do this in the form of having a protein shake in between my meals, or directly after a heavy workout. Protein powder is easily the best and quickest source of protein in my diet. I love adding it to my morning oatmeal and of course, it’s the key ingredient in my protein shake.
Recently, I’ve been working out late at night and not a fan of whipping out the blender. 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!
I’ve been meaning to share a protein donut recipe for quite some time. They’ve been my go-to healthy dessert, and I love how much they taste like actual donuts! They need just 6 simple ingredients and take minutes to make.
No eggs and no sugar are needed, but you’d never tell. The donut texture is soft and fluffy, and the frosting is smooth and rich. They are sweet and full of chocolate flavor, and you won’t taste the protein powder at all!
I had some friends over for coffee the other day and NO ONE believed me when I told them the donuts were healthy- They thought it was full of sugar!
How do you make protein donuts?
The Ingredients
- Protein powder– I used a vegan protein powder, but you can also try casein or whey protein too.
- 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 erythritol, 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.
- Frosting– A healthy frosting or a sugar free frosting.
The Instructions
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 ziplock bag. Cut a corner of it and pipe out the batter into a 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, spread with your favorite frosting.
Protein frosting ideas
To amp up the protein even further, make a simple high protein frosting.
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups sugar free powdered sugar, 4 tablespoons chocolate protein powder, 1/4 cup water or milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
To make: Whisk together your powdered sugar and protein powder. Add in the water/milk and vanilla extract and whisk together until smooth. Continue to add more liquid as needed.
Tips to make the best high protein donuts
- Do not overbake the donuts, as they continue to cook as they are cooling down.
- The protein powder you use is very important. I recommend a plant based 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!
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can easily make these as muffins.
Storing and freezing protein powder donuts
- 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 high protein recipes to try
Protein Donuts
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 tbsp sunflower oil any neutral flavored oil
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons milk of choice I used unsweetened almond milk * See notes
- 1 cup chocolate frosting ** See notes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease a 12-count donut pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and mix well. Then, add your wet ingredients, and mix until a thick batter remains. If it is too thick, add extra milk.
- Transfer your batter into a ziplock bag. Cut one corner of it and distribute the batter evenly amongst the donut holes. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, frost them.
Do you have a basic vanilla protein donut recipe? Thanks! Looks awesome!
Hi Christina! I do in my first cookbook 🙂
Could I sub almond or coconut flour in this, as my son needs to eat keto?
Thank you I love your recipes!
Not that I’ve tried, but almond would be the best of the two.