This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
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
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!
This recipe has only been tested with self-rising flour. If you’d like donuts with almond or coconut flour, try keto donuts.
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Protein Donuts (Under 100 Calories!)
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
- 6 tablespoon sunflower oil any neutral flavored oil
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons milk of choice I used unsweetened almond milk * See notes
For the glaze
- 3 cups powdered sugar substitute
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup milk of choice
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, glaze them.
- To make the glaze, combine the powdered sugar substitute with cocoa powder. Slowly add the milk until thick and glossy. Dip each donut in the glaze then place them on a wire rack for the glaze to firm up.
These donuts are so good! Such a simple recipe, I’ve experimented a bit with different flavour protein powders (swapping the cocoa for an extra third of a cup of protein powder) they are just so delicious! Light and fluffy and just yum!
Aw, thanks Abbey!
This may be a dumb question. But is it possible to completely leave out the sugar or lessen it? My protein powder has some type of sugar already in it.
I haven’t tried, sorry- You could experiment and see!
I put just over a quarter of a cup of coconut sugar when I make these, still so delicious and sweet but love being able to reduce the calories.
What is the nutritional information without the glaze? I generally don’t like glaze on my donuts
You can add the ingredients to myfitnesspal and see 🙂 I’m not sure!
These are the very best protein donuts I’ve ever tasted!!!!
These protein donuts are A-MA-ZING! My kids love them, my co workers love them. I like them unglazed as a “brownie” replacement. Or literally could not get any easier.
Love that!!!! 😀
Love these protein donuts!
Made your chocolate protein donuts last night and they were delicious!!! I halved the recipe because 1. I was skeptical and 2. My pan only has room for 6 donuts.
I wish I had made more!
Only critique is that it made enough glaze to bathe in! 🤣
These were great!! I used a whey/casein blend. I halved the glaze recipe and still had some left over.
The absolute best doughnuts ever! Wow!