Chocolate Mini Donuts are a delicious bite sized treat that doesn't take long to make! They're baked in the oven and dipped in a simple glaze. Plus, this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and lower in sugar!
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Why you'll love this recipe!
Delicious - These mini donuts have the perfect light and fluffy texture, just the right amount of sweetness, and a mild chocolate flavor!
Fun - In my opinion, anything mini is fun to make! Especially when you can customize the toppings to whatever you want.
Allergy Friendly - This recipe is made without gluten, grains, dairy, or refined sugar.
Versatile - Serve these chocolate donuts for breakfast, dessert, as a quick snack, or at special occasions like birthdays or holiday parties!
Love chocolate recipes? You have to try my Almond Flour Chocolate Cake, Brownie Skillet, or Chocolate Cake Pops!
🍴Ingredient Notes
- Egg - I would not swap for an egg replacement.
- Coconut Sugar - Any granulated sugar will work with this recipe. Swap for Lakanto Golden Monkfruit for a sugar-free option!
- Unsweetened Applesauce - Any applesauce will work, but unsweetened is my favorite because apples are naturally sweet.
- Vanilla Extract - To balance out the chocolate flavor, you'll need a splash of vanilla!
- Almond Flour - Do not use any other flour for this recipe. I have only tested it with almond flour.
- Cacao Powder - You can also use cocoa powder. Cacao powder is less processed, but both will work in this recipe.
- Baking Soda - Just a pinch gives these donuts a light and fluffy consistency.
- Salt - To pull the flavors together, don't forget the salt!
🍴Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Mix Wet Ingredients
Start by adding the egg, coconut sugar, applesauce, and vanilla extract into a bowl. Whisk together until fully combined.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Next, add almond flour, cacao powder, baking soda, and salt into a separate bowl. Whisk together until fully combined.
Step 3: Fold Together
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and fold together until all flour has been absorbed.
Step 4: Baking Donuts
Transfer the donut batter into a plastic baggie. Cut a hole in one corner so you can easily pipe the batter into the greased donut pan.
Step 5: Cooling Donuts
Bake the donuts at 350° for about 8-10 minutes. Let them cool completely before removing the donuts from the baking pan.
Step 6: Simple Glaze
To glaze the donuts, add about 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar into a small bowl with about 1 tablespoon of dairy free milk. Whisk together and dip the top of each donut into the glaze. Place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet to set.
Expert Tips
- Grease the donut pan before adding the batter. I used an avocado oil spray, but any non-stick spray will work. (Or coconut oil!)
- I suggest using the Wilton donut pan for this recipe! It's just enough batter for 12 donuts and they do not stick to the pan.
- You can spoon the batter into the donut pan, but I suggest using a piping bag or Ziplock baggie. (It's much easier!)
- Let the donuts cool completely before removing from the pan. Use a sharp knife to scrape around the edges if you have trouble getting the donuts out.
Recipe Variations
The great part about this donut recipe is that you use a variety of toppings! Swap the simple glaze for melted white or dark chocolate.
My two favorite chocolate brands are Hu Kitchen & Pascha. Both are gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free.
Another option is to roll each mini donut in powdered sugar. If you're looking for sugar-free options, I suggest using Lakanto Powdered Sugar!
Whether you use melted chocolate or a simple glaze, these donuts look great when they're topped with sprinkles!
I used Supernatural naturally colored sprinkles. They are made without soy, confectioner's glaze, and artificial dyes. Plus, they have a variety of colors and shapes to choose from!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just use a larger donut pan! It should yield 6 regular sized donuts.
Yes, to make "munchkins" or donut holes, just pour the donut batter into mini cupcake pans. (Make sure they're greased or lined.)
How to store leftovers
Leftover donuts should be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
You can also freeze leftover donuts for up to 3 months in an airtight container!
More chocolate recipes!
After you make these Chocolate Mini Donuts, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe!
Recipe Card
Chocolate Mini Donuts (Gluten-Free)
Equipment
- 1 Mini Donut Pan
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 Egg
- ¼ Cup Coconut Sugar Or any granulated sugar.
- ¼ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ Cup Almond Flour
- ½ Cup Cacao Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Making Donut Batter
- Start by adding the egg, coconut sugar, applesauce, and vanilla extract into a bowl. Whisk together until fully combined.
- Next, add almond flour, cacao powder, baking soda, and salt into a separate bowl. Whisk together until fully combined.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and fold together until all flour has been absorbed.
Preparing to Bake
- Transfer the donut batter into a plastic baggie. Cut a hole in one corner so you can easily pipe the batter into the greased donut pan.
Baking & Cooling
- Bake the donuts at 350° for about 8-10 minutes. Let them cool completely before removing the donuts from the baking pan.
Glazed Donuts
- To glaze the donuts, add about 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar into a small bowl with about 1 tablespoon of dairy free milk. Whisk together and dip the top of each donut into the glaze. Place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet to set.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Grease the donut pan before adding the batter. I used an avocado oil spray, but any non-stick spray will work. (Or coconut oil!)
- I suggest using the Wilton donut pan for this recipe! It's just enough batter for 12 donuts and they do not stick to the pan.
- You can spoon the batter into the donut pan, but I suggest using a piping bag or Ziplock baggie. (It's much easier!)
- Instead of dipping in the glaze, dip each donut in melted white or dark chocolate.
- Top donuts with sprinkles for a fun touch!
- Let the donuts cool completely before removing from the pan. Use a sharp knife to scrape around the edges if you have trouble getting the donuts out.
Nutrition
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Ryan
They are so moist and fluffy! Delicious!