Name: Sugar-free u0026amp; Gluten-free Donuts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 cup almond flour; 2/3 cup monk fruit sweetener; 1 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 3 eggs, room temperature; 1/2 cup 2% milk room temperature; 1 tsp vanilla extract; (Optional) 1/2 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder (if making donuts with chocolate base); 3/4 cup sugar-free dark chocolate for dipping; 3/4 cup sugar-free white chocolate for dipping

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met a single person who doesn’t like donuts. I mean, how can one resist such a delectable, soft and chewy dough that literally melts in your mouth (if made right, that is) and has an unlimited variety of potential toppings and flavours?! No wonder Homer Simpson is obsessed with them!

The Bear is a HUGE fan of desserts in general thanks to his sweet tooth so I decided to try making a healthier version of donuts for the first time. Getting the recipe right took a bit of tweaking but once nailed, it really is an incredible experience! These donuts are a bit more dense than the honey crueler type donuts, but tasty nonetheless. If you’re looking for something a bit more airy, look for my profiterole choux pastry recipe in which you can achieve a different type of donut experience.

Here’s a fun fact- did you know that although today donuts are considered a classic American treat, they were actually introduced to the United States by early Dutch settlers who referred to donuts as olykoek (“oily cake”)? Today, donuts are so popular in the United States and in Canada today that you’ll find donut shops across the continent.

What’s Healthy About This Recipe

This recipe contains NO sugar, and substitutes sugar with zero-calorie monk fruit sweetener instead. To put this into perspective, this recipe calls for 2/3 cup of sweetener for the base of the donuts: 2/3 cup of white sugar contains about 511 calories, whereas monk fruit contains zero. Unlike white sugar, monk fruit also has no impact blood sugar.

This recipe also uses almond flour which is a great keto, low carb alternative to white flour. I also use cocoa powder in this recipe which is rich in antioxidants and has the ability to reduce inflammation.

NOTE: I am not a doctor and I am not offering diet or health advice. This section of my blog is for information purposes only and explains how I substitute ingredients and/or methods to make my recipes healthier than other recipes or restaurant-offerings out there. If you’re looking for medical/dietary advice, please speak to a doctor or dietitian.

Sugar-free & Gluten-free Donuts

Ingredients

Almond flour: you can use almond meal, almond flour or even almond powder for this recipe.

Monk fruit: I usually use monk fruit with erythritol extract. If you use a different blend (e.g..; monk fruit with allulose) you may need to adjust the sweetener amount in the overall recipe. Taste as you go is a good method of ensuring the sweetness is to your liking.

Salt: helps balance the sweetness in the donuts (and remove any bitterness that could come from the cocoa powder, if using).

Baking powder: this helps the donuts rise and become fluffier.

Butter: use unsalted butter and heat in the microwave just until melted (don’t overheat)

Eggs: Eggs should be at room temperature and I recommend using large eggs, either brown or white.

Vanilla extract: use pure vanilla extract, not artificial.

Milk: I used 2% but you can also substitute it with plain almond milk.

Cocoa powder (optional): if you are going to make double chocolate donuts, use Dutch processed cocoa powder which will give your donuts a rich chocolatey taste.

Chocolate: this recipes calls for sugar-free dark and white chocolate for dipping the donuts in. Feel free to use milk chocolate if that’s what you prefer.

Optional ingredients for decorations: Crushed walnuts, hazelnuts, coconut flakes and sugar-free sprinkles are some of my favourites but the options are literally endless!

Check Out the Recipe Video

Step by Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix together the almond flour, monk fruit sweetener, baking powder, sea salt and cocoa butter (if using).

Add in eggs, butter, milk and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

Using a small spoon, transfer the batter into a piping bag with a large open tip then fill into the donut cavities if using a silicone mold

Bake for 25 minute or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

Melt dark chocolate and white chocolate in separate bowls in microwave until just melted.

Dip one side of the donuts into the melted white chocolate and repeat with dark chocolate.

Decorate with nuts, sugar-free sprinkles or any other toppings as desired.

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