Prepare to fall in love with these incredibly easy Baked Vegan Donuts! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day, this recipe offers a healthier alternative to traditional fried donuts. Light, fluffy, and utterly delicious, these plant-based delights are designed for the whole family to enjoy. The best part? They are endlessly customizable, allowing you to whip up decadent chocolate icing, classic maple glaze, or fun sprinkle-topped donuts to suit every craving.

Why Baked Vegan Donuts Are a Must-Try

For too long, the vegan dessert repertoire felt incomplete without a truly stellar donut recipe. After perfecting vegan chocolate cake, mastering fudgy vegan brownies, and rolling out easy vegan cinnamon rolls, it was high time to add the humble, yet beloved, donut to our collection. And not just any donut – one that’s baked, not fried, for a lighter, less greasy experience without sacrificing flavor or texture.

These donuts are a revelation! They prove that going plant-based doesn’t mean compromising on your favorite comfort foods. Our recipe ensures a soft, tender crumb with a perfectly golden exterior, providing the ideal canvas for your choice of glaze. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan baker or simply looking for a delicious dairy-free option, these donuts are guaranteed to impress.

Customize Your Vegan Donut Experience

When it comes to donuts, everyone has a favorite topping. We recently asked our community which they preferred – maple or sprinkles – and the results were incredibly close! So, to satisfy all tastes, we’ve included instructions for three delectable glaze options: rich chocolate icing, classic maple glaze, and playful sprinkle-adorned donuts. This versatility makes them perfect for any occasion, from a simple family breakfast to a festive gathering.

Recipe Highlights: Why You’ll Adore These Donuts

Beyond being incredibly tasty, this easy vegan donut recipe boasts several features that make it a standout:

• Perfect Texture: Expect light, airy, and wonderfully fluffy baked donuts that melt in your mouth. The baking method ensures a tender texture without the heaviness of fried donuts.
• Endless Customization: Easily transform your basic vegan donut into a chocolate lover’s dream, a classic maple treat, or a vibrant sprinkle party. This recipe is your blank canvas!
• Quick & Convenient: The entire process, from mixing to baking, comes together in just about 20 minutes. It’s an ideal recipe for when you crave fresh, homemade donuts without a lengthy commitment.
• Scalable Batch Size: This recipe yields a perfect half-dozen donuts, but it’s easily doubled to make a full dozen (or more!) if you’re feeding a crowd or want extras for later.
• Healthier Indulgence: By baking instead of frying, we significantly reduce the oil content, offering a more wholesome option for satisfying your sweet tooth.

Essential Vegan Donut Ingredients

Crafting the perfect baked vegan donut requires a few simple, plant-based ingredients. While the full list with precise measurements can be found in the detailed recipe card below, here’s a closer look at some key components and potential substitutions to help you get started:

Key Ingredients Explored:

• Flour: We’ve primarily tested this recipe with all-purpose flour, which yields a wonderfully soft and tender donut. For those seeking a gluten-free option, a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (one that contains xanthan gum) should work beautifully. Always check the specific blend’s recommendations for baking.
• Coconut Oil: This provides moisture and a lovely richness to the donuts. Ensure it’s melted and then cooled to room temperature before mixing with the wet ingredients to prevent it from solidifying prematurely and creating lumps. If coconut oil isn’t your preference, you can easily substitute it with melted vegan butter for a similar result.
• Dairy-Free Milk: The beauty of vegan baking is its flexibility! You can use virtually any unsweetened dairy-free milk you have on hand – almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk will all work perfectly. Each might subtly influence the flavor, but the overall structure and texture will remain consistent.
• Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce acts as a fantastic egg replacer and a natural sweetener, contributing to the moistness and tender crumb of our baked donuts. It’s a simple yet effective ingredient for vegan baking.
• Cane Sugar: For that perfect touch of sweetness. Ensure you’re using vegan-friendly cane sugar, as some brands process sugar with bone char.
• Baking Powder & Cinnamon: These leavening agents give the donuts their signature rise and airy texture, while cinnamon adds a warm, inviting spice.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Vegan Donuts

Making these homemade vegan donuts is a straightforward process, even for beginner bakers. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time:

1. Prepare Your Workspace & Oven:

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your donut pan with nonstick spray or a little vegan butter. This crucial step ensures your donuts release easily after baking.

2. Melt and Cool Coconut Oil:

   Begin by gently melting the coconut oil. Once liquid, set it aside to cool completely to room temperature. This is vital because if the oil is warm, it can “cook” other ingredients or cause lumps when mixed. If using vegan butter, ensure it’s also melted and cooled.

3. Whisk Wet Ingredients:

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled melted coconut oil, applesauce, your chosen dairy-free milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined and smooth.

4. Fold in Dry Ingredients:

   To the same bowl, add the all-purpose flour, cane sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Using a spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. The key here is to mix until just combined. Over-mixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough or dry donuts. A few small lumps are perfectly acceptable and even desirable!

   

5. Fill the Donut Pan:

   Transfer the donut batter into your greased donut pan. For the neatest, most “bakery-perfect” donuts, you can pipe the batter into the wells using a piping bag with a round tip (or a Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off). If you prefer a more rustic look and less fuss, simply use a spoon and your fingers to press the batter evenly into each donut cavity. Fill each well about two-thirds full.

   

6. Bake to Golden Perfection:

   Bake the donuts for 10-12 minutes. They are ready when they spring back lightly when touched and are slightly golden around the edges. Avoid overbaking to maintain their soft, moist texture.

7. Cool Before Glazing:

   Once baked, remove the donut pan from the oven. Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully inverting them onto a wire cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely on the rack before applying any icing or glaze. This prevents the glaze from melting or running off.

Crafting the Perfect Vegan Donut Glaze

A donut isn’t complete without its glorious topping! Here are three delicious vegan icing options to take your baked donuts from great to extraordinary:

1. Classic Sprinkle Icing

For a timeless, vibrant donut that evokes childhood nostalgia, a simple powdered sugar glaze adorned with colorful sprinkles is ideal. This easy icing is quick to make and provides a sweet, slightly crisp finish.

• Ingredients: 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tbsp dairy-free milk (add gradually until desired consistency), 1/4 cup vegan sprinkles.
• Instructions: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and dairy-free milk until smooth and pourable. The consistency should be thick enough to coat the donuts but thin enough to drip slightly. Dip each cooled donut into the icing, letting excess drip off. Immediately place on a cooling rack and generously top with sprinkles before the icing sets.

2. Decadent Chocolate Icing

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! This rich and glossy chocolate icing adds an irresistible depth of flavor to your vegan donuts. It’s surprisingly simple to create and yields a beautiful, indulgent finish.

• Ingredients: 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips (melted), 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tbsp dairy-free milk.
• Instructions: Melt the vegan chocolate chips gently (either in a microwave in 30-second intervals or over a double boiler). In a separate bowl, whisk the melted chocolate with powdered sugar and dairy-free milk until smooth. If the icing is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, a half-teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a dippable consistency. Dip cooled donuts into the chocolate icing and return to the cooling rack to set.

3. Sweet Maple Glaze

Embrace the comforting flavors of autumn with a luscious maple glaze. This option is wonderfully aromatic and provides a delightful, natural sweetness that complements the baked donuts perfectly.

• Ingredients: 1 tsp melted dairy-free butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup powdered sugar (or more, to adjust consistency).
• Instructions: In a bowl, whisk together the melted dairy-free butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the powdered sugar, whisking until smooth and creamy. Adjust the amount of powdered sugar as needed to achieve your desired glaze thickness. Dip cooled donuts into the maple glaze, allowing excess to drip before placing them back on the cooling rack to firm up.

Erin’s Expert Tips for Perfect Vegan Donuts

To ensure your homemade baked vegan donuts turn out perfectly every time, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Avoid Over-mixing: This is arguably the most crucial tip for any baked good, especially donuts. Over-mixing the batter develops the gluten, resulting in tough, dense donuts rather than the light, fluffy texture we’re aiming for. Mix until the ingredients are just combined – a few small lumps are perfectly fine!
• The Right Consistency: Your donut batter should be thick but still scoopable. If it’s too thin, your donuts might spread; if too thick, they can be dry. Adjust with a tiny bit more flour or milk if necessary.
• Piping for Perfection: While not strictly necessary, using a piping bag (or a sturdy Ziploc bag with a corner snipped off) to fill your donut pan creates beautifully uniform, picture-perfect donuts. If you opt not to pipe, a spoon and your fingers work just as well to gently press the batter into the molds.
• Cooling is Key: Always ensure your donuts are completely cool before glazing. Applying glaze to warm donuts will cause it to melt and run off, creating a messy (though still delicious!) result.
• Mastering the Glaze Dip: For an even coating, dip each donut into your chosen icing, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl for a few seconds. Then, place the donut back on the cooling rack to allow the glaze to set. This usually takes just a few minutes.
• Donut Pan Recommendation: A non-stick donut pan is essential for easy release. If you don’t have one, muffin tins can work for donut holes, or you can even shape small rings on a baking sheet, though they won’t have the classic donut shape.

Baked Vegan Donuts FAQs

Here are some common questions about making and enjoying these delightful plant-based donuts:

How should I store baked vegan donuts?

Honestly, like most baked goods, these vegan donuts taste best fresh, ideally on the same day they are made. Their light texture is at its peak right out of the oven and shortly after glazing. If you anticipate not eating them all within 24 hours, consider freezing them as described below to preserve freshness.

Can baked vegan donuts be frozen?

Absolutely! Freezing is an excellent option for meal prepping or extending the life of your donuts. To freeze them, ensure the donuts have cooled completely to room temperature first. Do not glaze them before freezing. Individually wrap each plain donut tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy one, simply remove it from the freezer and microwave it for 20-30 seconds until warm, or let it thaw at room temperature. Then, you can apply your fresh glaze!

What makes these donuts vegan?

These donuts are vegan because they contain no animal products whatsoever. We use dairy-free milk (like almond or oat milk) instead of cow’s milk, and applesauce takes the place of eggs, providing binding and moisture. Coconut oil or vegan butter replaces traditional dairy butter, ensuring a completely plant-based and delicious treat.

Do I need a special donut pan?

Yes, for the classic donut shape, a donut baking pan is highly recommended. These pans typically have six wells with a center post to create the characteristic hole. They are widely available online and in kitchen supply stores. If you don’t have one, you can try baking the batter in a muffin tin for vegan donut holes, though the cooking time might need slight adjustment.

More Delicious Vegan Recipes to Explore

If you loved these baked vegan donuts, you’ll be thrilled to discover more of our wholesome and delicious plant-based creations. Here are a few reader favorites:

We hope you enjoy these delightful Baked Vegan Donuts! If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and a star rating below. Your feedback helps us and other bakers!

Baked Vegan Donuts Recipe

★★★★★ 5 from 2 votes

By Erin Alvarez

Servings: 6 donuts

Prep time: 9 mins

Cook time: 11 mins

Total time: 20 mins

These easy Baked Vegan Donuts are a family favorite! They are healthier than their fried counterparts and can be wonderfully customized with chocolate, maple, or sprinkle glazes.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted and at room temperature
• 1/3 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup dairy-free milk (e.g., almond, soy, oat)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cane sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt

Icing Options:

Sprinkle Icing:

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp dairy-free milk, or more as needed
• 1/4 cup vegan sprinkles

Chocolate Icing:

• 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips, melted
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp dairy-free milk, or more as needed

Maple Glaze:

• 1 tsp dairy-free butter, melted
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar, or more as needed

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cooled melted coconut oil, applesauce, dairy-free milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Ensure the coconut oil is at room temperature to prevent it from solidifying when mixed with cooler ingredients.
3. To the wet ingredients, gently fold in the flour, cane sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can lead to dense donuts.
4. Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. For cleaner, more uniform donuts, a piping bag is recommended, but a spoon works just fine.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden brown around the edges and spring back when gently pressed.
6. Remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, carefully invert them onto a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before glazing.
7. For the Icing: Choose your preferred icing option (sprinkle, chocolate, or maple). In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients for your chosen icing together until smooth and desired consistency is reached.
8. Dip each cooled donut into the icing, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the iced donuts back on the cooling rack for a few minutes to allow the icing to set and solidify. Enjoy!

Notes

• Calories are an estimation for 1 donut.
• For a less messy process and perfectly shaped donuts, pipe the batter into your donut pan using a piping bag. If you don’t have one, a spoon and your fingers work to press the batter in.
• Storage: These donuts are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made. If you wish to freeze them, do not ice them. Allow them to come to room temperature, then individually wrap each donut tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag. Glaze them after thawing and reheating.

Nutrition Facts (per donut, estimated)

• Calories: 171kcal
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Sodium: 184mg
• Potassium: 46mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 13g
• Vitamin A: 39IU
• Vitamin C: 1mg
• Calcium: 64mg
• Iron: 1mg