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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free

    Baked Cinnamon Sugar Vegan Donuts

    Modified: May 5, 2025 • Published: Oct 23, 2022 by Dr. Erin Carter • This post may contain affiliate links • Leave a Comment

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    A stack of vegan donuts and the top one has a bite out of it.
    A stack of vegan donuts with a bite out of the top one.

    These are the best vegan donuts! They have the perfect cinnamon sugar coating and taste just like a deep fried donut, but are baked so they are a healthier option. They are also so easy to make!

    Vegan donuts coated in cinnamon sugar on a baking rack.

    If you are a fan of vegan desserts like the best vegan peanut butter oatmeal cookies, and vegan protein cookies then you are in the right place! I can't wait for you to make the vegan donut recipe I am sharing with you today.

    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love these donuts:
    • Ingredients and substitutions:
    • Recipe variations:
    • How to make vegan donuts:
    • Top tips:
    • Vegan donuts FAQs:
    • Other vegan desserts you will love:
    • Recipe

    Why you will love these donuts:

    • The taste! These vegan donuts have the perfect cinnamon sugar coating and the inside of the donuts is so light and fluffy. They taste just like a deep fried donut hole.
    • They are so simple and easy to make with just a few minutes of hands on time.
    • Besides being vegan this donut recipe is healthy, refined sugar free, yeast free, egg-free, dairy-free and can easily be made gluten-free too.
    • These homemade donuts are baked in the oven rather than fried in a deep frier so they are healthier than many other donut recipes.

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    For the full ingredient list and exact measurements refer to the recipe card later in this post.

    Jump to the Recipe Card.
    The ingredients needed to make vegan donuts in separate bowls including flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, apple sauce, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil.
    • All purpose flour - if you are gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free all purpose flour instead.
    • Coconut sugar - this adds a delicious sweet flavour to these donuts, while keeping them refined sugar free. I have not tested this recipe with any other sweeteners and don't recommend trying to replace this with a different sugar.
    • Ground cinnamon - this adds the most delicious flavour to these donuts and is also used to make the sweet cinnamon sugar coating.
    • Apple sauce - is used to help give natural sweetness to these donuts, and is used instead of an egg.
    • Apple cider vinegar - when combined with the baking soda, the apple cider vinegar helps these donuts rise and become even more light and fluffy.
    • Coconut oil - coconut oil is a great dairy-free substitute for butter and helps make these donuts so nice and moist. You could swap this for a vegan butter instead.
    • Coconut milk - to help add moisture and natural sweetness to the donuts. I recommend using full fat coconut milk rather than light coconut milk which is too watery.

    Recipe variations:

    • To make these into gluten-free vegan donuts: use a gluten-free all purpose flour.
    • If you are serving a group or want extras to freeze for later you can make a double batch of these donuts.
    • Instead of using the cinnamon sugar coating you could top these donuts with an icing or glaze.

    How to make vegan donuts:

    Flour, ground cinnamon and coconut sugar in a bowl with a spoon in it.
    1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and whisk the flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl.
    A bowl with a donut batter in it with a spoon in the batter.
    1. Step 2: Pour the coconut milk, applesauce, melted coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix well with a spoon until you have a smooth batter.
    A silicone donut pan with donut batter in it.
    1. Step 3: Spoon the batter into a donut pan, filling to about 3/4 of the way full. Be careful not to overfill the pan or the donuts will overflow as they bake. Bake the donuts for 14-16 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the donuts are firm on the outside. Then let the donuts cool completely.
    A donut being coated in a cinnamon sugar mixture.
    1. Step 4: To make the cinnamon sugar coating, stir together the coconut sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl, and melt the coconut oil in a separate bowl. Once the donuts are cooled, dunk the donuts into the melted coconut oil and then into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat them. Then enjoy!

    Top tips:

    • Do not try using baking powder instead of baking soda.
    • I use a silicone donut mold to bake these donuts - if you use another type of donut mold you may have to alter the cooking time.
    • Storage: store these vegan donuts in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature or for 5 days in the fridge.
    A stack of three vegan donuts coated in cinnamon and sugar and the top donut has a bite out of it.

    Vegan donuts FAQs:

    Does Krispy Kreme have vegan donuts?

    If you like in Canada or the US, Krispy Kreme does not offer vegan donuts, but if you live in the UK they do have vegan donut options.

    Are these donuts gluten-free?

    As long as you use a gluten-free all purpose flour to make these donuts they will be gluten-free.

    Does Dunkin Donuts have vegan donuts?

    Dunkin Donuts does not offer vegan donuts. They do have a few vegan items on their menu including oatmeal, avocado toast, hash browns, bagels and English muffins.

    Can I freeze these donuts?

    These donuts freeze really well in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months.

    Other vegan desserts you will love:

    • A slice of chocolate torte on a plate with a fork next to it.
      The Best No Bake Chocolate Avocado Torte
    • A vegan lemon cheesecake topped with shredded coconut and raspberries.
      No Bake Vegan Lemon Cheesecake (raw, gluten-free)
    • A bowl of healthy apple crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
      Healthy Apple Crumble (gluten-free & vegan)
    • A piece of vegan blueberry cheesecake topped with blueberry sauce and blueberries.
      No Bake Vegan Blueberry Cheesecake (gluten-free, paleo)

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    Recipe

    A stack of three vegan donuts and the top one has a bite out of it.

    Cinnamon Sugar Vegan Donuts

    These are the best vegan donuts. Easy to make with a delicious cinnamon sugar coating these donuts make the perfect breakfast, snack or dessert.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 14 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 24 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 308kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Equipment

    • donut pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup all purpose flour
    • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • pinch sea salt
    • 1/2 cup coconut milk
    • 2 tablespoon apple sauce
    • 2 tablespoon melted coconut oil
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Topping

    • 1/3 cup coconut sugar
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 4 tablespoon melted coconut oil

    Instructions

    Donut Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together in a large bowl.
    • Pour the coconut milk, applesauce, apple cider vinegar, melted coconut oil and vanilla into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix well with a large spoon to combine. The batter will be similar to cake batter - not too thick but not very runny either. 
    • Spoon the batter into the donut pan, or fill a large ziplock bag with the batter, cut a hole in the corner and pipe into the pan, filling to about 3/4 of the way full. Be careful not to overfill the pan or the donuts will overflow as they bake.
    • Bake for 14-16 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the donuts are firm on the outside. Then let the donuts cool completely.

    Donut Topping Instructions

    • Stir together the sugar and cinnamon for the topping in a medium bowl, and melt the coconut oil in a separate bowl. 
    • Once the donuts are cooled, dunk the donuts in the melted coconut oil and then dunk each donut into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat. 
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. This recipe yields 6 donuts. 
    2. Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. 
    3. Feel free to double or triple this recipe. 
    4. I use a silicone donut mold to bake these donuts - if you use another type of donut mold you may have to adjust the cooking time.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 229mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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    My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialties in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

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