The Best Baked Donuts Recipe: Light, Fluffy, and Delicious
When you think of donuts, you might picture the classic fried version—crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. But what if we told you that you could enjoy the same irresistible flavor and fluffiness, but with a healthier twist? These baked donuts are made with wholesome ingredients, offering a light, fluffy texture and a touch of spice that makes them just as satisfying as their fried counterparts, if not better.
Not only are these baked donuts a healthier option, but they are also incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re craving a breakfast treat, a sweet snack, or a dessert for your next gathering, these homemade donuts are sure to hit the spot. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, versatility, and the fact that they don’t require any special equipment other than a donut pan, making them accessible to everyone, no matter their baking experience.
The Ingredients for Perfectly Baked Donuts
The key to these fluffy, delicious donuts lies in the perfect combination of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create these baked beauties:
- 1 egg
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 ⅓ cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons of your favorite spice flavor (cinnamon, apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, etc.)
For the topping, you’ll need:
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon of your chosen spice flavor
These ingredients come together quickly to create a light batter that’s perfect for baking. The spices add warmth and depth of flavor, turning these donuts into a treat that’s perfect for any season.
Making the Donuts: A Simple Process
Creating these baked donuts is easier than you might think, and the process is quick—perfect for busy mornings or when you’re craving a sweet, homemade snack.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While the oven is heating up, take a tablespoon of butter and grease two donut pans. The butter will help prevent the donuts from sticking to the pan and give them a lovely golden-brown finish once baked. - Mix the Wet Ingredients
In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl, combine the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is fully incorporated. This will create a smooth, liquid base for your donut batter. - Add Dry Ingredients
Next, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and your chosen spice flavor to the wet mixture. Stir the mixture until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix—this can lead to dense donuts, and we want them to be light and fluffy. - Fill the Donut Pans
Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, spoon the batter into the donut pans. Don’t overfill the molds, as the donuts will rise in the oven, and you don’t want them to overflow. Aim for about ¾ full to leave room for the batter to expand. - Bake the Donuts
Place the filled donut pans into the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until a fork comes out clean. You’ll know the donuts are ready when they’ve puffed up and turned a light golden color on top. - Cool and Add the Topping
Once the donuts are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool until they are comfortable to handle. In a small bowl, melt the butter for the topping. In another small bowl, combine the sugar and your chosen spice flavor (cinnamon is a classic option, but apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice also work beautifully). - Coat the Donuts
Once the donuts are cool enough to handle, dip each one into the melted butter and then roll it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. This adds an irresistible sweetness and a little extra flavor boost that takes these donuts to the next level.
Storing and Serving Baked Donuts
These baked donuts are best served warm, straight out of the oven, but they can easily be reheated if you have leftovers. If you have some donuts left after serving, store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. While they’re still delicious the next day, they can dry out quickly, so it’s best to enjoy them within a couple of days.
For the best results, simply pop a donut in the microwave for about 15 seconds to warm it up, and you’ll feel like they just came out of the oven!
Making Variations of Baked Donuts
One of the best parts of making baked donuts is how versatile the recipe is. While cinnamon is a classic topping, you can customize these donuts to suit your preferences. Here are a few fun ideas:
- Apple Cinnamon: Add finely chopped apples to the batter for a sweet, fruity addition.
- Pumpkin Spice: Swap out the regular spice flavor for pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy a fall-inspired treat.
- Chocolate Glaze: Drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the donuts for an indulgent, dessert-worthy variation.
- Lemon Zest: Add some fresh lemon zest to the batter for a bright, citrusy kick.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Donuts
These baked donuts are an excellent alternative to the fried version, offering all the delicious flavor without the heavy oil. The use of simple, wholesome ingredients makes these donuts a treat you can feel good about enjoying. Whether you make them for a special breakfast, a fun weekend activity, or a sweet snack, they’re sure to become a new favorite in your household. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make—no deep fryer required!
This Recipe is in my Cookbook, From Scratch!
I’m excited to share my cookbook with you, created with sustainability and flavor in mind! From Scratch is packed with delicious, eco-conscious recipes designed to nourish both you and the planet. Every dish is carefully crafted to use fresh, local ingredients, and focuses on minimizing waste while maximizing taste.
From wholesome breakfasts to hearty dinners, my cookbook offers a variety of plant-based meals that are easy to prepare and full of nutrients. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or simply enjoy meals that are better for you and the Earth, this cookbook is your guide to eating in a way that’s both kind to the planet and satisfying to your taste buds. You can grab your copy here:
Check Out The Pantry Labels
In 2024, I released a set of Pantry Labels with recipes that are dishwasher-safe and fit the lids of mason jars perfectly.
Each labels has the recipe to refill the dry mix jar, as well as the recipe to make the item if applicable.
Baked Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons of spice flavor cinnamon, apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, etc.
Topping Ingredients
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon spice flavor
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add egg, milk, melted butter and vanilla extract to your stand mixer. Mix until combined.
- Add flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spice flavor to the mix, and mix until combined. Do not over mix.
- Use a tablespoon of butter to grease two donut pans.
- Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, spoon batter into donut molds. These will rise in the oven, so do not overfill the molds.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool until they are comfortable to handle.
- In a small bowl, melt butter for topping.
- In another small bowl, mix together the sugar and spice flavor until combined.
- Dip each donut in butter and then in sugar spice for topping.
