These healthy chocolate protein donuts are made with almond flour and protein powder, then topped with a dark chocolate glaze. The batter is made in one bowl, baked in a donut pan, cooled and glazed. This easy protein donut recipe is gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly.
Not to brag, but I've outdone myself with this chocolate protein donut recipe! These donuts are so moist, with a tender, cakey texture. They're easy to make and actually healthy since they're baked instead of fried and made with wholesome ingredients.
My whole family loved these healthy protein donuts and couldn't even tell they were made with protein powder.
In addition, this donut recipe is gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly. It's made without refined sugar or seed oils, so you can feel good about eating these donuts as part of breakfast or dessert!
Why You'll Love these Protein Donuts
- Gluten Free and Paleo - made with healthy, minimally processed ingredients. All gluten free, grain free, dairy free and refined sugar free.
- Packed with Protein - made with hemp protein powder, almond flour and eggs for a healthy, high protein donut.
- Baked - instead of fried, these donuts are baked in a donut pan.
- Chocolate Lover's Dream - with a chocolate donut base and chocolate glaze, you can't go wrong!
Ingredients
These chocolate protein donuts are made with almond flour and protein powder, sweetened with maple syrup and topped with an optional chocolate glaze. Here's what you'll need to make the donuts:
- blanched almond flour
- hemp protein powder - I used Evo Hemp protein powder for these donuts. Pumpkin seed protein powder would be the best alternative.
- cocoa powder - I love Dutched cocoa powder for this recipe
- cinnamon - optional, but helps bring out a more chocolatey flavor
- baking soda
- salt
- large eggs
- maple syrup - to sweeten the donuts. You can replace this ingredient with any other liquid sweetener.
- yogurt - I used unsweetened coconut yogurt, but any type will work.
- vanilla extract
If you want to make the glaze as well, you'll need the following ingredients:
- dark chocolate - I recommend a chocolate with a cocoa content between 70-90%
- coconut oil - optional, but added to thin the glaze
- almond butter - optional, but makes the glaze thicker and more fudge-like
How to Make Chocolate Protein Donuts
These donuts are baked in the oven and ready to eat in less than an hour. Here are the steps to make them:
- First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease six slots of a donut pan. I used my silicone donut pans and greased them with palm shortening.
- Combine the dry ingredients.
- Mix in the wet ingredients.
- Wisk until smooth.
- Pour batter into donut pan.
- Bake and cool.
- Top with chocolate glaze.
Tip
For an easy, stress-free way of pouring the batter into the donut pan, first scoop the batter into a plastic baggie. Cut a hole in one end, then pipe the batter into your donut pan.
Storage
Place any leftover donuts in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge. They will last well up to one week.
FAQ
One donut (without the chocolate glaze) is 192 calories. It contains about 18 grams of carbs, 10 grams of protein and 10 grams of fat.
I have not tested this recipe without eggs, and unfortunately I don't think the donuts would turn out well without them or with an egg replacement. If you decided to test them without, then please leave your results in the comment section below.
These donuts have only been tested with hemp protein powder, but I've found that pumpkin seed protein powder usually works well as a 1:1 replacement. I don't do well with dairy, so have not tested this recipe using whey protein. If you do, please let me know the results in them comment section below.
More Healthy Donut Recipes
Looking for more healthy donut recipes that are gluten free and paleo friendly? Check these out:
Healthy Chocolate Protein Donuts (Gluten Free, Paleo)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 6 donuts 1x
Description
These healthy chocolate protein donuts are baked in the oven and have a moist, cakey texture. They're gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly.
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 cup blanched almond flour (95g) spooned & leveled
- ½ cup hemp protein powder (35g) spooned & leveled *
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder (32g) spooned & leveled
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup yogurt (I used unsweetened coconut yogurt)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp almond butter
Instructions
Donuts
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 6 slots of a donut pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine all dry donut ingredients. This includes the almond flour, hemp protein, cocoa powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.
- Mix in the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth. This includes the eggs, maple syrup, yogurt and vanilla.
- Pour the batter into your greased donut pan, filling each slot nearly to the top. I find this easiest to do by pouring the batter into a plastic bag, cutting a hole on one end and then piping the batter into the donut pan.
- Place the donuts in your preheated oven and bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.
- After baking, let the donuts cool for a few minutes in the donut pan, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack. Cool donuts completely before adding the glaze (you can place them in the fridge to speed up this process).
Glaze
- Melt the chocolate and coconut oil. You can do this in the microwave at 20-30 second intervals, stirring in between. Or melt them in a small saucepan on the stovetop, over low heat.
- Once melted, mix in the almond butter.
- Dip each donut into the chocolate glaze, then place the donuts on a wire cooling rack or parchment paper.
- Place glazed donuts in the fridge or freezer to set .
Notes
*This recipe has only been tested with hemp protein powder. The best alternative would be pumpkin seed protein, subbed at a 1:1 ratio by weight.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut (no glaze)
- Calories: 192
- Fat: 10.3
- Carbohydrates: 18.1
- Protein: 9.5
Katie
My family and I love these chocolate protein donuts. Enjoy!
Staci
Could you use vanilla Greek yogurt?
Katie
Yes
Priya Ravi
Can I grind my hemp seeds to powder?
Katie
It won't be the same as using hemp protein powder, but you could try it.
Sissel Pedersen
Macros with glaze?🤭🤭
Natalia
Hi is it possible to freeze these?
Katie
You should be able to freeze them, but they might lose some of their texture. And I recommend defrosting them for at least 30 minutes before eating.