Delicious and Nutritious Pumpkin Healthy Baked Donut Recipe

Are you a fan of donuts but want a healthier alternative? Look no further!

In this blog post, we'll share a delectable pumpkin healthy baked donut recipe that will satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your health.

Packed with wholesome ingredients and bursting with flavor, these fluffy donuts are a guilt-free treat you'll love.

From the perfect blend of dry and wet ingredients to the delectable cinnamon-sugar topping, this recipe has it all.

Get ready to indulge in a delightful combination of pumpkin goodness, warm spices, and a cake-like texture that will make these donuts your new favorite breakfast treat.

As the seasons transition and the air becomes crisper, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of fall desserts. There's something truly comforting about fall flavors that captivate our taste buds and warm our hearts. From the cozy warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg to the earthy richness of pumpkin and apple, fall desserts offer an experience that evokes feelings of comfort and nostalgia.

I love fall baking and my go to recipes tend to be my apple pie cinnamon rolls or my old fashioned apple cider bundt cake. However this year I wanted to make something lighter on the pallet and the waist line. Thats how this pumpkin healthy baked donut recipe came about!

Why you will love this recipe

• Wholesome and nutritious. This recipe for pumpkin healthy baked donuts is crafted with wholesome ingredients like fresh fall spices and pumpkin puree. These ingredients provide a nutritious and fiber-rich base for the donuts, making them a guilt-free indulgence.
• Healthier alternative. Unlike traditional fried donuts, these baked donuts are a healthier choice. They are baked to perfection instead of deep-fried, reducing the amount of oil used. You can enjoy the same great taste and texture with fewer calories and less fat!

Key ingredients and substitutions

Vegetable oil: I use oil instead of butter, because it creates a fluffier and light donut. For a healthier alternative you can use equal parts olive oil.

Sugar: I use mostly granulated sugar and a little brown sugar for the best combination of flavor and texture. However if you want the healthiest donut possible, you can use equal parts coconut sugar. You can also add a little bit of organic maple syrup. These are healthier alternatives to refined sugars and lend to a delicious caramel-like taste to the donuts without causing crazy blood sugar spikes.

Pumpkin puree: packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, pumpkin puree adds a natural sweetness and moistness to the donuts. It also gives them a beautiful golden color.

Spices: I load my donuts with spices. I use the best combination of freshly ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove. You can replace this with 2 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice instead if you do not have all of the individual spices.

Baking powder: this makes your donuts rise! Baking powder unlike baking soda doesn't require an acid in order to rise, so it is my go to when you want a higher rise.

All purpose flour: I use unbleached all purpose flour for this recipe but if you want to add more fiber to your diet you can replace it with equal parts almond flour or oat flour. These gluten-free flours are hearty and nutritious. Oat flour adds a subtle nutty flavor, while almond flour contributes to a moist and tender texture.

Step by step instructions

Step one: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a donut pan with cooking spray.

Step two: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your oil, eggs, sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin, and vanilla until combined. In the same bowl add dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove. Whisk thoroughly until combined.

Step three: Transfer the donut batter into a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off.

Step four: Pipe the batter evenly into the prepared donut molds, filling each one about two-thirds full.

Step five: Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until the donuts are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step six: In a small bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon to create a fragrant cinnamon-sugar topping. Dip each cooled donut into melted butter, then generously coat them with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. This step adds a delightful sweetness and a touch of warmth to the donuts!

Baking tips

• You do not need to mix your dry ingredients in a separate bowl when baking. This is usually suggested so that you combine your dry ingredients evenly first before you add it to your batter and so that you can add them slowly to avoid clumps. And while this may be needed for some recipes it is not required for most. So I like to make less dishes and still get amazing desserts
• I also recommend measuring your ingredients precisely. For example a heaping cup of pumpkin puree vs a cup of pumpkin pure could actually add almost an additional ¼ of a cup of pumpkin. That extra water content could keep your donuts from rising. So measure as best you can!

FAQ

Storing and freezing

These healthy pumpkin donuts are best eaten fresh out of the oven, so I recommend making the batter and if you don't think you will eat all of them in a day or two, then I like to refrigerate half the batter and bake the second half a few days later. You can also freeze the batter in a freezer bag for up to a month. Defrost it and bake like normal.

But the baked donuts themselves can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days. Serve them alongside a glass of your milk of choice for a delightful breakfast or enjoy them as a guilt free treat!

Lastly, if you try out this recipe, be sure to leave a comment/rating on how it turned out. I love hearing from you guys and will try my best to reply to every comment! And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!