These Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are baked, not fried and are gluten-free! These cake like donuts are lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and then gently rolled in cinnamon sugar.
Ok, it's time for a confession.
I don't like doughnuts. Or donuts.
I never have. Until now, that is.
What I realize is that I don't like fried donuts, especially the smell. I know I am not in the majority here (and I rarely am!) so I decided to make doughnuts that are almost like a cake or muffin.
These are MY kind of donuts.
The funniest part of my weird confession... one of my kids just told me that he doesn't like donuts, or the smell of donuts either! Isn't that funny?
So now there are two doughnut-hating-weirdos walking around. But we both agree that we love THESE donuts.
If you just so happen to love donuts, you will love these Hot Chocolate Donuts, Apple Cider Donuts and these Dark Chocolate Donuts with Peanut Butter Glaze! They would all be even more delicious with some Apple Chai Latte, Chamomile Latte and definitely this Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate!
Why You Should Make These Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
I realize that most cinnamon sugar donuts are completely covered in all of the sugar deliciousness, but I decided to just roll one of the sides in it to lighten them up (a bit). Just so you know, they still taste ridiculously delicious.
If you want to roll both sides, go for it. They are completely customizable and easily adapted any way you like it.
Even those that eat gluten won't even believe that these are gluten free. And I also promise that they have a wonderful cake-like texture.
Yes, even without the gluten.
I have made these cinnamon sugar donuts with unrefined sugar and also granular Monk fruit which is a natural sugar substitute. They both held up nicely and tasted delicious.
I just wanted to share with you in case you wanted to cut back on sugar and try something new.
I have also made these with both coconut oil and butter and both equally tastes delicious and had wonderful textures. Personally I wouldn't recommend one over the other, it's really a personal preference or whatever you have in your pantry or refrigerator.
Related Recipes
Blueberry Baked Donuts from Chocolate Covered Katie
Baked Apple Cider Donuts from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Healthy Banana Donuts with Chocolate Glaze from Amy's Healthy Baking
Dark Chocolate Donuts with Peanut Butter Glaze from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
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Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
Ingredients
- 4 cups Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour I used Bob's Red Mill
- 6 teaspoons gluten-free aluminum-free baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unrefined sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ¼ cup coconut oil or butter melted
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- ¼ cup unrefined sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a donut pan or muffin tin.
- In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, add vanilla, eggs, milk and beat until thoroughly combined.
- Add coconut oil or butter and beat again until mixed well.
- Slowly add flour mixture and mix on low until everything is combined.
- Fill the prepared donut pan or muffin tin and bake for 12–15 minutes. You can also roll them into balls and place on a baking sheet for donut holes.
- In a small bowl, mic together cinnamon and sugar.
- Let cool in the pan for a few minutes, then remove from pan and immediately place one side of the doughnut in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. ENJOY!
Kim Beaulieu
I only eat donuts/ doughnuts about twice per year, if that. Mostly because most of them at stores stink. However there are some good cake like ones at one store that I cannot resist. Luckily it's really far away so I very seldom get in there. If they were next door I'd be in there every day. There's also a place in the county that does cinnamon donut holes, and they are unlike any donut in the world. The place is called Colasanti's and is the coolest place around, so much to see and do while there. We drive out once or twice a year just for the donuts. They bake them fresh in front of you and you can buy extra bags. The ones you made look like a way healthier version of those donut holes. So I could eat these every day right?
lauren.kelly
Go for it, Kim! 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I actually really like baked cake like donuts. I mean I like regular fried ones but baked are just as wonderful! Mmm and that cinnamon sugar is fantastic!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
Although Ido love me some fried doughnuts, these look fantastic - and I love that they are better for you than the fried variety.
Nutmeg Nanny
These doughnuts are calling my name! Hello cinnamon sugar topping....yum!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos
I think these doughnuts look way tastier than the fried variety 🙂 What a perfect thing for the weekend 🙂
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
I'm not that big of a donut fan either. That said, yours look good. I'd love to try one.
lauren.kelly
Thanks Renee!
kellie+@+The+Suburban+Soapbox
I love fried donuts....actually....I love all donuts, these are no exception. They look so fluffy and yummy, I could eat a dozen all by myself I'm sure.
The Food Hunter
I want to try making these...they sound fabulous
lauren.kelly
Thanks Theresa!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
Gluten-free and baked - FINALLY, I can indulge without all the guilt!
Lora
I'm not a huge doughnut fan, well, of much of any thing fried since it doesn't do well with me. I can only try a taste. But I am a huge fan of baked doughnuts and how nice that that these are GF:)
lauren.kelly
Thanks Lora!
Ginny McMeans
I love home baked doughnuts and these look wonderful. I have to try them with chia eggs. That will be fun too. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
lauren.kelly
YES! I love chia eggs Ginny 🙂
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic
I like doughnuts of just about any variety. I really love that these are baked, and with just enough crunchy cinnamon sugar.
lauren.kelly
Thank you!
Stephanie
These look so so good! And they're baked! And gluten free! Wow.
lauren.kelly
Thanks Stephanie!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
I am not a big fan of fried doughnuts (or donuts) either - but I do adore a baked doughnut - and these look phenomenal! Love the "rise" on them - most of my gluten free ones tend to be a bit flatter so I gotta try this recipe - and LOVE the cinnamon sugar coating!
lauren.kelly
Thank you!
Kristen+@+A+Mind+Full+Mom
Lauren, I am so with you--I NEVER cared for donuts until I baked them at home. Seriously, people would swoon over hot Kripsie Kremes, and they didn't even make me glance their way 🙂 I love your creation and I love the healthier swaps!
lauren.kelly
Thank you Kristen!!