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    Home » Recipes

    Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts {Baked, Gluten-Free}

    Published: Nov 29, 2015 · Modified: Jan 13, 2022 by Lauren Kelly · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    The cake-like Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, rolled in cinnamon sugar. and gluten-free.

    These Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are baked, not fried and are gluten-free! These cake like doughnuts are lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and then gently rolled in cinnamon sugar.  

    Cinnamon sugar donuts in a stack of three.

    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!

    cinnamon sugar donuts on a white background.

    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 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

    Please feel free to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram! Thanks for stopping by!

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    The cake-like doughnuts are lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, rolled in cinnamon sugar. and gluten-free. www.laurenkellynutrition.com

    Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

    These Cinnamon Sugar Donuts are baked, not fried and simple to make!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, brunch, Dessert, treat, vegetarian
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 24 donuts
    Calories: 136kcal
    Author: Lauren Kelly

    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!

    Notes

    To store in the refrigerator: Place cooled cinnamon sugar donuts in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
    To store in the freezer: Wrap in parchment paper and place cooled cinnamon sugar donuts in an airtight container or a plastic bag for up to 3 months.
    This recipe makes between 24-36 donuts (or muffins) depending on the size of your pans.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lkellynutrition or tag #lkellynutrition!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. April

      February 08, 2023 at 2:02 pm

      5 stars
      I could eat a million of these - so light and fluffy and taste great!

      Reply
    2. Julia

      February 08, 2023 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      I have always been so intimidated by donuts! This recipe was crazy easy and the directions were very simple to follow. I have found my new go-to recipe. Thanks for posting!

      Reply
    3. Brenda

      April 10, 2020 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      Found this recipe and I miss doughnut holes. I made it, but dough was too sticky too roll in hands. Used large cookie scoop and baked. Since you can't roll in cinn sugar, I brushed the tops with butter and shook in mixture. Delicious! Anxious to see how they are tomorrow and how they freeze.
      Only change I will make next time is to use small cookie scoop to make them normal size
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        April 11, 2020 at 7:16 am

        Hi Brenda! I am so glad you liked them. I am not sure why they came out sticky? Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    4. Mary

      November 04, 2018 at 5:28 pm

      5 stars
      Lauren,

      I went searching for a baked gluten free doughnut recipe, and found yours. Reading through the recipe, I didn't want the sugar, so I substituted it for 2 tsp. of stevia. I also had some almond flour that I wanted to use, so I substituted 2 cups of almond flour for 2 cups of Bob's Red Mill 1/1 mix= 2 cup Bob's and 2 Cups almond flour. They came out AMAZING! Thank you for sharing your creativity.

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        November 04, 2018 at 6:35 pm

        I am so happy you liked them and thank you for sharing your tips with us, Mary!

        Reply
    5. Diane N

      July 15, 2018 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      These turned out amazing, I did powdered sugar with cinnamon, oh how I've missed donuts, yay, thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        July 15, 2018 at 4:59 pm

        Hi Diane! I am so happy you liked them! Please come back again soon!

        Reply
    6. Natalie

      April 28, 2018 at 6:24 am

      5 stars
      These are super delicious. I made a half batch just to test the recipe, but will be making a full batch very soon. However, the 1/4 tablespoon measurement for sugar in the topping did not seem correct at all (this made the MOST pitiful tiny bit of topping!).. upon seeing that I decided to assume the recipe meant 1/4 CUP instead. That worked perfectly for me! I also have no idea how you got your topping to stick to the baked outsides of the donuts..? I ended up slicing mine and dipping the cut ends. Suppose I could have also brushed on a bit of milk to encourage the topping to stick. Despite the hiccups, I'm very excited to have found this recipe.. it has the perfect balance of sweetness and lightness and texture! Excellent!

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        April 28, 2018 at 7:26 am

        Hi Natalie! Yes, I meant 14 cup! I will change that now, thank you so much! I am so happy you liked them! Have a great day!

        Reply
    7. Ella

      September 27, 2017 at 4:28 am

      I made these donuts today for my family. They are delicious!! So impressed with this recipe! I made half a batch and they turned out great! This will be my go to recipe ????????

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        September 27, 2017 at 5:57 am

        I love that Ella! I am so glad you love them too! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

        Reply
    8. Pat

      April 11, 2017 at 7:38 pm

      These are super. Love that they are baked and gluten free. My new favorite treat. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        April 11, 2017 at 10:24 pm

        Thanks Pat! So glad you liked them!

        Reply
    9. April

      April 05, 2016 at 7:53 pm

      Can your recipe simply be cut in half so we only get about a dozen? Some recipes don't work well to double or cut down. Thank you.

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        April 05, 2016 at 9:46 pm

        Hi April! I have never cut it in half but I bet it would be fine? Or maybe you can make the whole recipe and freeze half of it? Let me know who it turns out!

        Reply
    10. Beverley

      January 02, 2016 at 11:58 am

      5 stars
      perfect little yummy sweetness and so much healthier than your usual doughnuts. Thank you and Happy New Year to you and your family xoxo

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        April 05, 2016 at 9:46 pm

        Thanks Beverly!

        Reply
    11. Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)

      December 07, 2015 at 4:17 am

      I love the way you've lightened donuts up a bit here. I have to confess that I am a donut fan -- for sure -- but I have never made them at home myself. These make me want to. Right away.

      Reply
    12. Rose | The Clean Dish

      December 04, 2015 at 1:59 am

      I'm so excited about your recipe because much like yourself, I just don't like anything fried, really. I'm dying to try these cinnamon sugar donuts! YUM!

      Reply
    13. Colleen (Souffle Bombay)

      December 02, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      My kids are crazy for these...Baked trumps most friend IMO. Except apple cider donuts in the Fall, mmmm! Pretty pics!

      Reply
    14. Dani @ The Adventure Bite

      December 02, 2015 at 2:32 pm

      5 stars
      I on the other hand could live in a fresh hot oil fried doughnut. They are kind of my downfall. But to make at home? Not gonna happen. These look perfect for fending off the kids doughtnut needs!

      Reply
      • lauren.kelly

        December 02, 2015 at 2:36 pm

        Thanks Dani!

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Lauren! I love creating easy, simple, healthy recipes for you! Many of them are low carb and gluten free, and all of the are delicious!.

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