These vegan baked donuts are easy to whip up, and you don't need to pull out the oil. They are fluffy, lightly sweet, and have the perfect dusting of cinnamon and sugar.
These easy delicious cinnamon and sugar vegan baked donuts are the perfect fix when you are itching for a donut.
I served these to multiple kids and friends trying to get this recipe down.
All around, it was a thumbs up.
I like that baked donuts don't make your kitchen a greasy mess and have an easy clean-up.
But suppose you are looking for oil-fried donuts.
In that case, I have two spectacular recipes: this vegan apple cider donut and this vegan pumpkin spice donut.
There is something about the fall weather that screams donuts to me.
I was initially going for an apple cider or pumpkin baked donut when I started this venture, but I realized that a cinnamon sugar one would be tasty as well!
What's your favorite type of donut?
Let's get into the recipe!
Vegan donut recipe Q&A-
What's the difference between baked and fried donuts?
Baked donuts are baked in the oven or air-fryer, while fried donuts are cooked in oil.
An oil donut is what you get at a donut shop. Arguably they are the best, but not the healthier donut option.
Baked donuts have a lighter flavor and aren't greasy at all.
Do I prefer fried donuts? Yes, but baked donuts have a spot in my heart as well.
You can't totally compare their flavors.
Can you use different frosting on these vegan doughnuts?
Yes, if you would rather make a chocolate frosting, maple frosting, or whatever frosting you want, feel free to do so.
Can I sub in coconut oil instead of vegan butter?
Yes, you can; you will want to use melted coconut oil. I prefer the flavor of vegan butter.
Can you make this oil-free?
You can sub apple sauce for the vegan butter; the cinnamon and sugar won't stick as well without some kind of oil.
If you're used to eating oil-free baked goods, you will like it; if you are not, you will likely be missing the fat in these donuts.
Can you make these vegan gluten-free donuts?
If you want to make these gluten free you can use a gluten-free all purpose flour.
You wouldn't want to use just oat flour or coconut flour; you really need a gluten-free flour blend that acts like regular flour.
What do you need for this delicious Cinnamon and Sugar Vegan Baked Donuts recipe?
For the full recipe ingredient amounts, check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- all purpose flour
- white sugar
- baking powder
- nutmeg
- cinnamon
- salt
- non dairy milk (soy milk, almond milk, whatever plant milk of choice)
- white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- vanilla extract
- vegan butter
- melted vegan butter
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
How do you make these easy baked vegan donuts?
Let's make some cinnamon sugar donuts!
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. If you have a donut pan, then grease it; if you don't, you'll need a muffin tin and foil; I'll explain in the recipe.
Mix your vegan milk with the vinegar and set it aside (this makes vegan buttermilk)
Get a large mixing bowl and mix your dry ingredients with a whisk.
Now take your vegan milk mixture and add the melted vegan butter and vanilla extract.
Take a spatula, mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, and mix until combined.
Take your donut batter and fill your donut pan-
Take your greased donut pan and scoop your dough with the spatula into the donut pan, being careful to do it evenly.
Alternately, you can pour the dough into a medium zip lock bag, cut the bag's tip, and squeeze the dough into the doughnut pan.
Or if you happen to have a piping bag that works also.
Bake for 8-10 minutes.
How do I make donuts without a donut pan?
You'll need foil. Foil is easier because it holds its shape. You'll take a square of foil and stick your finger in the middle of it to make a mold.
You'll want it big enough to fill a single muffin pan. The batter will fill the bottom of the foil, and in the center, it will have a finger length stick up the middle.
You'll have to make 12 of these, so add that to your time.
Spray the molds with cooking spray before filling them.
How do you tell when the donuts are done?
Do the toothpick check. Stick a toothpick in the middle of the donut; it should come out clean. Don't overbake them; you want a tender donut, not a dry one.
Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
Then remove to a cooling rack.
Make your topping by combining the sugars and cinnamon.
Take a separate small bowl and melt the vegan butter.
Take a pastry brush and brush the melted vegan butter on the top and sides. Then dip in the cinnamon sugar mixture, butter the bottom, and dip that side in the cinnamon sugar coating.
The whole donut should be covered in cinnamon and sugar now.
Repeat with the remaining donuts.
Alternatively, you can dip the donuts in vegan butter, but you end up using way more vegan butter than if you brush it on.
These are best eaten the day they are made.
How do you store these vegan fluffy donuts?
These are best stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days. However, these are best fresh.
Can you freeze donuts?
Yes, you can freeze them for up to 3 months in an air-tight container or gallon freezer bag. To defrost, take them out of their packaging and place them on a plate or wire rack until they come to room temperature.
If they don't have frosting on them, you can reheat them in the microwave for 20 seconds at 50% power.
Want some other vegan dessert recipes?
Vegan Baked Donuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegan milk
- 1 TB vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 TB melted vegan butter
Topping
- ¼ cup melted vegan butter
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Mix your vegan milk with the vinegar and set it aside.
- Mix your dry ingredients with a whisk.
- Now take your vegan milk mixture and add the melted vegan butter and vanilla extract.
- Take a spatula, mix the liquid with the dry ingredients, and mix until combined.
- Take a donut pan and spray with cooking spray; scoop your dough with the spatula into the donut pan, being careful to try to do it evenly. Alternately, you can pour the dough into a medium zip lock bag, cut the bag's tip, and squeeze the dough into the doughnut pan.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Make your topping by combining the sugars and cinnamon. Take a separate bowl and melt the vegan butter. Take a pastry brush and brush the melted vegan butter on the top and sides and then dip in the sugar mixture; butter the bottom now and dip that side in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. The whole donut should be covered in cinnamon and sugar now. Repeat with the remaining donuts.
Notes
Nutrition
If you loved this recipe then give it a 5 star rating and leave a comment! I love to chat with you all. Please feel free to share on social media and tag #courtneyshomestead. I would love to see you over on Instagram or Facebook.
General vegan donut questions-
Are any Krispy Kreme donuts vegan?
As of 2022, there are no vegan donut options in the US. However, Krispy Kreme has vegan donuts if you live in the UK.
What are vegan donuts made of?
Vegan donuts are made with the same ingredients. Regular donuts are made of without animal products like eggs and dairy.
That also answers the question of what's not vegan about donuts.
Does Dunkin Donuts have vegan donuts?
Sadly, as of 2022, there are no vegan Dunkin donuts. At select locations, they do have a vegan breakfast sandwich.
Are donuts vegan friendly?
Most are not because of using either egg and or dairy.
Jen says
Hello! These look so yummy! Can I use any type of vinegar, such as apple cider or white vinegar? Thank you!
Courtneys Homestead says
Hi Jen! Yes, you can use either. Thanks for stopping by! ❤️