Eggless Donuts

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I love enjoying these healthy eggless donuts without any guilt since they turn out perfectly every time. I like to top them in two different ways, and on occasion I even fry them when I want something extra indulgent. With a few simple swaps, I can easily make them vegan and gluten free. This quick donut recipe satisfies my sweet tooth and gives me soft, cakey, moist donuts that never disappoint.

Old fashioned donuts are some of my favorite breakfast treats and desserts. Most donuts lean more toward a treat than a healthy breakfast, and they are rarely egg free or vegan. That is exactly why I created this donut recipe without eggs. It gives me a tasty option that works for anyone who wants a donut that is egg free and vegan friendly without giving up flavor.

I usually bake these donuts when I want a lighter option, and I also include frying instructions for days when I want something more indulgent. When I make them for a vegan friend, I swap the butter for vegan butter and the results stay just as moist and tender. I designed this basic donut recipe to work for many dietary needs while still tasting like a classic treat. Even when eggs are part of my diet, I still reach for these eggless donuts since the texture stays soft and satisfying. I enjoy them for a quick breakfast, a mid afternoon treat, or a dessert after dinner. Since they are lighter than most donuts, I can enjoy one at any time of day alongside my chocolate donuts and the strawberry donuts.

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🥘 Ingredients

This eggless donut recipe uses simple ingredients and requires minimal effort. I use the following ingredients to get the best results:

All Purpose Flour: I use all purpose flour to get the best donut texture. For healthier grains, I sometimes use whole wheat flour. Keep reading for gluten-free suggestions.

Instant Dried Yeast: I use dry yeast in these no-egg donuts to help them rise and become fluffy.

Sugar and Salt: I just need a pinch of salt and 3 tablespoons of sugar for this simple donut recipe. It gives the perfect level of sweetness when paired with cinnamon sugar or chocolate glaze.

Almond Milk: This eggless donut recipe calls for almond milk, but I can also use any plant-based or dairy milk.

Butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the saltiness in these eggless yeast donuts.

Vanilla Extract: Classic donuts have a touch of vanilla, and this egg-free donut recipe is no different. I look for pure vanilla extract for the best taste.

Oil (For Frying): I use whatever oil works best for me, but I recommend a high-heat oil. Sunflower oil or canola oil are popular choices for deep frying, but for a healthier option, I like using avocado oil.

Cinnamon Sugar Topping: I need sugar, cinnamon, and butter. White sugar is most commonly used, but I sometimes experiment with coconut sugar or brown sugar. The cinnamon and sugar give a warm, comforting flavor, and the butter helps it stick to the donut. If I’m making these vegan, I use vegan butter.

Chocolate Glaze Topping: I need powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and unsweetened almond milk for this no-egg donut recipe. When I combine these, they create a smooth and creamy glaze that’s perfect for donuts. If I don’t have cocoa powder, I can also use melted chocolate chips.

🔪 How To Make

Making eggless donuts at home is not as daunting as it may seem. I follow along with these steps to guide me on my donut-making journey. I include instructions for both a fried and a baked eggless donut recipe.

Mix Dry Ingredients: In the large bowl of my stand mixer, I add the flour, dried yeast, sugar, and salt. I attach the dough hook and mix the dry ingredients for 2 to 3 minutes to combine them.

Microwave Wet Ingredients, Combine With Dry: In a microwave-safe container, I add the almond milk, butter, and vanilla extract. I heat it for 1 minute, or until the butter has just melted and the milk is lukewarm. I stir the melted butter to smooth out any lumps, then pour the lukewarm milk mixture into the yeast mixture.

Knead The Dough: I knead the donut dough for 5 minutes, or until it becomes smooth.

Let Dough Rest: I transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and allow it to rest in a warm place to double in size, which takes approximately 1 to 2 hours.

Roll Out Dough: Once the dough has risen, I transfer it to a lightly floured surface and roll it out to approximately ½ inch thickness.

Form Donut Shape: I cut rounds from the rolled dough using a 3-inch cookie cutter. To cut out the center, I use a smaller cookie cutter or a piping bag nozzle to make a small hole. I repeat this process with the remaining dough.

Let Dough Rise: I place the donuts on a baking tray lined with a sheet of parchment paper, leaving space for them to rise and spread slightly.

Note: If I am frying, I place each donut on a small square of baking paper and then onto a baking tray. I lightly cover them and allow them to rise at room temperature for 1 hour.

Make The Cinnamon Sugar Topping

If coating the donuts in cinnamon sugar, prepare the coating by mixing the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.

Make The Chocolate Glaze

If I am glazing the donuts, I prepare the glaze once the donuts are completely cooled by sifting the powdered sugar and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl. I slowly stir in the almond milk, adding small amounts at a time, until I reach the desired consistency.

You can make this eggless donut recipe baked for a healthier donut, or fried if you want a more decadent treat! Here’s how:

How To Oven Bake Eggless Donuts

Preheat and Bake: I preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 180 C. I bake the donuts for 13 minutes in the preheated oven. The donuts are done when they are golden in color and sound hollow when I tap on the base.

Coat The Donuts (for cinnamon sugar flavor): While the donuts are hot, I lightly brush them with melted butter, vegan butter, or warm water and then roll them in the sugar and cinnamon mix.

Glaze The Donuts (for chocolate glaze flavor): Alternatively, I wait until the donuts are completely cool before dipping them in the glaze.

How To Fry Egg Free Donuts

Lower Donuts Into Oil: I heat a flat-based pot or deep pan with oil over a medium flame. I carefully lower 2 to 4 donuts into the oil, removing the square of baking paper as I release each donut into the hot oil.

Fry The Donuts: I cook the donuts on one side for 3 to 4 minutes, carefully turn them over, and continue cooking on the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes. The donuts become fluffy and develop a nice golden brown color. I repeat this process until all the donuts are cooked.

Coat The Donuts: If I am coating with cinnamon sugar, I roll the hot donuts in the cinnamon sugar, making sure to coat all sides, then remove and serve them. If I am glazing, I drain the fried donuts on absorbent paper and let them cool completely before coating them in the glaze.

Dip and Let Glaze Set: I dip the top of the doughnuts into the glaze and let them set on a cooling rack before serving and enjoying them.

📖 Variations

There are so many ways to enjoy and customize these eggless donuts. I love experimenting with different flavors, toppings, and tweaks.

Make Nutty or crunchy donuts: I add finely chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pistachios, or seeds, to the dough, or I sprinkle them on top after glazing for extra texture and a nutty flavor.

Try other glaze flavors: Sometimes I like to switch things up with different glazes. Vanilla, strawberry, or even a vegan chocolate ganache drizzle can make the donuts extra yummy.

Make donut holes: I never like to waste dough, so I roll the centers I cut out into small balls. I bake or fry them just like the donuts, and they make a fun little treat on the side.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

To make these eggless donuts even more indulgent, I like pairing them with lychee ice cream or my chocolate banana nice cream. One evening after dinner, I set out donuts and ice cream for my family and we all gathered around the table, passing bowls and laughing while choosing our toppings.

Hot chocolate and donuts are a classic combo I can never resist. On cooler nights, I warm up a pot of healthy hot chocolate, or oat milk hot chocolate and place the donuts in the center of the table so my kids dip their donuts.

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