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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Eggless Donuts

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Indulge guilt-free with these healthy eggless donuts that are baked to perfection! Try them with our two different topping options, feel free to fry them for a more decadent treat, and make them vegan and gluten free with just a few simple swaps. This quick and easy donut recipe is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, and will give you cakey, moist donuts every time!

Eggless donuts, glazed with chocolate glaze, served on a white plate.

Old fashioned donuts are some of my favorite breakfast treats (or desserts!) There is just something about that sweet cakey texture that I can’t get enough of. Of course, most donuts really are more of a treat than a healthy breakfast option, and donuts are rarely egg free or vegan.

That’s why I created this delicious donut recipe without eggs! It’s the perfect option for anyone who wants a tasty treat that also happens to be egg free and vegan friendly.

Not only that, these eggless donuts are healthier than regular donuts, but taste just as good! You only need 7 wholesome ingredients for the donuts themselves, and then you can customize their toppings. I created both a cinnamon sugar and chocolate donut recipe in this post, but feel free to make these your own by adding your favorite flavors, sprinkles, or other toppings.

And while I recommend baking these donuts for a healthier version, I have also included instructions on how to fry these donuts at home, if you want a more decadent version!

If you’re vegan, all you need to do is replace the butter in these with vegan butter. I wanted this basic doughnut recipe to be versatile for all dietary needs and preferences. Even if you eat eggs, I know you will love the moist texture of these eggless donuts.

Enjoy this soft donut recipe as a quick breakfast, afternoon pick me up, or decadent dessert! Since these are healthier than most donuts, you can feel good about treating yourself to one any time of day! 

👩🏽‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

  • Can be baked or fried
  • Easily made vegan or gluten-free
  • Kid-friendly recipe
  • Moist and soft texture
  • Healthier than store-bought donuts
  • Easily customize with different toppings
  • Best recipe for eggless donuts!

Latest Recipe Video!

🥘 Ingredients

This eggless donuts recipe uses simple ingredients and requires minimal effort. Find the exact measurements on the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients for baked eggless donuts recipe on a white background.
  • All Purpose Flour: Using all purpose flour will give the best donut texture. For healthy grains, use whole wheat flour. Keep reading for gluten-free suggestions.
  • Instant Dried Yeast: Dry yeast is used in these no egg donuts to help them rise and create a fluffy texture.
  • Sugar & Salt: You just need a pinch of salt and 3 tbsp sugar for this simple donut recipe. You’ll get the perfect level of sweetness when paired with the cinnamon sugar or chocolate glaze. 
  • Almond Milk: This eggless donut recipe calls for almond milk, but any plant based or dairy milk can be used in this recipe.
  • Butter: Use unsalted butter so that you can control the level of saltiness in these eggless yeast donuts.
  • Vanilla Extract: Classic donuts have a touch of vanilla, and this egg free doughnut recipe is no different! Look for a pure vanilla extract for the best taste. 
  • Oil (For Frying): Use whatever oil works best for you, but I recommend using a high heat oil. Sunflower oil or canola oil are popular choices for a deep fry recipe, but to make these donuts even healthier try out avocado oil.
  • Cinnamon Sugar Topping: You will need sugar, cinnamon and butter. White sugar is most commonly used for a cinnamon sugar mixture, but feel free to play around with other sugars. You could try coconut sugar or brown sugar. Cinnamon and sugar make for a delicious and comforting donut with those warm earthy notes. The butter will help the cinnamon and sugar stick to the donut. If you are vegan, use a vegan butter instead!
  • Chocolate Glaze Topping: You will need powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder and unsweetened almond milk for this no egg doughnut recipe. When these three ingredients are combined, they create a smooth and creamy glaze that is perfect for donuts. If you don’t have cocoa powder, you can also use melted chocolate chips.

🔪 How To Make Eggless Donuts

Making eggless donuts at home is not as daunting as it may seem. Follow along with these step by step photos to guide you on your donut making journey! You will find instructions for both a fried and baked eggless donut recipe as well!

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

Dry ingredients for donut dough mixed in a stand mixer.

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

Wet and dry ingredients combined together for donut dough, in a stand mixer.

Knead The Dough: Knead the donut dough for 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth.

Dough for no egg donuts in a mixing bowl.

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

Yeast donuts dough in a mixing bowl.

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

Doughnut dough being rolled out on a countertop.

Form Donut Shape: Cut rounds into the rolled dough using a 3 inch cookie cutter. To cut out the center use a smaller cookie cutter or a piping bag nozzle and make a small hole. Repeat with remaining dough.

No egg doughnuts dough on a white countertop, being cut into donut shapes.

Let Dough Rise: Place the donuts on a baking tray covered with a sheet of parchment paper, allowing space for the donuts to rise and spread slightly.

Eggless donut dough, cut into donut shapes and placed on a baking sheet.

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

Vegan donut dough, cut into donut shapes and placed on individual sheets of parchment paper.

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 glazing the donuts, prepare the glaze when the donuts are completely cooled by sifting the powdered sugar and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl. Slowly stir in the almond milk, small amounts at a time, until desired consistency has been achieved. 

Ingredients for chocolate glaze being stirred together in a mixing bowl.

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 & Bake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 180 C. Bake the donuts for 13 minutes in the preheated oven. The donuts are cooked when they are golden in color and sound hollow when tapped on the base.

Baked eggless donuts cooling on a wire rack.

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

Doughnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, being brushed with melted butter.

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

Doughnuts dipped in chocolate glaze.

How To Fry Egg Free Donuts

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

Raw donut dough being fried in a large stock pot on the stove.

Fry The Donuts: Cook on one side for 3-4 minutes, carefully turn the donuts over and continue to cook on the other side for another 3-4 minutes. Donuts will be fluffy and have a nice golden brown color. Repeat until all donuts have been cooked.

Donuts frying in a large pot on the stove.

Coat The Donuts: If coating with cinnamon sugar, roll the hot donuts in the cinnamon sugar, coating all sides, remove and serve. If glazing, drain the fried donuts on absorbent paper and allow to cool completely before coating in glaze.

Vegan donuts coated with cinnamon sugar on a sheet of parchment paper.

Dip & Let Glaze Set: Dip the top of the doughnuts into the glaze and allow to set on a cooling rack before serving and enjoying!

Doughnuts glazed with a chocolate glaze, cooling on a wire rack.

💭 Expert Tips

  • Do not overheat wet ingredients. For best results, be sure to not heat the wet ingredients too much. This will kill the yeast and the dough will not rise. The wet ingredients should be lukewarm when added to the dry ingredients.
  • Be mindful of the glaze consistency. The glaze should be a little thick so that it coats the donut, however not too thick that it damages the donut when dipped. If you dip the top of the donut into a thick glaze it can tear or break off pieces of the donut.
  • You can knead by hand. The donut dough can be made without a stand mixer. You’ll just need to knead by hand for 7-8 minutes or until smooth.
  • To shape donuts, you can use a cookie cutter or form dough into a donut pan. You can also buy a special donut cutter online.
  • To keep in mind when baking these donuts: Eggless baked donuts don’t have the same crispy outer edge as the fried donuts do but still taste amazing! 
  • Tips For Frying Donuts
    • If frying, use high quality oil. When following the eggless fried donut recipe be sure to use a high quality oil with a high smoke point and one that has a neutral flavor. 
    • Keep oil at a constant heat. When frying the oil keep it at a constant medium heat. If it is too hot, the donuts will burn and be undercooked. If it is too low, they will become soggy.
    • Be very cautious when frying. To fry the donuts place the donut, while still on the baking paper square, onto a cooking spatula and lower into the oil. Remove the baking paper immediately. You can also place it in the oil by hand, but do so very carefully and slowly.
    • Remove excess oil. Drain the fried donuts by setting on a few layers of paper towels to remove excess oil. You can also place the no egg doughnuts on a wire rack with a paper towel, but be sure to have a plate underneath to catch any potential oil drips.

📖 Variations

  • Make It Vegan: Make glazed vegan donuts with one easy swap – just use vegan butter instead of regular butter to make these donuts vegan friendly!
  • Make It Gluten Free: For a gluten free egg free donut, substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free option. You can use oat flour, almond flour, or coconut flour. Be sure to adjust the moisture level depending on which type of flour you use.
  • Other Glaze Flavors: Next time, try these egg free donuts with a vanilla flavor glaze, strawberry glaze, or even a combo with a chocolate syrup drizzle.
  • Make Donut Holes: Roll the dough from cutting the holes into small balls. They can either be baked or fried just like the donut to prevent wasted dough!

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

❄️ How To Store

  • To Store In the Fridge: While these donuts are best consumed within the first 24 hours of cooking, you can store leftover donuts covered with plastic wrap in a cool dry place for up to 3 days.
  • To Freeze: Donuts can be frozen at step 10 (prior to cooking) or can be frozen after cooking for up to 2 months. Place them in an airtight container and place in the freezer. Ensure the donuts do not have cinnamon sugar or glaze when freezing.
  • To Defrost: To defrost the uncooked donuts, place the frozen donuts on a baking tray lined with baking paper and allow them to come to room temperature before cooking. Glaze the donuts or dip in cinnamon sugar right before serving.

❓Recipe FAQs

Do all donuts have eggs in them?

No, not all donuts have eggs but most do. Unless a donut is marked as vegan or egg-free, you can expect it to contain eggs and milk. Donuts without eggs can be made at home with simple recipes like this one!

What can I use instead of eggs in donuts?

If you are looking for an egg substitute for donuts, you can use a flax egg or applesauce. This easy eggless donut recipe doesn’t require any type of egg substitute. You will use almond milk and butter for moisture and binding, and yeast to help the donuts rise.

What role do eggs play in donuts?

Eggs main roles are to help bind ingredients and also act as a leavening agent. Eggs help to create a smooth textured donut with a soft inside. Although it can add some flavor, it is not necessary to use eggs to make delicious donuts like these eggless doughnuts.

Do you need yeast for eggless donuts?

It depends on what type of texture you want your doughnuts to have! Yeast is typically used in traditional donut recipes as a leavening agent – to help the dough rise and create a fluffy texture. But there are many eggless donut recipes that don’t require yeast. Instead, they rely on other leavening agents such as baking powder or baking soda. Eggless donuts without yeast will have a more cakey, vs. doughy texture.

Are Krispy Kreme donuts vegan or eggless?

No. Krispy Kreme donuts in the US contain both eggs and milk in them so they unfortunately are not vegan. If you are located in the UK you can enjoy Krispy Kreme vegan donuts including a vegan glazed, vegan strawberry, and vegan fudge brownie donut.

Eggless donuts served two ways - with a cinnamon sugar topping and with a chocolate glaze, served on a few white plates.

🍩 More Vegan Dessert Recipes!

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📋 Recipe Card

🎥 Watch How to Make It

https://youtu.be/vUics5kgPIE
Eggless donuts, glazed with chocolate glaze, served on a white plate.
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Eggless Donuts

Indulge guilt-free with these healthy eggless donuts that are baked to perfection! Try them with our two different topping options, feel free to fry them for a more decadent treat, and make them vegan and gluten free with just a few simple swaps. This quick and easy donut recipe is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, and will give you cakey, moist donuts every time!
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time13 minutes
Rising Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 38 minutes
Course: Baking, Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Vegan
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 12
Calories: 188kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

For The Donuts

For The Cinnamon Sugar Topping

For The Chocolate Glaze

Optional – If Frying

Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

Instructions

Make The Doughnut Dough

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer add the flour, dried yeast, sugar and salt.
  • Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer and mix the dry ingredient for 2-3 minutes to combine.
  • In a microwave safe container add the almond milk, butter and vanilla extract. Heat for 1 minute or until the butter has just melted and the milk is luke warm. Stir to finish melting the butter if needed.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry.
  • Knead the dough for 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth.
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover and allow to rest in a warm place to double in size, approximately 1-2 hours.
  • Once the dough has risen, transfer to a lightly floured surface and roll out to approximately ½” thick.
  • Cut rounds using a 3 inch cookie cutter. To cut out the center use a smaller cookie cutter or a piping nozzle. Repeat with remaining dough.
  • Place the donuts on a baking tray covered with a sheet of baking paper, allowing space for the donuts to rise and spread slightly. If frying, place each donut on a small square of baking paper and then on to a baking tray.
  • Lightly cover and allow 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 bowl until well combined. Set aside.

Make The Chocolate Glaze Topping

  • If glazing the donuts, prepare the glaze by sifting the powdered sugar and cocoa powder in to a mixing bowl.
  • Slowly stir in the almond milk, small amounts at a time, until desired consistency has been achieved.
  • To cook the donuts you can either oven bake or fry. Below are both directions.

Instructions For Baking Donuts

  • Preheat the oven to 350F/180C.
  • Bake the donuts for 13 minutes. The donuts are cooked when they are golden in color and sound hollow when tapped on the base.
  • While hot, lightly brush with melted butter and roll in the sugar and cinnamon mix. Alternatively wait until the donuts are completely cool before dipping in the glaze.

Instructions For Frying Donuts

  • Heat a large pot with oil over a medium heat.
  • Carefully lower 2-4 donuts into the oil, removing the square of baking paper as you release the donut into the oil.
  • Cook on one side for 3-4 minutes, carefully turn the donuts over and continue to cook on the other side for another 3-4 minutes. Donuts will be fluffy and golden in color.
  • If coating with cinnamon sugar, roll the hot donuts in the cinnamon sugar, coating all sides, remove and serve.
  • If glazing, drain the cooked donuts on kitchen paper and allow to cool completely before coating in glaze. Dip each donut into the glaze and allow to set on a cooling rack before serving.
  • Repeat until all donuts have been cooked and topped with either cinnamon sugar or the chocolate glaze!

Notes

  • Nutrition information calculated using cinnamon sugar topping, and assuming donuts are baked, not fried.
  • Do not heat the wet ingredients too much as this will kill the yeast and the dough will not rise. The wet ingredients should only be luke warm when added to the dry ingredients.
  • The glaze should be a little thick so that it coats the donut however not too thick that it damagees the donut when dipped.
  • The donut dough can be made without a stand mixer, you’ll just need to knead by hand for 7-8 minutes or until smooth.
  • Vegan butter can be used instead of butter if you’d prefer the donuts to be vegan friendly.
  • Any plant based or dairy milk can be used in this recipe.
  • To serve the donuts you can either serve coated in cinnamon sugar, glazed with chocolate glaze or enjoyed uncoated.
  • Stored left over donuts covered, in a cool dry place for up to 3 days.
  • Donuts can be frozen at step 10 (prior to cooking) or can be frozen after cooking for up to 2 months. Ensure the donuts do not have cinnamon sugar or glaze when freezing.
  • To defrost the uncooked donuts place the frozen donuts on a baking tray lined with baking paper and allow them to come to room temperature before cooking.
  • Donuts are best enjoyed within the first 24 hours as they will be at their freshest however they can still be eaten up for up to 3 days after cooking.
  • When frying the donuts be sure to use a high quality oil with a high smoke point and one that has a neutral flavor. Some preferred oils are sunflower or canola oil.
  • When frying the oil keep it at a constant medium heat, too hot and the donuts will burn and be underscooked, too low and they will become soggy.
  • Use a cookie cutter to shape the donuts.
  • The dough from cutting the holes can either be baked or fried just like the donut to prevent wastage.
  • Baked donuts don’t have the same crispy outer edge as the fried donuts do but still taste amazing!
  • To fry the donuts either carefully lower the donut into the oil by hand or place the donut, while still on the baking paper square onto a cooking spatula and lower into the oil. Remove the baking paper immediately.
  • Drain the fried donuts on kitchen paper to remove excess oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1donut | Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 260mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g

12 responses to “Eggless Donuts”

  1. Would love to try this recipe.
    Will it alter the texture or taste if we use salted butter instead of Unsalted.. Can we omit the salt of we using salted butter.
    Thanks

    • Hi Ruth! Yes you can use salted butter if you omit the added salt in this recipe. I haven’t personally tested it with salted butter but theoretically, with that swap and omitting the extra salt, it should work!

  2. I have never tried eggless donuts before! It is truly a blessing to be able to make these without eggs…5 stars

  3. This eggless donut recipe looks so tasty; wish I could grab one from the screen, lol. Thanks for the step-by-step tutorial; can’t wait to make this with my daughter.5 stars

  4. My little niece had great fun making these eggless donuts with me. They were so easy to make tasty, loved it with cinnamon sugar!!5 stars

  5. The idea of healthy baked eggless donuts sounds too good to be true, but this recipe delivers! I love that it includes options for different toppings and can be easily made vegan and gluten-free. Plus, the fact that they’re baked instead of fried makes them a guilt-free indulgence that I can enjoy any time. Can’t wait to try making these at home!5 stars

  6. These were incredibly delicious and easy to make vegan, thank you for the tips! The chocolate glaze was incredible! Next time I’ll try the cinnamon sugar 🙂5 stars

5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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