Chocolate Gluten Free Donuts

These Chocolate Gluten Free Donuts are baked in the oven, but as delicious as the classic fried donut. They’re paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free.

Easy Gluten Free Donut Recipe

I hosted a brunch once where I served these Chocolate Paleo & Gluten Free Donuts. The first comment? “Are they fried?” No. No, my friends. These donuts are clean, healthy, and baked. This recipe is so simple to mix up and will absolutely satisfy your fried donut craving. I mean, they taste fried!

So grab your trusty donut pan, and let’s get baking!

What You’ll Need for Gluten Free Donuts

• Almond Flour: the perfect gluten-free, nutrient-dense flour. Make sure you use blanched almond flour for a lighter donut texture.
• Cocoa Powder: use a good quality unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Baking Soda: keeps the texture nice and light.
• Chocolate Chips: I use mini chocolate chips so they incorporate nicely into the donuts.
• Salt: cuts the sweetness and enhances the chocolatey flavor.
• Applesauce: applesauce adds tons of moisture and some natural sweetness to the donuts. Be sure to use unsweetened applesauce.
• Eggs: binds everything together so the donuts can hold their shape.
• Coconut Oil: provides a little bit of extra moisture.
• Honey: my natural sweetener of choice.
• Vanilla Extract: adds flavor depth and warmth.

What is Chocolate Donut Glaze Made Of?

That depends on which glaze you’re making! I’ve included recipes for both chocolate and strawberry glaze, so take your pick. Here’s what you’ll need for each:

Chocolate Glaze

• Dark Chocolate: use a good quality dark chocolate for the best flavor.
• Coconut Oil: mixes in with the chocolate to make thin the texture.
• Coconut (optional): a sprinkle of unsweetened dried coconut adds delicious flavor and texture to the top of the donuts.

Strawberry Glaze

• Powdered Sugar: sweetens and thickens the glaze.
• Vanilla Extract: adds flavor depth and makes it so you can easily drizzle the glaze.
• Dried Strawberry Powder: adds the perfect strawberry flavor.

How to Make Chocolate Gluten Free Donuts

These gluten free donuts come together in a total of 20 minutes! Here’s a quick summary of the recipe. See the recipe card below for more detailed instructions!

1. Make the batter: In a bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
2. Bake: Pour the batter into a greased donut pan, then bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
3. Add the glaze: Mix up the chocolate and/or strawberry glaze, then drizzle over the cooled donuts.

Tips and Notes

• Grease the pan. Even if it says it’s a nonstick pan, I recommend adding a layer of cooking spray to the donut pan before you bake the donuts. This ensures you can get them all out in one piece.
• Check for doneness. To make sure the donuts are done, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, they’re ready to go!
• Cool completely. Make sure the donuts are completely cooled off before you try to add the glaze. If you put the glaze on warm donuts, it will just melt off.
• To cool the donuts faster, place them in the fridge while you make the glazes.
• Add other toppings. Feel free to customize your donuts and play around with other toppings! Try sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, crushed cookies or candy bars, or chopped nuts.

How to Store Leftover Paleo Chocolate Donuts

Glazed gluten free donuts will last in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

You can also store them in the freezer for up to 3 months, but I recommend doing so unglazed. When you’re ready to serve, thaw them at room temperature, add the glaze, then dig in!

More Paleo Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love

• Chocolate Truffles
• Chocolate Ganache Strawberry Cups
• Flourless Chocolate Cake
• Dark Chocolate Cupcakes
• Frozen Chocolate Covered Bananas (Snickers Style)
• Chocolate Bark

Gluten Free Donuts

4.75 from 4 votes

These Chocolate Gluten Free Donuts are baked in the oven, but as delicious as the classic fried donut. They're paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. 

Servings 8

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

  

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Dry Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup blanched almond flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup unsweetened pure organic applesauce
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Glaze:

• 1/2 cup dark chocolate
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil melted
• Optional: Sprinkle with unsweetened dried coconut

Strawberry Glaze:

• 1/2 cup organic powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon dried strawberry powder

Instructions

• Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees °F. Grease a donut pan and set aside.
• In a large bowl combine dry ingredients. Add in wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
• Pour batter into greased donut pan and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.When donuts are done, let cool on a baking rack.
• In two small mixing bowls, mix the chocolate and strawberry glaze ingredients separately and set aside until the donuts have cooled.
• Once cooled, drizzle glaze over donuts and devour!

Notes

• This recipe was updated on January 26th, 2017.
• You can place the donuts in the refrigerator to help cool faster while you make the chocolate and/or strawberry glaze.
• Calories: 143

Nutrition

Calories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 4gFat: 8.7gSaturated Fat: 4.7gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 65mgFiber: 0.7gSugar: 22g

Course: Sweets

Method: Baking

Author: Lexi

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