Here's a simple recipe for donuts using coconut flour. It's one of the first coconut flour recipes I created and still one of my favorites.
Coconut flour is easy to bake with, and if you have a nut allergy, it is a great gluten-free substitute for nut flours like almond flour. It's low in carbohydrates and high in fiber.
This recipe can also be used to make vanilla cupcakes—no alterations necessary.
Note about donut baking pans I've found that the non-stick surface becomes a bit sticky (I think the non-stick coating wears off after a while). I've had to grease the pan before adding the batter (shortening, butter or coconut oil will do the trick), and I also a bit of care in pulling them out - I nudge them from a couple of corners before lifting them out of the pan. My current favorite is silicon donut molds.
You can also find this recipe in Cooking for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet on page 197.
Andrea Hoornweg says
I bought a mini donut maker machine from a yardsale recently and wanted to find some healthier donut recipes to try it out. These turned out AMAZING! I even brought some over to a friends house and everyone loved them including my friend who doesn’t normally like sweet things. Thank you for sharing this beautiful recipe.
Erica says
Hi Andrea. Thanks so much, so great to hear!
Andrea Hoornweg says
How would recommend storing these? Are they better kept in the fridge or room temperature?
Erica says
Hi Andrea. For more than a day or so, I recommend storing them in the refrigerator.
Jacqueline Rose says
I just made your lemon blueberry Loaf bread, absolutely amazing!! Could I make some cinnamon donuts instead? Or does the honey help while cooking ?
Erica says
Hi Jacqueline, great to hear about the lemon blueberry loaf! You can definitely add cinnamon to this recipe.
Kathy says
Can you please post your cinnamon raisin bread recipe?
Erica says
Hi! My cinnamon raisin bread recipe is in my book, Cooking for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, both editions. Best wishes!
Christine says
Thank you for this recipe. I used to make blueberry muffins for my grandchildren this morning and I they lov d them!
Erica says
Yum to blueberry muffins. So good to hear!
Allison says
I just made these this morning and they were overpowering with the egg taste. I am not sure if I will make them again. Oh well.
Erica says
I've never had that experience with this recipe. Sounds like you needed more coconut flour.
Gillian says
These were absolutely delicious! I've been making them as 6 large muffins and adding different ingredients in each batch. The first batch was plain; second batch had walnuts; third batch had walnuts and coconut added; fourth batch I added banana and walnuts. They have all been delicious and perfectly muffin-like! My brother asked if I would bring him some blueberry muffins for thanksgiving (coincidentally, we both just started the SCD diet without even talking to each other about it!). So, that's my next batch! Can't wait! The only problem I've had with these is that I can't stop eating them!! 🙂 Thank you so much!
Erica says
Thanks for the rave review! This recipe is an old but goody for sure.
Lorraine Armenta says
What can i use instead of honey?
Erica says
Maple syrup will work. I haven't tested any others.
Asael says
Thanks for the recipe!! I wonder if I can use any egg substitutes (like flaxegg) since I’m a vegan?
Looking forward for other coconut flour recipies.
Thanks Agian!!!
Erica says
My experience is 2 flax eggs is the most I can use with success. Beyond that, I don't recommend it.
Renae says
tried this recipe and they came out awesome and so tasty!! Would you happen to know how many carbs/fats/protein/sugar are in per serving?
Thanks
Erica says
I don't offhand, but you can use an app or a website to obtain that info.
Gray Lady says
Any idea what the nutrition content would be?
Alt Food Guy says
These came out great! I use my cake boss baking sheet and made a bunch of mini donuts! I even posted a picture on my Instagram of them.
Michele says
Erica,
You don't know how happy you made some birthday kids. Ok, maybe not kids; they're 21 twin year olds and two of my nine children. Our lives have changed so much in the last few years and it is so hard to miss out on the "fun" things in life but that are so damaging to our health. I made these as a birthday treat in my mini donut maker and dipped them in Chocolate Ganache made with dark chocolate chocolate chips and coconut shortening. THEY WERE AMAZING!!! I even took them to our local mechanic as a "thank you" gift. Can't wait to serve them to grandpa. Thanks for keeping the fun in life...
By the way, your Breakfast Cookies are MY birthday, breakfast choice...:)
Whitney says
I made these this morning and the batter filled three mini donut pans in case anyone has those.
Erica says
good to know, thanks!
Danielle says
FYI: I use a Betty Crocker Donut Maker to make my donuts. Have had trouble finding a regular donut pan in stores for some reason. But I found the Betty Crocker one and it's great. It makes 6 mini donuts, with holes in the center and all. Just for those of you looking to use something different.
Holli says
Please tell if you know how to use honey and sugar together? Half and half? It's a lot of honey. Even maybe 1/2 splenda granulated and half syrup of honey? What do you think would work? Thanks!
Lindsey says
Do you think the recipe could work fried? In coconut oil?
Erica says
sorry, don't know
katharine says
thanks for the recipe. made them this morning and they are awesome. i made both mini muffins and mini donuts -- the donuts were a bust as they stuck to the pan (that didn't stop us from eating them mind you). the mini muffin size is perfect for just a little treat at lunch for the kiddies.
Erica says
good to hear!
Maria says
I made them the first taxactly as recipe says and came out great. Then I tried 1/2 coconut Fluor and 1/2 cashew nut flour and they were even better. Then I tried making them with cashew flour and the batter was way too thin that I had to incorporate some of the coconut flour in order for the mix to have some consistency. Love this recipe . I was wondering if anyone has tried it as a bread and omitting the honey for the salt? My 6 yr old is on pales diet for last4 yrs and diet is very limited. Eggs and all ingredient in this recipe are ok for her. Thanks again for sharing this recipe since a lot of the grain free recipes I have tried are awful and a huge waste of money.
Butterscotchchick says
This was my experience after trying this recipe: I find that it tastes coconutty, and not just the flavor, but the texture. I saw a comment in the thread saying that it didn't. Also, I made these into cupcakes and I am glad that I put the batter into paper cake cups that lined the pan, because when I took them out of the pan when the were done, there was a bunch of oil in the pan.
They turned out good though. Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Lisa says
Made cupcakes/muffins and used blueberries. It worked really well and good flavor. Would like to try it in place of bread to sop up the yolk of a poached/fried egg.
Dee says
We just made these. Soooo dry. Wished they were better. I followed directions exactly. I tried to add applesauce after the first batch but it didn't help. 🙁
Erica says
wow, these are never dry for me. Not sure what to say since I've never heard this before for this recipe. What brand of coconut flour are you using?
Elizabeth says
Erica,
Can you fry these? I enjoy them as cakes, but I was wondering if I could fry them to get them even closer to doughnuts? (I do realize frying isn't too healthy!)
Erica says
Not sure, they are a very wet batter so they might fall apart.
April says
These are delish!! I added about 1/3 cup of Enjoy life choc chips and omit the topping. My kids devoured them!!! This is a good pancake recipe too. Just make sure you pan or griddle is turned down a bit and make them small so they're easy to turn. Thanks for the recipe!!
Erica says
wow, pancakes. I didn't think of that. Thanks!
Kendra says
I just tried these and the came out nicely in an electric donut baker. Got a "Babycakes Donut Maker" which bakes them in about 2 minutes....they're on the clearance table at Bed Bath and Beyond right now for $5.99! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Tiffany says
I am going to bake this in a 4 inch diameter ramekin to make a mini cake. Has anyone done this? Thanks
Ally says
Your donut looks so yummy! However, when I made these they came out way too moist. I put the batter in mini donut molds. They ended up tasting more on the egg side. They were super moist tho on the bottom half of the donuts where they touch the pan. It's almost like all the liquid sank to the bottom. Why could this have happened?
juliecortes says
Dont forget to add 1/4t. nutmeg for that donut flavor!
juliecortes says
Best donuts/cupcakes I've tried yet. I purposely cover the "hole" in the donut pan. When cool, I either frost or fill with pudding or pie filling. Very versitile. Quite spongey like a twinky! yes, like a twinky! Could even "inject" white frosting into a muffin. Like a HoHo!!!!! When measuring coconut flour, DONT pack. Lightly spoon into measuring cup. THanks a bunch!
Erica says
how funny! Thanks 🙂
Britney says
Any idea how to make these pumpkin donuts? How would I compensate for the puree?
Erica says
Not offhand. I would have to test it. I've been thinking about it, but I'm just too tied up with the book. I might try it next week.
Stephanie says
I just made these this morning, using half coconut sugar and half honey. They were a little thick, so I added some almond milk. Just wondering how thick the original batter is? Mine was pretty thick.
Erica says
I have a feeling that if you use coconut sugar (which is dry) with this recipe you'll probably need to add a bit more almond milk since honey adds quite a bit more moisture.
Kara says
I am so disappointed! I tried to make these (I even was couragous enough to TRIPLE the batch). Well they are terrible, like...beyond terrible!!! What could I have done wrong!? I followed the recipe exactly!
They batter didnt blend well, it is all separated. But I tried baking it anyway, they are dry but greasy all at the same time. They dont have a pastry consistency in any sense of the word. They are so gross! Help!
Erica says
sounds like you forgot the eggs
Summer says
I have the same problem with coconut flour recipes. It isn't just forgetting the eggs. Something else is going on. I use so many eggs that all I taste is eggs at the end (pancakes today with 1/4 cup coconut flour and 4 eggs!) with cooked squash, and I still had that nasty grainy texture that I associate with coconut flour. What brand do you use? I'm starting to think it's just MY coconut flour that sucks, or that I need to let it set and absorb moisture for a while? To give you an idea, I tried to use it to thicken creole once, and it just made it gritty.
Erica says
My favorite brand is Tropical Traditions. I haven't tried many others, but I find TT brand to be very fine ground.
Beth says
I like Wilderness Family Naturals coconut flour which I find to be light and fluffy. After blending, it helps to let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes so that the flour absorbs the moisture.
Erica W. says
These are so yummy! I don't have a donut maker or pan, so I've only made them as cupcakes. The first time I made them, I only had half of the vanilla I needed, so I also used orange extract. The result reminded me of a cake my mom used to.make- yellow cake mix with orange juice instead of water. So, I made these again last week for a party, and I only used orange extract. They were a hit!
I omitted the baking soda, since we are on GAPS, but they were still great (probably just a little shorter and denser than they would have been with it).
I frosted the cupcakes with this chocolate deleting recipe, and they were just perfect: http://realfoodforager.com/recipe-chocolate-icing-gaps-paleoprimal/
Erica W. says
That was frosting, not deleting!
Margaret P says
Has anyone tried frying these like normal doughnuts?
Jess says
These are amazing as cupcakes, but I haven't tried them as donuts yet. I was wondering if anyone has tried a variation to these other than vanilla and chocolate, such as blueberry donuts. I'm hesitant to try because of the added moisture and was hoping someone had experience or advice.
Thanks!!
Eugenia says
I made this today, thanks! They tasted good. They tasted more like cupcakes than doughnuts, but since I hadn't had any dessert for a month now, they were great anyway. I whipped some lactose-free sour cream with some honey too, and served them together. Here's a pic.
Erica says
Thanks for the picture 🙂
Kapu says
im really trying to stay away from honey due to the high sugar content. is there something else i could use in its place. btw i love you website! thanks, kapu
Erica says
Maybe maple syrup, or add additional water with a dry sweetener such as stevia. I haven't tried it though.
Margaret P says
Dextrose=Glucose=Corn Sugar is the only sweetener I can use. It is definitely available at health food stores and beer-making supply stores. Then you can use as little or as much as you want.
keiralee dixon says
I added a TBspn of cream and then cooked them in mini muffin tray. Then drowned them in choc ganash.
A big hit with the 2yo!!!
haks for the recipe!!!
KL
keiralee dixon says
ooops that should read 'thanks'
Erica says
ok, I was wondering if that was an acronym I hadn't heard of 🙂
Sara says
Have you ever tried to freeze these to store them? Would it work?
Sara says
Well, I couldn't wait to try them. They taste amazing!! I'm on SCD and have really been struggling trying to avoid nuts, so this is thrilling! Next time I'm going to try to put some cocoa butter in to sub for some of the butter: chocolate donuts, anyone? 🙂
Penny says
Erica,
I made the choc version of these this weekend and had ordered the pans, so used them to good results. You do have to really oil the pans, and it seemed to me that there is a just-enough amount of batter to put in, otherwise the donut shape grows a ridge! Of your 3 donut recipes, which do your kids like the best? The almond flour ones or the coconut flour ones? I have a 13-year-old gluten-free donut lover I'm trying to please. 🙂 He liked the choc ones, but didn't give them raves.
Erica says
Hi Penny - my favorites are the chocolate coconut flour donuts, but we all vary here. My kids prefer the plain or vanilla coconut donuts. My husband eats all of them. I guess everyone has there favorite.
Chef Rachel Albert says
WOW! Now I think I'm going to be obsessed w/doughnuts! I want to try these. Just so you know the link for the baking pans on your choc honey doughnut page didn't work... nor did the link to print these coconut flour doughnuts. I can obviously print the whole post... not a problem, just wanted to let you know.
Your pictures look fantastic. Do you use an SLR or a semi automatic 35mm camera? Natural lighting or special lights?
Erica says
Uh. The links work for me. Even the print button? Weird.
Erica says
thanks! SLR, and mostly natural lighting. Let me know if the links still don't work - I checked some and fixed some.
Jo An says
I am new to your site and really excited to find it!! I made these little treats and they were good. I didn't have a donut pan but used a mini muffin pan (12 minutes). My only questions was should the butter be melted? I used soften butter and whipped the heck out of it. Oh so tasty!!! Thank you.
Erica says
Yes - much easier to melt or soften the butter :). Thanks for adding that, and I added it too.
Erica says
Thanks Nikki!
nikki s says
you can use ground flax seeds and water to sub eggs, many recipes for this on the net!
Erica says
Hi Melinda. It's an interesting idea, but I don't know if it will work. Maybe someone else has tried it and can let us know.
Melinda says
I am thinking of making a variation of these for my son's birthday~He is also sensative to eggs... do you think that my current substitute would work? Gelatin in hot water to make a egg like substance...=-)
Tammy says
I'm baking today, and was looking for a coconut flour donughnut recipe. I'm making this today, and will let you know.
Jackie Carlisle says
These donuts are scrumptious! I tweaked the recipe somewhat by using 3 eggs & 3 egg whites in order to reduce the fat and saturated fat content. A definite recipe keeper!
Debbie says
Looks lovely! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading more of your blog soon!
Kristy says
YUMMY!! I am in love with all things COCONUT and also I'm in love with your "food philosophy" and enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa B says
What a great idea! I have tried other forms of flour, but wasn't aware of coconut flour. I'll add it to my pantry. Thanks for the sub of nut flours. We have a toddler so nut flours are not an option for us just now. Cannot wait to try these 🙂
Erica says
Hi Michelle! Great news. I'm so happy for both of you. Best wishes.
Michelle Tiede says
Erica, Thanks so much for this site! I make your recipes all the time. My husband has Crohn's disease and started the SCD diet 3 months ago. His health has improved tremendously!! I made the Coconut donuts last night and they are wonderful! Thank you so much!
Erica says
Saja, no modifications are necessary. Just put the batter into the mold of your choice. They make great vanilla cupcakes as well.
Saja says
Can you make these without a donut pan? What modifications can I make so I don't have to purchase another pan?
Michelle Elisabeth says
Those look very very scrumptious! I'll have to look into a donut pan of my own 🙂
Gina says
Good to know! Thanks Erica!
Erica says
Gina, suprisingly it doesn't taste like coconut. If you use coconut oil or coconut butter though, it will start to taste like coconut. The coconut pancake recipes don't taste like coconut either (in my opinion).
Gina says
Does coconut flour taste like coconut? I'm not a huge fan of coconut, but wasn't sure if the flour was similar to almond flour in the sense that it doesn't really taste like almonds.
Sharae says
This is the basic recipe I use for Peanut Butter cookies using dry roasted peanuts and organic peanut butter (rather than coconut butter). They make a cake-like breakfast cookie since I make them about baseball sized and cook for 12-15 minutes at 325 degrees.
Delish!