Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe
If you low donuts, but avoid it because it is a fried and too sweet, you are going to love this healthy baked pumpkin donuts!
I love foods that bring back that classic childhood favorites, but I do not love that most are unhealthy. However, that does not mean I can’t ever enjoy it. In fact, I know I can, and what I love to do is create the less sweet and healthier version of my favorites that taste incredible!
Even though these baked donuts have a glaze, they are still less sweet than what you find at any donut bakery. They taste delicious and are easy to make.
Can I make donuts without a donut pan?
The straightforward answer is no. If you make donuts without a donut pan, than you are not making donuts. If you make them in a muffin pan, then they are muffins. So, if donuts are something you really enjoy, I recommend investing in a healthy donut pan.
Are silicone donut pans safe to bake with?
Lots of silicone baking companies will tell you silicone pans are safe to bake with. They will even write it on the label. However, the truth is there are no well known long term studies that show much information on silicone baking safety.
With that said, I recommend not baking with anything silicone. I recommend baking with PFOA free pans that do not have forever chemicals.
I have done a lot of research. It was difficult to find toxic-free donut pans that are not aluminum. Nevertheless, I finally found the best possible one. These donut pans were the healthiest pans I could find.
Why are baked donuts healthier than fried donuts?
Baked donuts are generally considered healthier than fried donuts. This is because of how they’re cooked. Their cooking method affects their fat, calorie, and nutrient content. Here’s a clear breakdown:
Less Oil = Fewer Calories and Fat
- Fried donuts are submerged in hot oil, which they absorb during cooking.
- This adds a significant amount of fat (especially saturated and trans fats, depending on the oil used).
- Baked donuts, on the other hand, are cooked in an oven with little to no added oil, so they usually have 30–50% fewer calories and much less fat.
2. Healthier Cooking Method
- Frying can cause oils to oxidize or break down, forming unhealthy compounds like acrylamide and aldehydes.
- Baking avoids those high oil temperatures, making it a cleaner and more stable cooking method.
3. Easier to Control Ingredients
- Baked donut recipes often use less sugar, butter, and oil to achieve the right texture.
- This makes it easier to add healthier swaps like whole wheat flour, oats, or fruit purées.
️ 4. Lighter Texture, Lower Portion Density
- Fried donuts are dense and rich due to absorbed oil.
- Baked ones tend to be lighter and less greasy, which can make it easier to eat one without overdoing calories.
Additionally, for these pumpkin donuts we will use a delicious glaze recipe. It is low in sugar and not overly sweet.
I hope you enjoy!
Useful Kitchen Tools for Baked Donuts
| Prep Time: 10 minutes | Bake Time: 13-15 minutes |
| Serves: About 15-16 medium sized donuts | Total Time: 25 minutes |
| Ingredients 2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp pumpkin spice (try my homemade recipe) 1/3 freshly squeezed orange juice 1 tsp baking soda 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned) 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract (try my homemade vanilla extract) 1/2 cup avocado oil 3/4 cup organic sugar 1 tbsp molasses Icing 2 cups organic confectioner’s sugar (sifted) 3 tbsp whole milk or milk of choice (I used full-fat organic whole milk) *Optional -1 tsp maple extract |
| Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350F 2. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. Set aside. 3. In a small bowl, stir the sugar and molasses until well combined. (This turns it into brown sugar). 4. In a large bowl mix pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla extract, avocado oil, and the sugar/molasses mixture. Now add baking soda to the orange juice to activate it, stir and add it to the wet mixture. 5. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in 3 parts. Add 1/3rd of the dry ingredients and mix until no flour is visible. Add another 1/3 rd and repeat this step until all the dry ingredients are well combined and no flour is visible. 6. Grease the pan with avocado oil. Pour the batter into a large ziplog bag. Cut a hole (about 1/2 inch) on the corner of the bag and carefully spread the batter onto each space in the donut mold. 7. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into one of the donuts comes out clean. 8. Cool the donuts in a pan for 10-15 minutes before removing them. For the glaze 1. Make the glaze by mixing the sifted confectioner’s sugar, milk, and maple extract (if using). Stir until well combined. 2. Once the donuts have completely cooled, carefully dip the top part of the donut into the glaze. Then, place the donut on parchment paper to set. Enjoy and don’t forget to tag me on instagram or tiktok @cookingwithrips |
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