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Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes

Katie WellsJun 27, 2019Updated: Jul 30, 2019
Reading Time: 4 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Breakfast Recipes » Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • History of Donut Holes
  • Are Donuts Healthy?
  • Tips for Great Almond Flour Donuts
  • Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes Recipe

As far as healthy dessert recipes go, this is an overall winner! I make these glazed donut holes are made with healthy ingredients, but the taste is very similar to old fashioned donut holes. They are a fun choice when you want something decadent and want it to be nutritious too. They’re perfect for a special birthday breakfast (served with healthy protein) or a dessert that’s easy to pack in a picnic.

Let’s say this much… as donuts go, these are as healthy as they come!

History of Donut Holes

It’s not clear exactly how donut holes came to be, but one interesting story starts with a mother and son team. In the mid-19th century Elizabeth Gregory, mother of New England ship captain Hanson Gregory, created the doughnut when she fried dough with nuts in the center where the dough might not cook through. She rolled them in nutmeg, cinnamon, and lemon rind.

Captain Gregory used the top of a round tin pepper box to cut a hole in the doughnut, and the donut hole was born… or so the story goes.

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Today, doughnuts are shaped by machines (and donut holes are no longer cut from the center). But the popularity of donut holes hasn’t wavered and they are now made separately.

Are Donuts Healthy?

I’m going to go out on a limb and say… donuts can be healthy! Eating a lot of sugar (natural or not) isn’t a healthy habit, but having an occasional treat made with healthy ingredients is perfectly okay. These donut holes have some sugar (from the chocolate chips and glaze) but not nearly as much as other donuts.

  • Almond Flour – Made from ground almonds, almond flour is a good source of protein and healthy fat. It’s also a great flour for low carb baking.
  • Chocolate – While it does contain sugar, chocolate is still a healthy food (in small amounts) because it’s packed with antioxidants. You can always make your own chocolate to use.
  • Coconut Milk and Oil – Coconut is a great source of healthy fats. Coconut oil provides medium chain fatty acids that help build a healthy immune system and fight infections.

To reduce the sugar even more, skip the glaze.

Tips for Great Almond Flour Donuts

It’s amazing how many baked goods and other recipes can be made with alternative flours including almond flour. But at the same time, there is a learning curve when you begin baking with new flours and ingredients. Here are some tips for tasty donut holes using healthy ingredients:

  • You have a few options for cooking these donut holes: you can either use a cake pop maker or a donut hole pan. You could also use a mini muffin tin, your donut holes just won’t be round. They’ll still be just as tasty though!
  • If your donuts don’t come out right, check your almond flour. Finely ground, blanched almond flour is the best kind to use for tricky baked goods. I’ve linked to my favorite kind below.
  • Because the recipe for these donut holes makes a batter (instead of dough) you may have to grease the pan really well so the donut holes will come out easily.
  • Let the donut holes cool in the pan. They will peel away from the sides of the pan and be much easier to get out (without crumbling!).

Because baking with alternative flours can be tricky, it may take you a bit of time to figure out how your oven, pans, and recipes work together. Don’t be discouraged though… the learning curve is worth it! Soon you’ll be making beautiful donuts that taste great and fill kids up with healthy fats and fiber.

Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes Recipe

Katie Wells
Delicious almond flour based chocolate donut holes with a coconut glaze.
3.67 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 21 mins
Chilling time 45 mins
Total Time 1 hr 9 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Dairy Free, Grain Free, Paleo
Servings 20 donut holes
Calories 101 kcal

Ingredients
  

Donut Holes

  • ½ cup chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup canned coconut milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Glaze

  • ¼ cup coconut oil
  • 1 TBSP honey
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 TBSP coconut milk
  • 1 TBSP cocoa powder (optional)
  • 2 TBSP shredded coconut (toasted, optional)

Instructions
 

To make the donut holes:

  • Preheat your cake pop maker or oven to 350°F.
  • In a medium sauce pan, heat the chocolate chips and coconut milk over low heat just until melted, stirring constantly.
  • Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Place the eggs in a mixing bowl and whisk on high until they are light and foamy.
  • Fold in the melted chocolate mixture.
  • Add the almond flour, cinnamon, baking powder, vanilla, and salt and mix well
  • Spoon the batter into the cavities of the cake pop maker or donut hole pan, filling to just above the rim.
  • Bake in the cake pop maker or preheated oven for 5 minutes before flipping and cooking for 2 more minutes.
  • Place the cooked donut holes on a plate and place in the freezer for 45 minutes.

To glaze:

  • Combine the coconut oil and honey in a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring constantly, just until melted.
  • Whisk in the vanilla extract, coconut milk, and cocoa powder if using.
  • Pour the glaze into a glass 1 cup measure and dunk each donut hole, placing back on the plate to set.
  • Dunk a second time if desired for a thicker coating of glaze.
  • If you'd like coconut covered donut holes, sprinkle them with toasted shredded coconut while the glaze is still wet.

Notes

  • This recipe makes a thick batter that is then baked in either a cake pop maker or a donut hole pan. If you don't have/don't want to buy either of those you can just use a mini cupcake pan. Your donut holes won't be round, but they'll be just as tasty!
  • You can add cocoa powder to the glaze to make a chocolate glaze or sprinkle the still-wet glazed donut holes with toasted shredded coconut if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1donut holeCalories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 14mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 35IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Ever made healthy donuts? Ready to try this delicious recipe? Share below!

 

Category: Breakfast Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Recipes

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (24 Comments)

  1. Lorraine

    March 22, 2014 at 8:28 PM

    What do we use to replace almond/coconut flour when some of us have peanut allergy?

    Reply
  2. Natasha

    February 25, 2014 at 1:09 PM

    4 stars
    This recipe was so easy and it turned out phenomenally. I love, love, loved it! Even my husband, who usually hates grain free treats, loved them.

    Thanks!

    Reply
  3. Amy Martinez

    February 11, 2014 at 7:19 PM

    Can you sub coconut flour for Almond flour as we have tree nut allergies?

    Reply
  4. Caitlyn Baldo

    December 20, 2013 at 7:55 PM

    Just attempted these with my brand new cake pop maker that I bought just to make these. I don’t have coconut cream concentrate and it’s getting late, bed time for kiddo’s, so no glazing tonight. We just made them as doughnut holes. The batter/dough is delish, but I struggled to make these very uniform… Also, the batter was a little runny. I might substitute a few Tbs. of coconut flour for the almond flour next time. Also these taste very very sweet to me… Not much to change that since the only thing making them sweet it “life is good” chocolate chips… Overall I will definitely try this again. Also, love that George “The Civilized Caveman” is prior Marine Corps. My husband is a Marine of 11 years and counting. I’ve dragged him along on my healthy living/eating journey for 9 years of marriage, and now he asks for extra vegetables, buys organic without me having to write it on the grocery list, and reads labels 🙂 In health and love ~Caitlyn

    Reply
  5. Cindy Walker Pittman

    December 10, 2013 at 9:05 AM

    where do you find Coconut cream concentrate? Also, can I use the solid coconut oil if I just melt it down? Thanks! So looking forward to trying these glazed donut holes!

    Reply
  6. Sarah

    December 9, 2013 at 7:21 AM

    Is there anything I can use instead of eggs – I can’t eat them

    Reply
    • Noel Keen

      December 28, 2013 at 5:57 PM

      Research subbing in chia seeds. They are supposed to be good for this.

      Reply
      • Sarah

        December 29, 2013 at 12:52 PM

        I know of a lot of different subs but didn’t know what would be best. So out of chia ,flax, physillium etc… chia is best?

        Reply
  7. emmy

    December 8, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    I have such a hard time finding coconut milk that is free of excitotoxins (i.e. guar gum) any suggestions? Looks like such an awesome recipe, would love to try it!

    Reply
    • Stacy

      May 25, 2015 at 3:57 PM

      Natural Value coconut milk. Comes in organic variety as well. Can be bought by the case on Amazon. When you open it, it will probably be separated. You have to mix it with a fork or blend for about 20 seconds in a Magic Bullet. Works great! No guar gum. Also in a BPA free can.

      Reply
  8. Janice Burns Anderson

    December 8, 2013 at 4:44 AM

    Um yummm! And I just so happen to have every ingredient on hand!!

    Reply
  9. Mary

    December 7, 2013 at 12:55 AM

    I just finished making these & they are the bomb!! My two year old is in heaven!

    Reply
  10. Sarah L

    June 29, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    Do you have a hand dishwashing detergent/soap you recommend?

    Reply
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