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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.
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
Servings
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.
Nutrition
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.
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Ever made healthy donuts? Ready to try this delicious recipe? Share below!
Maybe I missed this somewhere, but would these work in a mini donut maker instead of the cake pop one?
Yes, they should.
These look so good! My kiddos would be so happy to finally have a donut! My youngest can’t have nuts or eggs, though; would cassava flour work? And what about an egg substitute like Neat Egg?
What can I substitute for the coconut cream concentrate?
Just made these for a special treat. I used my daughters mini cupcake maker, made the glaze for the top. Even traditional eaters cant tell they are grain free;) Will make these again for sure!
Love! These! Made them the other day and off to do it again. Super delish!
am i missing the “chocolate stripped across the tops” recipe ? is that just melted chips?
i might be in for a mess, but i’ll need to use my cast iron mini-muffin bakers for this…i have no donut makers… why do you all your healthy folk have donut makers? 🙂
How many servings does this make?
These rocked. I baked them in the oven in muffin tins which I greased first. I baked them for 12 minutes and they came out perfect. I used crushed dark choc as we cant get those choc chips in the uk. I made a cacao glaze from grassfed butter, cacao and maple syrup. I added a touch of maple syrup to the batter aswell but it did taste good even before it, I need to tame this sweet tooth!
Please add this recipe to your app. You have so many great recipes online but you did not include them in your app.
Is there any way I can sub raw cacao powder for. Chocolate chips?
What do we use to replace almond/coconut flour when some of us have peanut allergy?
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!
Can you sub coconut flour for Almond flour as we have tree nut allergies?
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
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!
Is there anything I can use instead of eggs – I can’t eat them
Research subbing in chia seeds. They are supposed to be good for this.
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?
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!
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.
Um yummm! And I just so happen to have every ingredient on hand!!
I just finished making these & they are the bomb!! My two year old is in heaven!
Do you have a hand dishwashing detergent/soap you recommend?