Glazed Chocolate Donut Holes

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

Katie Wells

Delicious almond flour based chocolate donut holes with a coconut glaze.

3.67 from 9 votes

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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

  

1x2x3x

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

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