Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts

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Soft, fluffy, and irresistibly sweet, these Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts are the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your plant-based lifestyle. With a tender crumb and a light vanilla glaze topped with colorful sprinkles, each bite feels like a celebration. Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch or just want something delightful with your morning coffee, these donuts deliver both comfort and flavor with minimal fuss.

Made without eggs or dairy, this recipe uses pantry staples to create a surprisingly rich and moist texture. You’ll love how these donuts bake up golden and pillowy without the need for frying, making them a healthier and cleaner alternative to traditional donuts. Plus, they’re quick enough to whip up on a weekday morning, giving you that fresh bakery experience at home.

Why You’ll Love This Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts Recipe

• 100% dairy-free and egg-free—perfect for plant-based eaters
• Baked instead of fried for a lighter, healthier option
• Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish
• Easily customizable with different glazes and toppings
• Great for parties, breakfast ideas, or a simple sweet snack

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To create these light and fluffy vegan donuts, you’ll need a few essential tools:

• Donut pan: The key tool for shaping and baking the donuts. Opt for a nonstick or silicone version for easy release.
• Mixing bowls: At least two—one for dry ingredients and one for wet ingredients.
• Whisk and spatula: A whisk helps combine ingredients smoothly, while a spatula makes transferring batter into the pan mess-free.
• Piping bag or zip-top bag: Helps pipe the batter neatly into the donut cavities.
• Cooling rack: Crucial for letting the donuts cool before glazing to avoid melting the icing.

Each tool plays a vital role in ensuring the donuts come out perfectly shaped, evenly baked, and beautifully glazed.

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Preparation Tips

For best results, always measure your ingredients accurately, especially the flour—too much can make the donuts dense. Use room temperature plant milk and other wet ingredients to help the batter mix more evenly. When filling the donut pan, aim to fill each cavity about 3/4 full to allow room for rising. Let the donuts cool completely before applying the glaze to prevent it from sliding off. Finally, if you’re adding sprinkles or toppings, do so while the glaze is still wet so they stick properly.

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Ingredients for This Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts Recipe

For the Donuts:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (organic for vegan)
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant milk)
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (activates baking powder)
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (or any neutral oil)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbsp plant milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Vegan rainbow sprinkles (optional, but fun!)

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Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Donut Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your donut pan with a touch of oil or non-stick spray to ensure the donuts release smoothly after baking.

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Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to curdle slightly—this creates a vegan “buttermilk” effect. Then, add the melted coconut oil and vanilla extract. Mix well.

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Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.

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Step 4: Mix Wet and Dry Together

Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this ensures your donuts stay light and airy.

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Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan

Spoon the batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into each cavity of the donut pan, filling each about 3/4 of the way full. This gives room for the donuts to rise beautifully.

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Step 6: Bake

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12–14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean and the tops spring back when lightly touched.

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Step 7: Cool the Donuts

Let the donuts rest in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before glazing. If they’re too warm, the glaze will melt and slide off.

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Step 8: Make the Glaze

While the donuts cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of plant milk. Add an extra spoon of milk if needed to reach your desired glaze consistency—it should be thick but pourable.

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Step 9: Dip and Decorate

Dip the top of each cooled donut into the glaze and twist slightly before lifting it out. Return to the rack and immediately sprinkle with vegan rainbow sprinkles before the glaze sets.

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Step 10: Let the Glaze Set and Serve

Allow the glaze to firm up for 10–15 minutes. Enjoy your donuts fresh or store them as directed in the next section. Perfect with coffee or a tall glass of almond milk!

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Notes

These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but can be made a day ahead if needed. The recipe is flexible, allowing for flavor variations by simply swapping the vanilla extract with almond, lemon, or even maple extract. You can also fold in mix-ins like mini chocolate chips or blueberries into the batter before baking. For a richer taste, use full-fat coconut milk instead of almond milk. And don’t skip the apple cider vinegar—it helps create that fluffy rise that’s essential in egg-free baking.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overmixing the batter: This leads to dense, chewy donuts rather than fluffy ones.
• Skipping the apple cider vinegar: It’s essential for activating the baking powder and achieving the right rise.
• Overfilling the pan: This can cause uneven baking or donuts that lose their hole.
• Not letting the donuts cool before glazing: The glaze will melt off and become runny.
• Using cold ingredients: They can seize the coconut oil and lead to clumpy batter.

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Storage Instructions

Once glazed, these vegan donuts are best eaten within 1–2 days. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours, or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you need to store them longer, skip the glaze and freeze the plain donuts for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm them gently in the microwave for about 15 seconds or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes, then glaze as desired.

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Estimated Nutrition (per donut)

• Calories: 180
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Sugar: 14g
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 120mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Just substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

Can I fry these instead of baking?

This recipe is designed for baking. For frying, you’d need a different batter consistency.

What other toppings can I use?

Try cocoa glaze, crushed nuts, shredded coconut, or even melted dark chocolate.

Can I use soy or oat milk instead of almond?

Absolutely. Any plant-based milk works in this recipe.

Is it possible to make these donuts oil-free?

Yes, use unsweetened applesauce in place of the oil for a fat-free version, but the texture will be softer.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, just maintain the same ratios. It scales up easily.

How do I know when they’re done baking?

They should spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick should come out clean.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

Not recommended. The leavening agents start working right away, so the batter should be baked promptly.

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Conclusion

Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts are a dream come true for those who love baked goods but want to stick to plant-based ingredients. With simple steps, versatile flavors, and minimal prep, this recipe brings bakery-style treats to your kitchen without the need for frying or fancy equipment. Perfect for birthdays, weekend brunches, or just a cozy snack moment, these donuts are a sweet win for everyone—vegan or not.

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