Vegan Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Vegan cinnamon sugar donuts are light, fluffy, moist, and baked to perfection! They’re dipped in a sweet cinnamon sugar coating and super easy to make. No yeast, no eggs, and no dairy are needed. Enjoy this healthier donut recipe for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert!

What’s better than warm, fluffy, fresh-out-of-the-oven donuts on a cozy morning? If you’re a fan of baked goods, you will LOVE these homemade cinnamon sugar donuts! I imagine this recipe to be what would happen if churros and vanilla cake had a baby. The interior is light, moist, and tender while the outside is coated in sweet cinnamon sugar.

If you haven’t tried making donuts before, it may seem a bit intimidating. Most people are used to the typical baked goods like muffins and cookies, but these donuts are actually easier to make! They’re ready in under 30 minutes, made with basic ingredients, and easy-to-follow instructions.

These cinnamon sugar donuts are:

• Vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, and made without yeast
• Can be oil-free and gluten-free
• Subtly spiced with warm cinnamon
• Baked, not fried (a healthier homemade donut recipe!)
• Kid-approved and non-vegan approved
• A tasty baked good for breakfast, brunch, or dessert

Ingredients needed for healthier baked donuts

• Flour: We’ll use all-purpose flour, otherwise known as plain baking flour.
• Sugar: Sugar is used to sweet the donuts, as well as the cinnamon sugar coating.
• Plant-based milk: Use your favorite plant-based milk. I recommend keeping it simple with unsweetened almond milk, but other varieties can be used. Choose from soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, etc.
• Applesauce: Applesauce is used as a low-fat, healthier alternative to oil or butter.
• Flaxseed: Since this recipe is egg-free, a flax egg binds the ingredients together instead. A flax egg is just ground flaxseed and water mixed together.
• Cinnamon: This recipe wouldn’t be complete without cinnamon! A dash is included in the donuts, while more is used for the coating.
• Leavening agents: This is a yeast-free donut recipe. A combination of baking powder, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar help the donuts rise.

How to make vegan cinnamon sugar donuts

For the full ingredients list and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card below.

First, create the flax egg by combining ground flaxseed and water in a small bowl. Set aside to thicken for 10 minutes; it will form into a egg-like consistency.

Next, combine the dry ingredients. This includes flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients. This includes the flax egg, plant-based milk, applesauce, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until evenly combined.

Then, generously grease a donut pan with coconut oil or nonstick cooking spray. Fill the pan ⅔ of the way full with batter, leaving enough room for the donuts to rise while baking.

Bake donuts for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. After, transfer to a wire cooling rack.

While the donuts are cooling, prepare the butter and cinnamon sugar coating. Add vegan butter to a small bowl and melt in the microwave. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in another bowl.

Time for the fun part! Brush a donut with vegan butter, then toss it in the cinnamon sugar. Repeat until all donuts are evenly coated. Enjoy!

Kaylie’s tips

Don’t forget the apple cider vinegar. This is an important ingredient for light and fluffy donuts. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, distilled white vinegar can be used instead. As a last resort, lemon juice will work too.

Grease the donut pan to prevent sticking. Make sure you liberally grease the donut pan with coconut oil or nonstick spray before adding the batter. This prevents the donuts from sticking to the pan after baking.

How to make them gluten-free: Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. I recommend the Bob’s Red Mill brand. Results may vary with other brands.

How to make them oil-free: The donut recipe is already oil-free, but melted vegan butter is required for the cinnamon sugar coating. If you’re following a strict oil-free diet, you can skip the melted vegan butter. Instead, immediately coat the donuts in cinnamon sugar after baking.

Make muffins, too! A great thing about this recipe is that it can double as muffins. If you don’t have a donut pan, simply use a muffin tin instead. Keep an eye on them while they’re baking; you may need to adjust the baking time.

Store in a sealed container. Donuts are best enjoyed freshly baked or on the same day you make them. Keep leftovers stored in a sealed container at room temperature. They will keep for 2 days (at most).

More vegan baked goods

• The Best Vegan Banana Bread
• Chocolate Banana Baked Oatmeal
• Chunky Monkey Baked Oatmeal
• Double Chocolate Banana Muffins (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
• Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal
• Vegan Gluten-Free Banana Bread

More vegan brunch recipes

• Banana Bread Pancakes (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
• Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes
• Banana Bread Granola
• Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

If you try these Vegan Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!

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