These moist, flavorful pumpkin spice donuts are baked and not fried, contain NO OIL OR WHITE SUGAR and are also packed with protein, nutrients, and fiber.
I am embarrassingly excited about the fact that these Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts were made without any oil, butter or white sugar.
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All you need to make donuts at home is this donut pan that you can find easily at most large grocery stores or on Amazon.
Admittedly, I am not a fan of traditional fried donuts (shocker) but I was eager to come up with a baked version that tastes like a naughty donut but is secretly a nutritious breakfast.
Mission accomplished thanks to luscious pumpkin, creamy yogurt, and just enough cinnamon and sugar to make you feel all warm and happy inside.
The fact that my 15-month-old son can feed this to himself is an added bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use this recipe to make muffins?
Yes. If making muffins, bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Do I need the wheat germ and flax seed and walnuts for this recipe?
No. Just swap out with equal parts flour.
Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (or white whole wheat flour)
- 1 cup oats
- ¼ cup toasted wheat germ (plus 2 tablespoons for coating)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed plus 2 tablespoons for coating)
- 2 tablespoons flax seed meal
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (plus 1 teaspoon for coating)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pure pumpkin
- 1 ripe banana (mashed)
- ¾ cup plain low fat yogurt
- ½ cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup walnuts (chopped)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spray a donut pan with non-stick spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients except the chopped nuts: whole wheat pastry flour, oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, flax seed meal, baking soda, salt, spices; set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together wet ingredients: mashed banana, apple sauce, eggs, yogurt, pumpkin, molasses and vanilla.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just combined.
- Gently fold the chopped walnuts into the mixture.
- Using a large ice cream scoop, carefully divide mixture evenly among several donut pans or muffin tins if you do not have a donut pan. (See NOTE below if baking muffins.)
- Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- While donuts are baking, combine 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of toasted wheat germ and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a small bowl for coating the donuts when they are warm.
- After donuts have cooled for 10 minutes but are still slightly warm, carefully dip both sides into the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated; let cool completely or serve warm.
what is the serving size for the 117 calories? how many ounces is the donut supposed to be for it to be 117 calories?
One donut using a standard donut pan. Not sure weight?
These were amazing! So moist!!!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
In the Pumpkin Spice Baked Donut recipe it says See note below if baking muffins. I don’t have a donut pan so I will make muffins but I can’t find the note anywhere.Help please!
Oops sorry about that! Muffins should work – bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean!
hi just wondering if you need the wheat germ and flax seed and walnuts for this recipe? its just that i don’t usually buy these and can be very expensive from where I’m from
Nope not necessary just swap out with equal parts flour!
This look delicious I am baking them in this very moment for breakfast tomorrow
These sound so good, Liz!! I don’t like fried donuts either!! Love baked donuts! And they’re only 3 WW points each!!:-):-)
YES!! Let me know if you try these!!
I love pumpkin and these donuts look so yummy! But unfortunately, while searching for “clean” baked goods recipes, I find that many use yogurt as an ingredient. I get migraines and after many years of suffering, I have discovered that yogurt is one of my triggers. Is there an acceptable substitute for yogurt for this recipe?
What if you tried buttermilk? Probably a bit less than what it calls for yogurt? Worth a shot!
I sub greek yogurt in every recipe that calls for sour cream with no issues. Perhaps you could switch it up and sub sour cream for plain yogurt?
The only issue is that sour cream is thicker than plain yogurt. If you try it let me know though!
These look great! Any recommended subs for the banana? Banana’s are one of the few healthy foods I just can’t bring myself to eat!
I’ve been trying to transition to other flours such as oat & coconut. Do you have any suggestions are substituting the wheat flour in this recipe? It sounds amazing!
I second the question concerning another flour than wheat for fabricating this marvel!…Could one use a coconut/hemp/pumpkin seed/ or gf oat flour instead?
Am running out to find a Wilton donut pan!!!!
I would give it a shot – it can’t hurt to try! Especially the oat flour! You will LOVE the donut pan!
These look so amazing, Liz :) I’ve wanting to get a donut pan and now I have something healthy to make when I get one. Muffins are definitely on the list for now!
I have to say – it scared me at first but the donut shape made them so good and tasty!!! Going to make these again!!!
These look great! So much healthier, of course ; ), than mine!
Baked pumpkin donuts are some of my favorite! I love that you coat them in cinnamon sugar!
These are awesome! So glad you are enjoying the pan!!!
Enjoying is an unserstatement. So glad I got over my donut-phobia!!
I saw this picture on Instagram yesterday and kept thinking, “Please post the recipe, please post the recipe!” Thanks so much for sharing! I’m going go to see how these taste gluten-free if I just swap out the pastry flour for the GF kind.
Let me know how they turn out gluten free!
These look delicious! I have a mini doughnut pan and can’t wait to make these this weekend!
Ooo I love the idea of mini!!!
This look awesome. I need to buy a donut pan and make these!
So I know you’re not supposed to buy things for yourself so close to Christmas, but I seriously think this post was the shove out the door to buy that $13 doughnut pan I saw at Target! YUM, these look AMAZING!!
The pan is so worth the money!! Get it!
You are awesome. I have that pan and would truly love to make these! The kids would be ecstatic!!
Real doughnuts give me a belly ache :( I admit, I do love a good French crueller :)
Real ones give me a belly ache too!!! Seriously – these were so, so good. And SO easy and fool proof because trust me, I’m not a baker. Let me know if you give a try!!