Fluffy baked vegan pumpkin donuts, dusted with a cinnamon sugar topping. These are lighter than the fried variety but just as delicious!
What is it about pumpkin and cinnamon baked goods that feels like a big, warm hug? So sweet and comforting, I just love these flavours!
And when they're in cute mini donut form? Even better.
I was inspired to create these vegan baked pumpkin donuts after being contacted by (another) Aimee from Twigg Studios about a virtual pumpkin party, hosted by herself and Sara from Cake Over Steak.
How could I resist joining in?
At first, I made some chocolate chip pumpkin muffins which are so good but as I had some leftover pumpkin, I decided to experiment with these donuts and I'm so glad I did. One of my favourite bakes yet.
They are baked, not fried, making them slightly healthier but also super easy to make.
I then dipped them in some vegan butter (or oil) and dusted them with cinnamon sugar, made from coconut sugar and ground cinnamon.
You can also use brown sugar, which works equally well.
The result is a fluffy, moist, sweet and moreish donut that makes the most of these wonderful autumn flavours.
To see what others are making for this virtual pumpkin party, click here! So many drool-worthy recipes.
But back to these donuts. I've made a few batches now, one for The Little Plantation's prop swap and bake off event last week, where I got to meet some wonderful old and new blogging friends.
They seemed to go down well so I took that as a good sign I should share these on the blog.
In the batch I photographed, I used a slightly powdered coconut sugar but found I actually preferred the texture of the raw, granulated coconut sugar, which reminds me of classic sugar donuts.
It also helps them from going too sticky.
So I would recommend just plain coconut sugar or granulated brown sugar for the coating.
More Pumpkin Baking
Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes with Chocolate Chips
Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
📖 Recipe
Baked Vegan Pumpkin Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar
These vegan pumpkin donuts are baked, not fried and are so easy to make! They've been described a few times now as "the best donuts ever" and I have to agree.
Ingredients
- 200 g / 1 cup + 2 tbsp plain flour, (or white spelt flour)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp mixed spice, or pumpkin pie spice mix
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate soda
- A pinch of salt
- 55 g / ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 100 ml / ⅓ cup + 1 tbsp dairy-free milk
- 80 ml / ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
For the glaze & cinnamon sugar
- 4 tbsp dairy-free butter
- Approx ½ cup coconut sugar, (you can use brown sugar instead, if you prefer)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C / 350F and grease a mini donut tin with some oil.
- Stir all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- In a separate, smaller bowl or jug, combine all the wet ingredients.
- Stir the wet into the dry and mix until smooth.
- For a neat donut shape, I like to transfer the batter into an icing bag with a large, round nozzle and pipe the donuts into the tray. However, you can also just use a spoon and your finger to smooth it down - it's a bit messy this way, though!
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
- Gently remove from the tins and leave to cool.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan and transfer to a small bowl.
- Make the cinnamon sugar by mixing the sugar and cinnamon together in a food processor.
- Dip each donut into the melted butter, drain off the excess, then dip in the sugar or sieve a generous amount of the sugar on top, for a neater look. Repeat on both sides.
- Serve and enjoy! Will keep for 2 days in an air-tight container at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size gAmount Per Serving Calories 119Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 10mgSodium 84mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 1gSugar 14gProtein 0g
Nana says
This is a family favorite! I've adapted a lot of different ways including apple sauce or a banana instead of pumpkin. Subbed in water to replace milk when out. We've added blueberries and mini chocolate chips. The grandkids always ask to make these as mini muffins!
Maura Springstead says
Just made this recipe and the donuts came out completely flat on one side and a bit doughy in the middle.
Any idea where I went wrong? I’m gluten-free so I used Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 flour-do you think that was it?
Tara says
I really had my doubts about this recipe. I was so wrong. These are so yummy! Better than any pumpkin muffin I have every had so light and fluffy. I didn't have the donut tin so I just used muffin tin and it took about 15 minutes. I wanted it to be a little more low fat so I also decided to just put a cinnamon powder sugar frosting on them and it was yummy too.
Aimee says
I am so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for your comment :)
Lini says
I forgot to add my rating so I’m commenting again! Literally best donuts of my life.