An easy copycat recipe for homemade baked Krispy Kreme donuts, covered in a sugar free glaze! Naturally vegan and gluten-free, this healthy Krispy Kreme donut recipe comes with a tested keto and paleo option! Bonus? No yeast needed!
Baked Krispy Kreme Donut Recipe
The original glazed Krispy Kreme donut is one of my all-time favorite foods. A soft and fluffy cake-like donut, covered in the most delicious, sweet glaze. When it comes to food I had little self-control around, Krispy Kreme donuts would be it.
After sharing my easy baked donut recipe (made without yeast!), I KNEW I had to do a copycat recipe for Krispy Kreme donuts.
When trying to recreate it, I needed to tick off two boxes-
- Making sure the copycat donuts were nutritious without sacrificing on taste
- Baking the donuts, instead of frying them.
I was always curious whether or not Krispy Kreme Donuts were baked or fried. Traditional Krispy Kreme donuts are fried, but in my version, I baked them. However, I also included a cheeky hack to give the ‘fried’ taste, which is so simple to do!
Not only are these copycat donuts completely vegan, eggless and gluten-free, but they also come with a tested keto and paleo option!
Healthy Krispy Kreme Donuts Ingredients (vegan, gluten-free version)
Gluten-Free self-rising flour
A gluten-free self-rising (self-raising) flour is necessary to ensure the donuts rise and also yield a cake-like texture. If you don’t have access to gluten-free self-rising flour, you could try and make your own.
To make your own gluten-free self-rising flour, combine 2 cups of gluten-free flour with 1 tablespoon of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup
A sticky sweetener, like agave nectar or maple syrup, provides a subtle sweetness, along with aiding the cake-like texture. Either one will work, but I prefer agave nectar, as I can always taste a hint of maple flavor.
Coconut Oil
Melted coconut oil keeps the batter moist and fluffy on the inside, and tender on the outside. Please refrain from using another neutral oil, as the consistency of the donuts will be denser.
Unsweetened Coconut Milk
Any milk of choice works, and this is needed to help make the donut batter pourable. I used coconut milk, but almond, cashew, etc will all work.
Sugar Free Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar)
When combined with milk or coconut cream, the sugar free powdered sugar turns into a delicious, silky glaze. This powdered sugar contains no calories, low carb and no sugar whatsoever.
How to make homemade baked Krispy Kreme Donuts
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180C/350 F. Coat a 12-count muffin tin or 2 6-count muffin tins with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2: Sift your flour into a large mixing bowl, to avoid any clumps. Add the remaining ingredients and mix very well.
Step 3: Transfer your donut batter into a large ziplock bag. Cut a small hole on one corner and squeeze out the donut dough into the donut pan.
Step 4: Bake the donuts for 12-15 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean from the center.
Step 5: Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Once cool, drizzle each donut in the sugar free glaze and enjoy!
How to ‘fry’ your baked donuts
As mentioned earlier, you can achieve the ‘fried’ donut flavor and texture with a simple hack. To do so, once your donuts have cooled down completely, heat a non-stick pan. Spray each donut with cooking spray. Once the pan is hot, quickly sear the sides of the donut and voila- Mock baked donuts!
Keto and Paleo Option
These Krispy Kreme donuts can easily be made paleo and keto-friendly, It uses almond flour and monk fruit sweetener instead, and has no need for any sticky sweetener.
The sugar free glaze is already keto and paleo friendly, so no changes need to be made there.
How to make the sugar free donut glaze
Thanks to my new favorite sugar free confectioners’ sugar, you can easily make a delicious glaze for the donuts.
Sugar Free Glaze Recipe
- 2 cups of sugar free confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-3 tablespoons milk of choice
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, add your sugar free confectioners’ sugar.
- Add 1 tablespoon of milk and slowly mix until a thick, crumbly texture remains. Add the vanilla extract and slowly add extra milk, one tablespoon at a time, until a glossy glaze remains.
How to store copycat Krispy Kreme Donuts
While donuts will taste okay left at room temperature, they are best stored in the fridge. Cover the Krispy Kreme donuts or place in a shallow container. Donuts will remain fresh and tasty for at least 1 week.
Donuts are freezer friendly and will keep well frozen for up to 2 months. Be sure to wrap each donut individually in parchment paper and place in a ziplock bag or container.
To enjoy donuts from the freezer, thaw at room temperature for several hours, or overnight in the fridge.
More healthy baked desserts
- Best healthy chocolate chip cookies
- Flourless Chocolate Muffins
- Coconut Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Best Healthy Banana Bread
- Raspberry Banana Bread
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Healthy Baked Krispy Kreme Donuts (Paleo, Keto, Vegan, Gluten Free)
Ingredients
For the vegan/eggless option
- 2 1/2 cups gluten-free self-rising flour
- 1/2 cup agave nectar can substitute for maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup milk of choice
For the paleo/keto option
- 2 1/4 cups blanched almond flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sweetener of choice
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
Sugar Free Glaze
- 2 cups sugar free powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-3 tablespoon milk of choice * See notes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Coat a 12-count donut pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Sift your flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until a thick dough remains.
- Pour the donut batter into a large ziplock bag. Cut off one corner of the bag and pipe out the donut batter into the donut pan. Lightly wet your hands and shape into the donut cavities. Do not overfill.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until just done, and a skewer comes out just clean. Allow cooling in the pan for 5 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cool, dip each donut in the sugar free glaze.
For the keto and paleo option
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Coat a 12-count donut pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your blanched almond flour and sweetener of choice and mix well. Set aside. In a seperate mixing bowl, add the rest of your ingredients and mix until combined. Add to your dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Pour the donut batter into a large ziplock bag. Cut off one corner of the bag and pipe out the donut batter into the donut pan. Lightly wet your hands and shape into the donut cavities. Do not overfill.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Allow cooling in the pan for 5 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cool, dip each donut in the sugar free glaze.
For the sugar-free glaze
- Combine your powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the milk and vanilla extract and mix well. Slowly add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until a glaze remains.
Notes
Nutrition
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YES, Krispy Kreme! Childhood! It’s by far the best donut fast food place. Nobody, absolutely NOBODY, can go wrong with a classic glazed donut. I have to try your vegan version! I am so excited!
Just made these this morning for a treat for family and friends. They were giving so many praises. Thank you.
You are so welcome, Amber!
Aloha love!
My three year old has been asking me for doughnuts for days now and I want to make her dreams come true. If I don’t have self rising flour how else can I achieve the vegan recipe?
Here we go 🙂 https://thebigmansworld.com/how-to-make-self-rising-flour/