Healthy Chocolate Protein Donuts: Better Than Dessert Recipe

Introduction

These healthy chocolate protein donuts are a delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt. Packed with protein and rich chocolate flavor, they feel like a treat but fuel your body like a snack. Perfect for breakfast or dessert!

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour (whole wheat or gluten-free blend)
• ½ cup chocolate protein powder (or unflavored)
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup coconut sugar (or maple syrup, stevia)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 2 eggs (or 2 flax eggs: 2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 tbsp water)
• ½ cup Greek yogurt (or applesauce)
• ¼ cup maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
• ½ cup almond milk (or other milk alternative)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan or place a silicone pan on a baking sheet for stability.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until uniform with no lumps.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs (or flax eggs), Greek yogurt (or applesauce), maple syrup, almond milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
4. Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined—do not overmix to keep the donuts tender.
5. Step 5: Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut cavities, filling each about ¾ full to allow room for rising without overflow.
6. Step 6: Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
7. Step 7: Let the donuts sit in the pan for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely and avoid sogginess.

Tips & Variations

• Use chocolate protein powder for richer flavor, or unflavored to add extra cocoa or mix-ins.
• Substitute flax eggs for a vegan version with a nuttier taste and tender crumb.
• Try coconut sugar for natural caramel notes, or maple syrup for extra moisture.
• For gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend and ensure baking powder is gluten-free.
• Don’t overmix the batter to avoid dense, tough donuts.

Storage

Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Reheat gently in a microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm in an oven to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these donuts vegan?

Yes, replace eggs with flax eggs and use applesauce instead of Greek yogurt to keep the texture moist and tender.

What if I don’t have a donut pan?

You can bake the batter in a muffin tin for round chocolate protein muffins, adjusting bake time slightly if needed.

Healthy Chocolate Protein Donuts: Better Than Dessert Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 79 reviews

These Healthy Chocolate Protein Donuts are a delicious, guilt-free treat packed with protein and rich chocolate flavor. Made with simple pantry staples like protein powder, cocoa, whole wheat or gluten-free flour, and natural sweeteners, they offer a moist, tender crumb and a perfect balance of sweetness without refined sugar. Ideal for a post-workout snack or a healthier dessert alternative, they bake quickly in the oven to a soft, satisfying finish.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
• Total Time: 22-24 minutes
• Yield: 12 donuts 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup flour (whole wheat or gluten-free blend)
• ½ cup chocolate protein powder (whey isolate or vegan blend)
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)
• ¼ cup coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients

• 2 eggs or 2 flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg)
• ½ cup Greek yogurt or applesauce
• ¼ cup maple syrup or sweetener of choice
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or oat milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a non-stick metal donut pan or place a silicone donut pan on a baking sheet for easy handling.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until smooth and uniform with no lumps.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs or prepared flax eggs, Greek yogurt or applesauce, maple syrup, almond milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
4. Fold Wet into Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
5. Fill Donut Pan: Spoon or pipe the batter into each donut cavity, filling about three-quarters full to allow space for rising without overflow. Place the pan on a baking sheet to catch any drips if using silicone.
6. Bake the Donuts: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into a donut; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
7. Cool: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to prevent sogginess on the bottom.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Once cooled, serve these protein-packed chocolate donuts as a nutritious snack or dessert. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Use chocolate protein powder for richer flavor, but unflavored works if you want to add extra cocoa powder.
• If vegan or allergic to eggs, flax eggs provide a great substitute with a slight nutty taste.
• Prefer whole wheat flour for more fiber or a gluten-free blend if avoiding gluten; note the texture will vary slightly.
• Sweeteners like coconut sugar, maple syrup, or stevia can be adjusted for personal taste but don’t omit completely.
• Don’t overmix the batter to avoid tough, dense donuts; fold gently until just combined.
• Let donuts cool on a rack to avoid soggy bottoms.
• Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: Healthy chocolate donuts, protein donuts, low sugar donuts, easy baked donuts, gluten-free option, vegan option