Healthy Chocolate Protein Donuts: Better Than Dessert Recipe
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.
- 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
Scale
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
