Oh these are good y’all! It takes me back to my Hostess Donut loving days, but with way more nourishing ingredients! Gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, with a nut-free option.
The dough is actually the same dough as my chocolate chip muffins (sans chocolate chips), but cooked in a donut pan/maker and then dipped in chocolate. So soft and chewy on the inside, with a crunchy chocolate outside. I prefer to use this easy mini donut maker (not expensive, cooks in 2-3 minutes, kid-friendly), but you can also use a mini donut pan and bake them in the oven at 350 degrees until the top bounces back when touched.
My 12 year old tried them and promptly proclaimed, “Wow mom, these are actually good!” Um, thanks?! A fantastic treat for weekend breakfast, holiday, or whenever you want a delicious option.
Paleo Chocolate Covered Mini Donuts
Equipment
- 1 Mini donut maker Can also use a mini donut pan + bake them in the oven at 350 degrees until the top bounces back when touched.
Ingredients
Donut Batter
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk can sub coconut or other nondairy milk
- 2 cups almond flour*
- 1/2 cup tapioca or arrowroot flour*
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup oil extra light olive or melted coconut
- 1/4 cup maple syrup can sub honey
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate coating
- 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1.5 tablespoon coconut oil*
Instructions
- Preheat mini donut maker or oven for a mini donut pan at 350.
- In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup almond milk with 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice. Set aside while you combine other ingredients. This creates a faux "buttermilk" that really makes a difference in the texture of these, don't skip it!
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (almond flour through salt). In a small mixing bowl, combine oil, vanilla, syrup, and egg, whisking to combine.
- Add wet ingredients and the almond milk/lemon mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir gently, just until combined.
- Pour batter into donut maker or pan and cook until top is firm when touched (will vary based on size of pan or model of maker).
- While donuts are cooking, make chocolate coating. Put chocolate chips and coconut oil in a glass dish and microwave for 1 minute. Stir, then microwave another 30 seconds (if needed) and stir again.
- When donuts are cooked, dip in chocolate coating, letting excess drain off. Place on cooling rack with foil or parchment underneath to catch any drips. Optional toppings include chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or sprinkles (we love Miss Jones Bakes sprinkles!). Put in fridge or freezer until coating is hardened (they will be squishy until you do, don't skip the cooling!).
Notes
- If needed, you can substitute 1 cup cassava flour for the almond + tapioca. Please note, using 1 cup cassava flour is the best substitute for the texture but will yield less donuts, about 20.
- You can also use any other dairy-free milk instead of the almond milk.
- You can use extra light tasting olive oil instead of coconut oil in the chocolate coating, but add after you melt the chocolate chips.
- Chocolate Coating: If you can't find chocolate chips that work for you, you can also use 1/2 cup melted coconut oil + 1/3 cup cocoa powder + 1/2 cup maple syrup. This will be thinner and I recommend you dip each donut twice.
Oh my goodness! My family was so excited to try these and they didn’t disappoint! They are So good!
You must give them a try!
So thrilled to hear they were a family it! Thank you for the rave review!
We just made these this morning and they were perfect! I was dreaming about them last night after reading and saving the recipe before I went to bed! So I woke up early and whipped a batch up for the kids who were so excited to have donuts on a weekday! I don’t have the mini donut cooker and I’m very careful to not buy too many kitchen appliances for my small kitchen but I do have a donut pan so I baked them in the oven. Worked great and the recipe made about 10 full-size donuts. Thank you!!!
We just made these this morning and they were perfect! I was dreaming about them last night after reading and saving the recipe before I went to bed! So I woke up early and whipped a batch up for the kids who were so excited to have donuts on a weeday! I don’t have the mini donut cooker and I’m very careful to not buy too many kitchen appliances for my small kitchen but I do have a donut pan so I baked them in the oven. Worked great and the recipe made about 10 full-size donuts. Thank you!!!
Simply delicious! I’ve made them several times now and every time am delighted with how easy and delicious they are. This last time I folded in about a half cup of mini chocolate chips so we could enjoy them for breakfast right away without waiting for the chocolate to set.
I love that modification and that they are one you’ve come back to. Thank you!
I’ve made a variety of paleo donuts through the years, and this recipe remains to be our family favorite!
YAY that these are a favorite! So happy your family enjoys them, thank you!
These are AMAZING! The texture inside is spot on—not dry and crumbly like most Paleo baked goods.
Hooray that these are a delicious win, thank you!
Dangerously delicious! I made a batch of your caramel and drizzled on top of the donuts as well. It was a loved treat in our house!
Wow, that sounds like a delicious addition with the caramel. So happy these were a hit!
Oh. My. Yum!! I made these for my kiddos to have a quick breakfast in the morning but they may not last through the night…
“Oh my yum” – I love it! So happy they were devoured and enjoyed. Thank you!
Love these donuts! I made some regular size and mini donuts too. Dipped some in white chocolate and chocolate sprinkles.
They were so delicious, I immediately delivered some to a couple of my friends and invited them for tea and donuts on Zoom. Zoom+tea+ donuts = priceless!
We will be doing this on a regular basis. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.
I love that these came to your Zoom girls night – what a lovely idea!
I cannot get enough of these yummy donuts. When I make them they do not last very long. Thank you
These were so good and so easy! Made with my 11yo daughter. We didn’t have a donut maker but got creative with a cupcake mold and strawberry cutter to make the holes. They came out as cute mini 🍩. The funnest part was making different toppings. We used option 2, super easy! Cant wait to make again soon! Thanks!!!!!
I love the creativity with this – good for you! Happy they were a win, thank you!
These are our favorite! We don’t have a donut pan, so I adapt a muffin pan. I’ve already told my husband to get me a donut pan for Christmas for this recipe! We’ve actually mixed nut butter with the chocolate topping, and that was a huge hit. I’ve actually overheard my husband telling others, “my wife makes the best donuts, and they’re Paleo!” I of course send them to this recipe! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Aw, I love that your hubby is bragging about you with this recipe! So happy these were a keeper and wahoo for donut pan to come!
In your picture did you use option two? Using option 1 for dipping didn’t seem to coat too well. I double dipped get it to be more chocolatey. How long do you think I can freeze these for? I’m hoping to defrost and have them ready for my son’s first day of school, but if they are a success I will do more and freeze.
The photo was of option 2 – the chocolate chips definitely make a thicker coating. That’s a good note that Option 1 is thinner and you might want to consider double dipping, thank you. I have frozen them for up to 3 months, so quite a while, though they don’t last that long unless I hide them lol!
The second time I made them I used option two and I also used olive oil in the batter. My sister who says Paleo baked goods taste like dirt ate them and never mentioned them being Paleo. It’s a WIN!
Lol, I’m so happy these won over the Paleo baked goods skeptic. Thank you!
So good!!!! Quick and easy to make! I made regular size ones and they turned out great(made 9 regular size.) Added chopped peanuts on the top of some!
I’m so happy you tried and enjoyed these and thanks for the tip on how many regular-sized donuts these made!
My kids and husband all said these are the best donuts I have ever made! We are not paleo, but I love using alternative flours to make baked goods more nutritious. These are absolutely phenomenal! Will make again and again!
I’m so thrilled you family enjoyed these! Thank you!