Low Carb Keto Donuts

This soft and delicious Keto Donut Recipe is going to be just what you need to curb your cravings for the classic donuts we all know and love. They are made with almond flour, then coated in cinnamon sugar or dipped in chocolate. Our low carb donuts are not only keto-friendly but are gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo. 

Who doesn’t love donuts? I mean seriously, doesn’t it just take you back to your childhood? I know it does for me, I could never say no to a chocolate frosted donut with sprinkles, or my other favorite…blueberry! 

If you are anything like me, then I’m sure you are excited to get a recipe for keto-friendly donuts, the perfect low carb breakfast treat!

There are many different kinds, but today we went with a classic low carb donut with cinnamon sugar coating or a chocolate frosted. Whatever one is your fancy, go for it.

Are Donuts Keto-Friendly?

Donuts that you find at bakeries, grocery stores, and of course Dunkin Donuts are not keto-friendly. Why? Because they are full of wheat flour and tons of sugar, which are big “no-no’s” when eating low carb. 

That being said, we came up with a great recipe for low carb donuts that I think you are really going to enjoy.

How Many Carbs are in Keto Donuts?

I went the extra mile to get you guys the nutrition facts for both a cinnamon sugar keto donut and also a chocolate frosted keto donut. I wanted you to have your options and know your facts. 

• For 1 Cinnamon Sugar Keto Donut – 2.2 NET CARBS 
• For 1 Chocolate Frosted Keto Donut – 4.5 NET CARBS

What are Almond Flour Donuts Like?

I would say you can compare an almond flour donut to a classic cake donut. It has a very similar taste and texture to cake donuts. 

Personally, they are my favorite to have with my coffee or tea, perfect for dunking actually. You can add different ingredients to them to spice them up a bit too, but I chose to go with more of the 2 all-time classics.

What Ingredients are in Sugar-Free Donuts?

• Almond Flour – Be sure to use almond flour and not almond meal. 
• Baking Soda 
• Baking Powder – It needs to be fresh, so check the date before using it. 
• Low Carb Sweetener – I used golden monk fruit, but feel free to use your favorite one. 
• Eggs 
• Apple Cider Vinegar  
• Vanilla 
• Unsweetened Almond Milk –  Make sure it’s unsweetened.

Best Flours for Low Carb Donuts

If you are making low carb donuts, it’s possible to use either almond flour or coconut flour.

We tested out a few different recipes including making a combo of both almond flour and coconut flour. I gave them to several of our friends and they loved both recipes, but I chose to stick with just almond flour donuts, mainly because I felt like it would be easier to have fewer ingredients. 

However, if you have a nut allergy you could replace the almond flour with sunflower seed flour instead.

Best Sweetener Options

I decided to use Lakanto’s golden monk fruit, but you can use your favorite low carb sweetener. A few good ones to use are: 

• Erythritol – Lakanto and Swerve are my favorites  
• Allulose
• Xylitol – tastes good, but is VERY TOXIC to pets so don’t use it if you have animals. 
• Stevia 
• Coconut Sugar – not good for keto, but great for paleo.

Replacing the Eggs

If you can’t have eggs and need to replace them in this low carb donut recipe that is definitely possible. Replace them with a chia egg or flax egg, but keep in mind that the texture may not be exactly the same and they tend not to rise quite as much.

Different Variations

Low carb donuts come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, flavors, and toppings.

Keto Donut Toppings

Honestly, what doesn’t go well on top of almond flour donuts? The correct answer is almost everything can go on keto donuts. Here are some ideas for you: 

• Cinnamon Sugar
• Keto Chocolate Icing
• Sugar-Free Sprinkles 
• Chopped Nuts 
• Powdered Swerve 
• Peanut Butter Drizzle 
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut 
• Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips 
• Keto Vanilla Icing 
• Bacon 
• Keto Maple Icing

Shapes

You can get the right donut pan based on what shape grain-free donuts you want to make: 

• Classic Donuts
• Mini Donuts
• Donut Holes

Flavors

• Cinnamon Donuts
• Chocolate Donuts 
• Maple Donuts 
• Blueberry Donuts 
• Apple Cider Donuts 
• Lemon Poppyseed Donuts

Are Almond Flour Donuts Baked or Fried?

BAKED! Yup, we baked our almond flour donuts. It’s so easy….pop them in the oven and in 15 minutes they are ready. While a lot of places make donuts by frying them, baking them cuts down on the calories. 

I have not tried frying low carb donuts, so I can’t tell you exactly how to do it. I am planning on trying it, but in the meantime, if any of you guys do please write in the comment section below.

How to Make the Perfect Keto Donuts from Scratch 

Follow these easy steps to make the best low carb donut recipe.

STEP 1: Mixing the Dough

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

In a medium-sized mixing bowl add the almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, and golden monkfruit sweetener. Mix together, then set aside.

• 

• 

• 

In a small bowl add the eggs, apple cider vinegar, vanilla, almond milk, and whisk together.

• 

• 

• 

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir them together.

Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This step helps the batter to rise and result in fluffier donuts.

STEP 2: Filling the Donut Pan

Transfer the batter into a quart-sized Ziploc bag and cut one of the bottom corners to create a piping bag.

Spray the donut pan with coconut oil cooking spray.

Fill each donut mold about ¾ full. Try your best to divide the batter evenly.

STEP 3: Baking

Bake the donuts in the oven for 15 minutes.

STEP 4: Cooling the Donuts

While still warm, flip the donuts over onto a cooling tray.

• 

• 

If the donuts don’t seem to have a hole, use a paring knife and cut a hole in the center giving it the correct donut look.

STEP 5: Topping the Donuts

We have instructions for two toppings options:

Cinnamon Sugar Coating: 

1. While the donuts are baking, combine the golden monkfruit and cinnamon in a small bowl. 
2. Dip each donut into the cinnamon sugar, being sure to coat the entire keto donut.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Chocolate Glaze: 

1. In a small bowl add ½ cup lily’s chocolate chips and 1 tbsp coconut oil. Microwave for 60 seconds, stirring in between. 
2. Evenly pour the melted chocolate over the donuts. 
3. Add sprinkles, chopped nuts, or any other toppings you want.  
4. Refrigerate to harden the chocolate frosting.

• 

• 

• 

FAQs and Tips for Low Carb Donuts

• You need to use a donut pan to get perfectly shaped keto donuts. 
• Be sure to grease the pan before adding the sugar-free donut batter. 
• Use fresh baking powder, if it’s outdated it will cause the donut not to rise. 
• After the batter is mixed, let sit for 5 minutes before adding to the pan. 
• Don’t overfill the pan because then you will lose the donut shape once they rise in the oven. Fill each donut cavity about ¾ way full. 
• Don’t under-bake the low carb donuts. You want the batter to be fully cooked and not runny inside. 
• Flip the donuts onto a cooling rack while still warm. This makes it easier to get them out of the pan.

Why Do Donuts Have a Hole?

The theory is that when bakers started making donuts, the dough was rich and it was difficult to cook them evenly. They found that the center would be raw or gooey but the edges would be cooked through.

Eventually, they choose to get rid of the middle….problem solved.

Donuts or Doughnuts?

Simply put, BOTH are acceptable. In most dictionaries “donut” is an accepted spelling variant of doughnut, and was made popular by the company Dunkin Donuts. Thus the word “donuts” spread widely. 

Interesting fact: “donut” is common in American English, but “doughnut” is common in British English.

The bottom line is whether you are looking for a low carb donut recipe, or a low carb doughnut recipe, this one is top notch and you’re gonna love it.

Are Almond Flour Donuts Healthy?

Our low carb doughnut recipe is made with healthy ingredients including almond flour, apple cider vinegar, almond milk, etc…

Instead of using granulated sugar we use monk fruit sweetener which won’t spike your blood sugar levels. All in all, our almond flour donuts are a good healthy option.

Can I Make Mini Donuts with this Recipe?

Sure thing! All you need to do is buy a mini donut pan and you are all set.

How to Serve Low Carb Donuts

Clearly, the first thing that comes to mind when you have a keto donut in your hand, is that there should be a cup of coffee in the other hand. 

Try our Keto Coffee Recipe and one of the many flavors of Low Carb Coffee Creamer.

Something else that goes perfectly with sugar-free donuts is muffins! Try our Keto Blueberry Muffins, Keto Banana Nut Muffins, Keto Double Chocolate Muffins, Keto Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, and one of our all-time favorites, Keto Pumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese Swirl.

Diets This Recipe is Good For

• Gluten-Free: 100% gluten-free, and grain-free donuts. Made with almond flour instead of wheat flour. 
• Paleo: To make these strictly paleo donuts replace the monk fruit or erythritol with coconut sugar instead. 
• Dairy-Free: I’m super stoked to give you a dairy-free keto donuts recipe. 
• Nut-Free Option: Replace the almond flour with sunflower seed flour.

Make-Ahead and Storing Options 

Place your keto doughnuts in an airtight container or Ziploc bag and store in the fridge. They will stay fresh for 4-5 days. 

Remove them from the fridge about 30 minutes before eating for softer keto donuts.

Can You Freeze Keto Donuts?

Yes. Freeze your leftover grain-free donuts in an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 months.

Tools to Use

• Mixing Bowl 
• Whisk 
• Donut Pan 
• Cooling Rack 
• Piping Bag or Ziploc Bag

What Type of Pan is Best for Almond Flour Donuts?

Well for starters you NEED a donut pan to make almond flour donuts. But what kind of donut pan is best? I bought this non-stick donut pan from Amazon and it worked perfectly. 

Another option is a silicone donut pan, some love it and some hate it. So I say go with the non-stick donut pan instead.

Other Similar Low Carb Recipes

Looking for some other low carb desserts? Check out some of these: 

• Keto Chocolate Cake 
• Keto Chocolate Mug Cake 
• Softest Keto Cinnamon Rolls 
• Perfect Keto Cheesecake 
• Keto Lemon Bars 

Print