Healthy Baked Whole Wheat Donuts: A Guilt-Free, Delicious Treat!
Sneak Preview: Experience the fun of making donuts at home with this healthy, baked whole wheat version. They’re simple to make, bursting with flavor, and finished with just the right amount of powdered sugar.
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Tired of the greasy mess and extra calories from fried donuts? These Healthy Baked Whole Wheat Donuts offer a lighter alternative that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Made with white whole wheat flour for added nutrition, Greek yogurt for extra protein, and a hint of nutmeg for that classic donut taste, these cake-like treats are as fun to make as they are to eat.
Three Reasons Why These Donuts Are a Good Choice
- Make these baked cake donuts instead of fried donuts and ease the guilt.
- This recipe incorporates white whole wheat flour instead of the more common “red” whole wheat flour for a milder flavor.
- Adding unflavored Greek yogurt increases the fiber and protein count.
Shared & Loved
“This is a great and easy recipe. I’ve cooked all my life but this is the first time I made donuts. I just made minor changes due to my health (heart) concerns and used allulose instead of the sugars and oat milk instead of regular. These turned out wonderful and will be a go-to recipe for me.” — VINCE
Ingredients and Substitutions
- FLOUR:
- White whole wheat
- Sub regular whole wheat flour for a denser texture, all-purpose for softer
- SUGAR:
- Granulated
- Swap with coconut sugar or allulose
- NUTMEG:
- Essential for classic donut flavor
- Substitute cinnamon or allspice
- PECANS (Optional):
- Adds crunch
- Swap with walnuts or omit
- MILK:
- Fat-free or any preferred milk.
- GREEK YOGURT:
- Substitute regular yogurt and reduce milk by 1 tbsp
- EGG:
- Binds ingredients
- Substitute a flax egg for vegan version
- VEGETABLE OIL:
- Any neutral oil (canola, avocado, coconut).
- POWDERED SUGAR:
- Light dusting for sweetness
- Swap with cinnamon sugar or leave plain
📌Paula’s Kitchen Tips📌
- Pipe the Batter: Use a zippered plastic or decorator bag to easily fill the donut pan—no rolling required!
- Hidden Flavor Boost: Finely chop pecans for extra flavor (kids won’t notice) or skip them.
- Mess-Free Coating: Shake donuts in a plastic bag for easy powdered sugar or cinnamon-sugar coating.
Healthy Baked Whole Wheat Donuts: A Guilt-Free, Delicious Treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (120 g) white whole wheat flour
- ⅓ cup (66 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon table or sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg-freshly grated is nice
- ¼ teaspoon very finely chopped pecans optional
- ⅓ cup (76 g) fat-free milk
- ¼ cup (70 g) plain fat-free Greek yogurt
- 1 (50 g) egg
- 2 tablespoons (24 g) canola or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- few drops of almond flavoring
- ½ cup (57 g) confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a donut pan or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup (120 g) white whole wheat flour, ⅓ cup (66 g) granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon table or sea salt, and ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg-freshly grated is nice. Stir in ¼ teaspoon very finely chopped pecans if you’re using them.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: Mix ⅓ cup (76 g) fat-free milk,¼ cup (70 g) plain fat-free Greek yogurt, 1 (50 g) egg, 2 tablespoons (24 g) canola or vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a few drops of almond flavoring together in a separate small bowl.
- Combine Mixtures: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—avoid overmixing for a light, airy texture.
- Fill the Donut Pan: Grease donut pan well (I use spray oil with flour in it i.e. Baking by Pam).Transfer the batter into a plastic bag fitted with a corner snipped off (or use a piping bag) and fill each donut cavity evenly. (Fill only 1/2 to 3/4 full or you will lose the hole in the middle of your doughnut.)
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the donuts are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into one comes out clean.
- Cool and Dust: Remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool slightly before gently transferring them to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar while still warm.
- Kitchen Tip: Place the confectioner’s sugar (or cinnamon-sugar mixture if you prefer) into a gallon-size plastic bag or a large bowl. Coat the donuts before they are completely cooled.
Equipment
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
FAQ
What if I don’t have a donut pan?
You can use a muffin tin or silicone donut molds. If you’re short on equipment, simply bake the batter in a lined muffin tin for mini cake donuts.
Where can I buy a donut pan?
I bought my doughnut pan at World Market, but they are available at most kitchen stores and online(paid link)..
How long will these donuts stay fresh?
Store your baked donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but can also be gently reheated in the microwave.
Final Thoughts:
Baking donuts is a fun, healthier alternative to frying. Enjoy these whole wheat delights for breakfast, as a snack, or whenever you need a sweet treat without the extra guilt. For more creative twists on classic recipes, check out our Strawberry Cake Doughnuts and other innovative baked goodies!
Thanks to Lara Ferroni, who got me started down the baked donut path with her Baked Chocolate Doughnuts.
p.s. If you need a recipe for leftover white whole what flour, try these white whole wheat yeast rolls or Pop-Tarts with oatmeal and whole wheat flour crust.
Need help troubleshooting? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com—photos welcome!
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.