baked donuts (2024)

These oven baked donuts are ultra soft, fluffy, and moist! They are so fun for breakfast, brunch, and dessert. These donuts take less than 40 minutes and come out better than your local bakery. They are totally customizable and great for any occasion!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • These baked donuts are quick and easy to make.
  • This is a simple recipe that can be whipped up in no time.
  • They are healthier than fried donuts.
  • The donuts are moist and fluffy, with a slightly crispy exterior.
  • They are versatile. You can customize the recipe to your liking by adding different flavors of glaze or toppings.
  • They are perfect for any occasion!
  • Baked donuts are a great dessert for potlucks, parties, or simply a weeknight treat.
  • I love making these for a birthday breakfast!
  • Check out these Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts for another fun recipe.

Ingredients & Substitutes

These are the ingredients and substitutions for baked donuts. Scroll down to the bottom for the full recipe.

Use all-purpose flour for these donuts. I have also tested them using gluten-free flour with great success! I suggest using King Arthur Flour or Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free flour

Granulated sugar adds the sweetness.

Baking powder helps these donuts rise while baking.

Add in a little salt to balance out the sweetness.

Milk helps thin out the donut batter.

Eggs make the donuts light and airy. I do not recommend using vegan eggs or another egg replacement.

Use unsalted melted butter. This adds moisture and a cozy buttery flavor.

Vanilla extract adds a delicious homemade flavor.

For the glaze, use powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Add in slightly more powdered sugar to thicken it. Add in slightly more milk to thin it out.

Lastly, feel free to add sprinkles, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or nuts on top!

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Taste & Texture

These baked donuts are moist and fluffy, with a slightly crispy exterior.

The glaze is sweet, creamy, and slightly tangy.

When you bite into a baked donut, the flavors and textures come together perfectly for a delicious and satisfying treat!

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

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Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 4

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

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Step 5

Spoon the batter into a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.

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Step 6

Bake the donuts for 12-15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7

Remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Step 8

For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and well combined. Add more milk if needed to achieve your desired consistency.

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Step 9

If desired, add food coloring to the glaze for different colored donuts. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off.

Step 10

If desired, add sprinkles or other toppings to the glazed donuts.

Step 11

Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

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Step 12

Lastly, enjoy the freshly baked and glazed donuts!

Expert Tips for Success

Here are a few expert tips and tricks for making the best baked donuts.

Use room temperature ingredients. This will help the batter come together more easily.

Do not overmix the donut batter. Overmixing will make the donuts tough.

Bake the donuts until they are golden brown. Be careful to not overbake.

Let the donuts cool completely before glazing them. This will help prevent the glaze from melting.

Add more milk or more powdered sugar to reach the desired consistency.

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Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

You can easily customize this baked donut recipe to your liking by adding different flavors of glaze or toppings. Here are a few ideas.

  • Vanilla glaze
  • Chocolate glaze
  • Strawberry glaze
  • Maple glaze
  • Sprinkles
  • Chocolate chips
  • Nuts
  • Fruit
  • Apple cider

How to Serve & Store

Baked donuts are best served fresh.

Serve with a glass of milk, coffee, tea, or smoothie.

For a full brunch spread, serve with eggs, bacon, quiche, and fresh fruit.

This donut cake is so fun too!

However, these donuts can also be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make these donuts ahead of time?

Yes, you can make these donuts ahead of time and freeze them. Just let them cool completely before freezing them. When you’re ready to serve them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then glaze them.

How do I prevent the glaze from melting?

To prevent the glaze from melting, let the donuts cool completely before glazing them. You can also refrigerate the donuts for a few minutes before glazing them.

What are some other ways to decorate these donuts?

You can decorate these donuts with a variety of different toppings, such as sprinkles, chocolate chips, or nuts. You can also pipe the glaze into different shapes, such as flowers or hearts.

Do baked donuts taste the same as fried donuts?

No, baked donuts do not taste the same as fried donuts. The cooking method affects the texture, flavor, and appearance of the donuts.

Are baked donuts healthier than fried donuts?

Yes, baked donuts are generally healthier than fried donuts. Fried donuts are cooked in hot oil, which adds a lot of fat and calories to the final product. Baked donuts, on the other hand, are cooked in an oven, which uses less fat.

How do you store them?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

What is the difference between cake donuts and yeast donuts?

The main difference between cake donuts and yeast donuts is the leavening agent used. Cake donuts are leavened with baking powder or baking soda, while yeast donuts are leavened with yeast. This difference in leavening agent gives the donuts their distinct textures and flavors.

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Equipment Needed

Donut Pan: This is my favorite donut pan!

You May Also Enjoy

If you enjoy this baked donut recipe, please leave a rating and review! You can find more great recipes onFacebook,Instagram, andPinterest. Check out theseBreakfast Recipesfor more delicious recipes!

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baked donuts (11)

Baked Donuts

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star4.8 from 17 reviews

  • Author: Addison LaBonte
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 25
  • Yield: 10 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Enjoy a healthier take on the classic donut with our baked donuts. Made with simple ingredients and baked in the oven, our donuts are light, fluffy, and delicious. Top them with your favorite glaze, frosting, or sprinkles for a truly irresistible treat.

Ingredients

UnitsScale

For the donuts:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Food coloring, sprinkles, or other toppings (optional)

Instructions

  1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  5. Spoon the batter into a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.
  6. Bake the donuts for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and well combined. Add more milk if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
  9. If desired, add food coloring to the glaze for different colored donuts. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off.
  10. If desired, add sprinkles or other toppings to the glazed donuts.
  11. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
  12. Finally, enjoy the freshly baked and glazed donuts!

Notes

  • Do not overmix the donut batter. Mix until just combined.
  • Use a piping bag or Ziplock bag to add the batter to the donut pan.
  • Bake until the donuts have sprung up. Insert a toothpick into the donuts. If it comes out clean, the donuts are done baking.
  • Allow the donuts to cool completely before adding the glaze.
  • If the glaze is too thick, add slightly more milk.
  • If the glaze is too thin, add slightly more powdered sugar.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
baked donuts (2024)

FAQs

Can donuts be baked instead of fried? ›

Old-fashioned cake doughnuts were deep-fried in hot fat; NEW-fashioned cake doughnuts are baked in a hot oven! Use a doughnut pan and this tasty recipe to create your choice of doughnuts.

Are baked doughnuts any good? ›

The idea that a baked doughnut can match up to its deep-fried brethren is laughable in some circles. I'll concede they aren't the same, but baked doughnuts can be just as delicious - delicious yet different. They get bonus points for being healthier and for not making the house smell like a greasy fry station.

Does Krispy Kreme baked or fry their donuts? ›

Like most doughnuts, Krispy Kremes are fried (cooked in oil). Frying cooks the dough rapidly from the outside in to give the doughnuts their distinctive crispy texture. The conveyer belt carries the doughnuts through a vegetable oil bath heated to between 355 and 360 degrees Fahrenheit (about 180 C).

Does Dunkin donuts bake or fry their donuts? ›

Some Dunkin' locations bake their donuts in house, but not all. There are three ways Dunkin' locations can acquire donuts, according to TikTok user and franchise owner Amir Mohamed.

Are baked donuts healthier than fried? ›

Are baked donuts healthier than fried? Yes they are, as there is only a small amount of oil used which is sprayed on the donut pan rather than being deep fried into oil. How long can you store donuts? Store donuts in the fridge for up to 4 - 5 days.

Are old fashioned donuts baked or fried? ›

It is typically deep-fried, and may be deep fried at a lower temperature compared to other doughnut styles, having a crunchier texture compared to other cake doughnut styles. Frying at a lower temperature contributes to its rough, cracked texture.

Are Starbucks donuts baked or fried? ›

Yes, you read that right. These donuts are baked not fried.

Why are Amish donuts so good? ›

Amish doughnuts follow traditional recipes and are always made from scratch. The basics include sugar, flour, milk, yeast, and eggs. What sets them apart from other doughnut recipes is the method, which requires kneading, stirring, and patience.

How do you keep donuts moist in the oven? ›

You can refrigerate the doughnuts, but leaving them at room temperature for one to two days is safe as long as they don't have a creme filling. Most of the time, you can stash the container in your cupboard. You want to remove the doughnuts from direct sunlight to prevent them from drying or growing mold.

Why do Krispy Kreme donuts taste different? ›

Most Krispy Kreme doughnut varieties are made of the same yeast-raised dough as the original glazed, but they're prepared differently. Some are dipped in chocolate, caramel or other toppings and some are loaded with filling. Some speciality doughnuts are ring-shaped original glazed coated with different toppings.

Why are Krispy Kreme donuts so nice? ›

Every one of our delicious doughnuts is made fresh daily to guarantee those melt in the mouth moments! Every single doughnut that leaves a Krispy Kreme line is hand checked and our decorated range of doughnuts are always hand crafted and hand finished.

What oil does Krispy Kreme use? ›

We use vegetable shortening (palm, soybean, and/or cottonseed and canola oil) for zero gram of trans fat per one serving of doughnut. All monoglycerides and diglycerides are vegetable based. Enzymes are also present. The lecithin we use is soy-based.

Which donuts are the healthiest? ›

Sugared Donut

The classic sugared donut is also the most nutritious donut on the menu. It has 240 calories, 11g fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 33g carbohydrates, 4g protein, 13g sugars, and 270mg sodium. If you love donuts, you've got plenty of varieties to choose from.

Why are donuts fried and not baked? ›

Deep-frying is a method that's great for making starchy foods, like donuts, crispy on the outside without overcooking the inside. Deep-frying your cake donuts may get you the closest to the texture and flavor of your favorite donut shop, but there are some advantages to using the oven for home bakers.

Are cake donuts healthier? ›

What kind of batter: Donuts are typically made with either yeast or cake batter. Airier yeast donuts usually have fewer calories than cake donuts, which have a denser texture.

Do donuts have to be deep-fried? ›

With these no fry doughnuts, there's no messing about with hot oil or time spent standing over a hot pan. Oven baked doughnuts have a fairly different texture to the traditional deep fried versions. You'll find that they're much more cake-like and less chewy, hence often being referred to as cake doughnuts!

What can I use instead of deep frying donuts? ›

Yes, if you prefer not to fry, you can also bake donuts in the oven. Simply prepare the dough, shape it into donut rings, and bake them in a preheated oven at around 375°F (190°C) for approximately 12-15 minutes. This method results in a slightly different texture but can still be delicious.

How do you bake donuts if you don't have a donut pan? ›

You can successfully make a doughnut pan out of a muffin pan and aluminum foil. The doughnuts were perfectly moist, fluffy and delicious. They'll be smaller than your standard doughnut and certainly not uniform in shape, but the taste is all there.

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