How to Make Health-Focused, Homemade Chocolate Protein Donuts

If you’ve ever wondered whether protein donuts can actually taste like a real donut, the answer is yes. With the right balance of ingredients, you can enjoy chocolate protein donuts that deliver rich chocolate flavor while providing more protein than a traditional donut.

Unlike a classic donut that’s typically made with refined flour, sugar and oil, these homemade protein donuts use thoughtfully selected ingredients to create a more balanced nutritional profile. Each donut contains 10 grams of protein, 18 grams of carbohydrates, four grams of fat and just 132 calories, making them a delicious snack or dessert option.

Creating a protein donut with the right texture isn’t as simple as swapping in protein powder. It took several rounds of testing to find a combination that baked up soft, moist and satisfying while still delivering the protein boost.

The final result is an easy recipe that brings together chocolate flavor and wholesome ingredients in every bite.

Chocolate protein donut ingredients

Each ingredient contributes to both the flavor and texture of these chocolate protein donuts, while also helping create the nutritional profile that sets them apart from a traditional donut.

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Chocolate bone broth protein

The primary protein source in this recipe is chocolate bone broth protein. This concentrated bone broth protein makes it easy to get healthy gut, joint and overall health support. It also contains a hearty dose of protein. (Ancient Nutrition’s Chocolate Bone Broth Protein is a great option.)

If preferred, you can substitute chocolate plant protein, which is typically made from super seeds. Chocolate whey protein powder is another suitable alternative. (Ancient Nutrition offers Chocolate Plant Protein+ and Whey Protein options as well.)

Eggs

Eggs play an important role in creating the structure and texture of these donuts, helping the batter mix together smoothly while contributing protein. They also provide nutrients including selenium, vitamin B12, phosphorus and riboflavin, which all play a role in overall health.

Gluten-free flour blend

A gluten-free flour blend gives these donuts their structure while keeping the recipe gluten free. You can purchase a prepared blend or make your own by combining:

• 1½ cups almond flour
• 1 cup arrowroot flour
• 1 cup coconut flour
• ½ cup tapioca flour

Mix the flours thoroughly, and store the blend in an airtight container in a dry place until you’re ready to use it.

Monk fruit sweetener

Monk fruit serves as an additional natural sweetener. Compounds extracted from monk fruit are estimated to be 200 to 300 times sweeter than cane sugar, while containing no calories and having no effect on blood sugar.

Unsweetened applesauce

Applesauce naturally sweetens the donuts while adding moisture to the batter. Made from pureed apples, it also provides fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants.

Unsweetened cocoa powder

Unsweetened cocoa powder gives these donuts their rich chocolate flavor. Produced by removing cocoa butter from cacao beans, cocoa powder retains fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients while offering the familiar taste of dark chocolate without added sweetness.

How to make chocolate protein donuts

Before getting started, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and lightly grease a donut pan with coconut oil cooking spray or butter.

1. Mix the wet ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together:

• Almond milk
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Monk fruit liquid
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Whisk until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.

2. Combine the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix together:

• Gluten-free flour blend
• Chocolate bone broth protein powder
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Sea salt

Stir until the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

3. Make the batter

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and stir until a smooth batter forms with no visible lumps remaining.

4. Fill the donut pan

Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared donut pan.

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5. Bake

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for five to 10 minutes. Then carefully invert the pan, and transfer the donuts to a wire cooling rack.

6. Prepare the chocolate glaze

While the donuts cool, combine powdered monk fruit sweetener, cocoa powder and almond milk in a shallow bowl until smooth.

Dip each donut into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off before placing it back on the cooling rack.

Finish with optional cacao nibs and flaky sea salt before allowing the glaze to set.

Other healthier donut recipes

If you enjoyed these protein donuts, you may also like these homemade donut recipes:

• Apple cider donuts
• Blueberry donut holes
• Double chocolate collagen donuts
• Matcha donuts

Chocolate Protein Donuts Recipe

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• Author: Holly Darnell, RD
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These homemade chocolate protein donuts are soft, rich and surprisingly simple to prepare. Each donut delivers 10 grams of protein while containing just 132 calories, making them an easy snack or dessert you’ll want to make again.

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Ingredients

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Donuts

• ⅓ cup plain unsweetened almond milk
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ⅓ cup monk fruit liquid (¾ cup monk fruit sweetener mixed with ¼ cup water)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup gluten-free flour blend*
• 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

Gluten-free flour blend

• 1½ cups almond flour
• 1 cup arrowroot flour
• 1 cup coconut flour
• ½ cup tapioca flour

Combine all ingredients thoroughly before measuring the amount needed for the recipe.

Chocolate glaze

• Powdered monk fruit sweetener
• Cocoa powder
• Almond milk

Optional topping

• Cacao nibs
• Flaky sea salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F, and lightly grease a donut pan with coconut oil cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, applesauce, monk fruit liquid, eggs and vanilla extract.
3. In another bowl, combine the gluten-free flour blend, chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, baking soda and sea salt.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and stir until a smooth batter forms.
5. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared donut pan.
6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.
8. Prepare the glaze by mixing powdered monk fruit sweetener, cocoa powder and almond milk until smooth.
9. Dip each donut into the glaze, and allow it to set.
10. Garnish with cacao nibs and flaky sea salt, if desired.

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 donut (67g)
• Calories: 132
• Sugar: 2.2g
• Sodium: 321mg
• Fat: 3.7g
• Saturated Fat: 1.4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 17.5g
• Fiber: 3.9g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 55mg