Desserts

Baked Donut Recipe — Soft, Fluffy Donuts Without the Deep Fryer (220 Calories)

May 1, 2026  ·  Plateful of Joy  ·  14 min read

Soft fluffy baked donuts with cinnamon sugar and vanilla glaze on a cooling rack — 220 calories

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Desserts

Baked Donuts

All the joy of donuts, none of the deep-fryer drama. These baked donuts are pillowy soft, ready in 25 minutes, and a hundred times easier than you think. Classic glazed, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate frosted — or make all three.

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220Calories
25 minTotal Time
12Servings
EasyDifficulty
Baked Not Fried Quick & Easy Kid Friendly Customisable

🥗 Nutrition per serving

220kcal
4gProtein
32gCarbs
9gFat

🛒 Ingredients

  • 2 cups (250g) plain flour
  • ¾ cup (150g) sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt + ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¾ cup (180ml) buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract
  • CINNAMON SUGAR: ¼ cup sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon + 3 tbsp melted butter
  • CLASSIC GLAZE: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp milk + 1 tsp vanilla
  • CHOCOLATE GLAZE: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp cocoa + 3 tbsp milk

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a donut pan — essential for intact donuts.

2

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl.

3

Whisk buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla separately. Pour into dry ingredients. Fold gently until just combined — lumps are fine.

4

Pipe batter into donut cavities, filling ¾ full. The batter rises to fill the hole perfectly.

5

Bake 10–12 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

6

GLAZE: Mix ingredients until smooth, dip warm donuts. CINNAMON SUGAR: Brush with melted butter, roll in cinnamon sugar immediately.

💡 Pro tip: Buttermilk is the secret. The acid reacts with baking powder/soda for extra lift and a tender crumb. No buttermilk? Add 1 tablespoon vinegar to ¾ cup milk. Let sit 5 minutes until slightly curdled. Works perfectly.

🔥

Donuts in your calorie budget?

See how baked donuts fit your daily goals with our free Calorie Calculator.

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Wilton Donut Pan (2-Pack)Essential for baked donuts
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Piping Syringe SetFill cavities without mess
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Wilton Gel Food ColouringRainbow glazed donuts for parties
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Nielsen-Massey Vanilla ExtractReal vanilla that makes bakes sing
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are baked donuts healthier than fried? ▼
Yes — about 35–40% less fat. A fried glazed donut has ~280 cal and 15g fat. These baked ones have ~220 cal and 9g fat.
Do I need a special donut pan? ▼
It gives the ring shape but isn’t required. Use a muffin tin for donut muffins — same flavour, different shape. Add 2–3 minutes bake time.
Can I make these vegan? ▼
Swap eggs for flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxmeal + 3 tbsp water per egg), use oat milk for buttermilk (add vinegar), and plant butter.
What is the best donut glaze? ▼
Classic vanilla (powdered sugar + milk + vanilla) is most versatile. Brown butter glaze — butter cooked until nutty golden — is the most impressive upgrade.

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