Discover the ultimate guilt-free indulgence with our favorite healthy dessert recipes. These Fudgy Baked Chocolate Donuts are rich, moist, and incredibly satisfying, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for health. Made with wholesome ingredients and natural sweeteners, this recipe is perfect for a morning treat, an afternoon snack, or a light dessert that the whole family will love. Get ready to transform your view on healthy baking!
Making healthy donuts is easier than you think!
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Baked Donuts
This isn’t just another healthy dessert; it’s a game-changer for anyone with a sweet tooth. They are incredibly simple to make, requiring just one bowl and about 30 minutes from start to finish. Unlike traditional donuts that are fried in oil, these are baked, significantly reducing the fat content while maintaining a wonderfully moist, cake-like texture.
The Secret to Healthy Desserts That Taste Amazing
The key to fantastic healthy dessert recipes lies in smart ingredient swaps that boost nutrition without compromising on taste or texture. We replace processed ingredients with wholesome alternatives that provide flavor, moisture, and structure.
Nutrient-Dense Flours
We use a blend of whole wheat pastry flour and almond flour. Whole wheat adds fiber, while almond flour provides healthy fats, protein, and a tender crumb. This combination creates a perfect texture that’s both light and satisfying.
Natural Sweeteners
Instead of refined white sugar, this recipe calls for pure maple syrup. It provides a rich, complex sweetness along with essential minerals. Unsweetened applesauce also adds natural sweetness and moisture, allowing us to reduce the overall amount of added sugar and oil.
Golden-brown perfection, straight from the oven.
Ingredients for Healthy Chocolate Donuts
Here’s what you’ll need to gather for this simple and delicious recipe. The combination of these whole-food ingredients is what makes these donuts a truly healthy treat.
Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: For a light texture with added fiber.
Almond Flour: Adds moisture, protein, and a tender crumb.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: For a deep, rich chocolate flavor.
Maple Syrup: Our primary natural sweetener.
Greek Yogurt: Provides moisture and a protein boost.
Egg: Acts as a binder for the perfect structure.
Coconut Oil: A healthy fat that keeps the donuts moist.
Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds natural sweetness and moisture.
Vanilla Extract & Baking Soda: For flavor and leavening.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these donuts is as easy as mixing and baking. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan with coconut oil or a non-stick spray.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg, then add the maple syrup, Greek yogurt, melted coconut oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is well combined.
Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.
Fill the Donut Pan: Transfer the batter into a piping bag or a large zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. This makes it easy to fill the donut pan cavities cleanly. Fill each cavity about two-thirds full.
Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a donut comes out clean.
Cool: Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For a decadent finish, you can dip the cooled donuts in melted dark chocolate or create a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a splash of milk. For a healthier option, a dusting of cocoa powder or a drizzle of melted peanut butter is delicious.
Tips for Success
Want to ensure your healthy donuts are bakery-quality? Here are a few tips from our kitchen.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to dense, tough donuts. Mix only until the flour streaks disappear.
Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This prevents packing the flour, which can make the donuts dry. For another great baking recipe, check out our latest healthy baking ideas.
Check for Doneness: Ovens can vary. Start checking the donuts at the 10-minute mark. They are done when they spring back lightly to the touch.
Storing Your Baked Donuts
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Because they are so moist, they are best enjoyed fresh. If you love one-pan meals, you might also enjoy this One-Pan Balsamic Chicken.
More Healthy Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed these baked donuts, we think you’ll love exploring more balanced and delicious meals. For a savory option that’s just as easy, try our Mediterranean Chicken Bowls. It’s a reader favorite!
These donuts are healthier because they are baked, not fried, and use nutrient-dense ingredients like whole wheat flour, almond flour, and Greek yogurt. They are also sweetened naturally with maple syrup and applesauce instead of refined sugar.
Yes! To make them gluten-free, you can substitute the whole wheat pastry flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The texture will be very similar.
Store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature. They are best enjoyed within 2 days as they are made with fresh ingredients and no preservatives.
Absolutely! If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake this batter in a standard muffin tin. Fill the muffin cups about two-thirds full and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Share Your Baking Adventures!
We hope you love this delicious and easy approach to healthy dessert recipes. There’s nothing better than sharing a wholesome, homemade treat with people you love. If you make these baked chocolate donuts, please leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see it!
You won't believe these fudgy chocolate donuts are healthy!
Indulge in these Fudgy Baked Chocolate Donuts! This healthy dessert recipe uses whole grains, natural sweeteners, and Greek yogurt for a moist, guilt-free treat that's ready in 30 minutes and packed with rich chocolate flavor.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 6-cavity donut pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, almond flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg. Then, add maple syrup, Greek yogurt, melted coconut oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
Transfer the batter to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner cut off. Pipe the batter evenly into the donut cavities, filling them about two-thirds full.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Calories: 145kcalProtein: 4gFat: 8gFiber: 2g
Notes
Store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For an optional glaze, melt 1/4 cup of dark chocolate chips with 1/2 tsp of coconut oil.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
