Baked Pumpkin Donuts are so simple and can be made in less than an hour using basic ingredients that are already in your pantry. Serve with a cup of coffee or tea for a happy afternoon!
Is there anyone who doesn’t like donuts?
This is an updated version of a recipe that was originally published on December 13th, 2016.
Fall is all about pumpkins, apples and baking. Have you gone pumpkin picking yet? We went the other day to a farm and we picked a few pumpkins. It was a fun activity and now our front door is so pretty with pumpkin on the stairs. Speaking of pumpkins, how do you like baked pumpkin goods? I’m a big fan and I go beyond pumpkin pie. After all, pumpkin season is short so I try to make as many pumpkin treats as possible!
Like my healthy pumpkin bread, these baked pumpkin donuts are quite healthy. They have a cake-y texture that fried pumpkin donuts don’t have. They’re airy and fluffy and stay that way for at least 4-5 days, though they disappear faster than that.
Why do I love these pumpkin spice donuts?
- There is only 1/4 cup of oil in the whole recipe.
- They’re baked which means there’s no mess with frying.
- They’re super fluffy thanks to buttermilk. I always make buttermilk at home by mixing 1 cup milk with 2 tablespoons white vinegar and set it aside for 10 minutes. This amount equals one cup of buttermilk.
The batter of these healthy baked doughnuts is quite forgiving. You can use either canned pumpkin or pumpkin puree. Don’t forget to use pumpkin pie spice but if you don’t have it, a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and all spice would work, too. Or, you can make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice. I might publish a recipe for that some day.
Notes and tips for this pumpkin donuts recipe:
- Use a doughnut pan and pour the batter in a piping/pastry bag, and then fill the doughnut pan. You can also scoop the batter with a spoon and fill the pan if a pastry bag isn’t available.
- Before filling the pan, make sure you have coated it with non stick spray. Every time.
- You can dust these baked donuts with powdered sugar or top them with this delicious maple glaze.
- Keep these donuts in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
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Looking for more pumpkin deliciousness?
Healthy Baked Pumpkin Donuts
Baked Pumpkin Donuts are so simple and can be made in less than an hour using basic ingredients that are already in your pantry.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 Eggs
- 1/3 cup Buttermilk mix 1/3 cup milk + 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 10 minutes
- 3/4 cup White Sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree
- 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 2 1/3 cup All Purpose Flour
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350F. Coat a donut pan with non stick spray.
Mix oil and sugar in a large bowl. Add in buttermilk and mix well.
Add in the eggs one by one, mix well after adding each egg. Then add the pumpkin puree. Mix well.
Add in all dry ingredients and mix using a wooden spoon or a spatula until combined. Don't over mix.
- Fill the donut molds to two thirds and bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the donut comes out clean. let cool for 5 minutes then take the donuts out.
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Mmm these sound lovely! I need to get one of those lovely little doughnut pans so I can make them!
These pans are really good! They’re so easy to use!
I have days that I just CRAVE a donut but abstain because of the fat and calories. These are so perfect, low fat in the batter and baked for even fewer calories. I love it.
I have those cravings sometimes so I totally get you!
These are a brilliant idea! I have tried baked donoughts before and struggles, so can’t wait to try your recipe! Thanks
Hope you like this recipe!
This recipe looks easy and something I can do. I just need to order a donut pan and get started. It’s been in my cart for a while, now I just need this recipe. Looks delicious.
Baked donuts are a favorite of ours, hope you like this recipe!
I look forward to pumpkin donuts every year. These look incredible!
Thank you so much! I love pumpkin donuts!
What a great recipe! And I love the photos!
Thank you Suzy! <3
I’m so thrilled it’s pumpkin season again. These look fantastic. I’d love to dunk them in a cuppa.
Isn’t pumpkin season the best? 😀
I love that these donuts are baked Shadi! They look delicious.
Thank you Sandi! They’re our favorite!
I just came across my doughnut pan in my drawer the other day and thought to myself that I don’t use it enough. Can’t wait to make your recipe! This looks like the perfect doughnut for fall. The texture looks fantastic and your photos are absolutely beautiful, Shadi!
Thank you so much Amanda! Hope you love them! <3
I have never made my own donuts and seeing your delicious creations makes me think I need to fix this situation!
Hope you love it!
I haven’t met a doughnut I didn’t like.
Same here! 😀
My son is a huge fan of doughnuts so often I make the baked instead of deep fried version. I love trying new recipes so saving this for later. can’t wait to try it. Love the golden color.
Baked donuts are so good! Hope you love these!
Ok, I admit it. I’ve never made doughnuts — unless beignets count — which I think they kind of do. I just don’t have a doughnut pan – so I think I’ll have to look into getting one. I love that these are baked instead of fried and the texture looks absolutely perfect for dunking in a cup of coffee. I think I might sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top for added spice and crunch – what do you think?
I’ve never made beignets! They do count as donuts! 😀 Having a donut pan is great because you can make baked donuts all the time which have no mess! Cinnamon sugar on top sounds awesome! I will definitely do that next time!
This is the perfect excuse to break out my donut pan! And it’s always great to have more ways to use those partial containers of buttermilk that tend to linger in the fridge. YUM!
Buttermilk makes donuts so fluffy! 😀
If I eat 10 of these in one sitting will it still count as healthy… asking for a friend. She really loves doughnuts, and these look really yummy.
Yes my friend 😀 It will still count as healthy 😀
I have a doughnut pan but I’ve never made donuts! These look wonderful and I’ll have to give them a try. I love a healthy recipe like this!
Hope you like these!
What a great looking donut recipe!! It certainly makes a great fall treat — but one you could appreciate all year long. I prefer the touch of powdered sugar rather than an icing. That way you can appreciate the flavor of the pumpkin in the donuts.
I’m not much of an icing person myself, so powdered sugar would be good for me too 😀
These donuts looks divine! Gonna have to try them!
Hope you love them!
I’ve never been pumpkin picking but I would LOVE to go!! These baked pumpkin donuts looks and sound absolutely divine@!
Thank you so much! Pumpkin picking is so much fun!
I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin, but I’ll never pass up a donut, especially a baked one! These look really delicious
Donuts are the best!
I love the fact that these are baked and not fried. And pumpkin doughnuts is perfect for the season 🙂 I usually make my buttermilk with yogurt and water, the tip of using milk and white vinegar will be helpful when I run out of yogurt!
Thanks for sharing
I’ve never tried yogurt and butter for buttermilk, must try!
I’m not normally a huge donut fan (I know, I’m a freak!), but I do love baked donuts! Especially like this, when there isn’t a lot of sugary topping. These sound perfect for eating with a cup of tea in the afternoon… yum!
I’m with you! These are perfect as an afternoon snack!
You had me at healthy – and doughnuts!
Healthy donuts are the best!
Baked donuts are the best!! I haven’t made some in a while though, and am totally craving them now 🙂 I foresee us trying this recipe out tomorrow!
Hope you like these!