Are these vegan donuts baked or fried?

They're baked in the oven, not fried. That means you only need a little oil, the donuts don't sit heavy in your stomach and they still turn out wonderfully light. At 180°C (356°F) they bake golden in about 15–20 minutes.

What makes the donuts so fluffy?

The secret is the combination of plant-based milk with apple cider vinegar, sparkling water, baking powder and baking soda. These ingredients create tiny bubbles that loosen the batter. It's important to mix the dough only briefly and not overmix it, so the donuts stay airy.

How long do the donuts keep and can I freeze them?

The donuts taste best fresh on baking day. Stored airtight they keep for 1–2 days. Unglazed they freeze well – simply make the glaze fresh and dip the thawed donuts before serving.

What can I use instead of the coffee glaze?

Instead of coffee you can make the glaze with strong tea like Earl Grey, or simply use lemon juice and a little plant-based milk. If you prefer it chocolatey, replace part of the powdered sugar with cocoa or coat the donuts in melted dark chocolate.

Do I need a donut pan?

A silicone or metal donut pan is easiest for the classic ring shape. As an alternative you can bake the batter in a greased muffin tin with a small dab in the center, or as mini bundt cakes – the flavor stays the same.

Vegan Donuts with Coffee Glaze – Baked · Freistyle by Verena Frei

Name: Vegan donuts with coffee glaze
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 10 Donuts
Ingredients: 100 gr (3/4 cup) wheat flour; 100 gr (3/4 cup) spelt flour; 150 ml (3/4 cup) plant-based milk + 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar; 75 gr (1/3 cup) sugar; Pinch of salt; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 100 ml (1/2 cup) sparkling water; 50 ml (1/4 cup) neutral oil; 100 gr (3/4 cup) powdered sugar; 1-2 Tbsp cooled off espresso/coffee; 1-2 tsp cocoa nibs

Hello lovelies, I just can‘t believe how fast this summer and the golden autumn have gone by. That's why here is a little retrospective today about a great, sunny autumn picnic and the recipe for vegan donuts with coffee glaze. Perfect to lift the mood in rainy November, because donuts don’t only taste good in the sun, but also when you snuggle up on the couch.

They have become so fluffy and delicious, so I didn‘t want to withhold the recipe from you. I didn‘t fry the donuts, but baked them and covered them with a delicious coffee glaze. But I can also very well imagine a tea glaze with Earl Gray for example. I already see myself comfortably wrapped in a blanket, donut in one hand and tea in the other.

Vegan coffee-glazed donuts with cacao nibs, plated

Vegan coffee donuts on a jetty by the water, served

Vegan coffee donuts with figs and grapes on a jetty, plated

I have to admit that I prefer baked oven donuts, because the fried ones are often a bit heavy in the stomach. This is definitely not the case with this version and the texture is still nice and loose. It‘s important not to mix the dough for too long, so that sparkling water and soda can work well, because that ensures the fluffiness.

Vegan donuts

Vegan coffee donuts on a board with grapes and figs

I'm a bit wistful now when I look at these beautiful sunny pictures, I will definitely miss picnics at the lake very much. But I'm sure the delicious donuts will comfort me with this separation pain. Now in this cold season you can refine them with other spices and add clove, cardamom or nutmeg to the dough. Or how about a gingerbread version with chocolate coating?

Half-eaten vegan coffee donut held in hand, close-up

Vegan coffee donuts with flowers in a wooden crate

Vegan coffee donuts at a waterside jetty, ready to picnic

I hope you feel like baking! The donuts are done so fast and it takes only a few ingredients - try them out. And who knows, maybe we can enjoy some sunny days soon. Then we’ll definitely go back to the lake, with donuts and simply wrapped in thicker clothes!

If you love the coffee note in these donuts, you'll also enjoy my espresso cookies, which go just as well with an afternoon coffee. For cozy baking afternoons my fluffy apple cinnamon muffins with their warm spice are perfect too, and when you're after something a little more festive I'd suggest my berry cupcakes with chocolate frosting. I'd be so happy if you give the donuts a go, and I can't wait to hear how you like them.

If you have Pinterest you can find me here and pin this pic if you like:

vegan donuts with coffee glaze

Vegan donuts with coffee glaze

Verena's notes