Craving a classic donut but strictly adhering to your keto or low-carb lifestyle? You’ve found your perfect match! These Easy Keto Low-Carb Frosted Glazed Donuts are a true culinary game-changer. This quick and simple recipe masterfully utilizes **almond flour** to create irresistibly delicious, finger-licking good **doughnuts** generously drizzled in a sweet, sugar-free glaze. What makes them even more appealing? They are completely **gluten-free**, catering to a wider range of dietary preferences and needs. So, grab your trusty **donut pan** and prepare to bake a batch of these delightful treats that are ideal for a fulfilling breakfast, a guilt-free dessert, or a satisfying anytime snack!
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This recipe was originally published in 2019 and has since been thoroughly updated. We’ve added fresh insights, refined instructions, and included even more helpful tips to ensure your baking success and elevate your low-carb dessert experience.
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Adopting a healthy lifestyle often involves finding creative and satisfying alternatives to your favorite comfort foods. For me, **donuts** have always held a special place. When I first transitioned to healthier eating habits, one of the earliest recipes I passionately developed was a version of Protein Donuts. My goal was a quick and delicious way to get a good dose of protein. However, my deepest nostalgic craving always circled back to the rich, moist texture and sweet, comforting glaze of classic **old-fashioned sour cream donuts**. This particular recipe is meticulously crafted to satisfy that profound sweet tooth without derailing your low-carb efforts. These **carb-free donuts** are not only incredibly tasty but also remarkably versatile, making them perfect for **meal prep**. You can easily bake a batch ahead of time and enjoy a guilt-free, delightful treat whenever the craving strikes.
Table of Contents
How to Make Perfect Keto Donuts
Crafting delicious keto donuts is surprisingly straightforward, making it an achievable feat even for beginner bakers. The secret to achieving that desirable tender crumb and perfect texture lies in precise measurements and careful mixing. Follow these simple, detailed steps for a flawless batch of homemade keto glazed donuts every time:
- **Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:** Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, lightly grease your donut pan. I highly recommend using a cooking spray made from olive or coconut oil for its neutral flavor and non-stick properties. Ensuring the pan is well-greased is crucial to prevent your delicate donuts from sticking and guarantees they release cleanly after baking.
- **Combine Dry Ingredients Thoroughly:** In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, your chosen granular keto sweetener, baking powder, a hint of aromatic ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly. This step is vital to ensure that the leavening agent (baking powder) and all the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the mixture, leading to a consistently textured donut.
- **Prepare Wet Ingredients:** In a separate, larger bowl, gently combine the melted unsalted butter, softened cream cheese, unsweetened almond milk, lightly beaten eggs, and fragrant vanilla extract. For the smoothest possible batter, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. If it’s too firm, you can gently warm it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or use a hand mixer for about 20-30 seconds to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency before adding other ingredients.
- **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the bowl containing your wet ingredients. Stir gently using a spatula or spoon until the ingredients are just combined. It’s important not to overmix the batter when working with almond flour, as this can result in a tougher, less tender donut. Mix only until no dry streaks of flour remain; a few small lumps are perfectly acceptable. The resulting batter will be thick but should still be easily spoonable or pipable.
- **Fill the Donut Pan Evenly:** Carefully spoon the prepared batter into each cavity of your greased donut pan. Aim to fill each mold approximately two-thirds full. This allows sufficient space for the donuts to rise and expand during baking without overflowing. For a neater and easier process, especially with stickier batters, consider transferring the batter to a piping bag or a large ziplock bag with one corner snipped off, then pipe it into the molds.
- **Bake to Golden Perfection:** Place the filled donut pan into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven. The donuts are ready when they turn a beautiful golden brown color and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. My batches typically bake perfectly in about 22 minutes.
- **Prepare the Glaze (While Baking):** While your delicious donuts are in the oven, take advantage of this time to prepare the simple yet incredibly luscious frosted glaze. Having it ready means you can glaze your donuts as soon as they are cool enough.
Storing Your Keto Donuts for Optimal Freshness
To ensure your homemade keto glazed donuts retain their exquisite taste and texture, proper storage is paramount. I highly recommend storing these delicate treats in an **airtight container within the refrigerator**. While it might be tempting to leave them out, keeping them at room temperature, especially on the counter, can cause the frosting to become sticky and the donuts themselves to get soggy much faster, primarily due to the moisture-retaining properties of ingredients like cream cheese used in keto baking. Refrigeration significantly helps to maintain their firm yet tender texture and extends their shelf life, ensuring each delightful bite is as fresh and satisfying as the very first.
How Long Will Your Delicious Keto Donuts Last?
When meticulously stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these delectable keto donuts will remain fresh, moist, and utterly enjoyable for approximately **3 to 4 days**. If you anticipate wanting to savor them beyond this timeframe, or if you simply wish to have a convenient stash of quick keto treats readily available, consider freezing them. To freeze, arrange the cooled, unglazed donuts (or lightly glazed, if you prefer, ensuring the glaze is fully set) in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1-2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for an hour or two, or gently warm them in a microwave for 10-15 seconds for a wonderfully soft texture, before applying the glaze or serving. This method allows you to always have a fresh-tasting, homemade keto donut experience at your fingertips.
Almond Flour vs. All-Purpose Flour: Understanding the Conversion
One of the most frequent questions in the realm of low-carb baking pertains to flour substitutions. It is critically important to understand that **almond flour and traditional all-purpose wheat flour are not directly interchangeable in a 1:1 ratio**. Their fundamental properties, including texture, absorbency, and the presence (or absence) of gluten, are vastly different. Almond flour is notably denser, higher in fat, and lacks the elastic gluten structure of wheat flour. Consequently, it requires a different balance of liquids and binding agents in recipes, and it behaves uniquely during the baking process.
While an approximate guideline exists for converting all-purpose flour to almond flour (roughly a 1:2 ratio, meaning ¾ cup of all-purpose flour might equate to about 1 ½ cups of almond flour), this is a very general estimation. For optimal and consistently successful results in keto recipes like these donuts, it is always best to adhere strictly to the specific amount of almond flour indicated in the recipe. These recipes have been carefully formulated to account for almond flour’s unique characteristics. Furthermore, because almond flour has a higher fat content, it tends to brown more quickly than wheat flour. Therefore, it is always advisable to **bake almond flour recipes at a slightly lower temperature** than you would typically use for traditional flour recipes, or to monitor the baking process more closely to prevent over-browning and ensure a perfectly cooked interior.
For more comprehensive insights into flour conversions and the intricacies of baking with various alternative flours, you can delve deeper into specialized resources such as How to Convert All-Purpose Flour to Almond Flour.
Can You Substitute Coconut Flour in This Recipe?
Regrettably, **coconut flour is not a suitable or recommended substitute for almond flour in this particular recipe**. The two flours possess vastly different absorbency rates and behave in fundamentally distinct ways when incorporated into baked goods. Coconut flour is exceptionally absorbent; even a small quantity can soak up a significant amount of liquid. Attempting a direct 1:1 substitution with coconut flour would almost certainly lead to a very dry, crumbly, or excessively dense final product that bears little resemblance to the light and airy donut texture we’re aiming to achieve. For successful baking with coconut flour, it is always best to seek out and follow a recipe that has been specifically developed and balanced for its unique properties. This ensures you get the desired outcome and avoid potential baking disappointments.
Creative Keto Donut Variations to Try
While these classic glazed keto donuts are undoubtedly fantastic on their own, don’t hesitate to unleash your creativity and experiment with different flavor variations! Customizing your donuts can add an exciting twist to your low-carb baking repertoire and keep things interesting. Here are a few popular and delicious ideas to inspire your next batch:
- **Decadent Chocolate Donuts:** For a rich, intensely chocolatey experience, you have a couple of options. You can either melt a portion of a Lily’s Chocolate bar (or your preferred brand of sugar-free dark chocolate) and drizzle it over your cooled donuts instead of, or in addition to, the vanilla glaze. Alternatively, for a chocolate donut base, incorporate one to two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder into the dry ingredients of the batter.
- **Classic Cinnamon Sugar Donuts:** If you’re a fan of a simpler, comforting flavor, you can easily create cinnamon sugar donuts. Skip the frosted glaze entirely. Immediately after the donuts come out of the oven and have cooled slightly (but are still warm enough to adhere to the coating), gently toss them in a mixture of powdered erythritol (or your favorite powdered keto sweetener) and ground cinnamon. This creates a timeless, aromatic coating.
- **Bite-Sized Donut Holes:** If you don’t own a donut pan, or simply prefer delightful bite-sized treats, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. Simply roll the prepared batter into small, uniform balls and bake them in a mini muffin tin or on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly, as smaller items will cook faster. You can then glaze or coat these mini donut holes as desired.
- **Savory-Sweet Maple Bacon Donuts:** For a truly indulgent and unique flavor profile, add a few drops of maple extract to your prepared glaze. Before the glaze has a chance to set, generously sprinkle crumbled, crispy cooked bacon bits over the top. The combination of sweet maple and salty bacon is irresistible.
- **Bright Lemon Zest Donuts:** To infuse your donuts with a refreshing citrusy note, incorporate 1-2 teaspoons of finely grated fresh lemon zest into your donut batter. You can also add a touch more lemon zest, or even a few drops of lemon extract, to your glaze for an extra burst of bright, tangy flavor.
More Delicious Keto Dessert Inspirations
If you’ve enjoyed the simple pleasure of these keto glazed donuts, you’ll be thrilled to explore the vast array of other sweet possibilities within the low-carb world. Maintaining a keto lifestyle doesn’t mean sacrificing dessert! Here are some of our highly-rated and most beloved keto-friendly dessert recipes to help you satisfy any sweet craving:
- Keto Cheesecake
- Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
- Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Keto Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
- Keto Lemon Bars
- Keto Cheesecake Bombs
- Keto Pound Cake
- Keto Pumpkin Pie
- Keto Chocolate Mug Cake
- Keto Chaffles
- Keto Avocado Brownies
Popular Keto Main Dishes You’ll Love
Beyond the delightful world of desserts, a keto lifestyle offers an abundance of savory and deeply satisfying main dishes that make meal planning exciting and delicious. If you’re looking for more inspiration to round out your keto meal plan with hearty and flavorful options, be sure to explore these highly-rated and popular main course recipes from our collection:
- Keto Cheeseburger Casserole
- Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
- Keto Shrimp Alfredo
Easy Keto Low-Carb Glazed Donuts
By Brandi Crawford
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10 minutes
25 minutes
15 minutes
50 minutes
Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
American
6
235 kcal
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Equipment Needed
- Donut Pan (a silicone or non-stick metal pan is highly recommended for easy donut release)
- Two Mixing Bowls (one medium, one large)
- Whisk or Hand Mixer (for smooth batter consistency)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Cooling Rack (essential for proper cooling and glaze setting)
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 2 large eggs (beaten, at room temperature for best mixing)
- 2 oz cream cheese (softened, full-fat is recommended for richness)
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (or other keto-friendly milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure vanilla for best flavor)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup blanched almond flour (superfine grind works best)
- ⅓ cup granular keto sweetener (e.g., erythritol, monk fruit blend. Use discount code STAYSNATCHED for potential savings.)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (ensure it’s fresh for good rise)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (enhances all flavors)
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (for that essential classic donut flavor)
Glaze Ingredients
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup powdered keto sweetener (e.g., powdered erythritol, monk fruit blend. Powdered form is crucial for a smooth glaze. Use discount code STAYSNATCHED for potential savings.)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Other Essentials
- Cooking oil spray (olive or coconut recommended for pan preparation)
Instructions
Mixing and Baking the Donuts
- **Prepare Oven and Pan:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray your donut pan with cooking oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil, to ensure easy and clean release of the baked donuts.
- **Combine Wet Ingredients:** In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, beaten eggs, thoroughly softened cream cheese, unsweetened almond milk, and vanilla extract. Stir these ingredients well until they are thoroughly blended and the mixture appears smooth and consistent. If your cream cheese is still a bit firm, using a hand mixer for 20-30 seconds can help achieve that desired creamy consistency.
- **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate, smaller bowl, vigorously whisk together the almond flour, granular keto sweetener, baking powder, salt, and ground nutmeg. Ensure all ingredients are well combined and free of any clumps to allow for even leavening and flavor distribution.
- **Mix Batter:** Gently add the combined dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Using a spoon or spatula, stir just until the ingredients are combined and no dry streaks of flour are visible. Be careful not to overmix, as this can negatively impact the final texture of the donuts. The batter will be relatively thick.
- **Fill Donut Pan:** Spoon the donut batter evenly into each of the prepared donut pan cavities. This recipe is designed to yield 6 delicious donuts. For a cleaner and more controlled filling process, you might find it helpful to transfer the batter into a piping bag or a large ziplock bag, then snip off one corner to pipe the batter into the molds.
- **Bake:** Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The donuts are ready when they achieve a beautiful golden brown color and feel firm to the touch. To confirm doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a donut; it should come out clean. In my experience, the optimal baking time for this recipe is usually around 22 minutes.
Preparing the Frosted Glaze
- **Make the Glaze:** While your donuts are baking or beginning to cool, prepare the luscious frosted glaze. In a small bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered keto sweetener, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and forms a thick, pourable glaze. If the glaze appears too thick, add a few drops more of heavy cream. If it’s too thin, sift in a small amount of additional powdered keto sweetener until you reach your desired consistency.
Cooling and Glazing
- **Initial Cooling:** Once baked, carefully remove the donuts from the oven. Allow them to cool directly in the donut pan for approximately 5 minutes. This initial cooling period helps them to firm up slightly, making them easier to handle without breaking.
- **Final Cooling:** After the initial cooling, gently remove the donuts from the pan and transfer them to a wire cooling rack. It is crucial to let them cool completely to room temperature for at least 10 minutes, or even longer. This step is vital because if the donuts are still warm, the delicate glaze will melt and run off rather than setting properly, resulting in a less appealing finish.
- **Frost and Serve:** Once the donuts have cooled completely, gently dip each one into the prepared frosted glaze, or use a spoon to generously drizzle the glaze over the tops. Handle the donuts with a very light hand during this process to prevent them from breaking apart. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your perfectly crafted homemade keto low-carb glazed donuts!
Recipe Video Guide
For visual learners, watching a recipe come to life can make the baking process even clearer and more enjoyable. We often provide a step-by-step video tutorial to guide you through making these delicious keto low-carb glazed donuts, ensuring you can follow along with ease and confidence.
(Recipe video guide coming soon!)
Chef’s Notes and Tips
**Preventing Stickiness:** It is absolutely essential to thoroughly grease your donut pan before adding the batter, especially if you are using a metal pan rather than a silicone one. A light, even coating of cooking oil spray (such as olive or coconut oil) is usually sufficient to ensure your donuts release cleanly and beautifully.
**Room Temperature Ingredients for Best Results:** For a batter that mixes smoothly and results in a consistently textured donut, always ensure that your eggs, cream cheese, and melted butter (cooled slightly) are at room temperature before you begin combining them. Room temperature ingredients emulsify more effectively, creating a more uniform and airy batter.
**Achieving Perfect Glaze Consistency:** The ideal glaze should be thick enough to cling to the donuts but still pourable. If you find your glaze is too thick after mixing, add a few drops of heavy cream at a time, stirring well after each addition, until it reaches your desired pourable consistency. Conversely, if your glaze turns out too thin, sift in a little more powdered keto sweetener to thicken it up.
**Optimal Storage:** As previously emphasized, storing these delightful donuts in an airtight container within the refrigerator is the best way to maintain their freshness, prevent sogginess, and preserve their delicious texture for several days.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 235 kcal
Carbohydrates: 3 g
Protein: 7 g
Fat: 21 g
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Important Nutrition Data Disclaimer
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is typically calculated using popular online tools such as MyFitnessPal.com. To ensure you obtain the most accurate and precise nutritional information for any given recipe, it is strongly recommended that you calculate the nutritional values with the actual ingredients you use in your own kitchen, employing your preferred nutrition calculator. You, as the user, are solely responsible for verifying and ensuring that any nutritional information you rely upon is accurate, complete, and fully useful for your specific dietary needs and health goals.
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