These sugar free donuts taste like the real deal, only without the sugar rush or carb overload. They are soft, moist, and tender with a delicate vanilla flavor, then finished in a coating of granulated sweetener for that classic bakery-style touch.
Jump to Recipe Print RecipeStack a few on a plate and watch what happens. On a scale from one to ten, donuts easily rank somewhere around fourteen. Leave them out for a few minutes and they disappear. That is simply the power of a good donut.
I have never loved overly sweet chain-style donuts. They often taste artificial and cloying. But a proper bakery donut, especially one that is fresh and still slightly warm, is hard to beat. Years ago, late nights often ended with a stop at a 24-hour bakery for bagels and a donut on the walk home. It was tradition.
These days, evenings are quieter and bedtime comes earlier. But the craving for a truly good donut never went away. So creating a healthier, low carb version became necessary.
This recipe started as a variation of a moist almond flour cake. Almond flour gives a naturally sweet, soft texture that works beautifully in baked goods. By increasing the butter slightly and balancing the wet ingredients carefully, the result is a pillowy-soft donut that feels rich and satisfying.
Even better, each donut comes in at roughly 1g net carbs. Yes, really.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here is everything required to make these keto-friendly donuts:
Almond Flour
Use finely ground almond flour or ground almonds. Super-fine almond flour produces the best texture and prevents graininess.
Butter (Melted)
Butter adds richness and contributes to the soft, bakery-style crumb. Melt it gently before mixing.
Heavy Cream
This is the secret ingredient for extra moisture. It gives the donuts a tender, luxurious texture.
Eggs
Use 4 medium eggs or 3 large eggs. The eggs provide structure while keeping the crumb light.
Granulated Sweetener
Allulose works beautifully in this recipe. Erythritol or monk fruit blends are also great choices.
Baking Powder
Make sure it is fresh. If your donuts fail to rise, expired baking powder is usually the reason. Test it by adding a pinch to warm water. It should fizz immediately.
Vanilla Extract
Adds warmth and enhances the overall flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Melt and Blend
Melt the butter in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat. In a mixing bowl or food processor, blend the melted butter, heavy cream, and granulated sweetener until smooth.
2. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs and add the vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
3. Add Dry Ingredients
Add almond flour and baking powder. Blend until a smooth batter forms with no visible lumps.
4. Fill the Donut Pan
Grease your donut pan very thoroughly. Melted butter works well, but coconut oil is another option. Spoon the batter into the molds.
Do not overfill. Fill each cavity only until it reaches the top edge of the ring shape.
5. Bake
Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow the donuts to cool completely before removing them from the pan.
6. Coat
Once cooled, roll each donut in granulated sweetener for a classic “sugar donut” finish.
Choosing the Right Sweetener
Different sweeteners give slightly different results:
Erythritol
A popular choice for low carb baking. It can create a mild cooling effect.
Monk Fruit Blends
Often combined with erythritol for a more balanced sweetness.
Xylitol
Has less cooling effect than erythritol but contains slightly more carbs. Choose birch-derived xylitol if possible. Keep in mind it is not safe for pets.
Allulose
Tastes very close to real sugar and does not crystallize as strongly. It works beautifully in baked goods.
Why a Mini Donut Pan Works Best
Almond flour is naturally rich and filling, so mini donuts make perfect portion sizes. A silicone mini donut pan is ideal because it allows easy release. Grain-free baked goods are more delicate since they lack gluten, so flexibility helps.
Whether using silicone or metal, grease generously. This step is essential.
If using a regular-sized donut pan, you will get about 6 to 7 full-size donuts. Increase baking time by 5 to 8 minutes and tent with foil if browning too quickly.
No donut pan? Use a muffin tin and fill each cavity halfway. Bake for about 15 minutes.
Some readers have even turned this batter into waffles with great success.
Avoid Overfilling the Mold
Overfilling can eliminate the hole in the center. If that happens, you can carefully trim around the center with a knife.
Or embrace it. Fill the middle with sugar free raspberry jam or lemon curd for a surprise center.
Adjusting Egg Quantity
This recipe uses 4 medium eggs or 3 large eggs. Batter consistency should be thick but smooth.
If the batter appears too thin, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of almond flour until it thickens slightly. The finished donuts should be moist and soft inside without feeling wet.
Making Dairy-Free Donuts
You can easily adapt this recipe:
- Replace butter with melted coconut oil
- Replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream
The texture remains soft and tender with a subtle coconut undertone
Flavor Variations
These sugar free donuts are versatile and easy to customize.
Cinnamon Donuts
Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon to the batter.
Lemon Donuts
Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice plus the zest of one lemon.
Chocolate Version
Add cocoa powder to the batter or finish with a chocolate glaze for a rich chocolate variation.
Coating and Glaze Ideas
For a classic finish, roll the donuts in granulated erythritol or your preferred sugar substitute.
To create cinnamon sugar, mix ½ teaspoon cinnamon into the sweetener before coating.
For a simple glaze, combine:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sweetener
- A few drops vanilla
Let it cool slightly until thickened, then spoon over the donuts.
For chocolate glaze, melt dark or sugar-free chocolate with 1 teaspoon coconut oil. Choose chocolate with 85 to 90 percent cocoa solids for a lower carb option.
Storage Instructions
Store the donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 to 6 days.
They also freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently before serving.
Keto Donuts Sugar Free
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy14
servings5
minutes40
minutes111
kcalYou only need seven simple ingredients to make these soft, fluffy sugar free donuts. Roll them in sweetener or drizzle with glaze for a classic finish. They taste just like traditional donuts, without the sugar.
Ingredients
For the donuts
1 cup almond flour (100g)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted (75g)
1/4 cup granulated sweetener (50g)
4 medium eggs (or 3 large)
2 tablespoons heavy cream (30ml)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping
1/4 cup granulated sweetener (50g)
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional Glaze Ideas
For a simple vanilla glaze, mix:
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sweetener
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a silicone donut pan with melted butter or cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, blend the melted butter, heavy cream, and sweetener until smooth.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined. Stir in the almond flour and baking powder, blending until a smooth batter forms.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Do not overfill, as the batter will rise while baking.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely before removing from the pan.
- Place the granulated sweetener, and cinnamon if using, in a shallow bowl. Gently press each cooled donut into the mixture to coat both sides.
Notes
- Each donut contains about 1 gram net carbs.
This recipe yields 14 mini donuts (about 6 cm in diameter).
If using a standard-size donut pan, you’ll get 6–7 donuts. Increase the baking time by about 5 minutes. - Let the donuts cool completely before removing them from the pan, as they firm up while cooling.
Nutrition Facts
14 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories111
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
10.4g
14%
- Total Carbohydrate
1.9g
1%
- Dietary Fiber 0.9g 4%
- Total Sugars 0.3g
- Protein 3.6g 8%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.