Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts

Introduction

Warm, fluffy, and lightly crisp on the edges, Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts deliver bakery-style indulgence without eggs or dairy. Each bite offers a tender crumb, a delicate sweetness, and a golden exterior that melts in your mouth. These donuts come together with simple pantry staples and minimal prep time, making them perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous cravings. Whether you bake or fry them, the results taste incredible. You’ll learn how to create perfectly soft vegan donuts with foolproof techniques and irresistible flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts strike the perfect balance between convenience and indulgence. You don’t need complicated equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. A simple mixing bowl and whisk handle most of the work. The batter comes together in minutes, and the donuts bake or fry quickly.

Texture makes this recipe shine. The outside turns lightly crisp while the inside stays soft and fluffy. That contrast creates a satisfying bite every time. You can coat them in cinnamon sugar for a delicate crunch or dip them in glossy chocolate glaze for a silky finish.

These donuts also fit different lifestyles. They are naturally eggless and dairy-free, making them ideal eggless dairy-free donuts for gatherings. You can customize flavors easily, from vanilla to chocolate to citrus zest. Whether you want baked vegan donuts for a lighter treat or classic fried rounds, this recipe adapts beautifully.

Ingredients

To make Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts, gather the following ingredients:

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour – provides structure and softness
2/3 cup (130 g) granulated sugar – adds sweetness and moisture
2 teaspoons baking powder – ensures lift and fluffiness
1/2 teaspoon baking soda – enhances rise and tenderness
1/2 teaspoon salt – balances flavor
3/4 cup (180 ml) unsweetened almond milk – creates a smooth batter
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar – reacts with leavening for light texture
1/4 cup (60 ml) melted coconut oil or neutral oil – keeps donuts moist
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract – deepens flavor
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth

For glaze (optional):

1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) plant milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Each ingredient works together to create tender homemade plant-based donuts with consistent results.

Pro Tips for Perfect Donuts

Perfecting Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts comes down to technique. Follow these three essential tips:

First, avoid overmixing. Stir the batter just until the flour disappears. Overmixing develops gluten, which leads to dense donuts. A few small lumps are fine.

Second, measure flour accurately. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off. Packing flour directly from the bag adds excess, which makes donuts dry and heavy.

Third, control temperature carefully. If baking, preheat your oven fully before placing the donut pan inside. If frying, maintain oil at 350°F (175°C). Too hot, and the exterior browns before the inside cooks. Too cool, and the donuts absorb excess oil.

Let donuts cool slightly before glazing. Warm donuts absorb glaze beautifully, but piping hot donuts cause it to slide off.

Instructions

Follow these steps to make Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts successfully.

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if baking. Lightly grease a donut pan with oil. If frying, heat 2–3 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Line a plate with paper towels.

Step 2: Create the Vegan “Buttermilk”
In a small bowl, combine almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes. This mixture thickens slightly and helps create a tender crumb.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and optional spices. Break up any clumps to ensure even distribution.

Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients
Add melted coconut oil and vanilla extract to the milk mixture. Stir gently. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Fold everything together until just combined. The batter should look thick but smooth.

Step 5: Fill the Pan or Shape Dough
For baked vegan donuts, spoon the batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag. Pipe evenly into each cavity, filling about three-quarters full.
For fried donuts, transfer dough to a floured surface, roll to 1/2-inch thickness, and cut with a donut cutter.

Step 6: Bake or Fry
Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden and springy to the touch.
If frying, carefully place donuts into hot oil. Fry 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Turn gently with tongs.

Step 7: Cool and Glaze
Transfer donuts to a cooling rack. Whisk powdered sugar, plant milk, and vanilla until smooth. Dip the tops of slightly warm donuts into glaze and let them set before serving.

Variations

You can easily customize Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts to suit your taste.

For chocolate lovers, replace 1/4 cup (30 g) of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder. Add 2 tablespoons extra plant milk to maintain moisture.

For baked vegan donuts with citrus flair, add 1 tablespoon lemon or orange zest to the batter. Finish with a simple citrus glaze for brightness.

If you prefer refined sugar-free options, swap granulated sugar for coconut sugar. The donuts develop a slightly caramel-like flavor.

You can also turn this recipe into mini donuts for parties. Simply reduce baking time by 2–3 minutes. These eggless dairy-free donuts stay fluffy even in smaller portions, making them perfect for sharing.

Storage and Serving Suggestions

Store Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen runs warm, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Let refrigerated donuts return to room temperature before serving to restore softness.

For longer storage, freeze unglazed donuts in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and glaze fresh before serving.

Serve these donuts with hot coffee, almond milk lattes, or chai tea for a cozy pairing. You can also slice them horizontally and spread with nut butter or fruit jam for a playful twist. For brunch spreads, arrange them on a platter with fresh berries and dairy-free whipped cream for a beautiful presentation.

FAQs

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes. Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Check that it includes xanthan gum for structure.

Can I air fry these donuts?
Yes. Lightly grease the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for about 6–8 minutes. Check early to prevent over-browning.

Why did my donuts turn dense?
Overmixing or adding too much flour often causes density. Mix gently and measure carefully.

Can I reduce the sugar?
You can reduce sugar by 2–3 tablespoons, but keep some for texture and moisture balance.

Do these taste like traditional donuts?
Absolutely. These homemade plant-based donuts deliver the same fluffy interior and golden finish as classic versions, without eggs or dairy.

Conclusion

This [Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken] is comfort food at its finest — but in donut form, these Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts bring that same sense of warmth and satisfaction with a light, fluffy crumb and delicate sweetness. It’s the kind of dish that turns an ordinary morning into something special and makes sharing dessert effortless and joyful.