Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Baked Vanilla Donuts are the perfect answer when you want homemade donuts without the mess and heaviness of frying. These donuts are soft, tender, and lightly sweet with a classic vanilla flavor that feels comforting and familiar. I love this recipe because it delivers bakery-style results using simple ingredients and a straightforward baking method. The texture is cake-like yet moist, making these donuts ideal for glazing, dusting with powdered sugar, or enjoying plain with coffee. They are perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or even a simple dessert. Since they are baked instead of fried, they feel lighter and less greasy, which makes them great for everyday enjoyment. Once you try these baked vanilla donuts, you may find yourself skipping fried donuts altogether.
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Baked Vanilla Donuts (No Frying) – Soft, Light, and Easy to Make
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 donuts
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft and fluffy baked vanilla donuts made without frying, lightly sweetened and finished with a simple glaze—an easy and healthier donut option.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
- Optional: sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Spoon or pipe batter into the donut pan, filling about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until donuts spring back when touched.
- Cool slightly, then remove donuts from pan.
- Whisk powdered sugar and milk to make glaze.
- Dip cooled donuts into glaze and add sprinkles if desired.
Notes
- Do not overmix batter to keep donuts tender.
- Donuts are best enjoyed the same day.
- Can be stored airtight for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour provides structure while keeping the donuts soft and tender.
Granulated sugar adds gentle sweetness without overpowering the vanilla flavor.
Baking powder helps the donuts rise and gives them a light, fluffy texture.
Salt balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
Eggs add richness and help bind the batter together.
Milk adds moisture and creates a smooth, pourable batter.
Melted butter adds richness and classic donut flavor.
Vanilla extract is the star ingredient, giving the donuts their warm, aromatic taste.
Optional sour cream or yogurt adds extra moisture and softness.
Optional powdered sugar or vanilla glaze is used for finishing the donuts.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a donut pan. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the donuts dense.
Transfer the batter to a piping bag or spoon it carefully into the donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Bake until the donuts are lightly golden and spring back when touched.
Remove from the oven and allow the donuts to cool briefly in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack. Once cooled, glaze or dust as desired.
Equipment needed
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
Full-Size Blender – is a powerful kitchen appliance for making smoothies, soups, and sauces in large batches.
3-in-1 Air Fryer – This versatile 3-in-1 air fryer offers Air Fry for healthier meals with less oil, Bake for bakery-quality desserts and treats, and Reheat to bring leftovers back to life with crispy, flavorful results
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 8 to 10 donuts. Preparation time is approximately 10 minutes, baking time is 12 to 15 minutes, and cooling time is about 10 minutes.
Storage/reheating
Store Baked Vanilla Donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat briefly in the microwave if desired, though they are excellent at room temperature.
Variations and Customizations
Baked Vanilla Donuts are incredibly versatile. For a chocolate version, add cocoa powder to the batter or dip the donuts in chocolate glaze. If you prefer a citrus twist, add lemon or orange zest to the batter for brightness.
I tested this recipe with almond milk instead of regular milk, and it worked very well without affecting texture. You can also add sprinkles to the glaze for a fun, bakery-style finish.
For a healthier option, substitute part of the flour with whole wheat flour or reduce the sugar slightly. These donuts also work well as mini donuts, which is perfect for parties or portion control. These variations allow you to customize the recipe while keeping the donuts soft and flavorful.
Nutrition and Dietary Info
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 |
| Protein (g) | 4 |
| Carbs (g) | 30 |
| Fat (g) | 8 |
| Saturated Fat (g) | 4 |
| Fiber (g) | 1 |
| Sugar (g) | 12 |
| Sodium (mg) | 180 |
Expert Tips & Customizations
Do not overmix
Mixing just until combined keeps donuts light and tender.
Use a piping bag
This makes filling the donut pan clean and easy.
Check early
Baked donuts cook quickly and can dry out if overbaked.
Cool before glazing
Glazing warm donuts can cause it to melt and slide off.
FAQs
Are baked donuts healthier than fried donuts?
Yes, baked donuts are generally lower in fat since they are not fried in oil.
Can I make these donuts without a donut pan?
Yes, you can use a muffin pan and shape foil centers, but a donut pan works best.
Can I freeze baked vanilla donuts?
Yes, freeze unglazed donuts for up to two months.
What glaze works best?
Classic vanilla glaze, chocolate glaze, or simple powdered sugar glaze all work well.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes, use plant-based milk and dairy-free butter.
Why are my baked donuts dry?
Overbaking or too much flour can cause dryness.
Conclusion
Baked Vanilla Donuts are a simple, delicious alternative to traditional fried donuts. Soft, lightly sweet, and endlessly customizable, they are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day. With minimal effort and no frying required, this recipe is one you will come back to again and again.
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