Finding a great vegan donut shouldn’t feel like chasing a myth. Whether you’re cutting out animal products or simply craving a plant-based treat, the good news is—you absolutely can have soft, fluffy, donuts vegan style without missing out on flavor. In this article, I’ll walk you through a personal favorite vegan donut recipe, talk about ingredients that make them shine, and break down what to watch for when buying from places like Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme. We’ll also answer the top questions people ask about vegan donuts, and by the end, you’ll know how to make—and spot—a truly vegan-friendly treat.
Section 1: A Sweet Start with Vegan Donuts
Why Vegan Donuts Matter to Me
Back when I lived in South London, Saturday mornings meant a walk to the neighborhood bakery, where I’d eye up the sugar-coated rings with a coffee in hand. But after moving to the U.S. and embracing more plant-based choices, I realized many classic donuts weren’t just off-limits—they were overloaded with dairy, eggs, or mysterious additives. That’s when I started baking my own. With a few pantry swaps, making donuts vegan at home became not just doable, but addictive. The result? Donuts that are tender, golden, and full of nostalgic charm—without a single egg or drop of milk.
From experimenting in my own kitchen, I learned that simple ingredients like oat milk, applesauce, and a dash of cinnamon can bring magic to the mix. And if you’ve ever tried my vegan gluten-free recipes or loved those golden easy blueberry scones, you’ll be thrilled with how foolproof vegan donuts can be.
Ingredients That Make the Difference
Let’s break down what makes vegan donuts work. The biggest challenge is structure and flavor—without eggs or dairy, you need ingredients that bind and add richness. Here’s what I rely on:
- Applesauce: Moisture and structure in one. Unsweetened is best.
- Plant milk (like oat or almond): Keeps the dough light.
- Coconut oil or vegan butter: Richness and texture.
- Flour: All-purpose works best unless you need gluten-free.
- Baking powder: Essential lift.
For flavor, cinnamon, vanilla, or nutmeg can bring the warm bakery-style notes you love. Top it off with a simple powdered sugar glaze or roll them in cinnamon sugar for that true donut-shop feel. If you’ve already tried recipes like my gluten-free biscuit dough or gluten-free cottage cheese bagels, you’re already halfway to perfecting your vegan donut game.
Section 2: Making the Perfect Vegan Donuts at Home
Step-by-Step Recipe for Vegan Donuts
Print
Vegan Donuts That Actually Taste Amazing (No Eggs, No Dairy!)
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 9 donuts 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Soft, fluffy, and 100% plant-based, these baked vegan donuts are simple to make, dairy-free, egg-free, and absolutely delicious with customizable glazes and toppings.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cane sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
¾ cup oat milk (or almond)
¼ cup applesauce
2 tbsp melted coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional: powdered sugar glaze or cinnamon sugar for topping
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a donut pan.
2. Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl.
3. In another bowl, combine all wet ingredients until smooth.
4. Pour wet mixture into dry and stir until just combined.
5. Spoon batter into donut pan and smooth tops.
6. Bake for 12–14 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Cool completely before glazing or coating with sugar.
Notes
Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the donuts fluffy.
Let donuts cool before glazing to prevent a melted mess.
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for longer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: donuts vegan, vegan dessert, plant-based donut
Once you get the hang of vegan baking, donuts become one of the most rewarding weekend projects. You don’t need fancy equipment—just a mixing bowl, a donut pan (or a cookie cutter if frying), and a craving for something sweet. Here’s how I make my go-to donuts vegan style:
Dry ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cane sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Wet ingredients:
- ¾ cup oat milk (or almond)
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients until smooth. Pour the wet into the dry, stir just until combined (don’t overmix), then spoon into a greased donut pan. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let them cool before glazing.
Optional glaze: Mix ½ cup powdered sugar with 1–2 tsp plant milk until smooth. Dip and let set.
These donuts are lightly crisp on the outside and soft in the middle—perfect for pairing with your morning coffee. For gluten-free friends, you can swap in a 1:1 baking flour blend like the one I use in my wonton wrapper alternative or my homemade gluten-free pitas.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest pitfall? Overmixing the batter. Vegan donuts can go from fluffy to rubbery fast if you overwork the flour. Also, don’t skip greasing the donut pan—even nonstick ones benefit from a light brush of oil. And while it’s tempting to frost while warm, always let them cool. Otherwise, your glaze turns into a sticky mess. Patience really does taste better here.
Section 3: Where to Buy Vegan Donuts (That Are Actually Vegan)
Vegan Options at Chains Like Dunkin’ and Krispy Kreme
You’d think finding donuts vegan style at national chains would be easy by now—but it’s still hit or miss. Let’s start with Dunkin’. While they’ve added oat milk and some plant-based breakfast items, their donuts still contain eggs and dairy across the board. So unfortunately, Dunkin’ donuts are not vegan, even if they look simple or “plain.” Some international locations do offer vegan donuts, but in the U.S., they haven’t yet made that leap.
Krispy Kreme is in a similar boat. They launched a limited vegan line in the UK, including glazed raspberry and custard-filled options—but in the U.S., none of their current donuts are vegan-friendly. Every flavor includes dairy or eggs, and they don’t offer certified vegan alternatives here yet.
So, if you’re hoping for a drive-thru donut that fits your diet, you’ll need to look elsewhere—local bakeries or your own oven are your best bet right now.
Grocery Store Donuts: What to Look For
Grocery store donuts are tricky. Most packaged options—especially the ones from in-store bakeries—still contain animal ingredients. Always read the labels carefully. Look for these red flags:
- Whey or casein (dairy derivatives)
- Egg whites or whole egg powder
- Gelatin (sometimes in glazes)
Your best bet? Check health food stores or freezer sections. Brands like Abe’s and Whole Foods 365 have released certified vegan donuts in select locations. They may not match your homemade batch, but they’re perfect for on-the-go.
When in doubt, making your own is the safest—and tastiest—route. If you’ve already stocked your pantry from baking gluten-free ramen noodles or crafting gluten-free crepes, you’ve likely got everything you need to bake up a storm.
Section 4: Vegan Donut Variations & Storage Tips
Creative Variations to Try
Once you’ve nailed the base recipe, it’s easy—and fun—to make donuts vegan with your favorite flavors. Here are a few winning twists:
Chocolate Glazed: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to your dry mix, and use a chocolate ganache made from melted dairy-free chocolate and coconut milk.
Pumpkin Spice: Mix ½ cup pumpkin purée with the wet ingredients, reduce the applesauce to 2 tablespoons, and sprinkle pumpkin spice in the batter.
Jam-Filled: If you’re up for a fried version, use a small round cutter and inject raspberry or strawberry jam into the center once cooled.
Maple Cinnamon Sugar: Instead of a glaze, dip warm donuts in melted vegan butter, then roll them in maple sugar and cinnamon.
Many of these use ingredients you may already have if you’ve baked recipes like gluten-free bagel bites or gluten-free chicken-style bakes. These additions bring layers of flavor without complicating the process.
How to Store and Reheat Vegan Donuts
The best vegan donuts are eaten fresh, but they do store quite well. Here’s how to keep them delicious:
- Room temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Add parchment between layers to avoid sticking.
- Fridge: Store for up to 4 days, though they may firm up slightly.
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, move to a sealed container. Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 8–10 minutes.
Avoid microwaving glazed donuts—it melts the topping unevenly. For sugar-coated varieties, a quick warm-up in a toaster oven brings them right back to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are doughnuts vegan friendly?
Not all doughnuts are vegan friendly. Traditional recipes usually include milk, eggs, and butter. However, many homemade versions—like the one in this article—use plant-based swaps like oat milk, applesauce, and vegan butter to recreate the same taste and texture without any animal products.
Do Dunkin donuts do vegan?
As of now, Dunkin’ does not offer vegan donuts in their U.S. stores. While they have added dairy-free milks like almond and oat for coffee drinks, their donuts still contain eggs and dairy. Some international locations, however, have begun testing vegan options.
Are Krispy Kreme doughnuts vegan?
Krispy Kreme offers limited vegan options in the UK, but none of their U.S. donuts are currently vegan. All standard offerings contain milk and/or egg ingredients. Always double-check product labels or contact customer service for ingredient updates in your region.
Are grocery store donuts vegan?
Most grocery store donuts are not vegan, especially those from bakery sections. Many contain milk, butter, or eggs. That said, some packaged or frozen options—like Abe’s or Whole Foods 365—do offer vegan-certified donuts. Look for clear vegan labeling and scan the ingredients list for any hidden animal products.
Conclusion
Making donuts vegan isn’t just possible—it’s genuinely satisfying. Whether you’re baking them for a cozy weekend treat or looking for a plant-based alternative to your childhood favorites, vegan donuts offer comfort without compromise. With a few pantry staples and the right technique, you’ll be rolling out batches of golden, fluffy donuts in no time.
Skip the dairy, skip the eggs—but don’t skip the joy. Because sometimes, the best stories start in your kitchen.
Love discovering easy, delicious recipes? Join me on Facebook where I share my latest creations, kitchen tips, and behind-the-scenes moments from everyday cooking. And if you’re into saving ideas for later, check out my boards on Pinterest—they’re full of visual inspiration and cozy food vibes you’ll want to try next.