These healthy, low-carb fried vanilla protein donuts make the perfect breakfast or dessert. I have made donuts once before. My Dairy Gluten Free Protein Donuts are amazing. They are cake donuts, so they weren’t fried. I decided I wanted to take it a step further. These donuts are low-carb, dairy-free, gluten-free, and are fried in coconut oil.
If you check out the macros on this recipe you will notice it appears to be high in fat for just 1 protein donut. 9 grams of the fat come from the coconut oil. According to WebMD, coconut oil’s saturated fat is made up mostly of medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs. Your body handles them differently than the longer-chain fats in liquid vegetable oils, dairy, and fatty meats. Studies suggest the MCT-saturated fat in coconut could boost your HDL or “good” cholesterol. This makes it less bad for your heart health than the saturated fat in animal-based foods like cheese and steak or products containing trans fats.
LDL “bad cholesterol”: forms plaque that blocks the arteries
HDL “good cholesterol”: removes the LDL
In summary, coconut oil appears high in saturated fat, but this fat is vastly different from the saturated fat found in food that is not good for the body.
I was able to keep the carb count low in this recipe by using coconut flour instead of standard flour. Coconut and almond flours are great substitutes for recipes that call for flour. Most oils are free of carbs. Frying these donuts does not add additional carbs.
Healthy Low-Carb Vanilla Protein Donuts
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1/3 cup coconut flour
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 20-28 grams
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons sweetener
- 2 egg whites
- 1 egg
- t teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1 tablespoon powdered sweetener
- 1-2 cups coconut oil enough to fill the skillet and coat one side of the donuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Spray a donut pan with cooking spray.
- Whisk the egg and egg whites together. Add the almond milk, applesauce, vanilla extract, and stir.
- In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients, then add to the wet ingredients.
- Spoon the batter into the donut molds. Bake for 23-25 minutes.
- Allow the donuts to cool and then remove from the molds.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coconut oil to the pan. Allow the oil to become hot, about 2 minutes.
- Add the donuts to the skillet and fry on each side for about 20-30 seconds.
- Remove the donuts from the skillet and top with powdered sugar.
Kolina
Thursday 1st of February 2018
How much apple sauce ?
staysnatched
Friday 2nd of February 2018
2 tablespoons
Laura
Thursday 14th of September 2017
So, is there something I could substitute for the protein powder? I have someone who has been put on a strict protein limitation in my house, would love to make these, but was wondering if I could substitute something else and still retain the vanilla flavor?
Laura
Thursday 14th of September 2017
Or would you think I could just eliminate it, and the vanilla extract should be enough?
Amber Bennett
Tuesday 28th of March 2017
You had me at doughnuts - protein was the icing on the cake! ☺️
Mary
Monday 27th of March 2017
I love the idea of a healthier donut! Makes a higher protein diet more accessible!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
Monday 27th of March 2017
Love the addition of protein powder. This will keep you fuller longer