Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Y'all....you're going to need to RUN not walk to the kitchen to try these out.  I donut know a better way to start the day!

Donuts are not usually a word you find in health or gluten-free conversations.  For years, you didn't even hear of such a thing as a gluten-free donut.  

Not only did I finally figure out an awesome recipe to make a gluten-free donut, but these have some amazingly healthy ingredients so you don't have to feel any shame eating these!!

You are DEFINITELY going to need a donut pan since these are baked.  You can usually find these at Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc.

Ok, less talking, more baking and eating.  Enjoy!!

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Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

serves 6 donuts

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup gluten-free baking flour**

  • 1/3 cup chia seeds

  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/3 cup milk (use almond milk to make this nondairy)

  • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar**

Topping:

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar

  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

 

Instructions:

  1.  Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.  Grease a 6-cavity donut pan with oil.

  2. In a small bowl, mix together the milk and apple cider vinegar.  It will start to curdle which is what you want.  Set aside.

  3. In a large bowl, mix together the flours, chia seeds, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.  Give a few good stirs to combine.  Continue adding in the maple syrup, vanilla, and finally pour in the milk and apple cider mixture.  Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.  

  4. Using a spoon, pour the batter evenly into the donut pan.  Each cavity should be mostly filled, but the donuts will rise slightly.

  5. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until firm to the touch.  Take the donuts out of the oven and let them cool inside the pan for 10 minutes.  Then, gently lift each donut out with the edge of a knife. 

  6. Using a bowl big enough to fit one donut, melt the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds.  In a separate bowl big enough to fit one donut, mix together the sugar and cinnamon.  Take one donut at a time and dip it in the melted butter followed by the cinnamon sugar.  Set on a plate and get ready to devour!!

**NOTES**

-If you are NOT making these gluten free, then you can use 3/4 cup of a regular baking flour.  You may also omit the apple cider vinegar.  

-When baking with gluten free flours, it's best to have a mix of at least 2 flours.  Look at the ingredients in the gluten free flour you are using to make sure there are at least two listed.   Really common combinations are brown rice flour, white rice flour, buckwheat flour, oat flour, etc.  I would NOT recommend using only almond flour with this recipe.  

-Apple cider vinegar is mixed with milk in gluten-free baking because it will help create air pockets and make a fluffier texture since it is hard to create that with gluten free flours.