Cinnamon Sugar Protein Donuts
This protein donut recipe is our favorite weekend breakfast or meal prep recipe when we want a sweet treat but still want to feel energized throughout the day. Topped with a cinnamon sugar glaze, they’re soft, fluffy, and so delicious! Plus, they’re higher in protein and lower in sugar than your average donut, and our kids don’t even notice a difference.
If you love donuts, be sure to try out our baked pumpkin donuts and healthy baked donuts, too.
One taste of these protein cinnamon sugar donuts, and you’ll forget all about Dunkin and your local donut shop! These are better, and if that’s not enticing enough, a single serving contains 7 grams of protein and just under 2 grams of sugar. Plus, they come together in 5 minutes and in a total time of less than 20 minutes! Go ahead and make an extra batch or two. They never last!
Ingredients and Notes
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Naked Pancake Mix – This is our secret to creating the BEST protein donut recipe! It has all the flavor of pancakes but bakes up beautifully and provides a good dose of high-quality protein. If you can’t find it, any protein pancake powder or regular pancake mix will work. Just add a little vanilla protein and add more water as needed.
- Melted Butter – This adds rich flavor and helps create moist donuts. Then, we use it as a topping, helping the cinnamon sugar mixture adhere to the donuts.
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping – We combine monk fruit sweetener and ground cinnamon to keep this recipe lower in protein, but granulated sugar is totally fine if preferred.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Protein Donuts
Before you begin, preheat your oven to 350°F, and generously grease a 6-count donut pan with cooking spray.
- Combine. Whisk the pancake mix, water, and melted butter in a bowl until smooth.
2. Bake. Divide the batter evenly between the greased donut pan. Bake until the donuts are golden, fluffy, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Prepare the topping. While the cinnamon sugar donuts bake, whisk the cinnamon and sugar in a wide, shallow bowl. Melt the butter in a separate bowl.
4. Top. Once the donuts are cool enough to handle, dip them first in the melted butter and then in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Enjoy!
Common Questions
Once cool, you can transfer leftovers to an airtight container or sealable bag. They will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 2 days. Unfortunately, they don’t freeze well.
We find they’re best when warm. So, we heat them in the microwave for just 10-15 seconds before serving.
Absolutely! Protein glaze, chocolate frosting, vanilla frosting, or powdered sugar all make tasty options.
More Protein Treats
Cinnamon Sugar Protein Donuts
Equipment
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
Batter
- 2 servings (4 scoops, 100 grams or about 1 cup) Naked Cake pancake mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon melted butter
Topping
- 2 Tablespooons melted butter
- 2 Tablespoons monk fruit sweetener
- 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Generously spray a 6 count donut pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the pancake mix, water and melted butter. Pour the batter evenly into the donut pan.2 servings (4 scoops, 100 grams or about 1 cup) Naked Cake pancake mix, 1/2 cup water, 1 Tablespoon melted butter
- Bake for 11-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- While the donuts bake, mix the monk fruit sweetener and cinnamon together in a bowl wide enough for each donut to fit in.2 Tablespoons monk fruit sweetener, 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- In another bowl shallow enough for the donuts to fit, melt the butter.2 Tablespooons melted butter
- Once the donuts are baked and cool enough to touch, dip/dredge the tops of each donut in the melted butter and then in the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Eat immediately or warm each donut for 5-10 second in the microwave before eating. They are even better slightly warmed! The donuts are best eaten the same day but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you enjoy this Cinnamon Sugar Protein Donut recipe? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know, and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!
I love these easy donuts with protein. The mix is inexpensive to purchase and these donuts have quickly become my go-to recipe with it.