Baked Pumpkin Donuts (3 Ways)

These baked pumpkin donuts are made with pure pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and a natural sugar substitute for a sweet, spiced breakfast or dessert perfect for fall! Add cream cheese frosting, a vanilla glaze, or a cinnamon sugar topping, and they’re guaranteed to disappear fast. 

The Best Pumpkin Baked Donuts

Who doesn’t love a good donut in the morning? It’s such a fun way to start the day! And if we’re being honest, we often serve them for dessert, too. 

However, while delicious, most store-bought and bakery options are jam-packed with all kinds of sugars and additives and are deep-fried in tons of oil. While we recognize they’re meant to be a treat, we still like to keep our health-conscious goals in mind as much as possible. 

So, whenever possible, we make homemade baked donuts instead, and this baked pumpkin donuts recipe never disappoints! Made with a handful of simple ingredients, it’s low in sugar, baked instead of fried, and packed with sweet spiced pumpkin flavor. 

Plus, with minimal prep time and a quick cooking time, it couldn’t be easier to make! Get the kids involved by adding their favorite toppings and decorations, and it quickly becomes a fun fall activity for the whole family. 

You might want to go ahead and make a second batch, though. These donuts store well, but one pan full never lasts long! 

Recipe Ingredients

Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details! 

• Flour – We use regular all-purpose flour to form the base of the dough, but you can use a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour if needed. 
• Sweetener – We prefer to use monk fruit sweetener to keep our donuts low in sugar, but regular granulated sugar will also work.
• Baking Powder – Make sure it’s fresh, or your donuts won’t rise! 
• Spices – Pumpkin pie spice creates the bold pumpkin pie-inspired flavor we want, and a pinch of salt helps enhance the rest of the ingredients. 
• Pumpkin Puree – Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The only ingredient should be pumpkin! 
• Light Olive Oil – This adds richens and keeps teh donuts moist. If preferred, melted butter will also work. 
• Milk – Whole or full-fat milk will yield the richest taste, but any dairy or non-dairy milk will work. 
• Egg – We haven’t tested this recipe with an egg substitute and can’t guarantee your results if you do. 
• Vanilla Extract – Adds a nice vanilla flavor to the donuts. 

How to Make This Baked Pumpkin Donuts Recipe 

1. Prepare. Before you begin, preheat your oven, and generously grease a donut pan with cooking spray. 
2. Mix the dry ingredients. Add all the dry ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl, and whisk to combine. 
3. Whisk the wet ingredients. In a second bowl, whisk the wet ingredients until smooth. 
4. Combine. Working in batches, add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients, stirring just until no flour is visible in the batter. 
5. Portion. Scoop the batter into a Ziploc bag, and cut off the tip. (You can also use a piping bag. Pipe the batter into the donut pan, using your fingers to spread it out evenly if needed. 
6. Bake. Transfer the donuts to the oven, and bake until they’re puffy and golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the batter comes out clean. 
7. Cool. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan slightly. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, and add your favorite toppings! 

Topping Options

Of course, these baked pumpkin donuts are plenty flavorful on their own, but what’s a donut without any toppings? We couldn’t decide which to choose. So, we’re giving you our three favorites! 

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients: 

• Cream Cheese – Use brick-style, full-fat cream cheese or plant-based cream cheese to keep your donuts dairy-free. 
• Sweetener – Use powdered monk fruit sweetener or regular powdered sugar. 
• Almond Milk – Dairy milk will also work. Use as needed to create your desired consistency.

Instructions: 

1. Whip the room temperature cream cheese and sweetener in a bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy. 
2. Add milk as needed to thin out the frosting.
3. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled donuts, and add a sprinkle of cinnamon or fall sprinkles if desired. 

Vanilla Glaze

Ingredients: 

• Sweetener – Use powdered monk fruit sweetener or powdered sugar. 
• Milk – Plant-based or dairy milk will work. 
• Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor! 

Instructions: 

1. Whisk the ingredients in a bowl until smooth. 
2. Dunk or drizzle the donuts in the glaze. 
3. Add cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or sprinkles if desired. 

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Ingredients: 

• Sugar – Use monk fruit sweetener, granulated sugar, or brown sugar 
• Cinnamon – Make sure it’s fresh! 

Instructions: 

1. Whisk the ingredients in a small bowl. 
2. Pour the mixture onto a plate. 
3. Grease the donuts with non-stick cooking spray, and dip them in the mixture, coating all sides.

Common Questions

Did you enjoy this baked pumpkin donuts 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!