Mini keto donuts dipped in sugar-free dark chocolate. Made with coconut flour, these mini baked donuts are an easy, delicious snack.
Do you consider donuts a breakfast item, a snack, or dessert? I didn’t eat too many donuts growing up but I always considered them a breakfast treat. But now, reflecting on these keto mini donuts, I rather think they are more like dessert.
I have quite a number of keto donut recipes, and some of them are more breakfast-like, being rather wholesome and similar to muffins. Whereas others are definitely over-the-top treats, with sweet glazes and frostings, and are probably best saved for later in the day.
But you know what? I am not going to stop you from eating healthy keto donuts whenever you want. I am not the donut police, and to be frank, they’re a whole lot better for you than conventional donuts!
And I allowed my kids to eat these chocolate dipped mini donuts for breakfast so who am I to talk?
Copycat Keto Donettes
I’ve always steered clear of the mini donuts from Hostess and Entemann’s. I would love to credit self-control but the reality is that they simply didn’t interest me much. Give me a chocolate bar or some ice cream instead, thank you very much.
I was working on some recipes a while ago for a healthy snack cake ebook for Swerve and they asked me to make keto “Donettes”. Using their vanilla cake mix, I made both powdered “sugar” and chocolate dipped mini donuts.
My family liked them so much I decided to take a stab at it with my one of my own keto donuts recipes. I love my coconut flour donuts for their texture and consistency, so I decided to work with those.
I did have to cut the recipe down to size to fit into my mini donut pan that has only 12 holes. I instantly regretted making so few of these, as we all loved them so much!
Tips for Keto Mini Donuts
These cute little chocolate dipped mini donuts are easy to make and fun to eat. Here are my best tips for getting it right:
- This is a coconut flour donut recipe and yes, it really does only take 1/4 cup of coconut flour. If you happen to have a pan that holds 24 mini donuts, feel free to double it. More to enjoy!
- The whey protein powder makes them lighter and fluffier. Do NOT use egg white protein powder here! I tried that on my first attempt and they were pale and rubbery.
- If you really don’t want to use the whey protein, skip it altogether. Just be aware that they may not rise as well.
- The additional water is at your discretion, since coconut flour can vary in absorbency. You want a batter that can be easily scooped but not poured.
- Mini donut pans have small wells and it’s much easier to fill a piping bag and pipe the batter into the pan. You can just spoon it if you need to but I recommend a small spoon so it doesn’t slop all over the place.
- You don’t have to dip them in chocolate! If you prefer powdered sugar donuts, just toss them in some powdered sweetener like Swerve. That’s delicious too!
Ready to make some Keto Mini Donuts?
More delicious mini keto treats!
- Keto Cheesecake Bites
- Keto Mini Pancake Skewers
- Keto Mini Mocha Muffins
- Keto Mini Vanilla Bean Scones
- Keto Pumpkin Pie Bites
- Keto Mini Lemon Bundt Cakes
Mini keto donuts dipped in sugar-free dark chocolate. Made with coconut flour, these mini baked donuts are an easy, delicious snack.
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 3 tbsp Swerve Sweetener
- 2 tbsp unflavored whey protein powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tbsp water
- 2 ounces sugar-free dark chocolate chopped
- 2 tsp coconut oil
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Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 12-cavity mini donut pan well.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, sweetener, protein powder, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in the eggs, butter, and vanilla extract.
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Cut the end off a piping bag so that the opening is about ¾ inch wide (you can also use a large ziploc bag with the corner snipped off).
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Fill the bag with batter and pipe into the donut wells to about ¾ full. Bake about 15 minutes, or until the mini donuts are golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove and let cool 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, melt the chocolate and coconut oil together until smooth. Remove from heat.
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Dip each donut into the chocolate, tossing to coat. Lift out on a fork and tap firmly on the edge of the bowl to remove excess chocolate. (Note: It may be hard to dip the last few donuts… you can just spread the remaining chocolate on top if you have to!).
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Place on a waxed paper lined baking sheet and refrigerate until set.
CarolAnn Liebold says
Got your email with this recipe and just had to make it! They are so light and tender, but have a great texture that holds together! Love them!!!!!
Carolyn says
Wow, that’s impressively fast! <3
Dawn says
Do you have a conversion to make them into regular size donuts?
Carolyn says
No but it’s only going to make about 4 or 5.
Sandra says
I also just made these and already gobbled down two! Very quick and easy to make….and finally put my mini donut pan to use! Great tip to use a Ziploc bag…and I did double the chocolate dip recipe just so dipping would be easier for the last few donuts. (keep these coconut flour recipes coming!…there’s a tree-nut allergy in the house and sometimes he feels left out. ha ha!)
Kelli Korpinen says
I can’t have dairy. Would vegan protein powder work for these or is it the whey that makes the difference?
Carolyn says
I think vegan would work… just not the egg white protein powder. It made them so weird!
Suzanne Srour says
I don’t have a mini donut pan, but I do have a mini donut maker….do you think they would bake in that? Thanks so much! My kids adore mini donuts!
Carolyn says
I’ve never used one but I can’t see why not.
Melinda S says
Oh my goodness! I saw this email and immediately got the ingredients out! East, quick and oh so satisfying!! I even added cinnamon! Love love all your recipes! Thank you!!
(Trying to stop eating them!)
Emily says
Can you substitute anything for the protein powder?
Carolyn says
Please read the tips section of the post.
Kathi says
Okay, I know the donut is supposed to be the focus in that photo but… Those Lilacs! They’re gorgeous. Years ago, before I went keto and when I lived in a climate in which lilacs would grow, I used to make sugared lilac flowers. I miss the beautiful lilac trees. Now, as to the donuts, I don’t doubt your recipe will taste better than Hostess or Entemans. Gonna hafta buya mini donut pan.
Carolyn says
I made these back in April, when lilacs were in bloom here. My neighbour had some gorgeous purple ones and I just HAD to feature them.
Penny Faucett says
Would a mini cup cake work? Don’t have a donut pan.
Carolyn says
Probably… but the baking time might be different. Watch them!
Bernadette says
Can whey protein isolate powder be used instead of when protein powder?
Adam says
I followed the recipe and I only yielded 7 donuts. What do you think went wrong?
Carolyn says
Well clearly your pan is much larger than mine in terms of the size of the donuts.
John-Mark says
Hi Carolyn!
These were delicious!
However, even in what I THOUGHT was a well greased Wilton nonstick mini donut pan, every one of them stuck so bad that not a single one came out whole; all of them were in pieces, which I ate.
Did I bake them too long (14 minutes)? Use the wrong oil (grapeseed)? Something else?
Carolyn says
When I grease, I always use a solid fat like butter. I have that Wilton donut pan too… but, I will say, Wilton pans tend to lose their non-stickness rather easily…
John-Mark says
What would you recommend? Is silicone better?
Jennifer says
Oh my heavenly mini donuts! I made these for Saturday Brunch and oh wow! So good. These were so simple and quick. Next time I’ll get my 9yr old son to help they are that easy. I think next time I will double the dip so we can double coat them. I didn’t have a mini donut pan so we did mini muffins and it worked out so well. Thank you for this recipe!
Carolyn says
Fantastic to hear!
Steph says
Hi was wondering if I can use almond flour instead of coconut flour and if I should use the same amount.
Carolyn says
No, this is a coconut flour recipe and it can’t be switched because not only does the amount of flour change, but the whole rest of the recipe has to as well. I have several almond flour donut recipes and you’re welcome to use them but they will make a lot more mini donuts. https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/cinnamon-donuts-with-brown-butter-glaze-low-carb-and-gluten-free/
Teresa J says
I made these the other day and they are amazing, and really easy! Thank you for an alternative to those other ones!!!
Nancy M says
I made these yesterday afternoon. They are absolutely delicious and have almost no taste difference with the national brand. I dipped some in chocolate and some in a cinnamon sugar mix. We’re having a get together with family this weekend and will be making a variety of these for dessert, including some that I’ll dip in a light glaze then roll in toasted unsweetened coconut. We switched to a low carb lifestyle in February and my husband’s endocrinologist loves his diabetes numbers. I love that I can satisfy my sweet tooth and stay on track. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Ray A. says
My daughter is allergic to eggs. Is there anything we could substitute so we could make these?
Carolyn says
No, I am sorry. Coconut flour really needs eggs to rise properly. I have not had any success with egg replacers in coconut flour recipes.
Kathyinozarks says
I love this recipe but this is the second time making them and I can Not get these out of the pans is there a secret to this lol I did grease the pans both time but they will not release-I have to take a butter knife to get them out-and it’s not pretty lol thanks for tips
Kathyinozarks says
I think I just figured it out-this last batch I did a double batch, the first pan wouldn’t come out after the 10 minute wait-by the time I got to the second donut pan it was cold and they came right out-so I need to let them totally cool down before I take them out of the donut pans–glad I figured this out. my husband always loves donuts-now I can make them healthier-thanks again for your recipes
Carolyn says
Good to know!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I cant tell you how thrilled I am to always find recipes my diabetic son can eat your the best ever Carol and I share this site with everyone God Bless you!
Beth says
Yummy! These look super delicious and tasty! I can’t wait to make these! My daughter is going to love them!
Matt Taylor says
These keto donuts look amazing!! I am always impressed how you make classic comfort foods keto. 🙂
Rachael Yerkes says
These are so good! New favorite treat!
Patricia Morgan says
I can’t wait to make these. Do you have a vanilla donut recipe with vanilla frosting?😋
Carolyn says
I don’t… maybe I should! I do have a vanilla style donut (it’s the donut from my Samoa Donuts) and it would be easy to scale down some of my vanilla glaze recipes.
Marie says
Happy dance! Thank you I made these the first time while talking to a neighbor in the kitchen and didn’t use the water…we almost choked to death! I tried making them again two days later and used 3 tbsp of water and they came out so perfect! It yielded 21 mini donuts and they were almost all eaten that night. Thank you!!
Carolyn says
Oh dear! Glad the second batch worked out!