Healthy Chocolate Donuts

Published by:
Liz Marino
| 04/18/2019 | Last Updated: 10/14/2025

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Healthy Chocolate Donuts are a rich and delicious vegan dessert. Full of chocolate, these healthy donuts are a delicious treat and so easy to make!

healthy chocolate donuts on a white plate with a blue background


 

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Looking for a delicious dessert that is vegan and SO yummy? Look no further than these Healthy Chocolate Donuts!

These donuts are so easy to make and taste seriously delicious. They’re rich, fudgy, and almost taste like a brownie. You would never know that they’re dairy free and healthier!

a hand holding up a healthy chocolate donut

Unlike traditional donuts that are deep fried and loaded with sugar, these donuts are made with a combo of almond meal + whole wheat flour. They use flax seed meal to create a vegan egg substitute – which helps bring up the healthy fat content of the donuts!

I used dark chocolate chips in the donuts/on the drizzle – but you could also use chopped dark chocolate if you prefer!

a healthy chocolate donut with a bite taken out of it

These are one of my favorite treats for when I’m craving something sweet/delicious but don’t want to eat junk food. I think you’ll love them too!

Also, try our Sweet Potato Healthy Brownies!

What you’ll need to make healthy chocolate donuts:

These donuts are fairly simple to make. You’ll need a few basic pantry staples like:

You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded box.  

a stack of healthy chocolate donuts with chocolate chips scattered all around the donuts

Substitutions for vegan chocolate donuts:

These donuts are pretty versatile. Here are a few ways you can customize them!

flax egg – You can substitute the flax egg/flax seed meal in this recipe by subbing in two regular eggs. I have not tried this recipe using a chia egg.

flourI haven’t tried this recipe with other types of flour but you may be able to sub the whole wheat pastry flour for gluten free flour

maple syrup you can sub honey for the maple syrup if you’re not vegan or agave nectar

milkyou can sub regular milk or other non-dairy milks in this recipe

a white plate piled high with healthy chocolate donuts

How to Store

Storing: These donuts will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. We don’t recommend storing them at room temperature because they can get moldy since they’re very moist!

Freezing: I haven’t tried freezing this recipe but I think it would work find. I would freeze them without the chocolate drizzle!

Reheating: You can reheat this recipe in the microwave, toaster oven, oven or on the stove.

healthy chocolate donuts on a white plate with a blue background

Healthy Chocolate Donuts

Recipe by: Liz Marino
4.89 from 9 votes
Healthy Chocolate Donuts are a rich and delicious vegan dessert. Full of chocolate, these healthy donuts are a delicious treat and so easy to make!
Prep Time : 10 minutes
Cook Time : 15 minutes
Total Time : 25 minutes
Serves : 12 donuts
(hover over # to adjust)

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. In a small bowl, mix flax seed meal + water to make flax ‘eggs’. Allow them to sit for 10 minutes to thicken/combine.
  3. Stir together almond flour, whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, baking powder, maple syrup, cocoa powder and almond milk to a a bowl + mix until combined. Add in thickened ‘flax egg’
  4. The mix should be somewhat thick, but if it is clumpy or very difficult to stir, add in a little more milk or water. Stir in chocolate chips.
  5. Spray your donut pan with cooking oil liberally to prevent sticking.
  6. Spoon batter into a ziploc bag, cut the corner, and ‘pipe’ donuts into your pan.
  7. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Notes

Substitutions for this recipe:
  • flax egg – You can substitute the flax egg/flax seed meal in this recipe by subbing in two regular eggs. I have not tried this recipe using a chia egg.
  • flour – I haven’t tried this recipe with other types of flour but you may be able to sub the whole wheat pastry flour for gluten free flour
  • maple syrup – you can sub honey for the maple syrup if you’re not vegan or agave nectar
  • milk – you can sub regular milk or other non-dairy milks in this recipe

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1donut | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Share it! Make sure to tag @thecleaneatingcouple or use #thecleaneatingcouple!
4.89 from 9 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




53 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Love this recipe! It is refined sugar free (besides the chocolate chips) and tastes so yummy with the melted chocolate drizzle on top (I mixed chocolate chips & almond milk and melted). The best part is that they still taste the same on day 5 as they did on day 1! I like the spongy cake texture and the hubby even gave them a thumbs up!

    1. The Clean Eating Couple says:

      So glad you liked them, Jessica!! Thank you so much!

  2. 5 stars
    My husband and kiddos are obsessed with these rich, fudgey, and delicious vegan dessert. They’re always begging me to stop them from devouring these. They could indeed enjoy these donuts for all three meals. Highly recommend everyone to give the recipe a try. Believe me, once you try these chocolate donuts, there’s no turning back (well, that’s the only problem).
    Thank you so much for sharing such a great idea. I hope it will inspire many of your followers. I’m so lucky to have come across your wonderful blog. I’ve just bookmarked it. Looking forward to your new awesome recipes.

    Best wishes,
    Ann

    1. The Clean Eating Couple says:

      Thank you so much, Ann! So glad you and your family love them 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    These were easy to make, super moist, and delicious! And the perfect way to enjoy a guilt-free chocolate indulgence. Definitely will make again….and again….and again.

    1. The Clean Eating Couple says:

      So glad you liked them, Kelly! They definitely are perfect for a chocolate craving!

  4. 5 stars
    I made these donuts with my kids and they are delicious! I like them because they aren’t too sweet but still the perfect afternoon snack with my coffee. Highly recommend!

    1. The Clean Eating Couple says:

      I’m so glad you liked them, Kristen! That makes me so happy to hear!

  5. Welcome to Yum Goggle! We are following you on all your social media and hope you will follow us back. We will do our best to tag you each time we promote your posts. Kelli at YG!

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Thanks, Kelli!

  6. Farrah Fong says:

    I need to find my donut pan! This looks awesome! 😀

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Yes! Break it out and make these 🙂

  7. These look amazing! That chocolate hazelnut filling has me totally drooling! I saw that you mentioned to another reader that they could be made with GF flour. I totally need to try that! Awesome recipe!

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Yes! I think they would work great with GF flour! Let me know what you think if you try them 🙂

  8. I *need* to get a donut pan STAT! These look SO good! 🙂

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Yes you do!! They’re so much fun to make!

  9. 1,000 pins is AMAZING girl, and these look delicious! I’m glad you capitalized on that and made more doughnuts with the new Chocmeister, because I’ve heard that Chocmeister is really good. Do you think it’s tastier than Nutella?

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Thank you! I really liked the Chocmeister. I’m not a huge fan of Nutella because its a little too sweet for me. This was the perfect balance 🙂

  10. Tiffany LaForge says:

    These look soooo good! Pinning it! xo

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Thank you, Tiffany!

  11. Congrats on the pin success! Pinterest is so awesome for driving traffic. You kill it with donuts but this might be your best one yet!! These look CRAAAAAZY yum!

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Thanks friend! I was super excited about it 🙂

  12. Is there anyone who truly dislikes donuts? I think everybody has liked them at least once in their lives! Anyways, these look killer, and I don’t blame anybody for going crazy on the pinning!

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Totally agree. Anyone who doesn’t like donuts must be crazy!

  13. Okay, I’m about to make these right now!

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Go for it! 🙂

  14. My donut pan has been lonely for far too long, these sound like a good reason to put it into action again! 🙂

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      You gotta break it out!! These are the perfect things to test it out with 🙂

  15. If we’re talking store bought: I love classic vanilla donuts with colourful sprinkles. But if I had to choose a fav from donuts I’ve actually made at home, I’d go with my orange poppy-seed donuts. So freakin’ good 😀
    p.s. these look amazing! Pinning!

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Those are on my list to try!! I’ve been drooling over them since I saw them on your site! Thanks for the reminder.. maybe this Sunday I’ll make them 🙂

  16. Yum! I love all things donuts. I need to make them more often! I’m with you – I sometimes loathe the technical side of blogging, but you can’t ignore it because it’s so important to pay attention to!

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Me too 🙂 I’m definitely not a tech person, but ya just gotta do it sometimes!

  17. Healthy & donuts in the same sentence? You got me! These look fantastic and who could resist that hazelnut center. By the way, do you think these could be made with a gluten-free flour instead of whole wheat? I know my daughter and her family would love them.

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Right?! What’s better than a warm, chocolate hazelnut center? I think you could definitely swap this for GF flour. I might add a little bit more oil to balance it out.. maybe a tablespoon or so.

  18. Looks amazing! I never thought that the words “healthy” and “donut” could be in the same sentence! Donuts are definitely my weakness so I’m going to have to give these a try 🙂

    Nellwyn | http://www.thecardinalpress.com

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      I didn’t think it could be done either- but here we are!! 🙂

  19. Natalie @ A Fit Philosophy says:

    5 stars
    Seriously, you’ve outdone yourself!!! These look amazing and will certainly be making an appearance at my next weekend breakfast 🙂

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Thanks girl!! They’re the perfect Saturday morning sweet treat 🙂

  20. GiGi Eats says:

    EVERY CHOCOLATE-LOVERS DREAM right now!!! Hubba hubba!

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Yesssss!!

  21. Portia @ Obsessed by Portia says:

    5 stars
    I am OBSESSED with this! First of all, I agree SO much goes into a post – way more than I ever thought pre-blogging days! And second, I’m so excited for you and your success! Oh and third – YUM!!! I just subscribed – looking forward to following your clean eating adventures! xoxo

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Thank you SO much for your sweet words! 🙂 Looking forward to having you along for the ride!

  22. YAAAS!! I was so excited when I saw you making these on Snapchat! Thank you for this awesome recipe! I need to get myself a donut pan ASAP!

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Yes you do!! Donuts are so fun to make 🙂

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Right?! You can never have too much chocolate 🙂

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      Thank you!! It’s the baking soda/powder – they make them puff up 🙂

    1. thecleaneatingcouple@gmail.com says:

      They are!!So fluffy and yummy 🙂