Fluffy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

Fluffy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts Recipe for Fall Fun

Fall’s golden embrace brings a delightful twist with these mouthwatering gluten-free pumpkin donuts that dance with warm spices and seasonal charm.

Baking these delectable treats requires minimal effort and maximum flavor, blending traditional autumn goodness with contemporary dietary needs.

Soft, pillowy, and packed with rich pumpkin essence, these donuts deliver a nostalgic comfort that satisfies every sweet tooth.

Each bite bursts with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla, creating a sensory experience that feels like a cozy afternoon in a rustic kitchen.

The gluten-free base ensures everyone can indulge without compromise, making these donuts a universal crowd-pleaser.

Light, fluffy, and perfectly spiced, these donuts transform an ordinary moment into a celebration of seasonal delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients You’ll Need for Pumpkin Donuts (Gluten-Free)

For Dry Ingredients:
  • Gluten-Free Flour: Provides the base structure with a light, tender texture perfect for delicate donuts.
  • Baking Powder: Creates magical rise and softness, ensuring fluffy donut perfection.
  • Baking Soda: Helps donuts achieve a beautiful golden color and light crumb.
  • Cinnamon: Adds warm, cozy autumn flavor that complements pumpkin beautifully.
  • Ginger: Brings a subtle spicy kick that enhances the overall pumpkin profile.
  • Nutmeg: Rounds out the spice blend with its rich, earthy undertones.
  • Sea Salt: Balances and intensifies all the other delicious flavors.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Pumpkin Puree: Delivers rich, velvety moisture and classic fall flavor.
  • Avocado Oil: Keeps donuts incredibly moist and adds subtle nutty richness.
  • Brown Sugar: Contributes deep caramel notes and helps retain moisture.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the donuts.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden browning.
  • Almond Milk: Creates a smooth, light liquid base for tender texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Introduces a classic sweet aroma and depth of flavor.
For Icing Ingredients:
  • Brown Sugar: Creates a rich, caramel-like glaze with deep sweetness.
  • Almond Milk: Provides smooth, creamy consistency for the icing.
  • Dairy-Free Butter: Adds richness and helps create a silky icing texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Ensures a smooth, glossy finish for the donut topping.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall sweetness with aromatic warmth.

Tools That Help with Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts

  • Donut pan: Essential for creating the classic donut shape and ensuring even baking.
  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients with plenty of stirring space.
  • Medium mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking wet ingredients until smooth and well-blended.
  • Whisk: Crucial for mixing ingredients thoroughly and creating a smooth batter.
  • Large zip-top bag: Great for piping batter neatly into the donut pan without mess.
  • Small saucepan: Necessary for preparing the delicious glaze over medium heat.
  • Wire cooling rack: Helps donuts cool evenly and catch excess icing drips.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements for perfect donuts.

Making Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts at Home

Autumn Pumpkin Ring Treats

  • Oven Prep Cozy Kitchen Setup

Warm your kitchen by setting the oven to a toasty temperature. Gently coat your donut pan with a light layer of oil to prevent sticking.

  • Dry Ingredient Harmony

Gather your gluten-free flour and warming spices, blending them together in a spacious mixing bowl. The combination of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg will create a delightful aroma.

  • Wet Ingredient Magic

In a separate bowl, mix pumpkin puree with liquid ingredients. The rich orange puree will create a luscious base for your treats, bringing autumn right into your kitchen.

  • Batter Transformation

Carefully fold wet and dry ingredients together, creating a smooth, fragrant mixture. The batter should feel light and promise delicious results.

  • Donut Pan Artistry

Gently pour or pipe the batter into your prepared pan, filling each ring about three-quarters full. The mixture will rise and create perfect little autumn circles.

  • Baking Moment

Slide the pan into the oven, letting the treats bake until golden and springy. The kitchen will fill with a warm, spicy fragrance that signals deliciousness is coming.

  • Sweet Finishing Touch

Create a simple glaze by combining sugar, milk, and a touch of butter. Drizzle or dip your cooled donuts, letting the sweet coating add the perfect final layer of comfort.

Tips & Swaps for Pumpkin Donuts (Gluten-Free)

  • Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough donuts; gently fold ingredients until just combined for light, tender results that melt in your mouth.
  • Replace the gluten-free flour blend with almond flour or coconut flour for added nutrition and a slightly nutty undertone that complements the pumpkin.
  • Sprinkle chopped pecans, pumpkin seeds, or a light dusting of cinnamon on top of the icing for extra crunch and visual appeal that makes these donuts irresistible.
  • Keep donuts fresh by storing in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to a month to enjoy a quick pumpkin treat anytime a craving hits.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts

  • Cozy Fall Breakfast Companion: Pair these warm, spiced donuts with a steaming mug of chai tea or pumpkin spice latte for a delightful autumn morning treat.
  • Weekend Brunch Showstopper: Arrange the donuts on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries, maple syrup drizzle, and a sprinkle of chopped pecans for an impressive brunch spread.
  • Dessert Transformation: Crumble these donuts over vanilla dairy-free ice cream or use as a topping for a creamy pumpkin mousse to create an indulgent after-dinner dessert.
  • Afternoon Tea Party Delight: Serve alongside herbal tea or hot cocoa, creating a beautiful gluten-free option for guests with dietary restrictions who still want to enjoy a sweet moment.

Storage & Meal Prep for Pumpkin Donuts (Gluten-Free)

  • Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cold storage helps maintain their soft texture and prevents quick spoilage.
  • Quick Freezer Rescue: Wrap individual donuts in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. They'll stay delicious for 2-3 weeks when frozen. Thaw at room temperature for best taste.
  • Room Temperature Sweet Spot: If enjoying within 24 hours, store donuts on a covered plate at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent drying out.
  • Smart Icing Tip: Separate donuts with parchment paper when stacking to prevent the glaze from sticking together. This keeps each donut looking picture-perfect and prevents messy breakage.
Print
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Fluffy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

Fluffy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts Recipe


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4.6 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Homemade pumpkin spice donuts offer a delightful autumn treat with warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors. Gluten-free bakers can savor these moist, perfectly spiced treats that complement morning coffee or afternoon snacks.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480 ml) gluten-free 1-1 flour blend
  • 1 cup (240 g) pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) avocado oil or melted refined coconut oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml) almond milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¾ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsps cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ginger
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup (150 g) packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) almond milk
  • 1 tbsp dairy-free butter
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
  • 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly spray donut pan with cooking spray to prevent adherence.
  2. Dry Mixture: Combine gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and sea salt in a large mixing bowl, ensuring thorough blending of spices and dry ingredients.
  3. Wet Ingredients: Whisk pumpkin puree, avocado oil, brown sugar, eggs, additional sugar, almond milk, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
  4. Batter Creation: Gently fold wet ingredients into dry mixture, stirring carefully to integrate without overmixing, creating a homogeneous batter.
  5. Filling and Baking: Transfer batter to a piping bag, carefully fill donut molds three-quarters full, and bake in preheated oven for 11-12 minutes until golden-brown and springy to touch.
  6. Cooling Process: Allow donuts to rest in pan for two minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  7. Glaze Preparation: Combine brown sugar, almond milk, and dairy-free butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, incorporate vanilla extract and powdered sugar, whisking until glossy.
  8. Finishing Touch: Once donuts are completely cooled, dip each into glaze, allowing excess to drip off naturally. Return to wire rack and let icing set before serving.

Notes

  • Optimize Flour Texture: Use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for the best donut consistency and prevent crumbling.
  • Prevent Overmixing Mishap: Stir batter gently to avoid tough donuts; mix just until ingredients are combined for tender, light texture.
  • Precision Piping Technique: Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with a clean cut corner for even, professional-looking donut shapes in the pan.
  • Cooling Critical Step: Allow donuts to rest in the pan briefly before transferring to prevent breaking, ensuring perfect gluten-free donut structure.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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