Soft, moist, and lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, these Vegan Zucchini Donuts taste like your favorite zucchini bread in a fun, bakery-style ring. They are baked, not fried, made in one bowl, and topped with a simple maple vanilla glaze or a dusting of cinnamon sugar. They are also a clever way to use up the zucchini in your garden or fridge.
Grated zucchini disappears into the batter, adding moisture and a tender crumb without any vegetable flavor. You will only notice a soft, cake-like donut with warm spice and a hint of sweetness. A flax egg and a little oil replace the eggs and dairy, while baking powder and baking soda give the donuts a gentle rise.
The batter takes about 10 minutes to mix. Spoon or pipe it into a donut pan, bake for about 15 minutes, and you will have a dozen golden donuts. A quick glaze of powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla sets in minutes for that classic donut-shop finish.
They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunchboxes, and snack time, and kids love helping to dip them in glaze. They also freeze well, so you can keep a batch ready for busy mornings.
These donuts are 100% vegan, dairy-free, and egg-free, and easy to make gluten-free with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Recipe Information
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 mins | 15 mins | 30 mins (plus cooling) | 12 donuts | ~190 kcal each |
Ingredients
For the Zucchini Donuts
- 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100g) coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, rested 5 minutes)
- ½ cup (120ml) unsweetened plant milk
- ¼ cup (60ml) neutral oil or melted vegan butter
- ¼ cup (60ml) maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (about 130g) finely grated zucchini, squeezed very dry
- ¼ cup (30g) chopped walnuts or raisins (optional)
For the Maple Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp unsweetened plant milk
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
For Cinnamon Sugar Coating (Optional)
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp melted vegan butter
To Serve
- Hot coffee or tea
- Fresh berries
- Vegan yogurt
- A glass of cold plant milk
Optional Additions
- Mini chocolate chips
- Orange zest
- Crushed pecans on top
- A pinch of ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-cavity donut pan well with oil or vegan butter.
- Squeeze the zucchini. Grate the zucchini on the small holes of a box grater and squeeze it in a clean towel until very dry.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Mix the wet ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the flax egg, plant milk, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the zucchini.
- Combine. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and stir until just combined. Fold in the nuts. Do not overmix.
- Fill the pan. Spoon the batter into a piping bag or zip-top bag, snip the corner, and pipe into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
- Bake. Bake for 13–16 minutes, until the donuts spring back when pressed and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely before glazing.
- Glaze. Whisk the glaze ingredients until smooth, adding milk a little at a time. Dip the tops of the donuts and let them set for 10 minutes.
- Serve. Enjoy fresh the same day, or store as directed.
Pro Tips for the Best Zucchini Donuts
- Squeeze the zucchini. Too much moisture makes dense, gummy donuts.
- Grate it finely. Small shreds blend into the batter.
- Grease the pan well. Donut pans can stick.
- Use a piping bag. It fills the pan cleanly and evenly.
- Do not overbake. Pull them as soon as they spring back.
- Cool before glazing. A warm donut melts the glaze.
- Let the glaze set. This gives a firm, shiny finish.
Why Zucchini Donuts Are a Smart Treat
Zucchini adds moisture, fiber, and vitamin C without making the donuts taste vegetal, and baking instead of frying uses far less oil. Coconut sugar and maple syrup add flavor with a more natural sweetness, and cinnamon brings warm spice.
They are still a sweet treat, but they are made without eggs or dairy and have no cholesterol. Each donut has about 3 grams of plant protein.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate Zucchini Donuts: Replace 3 tablespoons of flour with cocoa powder and add chocolate chips.
- Lemon Zucchini Donuts: Add lemon zest and use a lemon glaze.
- Zucchini Bread Donuts: Add walnuts and a cinnamon glaze.
- Zucchini Donut Holes: Bake in a mini muffin tin for 10–12 minutes.
Nutritional Highlights (Per Donut, With Glaze)
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fiber | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~190 kcal | 3g | 32g | 1g | 6g |
Storage
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before eating.
- Freezer: Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 3 months. Thaw and glaze before serving.
- Make ahead: Bake the donuts the day before and glaze in the morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these without a donut pan?
Yes. Bake the batter in a mini muffin tin for donut holes, or in a regular muffin tin for muffins, adjusting the time.
Can you taste the zucchini?
No. The zucchini gives moisture and a soft texture, but its flavor disappears in the spiced batter.
Do I need to peel the zucchini?
No. The skin blends in. Peel it if you want a lighter color.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes. Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum.
Can I fry them instead?
This batter is made for baking. For fried donuts, a yeasted dough works better.
How are these different from your apple cinnamon muffins?
These are ring-shaped baked donuts with a glaze and grated zucchini, while our Vegan Apple Cinnamon Muffins are a heartier, fruit-filled muffin.
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out! Tag us on Instagram and Facebook — we love seeing your plant-powered creations. Looking for more easy vegan breakfasts? Browse all recipes on Easy Vegan Recipes — new recipes posted every single week!