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My protein waffles were such a hit recently, I thought it would be fun to make another treat with protein powder. Time to make dessert do more for you, with this protein donuts recipe! These protein packed donuts are not only filled with rich, chocolaty flavor, they’ll also keep you full for hours with a whopping 6 grams of protein which is even more than my protein-packed rice krispie treats.
Why You’ll Love This Protein Donuts Recipe
- Rich, chocolaty flavor
- Texture is a mix of cakey and chewy
- Wholesome, simple ingredients
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- 6 grams of protein per donut
- Free from sugar and gluten

What Are Protein Donuts Made Of?
Protein donuts are a healthier take on traditional homemade donuts. They usually swap all purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative and incorporate higher-protein ingredients like vanilla protein powder, Greek yogurt, or peanut butter.
These healthy protein donuts follow the same trend, and get their protein from egg whites, almond flour, and unflavored whey protein powder instead. They’re a great way to make a healthy dessert, breakfast, or snack more filling!
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose what goes into your protein powder donuts, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Protein Donuts:
- Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour – This one has a fine grind that helps it taste more like real flour — no grit!
- Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – My favorite natural, sugar-free sweetener! Other sugar alternatives may work, but this one is the best choice — it helps these chocolate donuts stay moist and cakey.
- Whey Protein Powder – The secret to high protein donuts! In gluten-free baking, protein powder also helps baked desserts hold together.
- Cocoa Powder – For double chocolate protein donuts like these, you need cocoa in the batter! Get a high-quality kind if possible.
- Psyllium Husk Powder – Helps the donuts stay soft and chewy, and adds a healthy boost of fiber.
- Baking Powder – A rising agent. Make sure it’s fresh.
- Sea Salt – Balances the sweetness.
- Butter – I use grass-fed, but get any unsalted variety you prefer. Coconut oil should also work.
- Egg Whites – Make sure they are at room temperature. You can use the extra yolks for other recipes, like keto custard or hollandaise sauce.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds richer flavor.
- Boiling Water – Helps the psyllium expand and work properly.
Chocolate Glaze:
- ChocZero Sugar-Free Milk Chocolate Chips – I used milk chocolate for my glaze since the donuts themselves are already so rich, but you can also use ChocZero dark chocolate chips instead.
- Coconut Oil – Makes the glaze smoother for dipping.

How To Make Protein Donuts
This section shows how to make glazed protein donuts with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, Besti, protein powder, cocoa powder, psyllium, baking powder, and salt. (Using a whisk helps break up any lumps.)
- Add wet ingredients. Stir in butter, egg whites, and vanilla. A smooth, thin dough will form.


- Add boiling water. While beating with a hand mixer, slowly pour in boiling water. Mix completely, then allow the donut batter to sit for five minutes to thicken.
- Transfer. Divide dough into 6 sections, roll into logs, and place into greased donut molds or a donut pan. (You can grease using butter, coconut oil, or your favorite clean-ingredient cooking spray.) Seal into circles.
TIP: If the batter/dough is a little too runny to roll into logs, just spoon batter evenly into the donut pan. The consistency can vary depending on your kitchen temperature, but this protein powder donut recipe will work either way.


- Bake. Bake in the oven until an inserted toothpick comes out nearly clean (a little batter left on the toothpick is okay, as long as it’s not very wet). Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then run a small silicone spatula along the inner and outer edges, and twist the donuts to release.
- Glaze. In a double boiler, gently melt chocolate chips and coconut oil, then cool slightly. Remove donuts from the pan and dip each donut in glaze, swirling to coat.


- Cool. Let the donuts cool to set the glaze. (You can cool on a cooling rack or any surface, really.)

Frequently Asked Questions
Are protein donuts good for you?
Most protein donuts are probably good for you, but they can still be high in sugar or carbs. This protein powder donut recipe is most definitely good for you, since it uses real food ingredients and contains no sugar or gluten.
How to make protein donuts moist?
Fat in the batter and baking for the right amount of time are the two keys to helping protein donuts retain their moisture. In this recipe, butter keeps them moist. Also, remember to take them out when a toothpick comes out almost – but not completely – clean. If you wait for the toothpick to be totally dry, your donuts will be too dry as well.
Are protein donuts vegan?
You can certainly find vegan protein donut recipes available — check what is in them to be sure. Since these donuts contain whey, butter, and eggs, they are not vegan.
How many carbs are in protein donuts?
Carbs in protein donut recipes vary widely depending on what is in them. This recipe is low carb and also suitable for a keto diet, at just 3.2 grams net carbs per serving.
Can I make them dairy free?
Yes, you can swap the whey protein powder with egg white protein powder and swap the butter with coconut oil.
Can I use coconut flour?
No, sorry coconut flour will not work in this recipe. If you have a nut allergy, you could try swapping the almond flour with sunflower seed meal.

Protein Donut Variations
These are one of my favorite recipes because they’re so fun to customize! Try these flavor combos:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter – Trade milk chocolate chips for peanut butter chips.
- Birthday Cake – Swap vanilla extract for almond extract, use vanilla protein powder instead of plain powder, omit cocoa powder, and trade milk chocolate chips for white chocolate chips. Top with sprinkles, if desired.
- Chocolate Raspberry – Gently press halved raspberries into the dough before baking. Swap milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips.
I’m also going to have classic vanilla protein donuts in my upcoming 2nd cookbook. If you want to be notified when it’s available, sign up here for a free low carb food list and I’ll send you an email when the book is ready.
Storage Instructions
- To store: Place donuts without glaze in an airtight container at room temperature. Glaze before serving, if possible.
- To freeze: Freeze donuts without glaze in a freezer-safe ziplock bag or container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

More High Protein Chocolate Recipes
Make chocolate do more for you! Try it with an extra boost in these dishes.
- Chocolate Protein Bars
- Protein Mug Cake
- Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
- Protein Chocolate Muffins
- Keto Lava Cake
- Chocolate Protein Pancakes
Tools To Make Chocolate Protein Donuts
- ChocZero Milk Chocolate Chips – The ONLY brand I’ll use for these donuts!
- Donut Pan – Helps make perfectly shaped donuts, and releases them easily. This one is also an ideal size for this recipe, so if you use a different one, keep in mind that you may end up with a different number of donuts.
- Hand Mixer – Incorporates the dough with ease.
The Best Protein Donut Recipe
Healthy Protein Donuts Recipe (Double Chocolate)
Make protein donuts that taste like the real thing! This protein donut recipe is moist, chocolaty, and chewy, but sugar-free & gluten-free.
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Donuts:
Glaze:
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Grease a nonstick metal donut pan generously.
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In a large bowl, stir together the almond flour, Besti, protein powder, cocoa powder, psyllium, baking powder, and sea salt.
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Stir in the butter, egg whites, and vanilla, until a uniform dough forms.
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Pour in the boiling water while beating with a hand mixer at low speed for about a minute. The dough will absorb the water. Don’t over-mix. Let the dough sit for about 5 minutes to thicken.
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Divide the dough into six sections. Use oiled hands to roll a log out of the dough, place into the greased donut pan, and seal the ends to make a circle. Smooth the batter on top. Repeat with all six sections.
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Bake for 15-18 minutes, until dark golden brown on top and an inserted toothpick comes out almost clean (not totally clean is okay). Allow donuts to cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
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Run a small silicone spatula along the edges of the donut pan, on the outsides of the donuts and inside the donut holes. Gentle slide the spatula underneath the donuts to release. Cool completely on a cooling rack or plate before glazing.
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When the donuts have cooled, make the glaze. In a double boiler on the stove, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil, and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and let the glaze cool for a couple of minutes – you want it to thicken just slightly, but still be pretty runny.
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Dip the more rounded side (the bottom side that was against the donut pan) of each donut into the glaze and swirl around to coat. Glaze will firm up as it cools.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 glazed donut
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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41 Comments
Serene
0Love the idea of adding protein powder to a keto donut! I would like to make these more generic, like a vanilla flavor. Do you have any recommendations on adjusting the ingredients so I can omit using the cocoa powder?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Serene, I have never done that so I don’t have any recommendations.
Sandy
0Great recipe, we loved them. I overcooked a bit, and will reduce cooking time to 12 or 13 minutes next time…operator error! Lol!
John Dawkins
0Would these turn out almost as good without the Psyllium Husk Powder?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi John, No, sorry, the psyllium is necessary for moisture balance and it’s what gives them that chewy donut texture. They wouldn’t turn out if you omit it. If you want a cake donut without psyllium, try these keto donuts instead.
Ghant
0Didn’t like the cake part. Weird taste. Wasn’t very sweet (the cake). Didn’t feel like I was replacing a real donut.
Shirley
0Hi, I’m new to this site and was wondering if I could omit the whey protein in these chocolate donuts? Would it hurt the recipe?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Shirley, I do not recommend skipping the whey protein in this recipe.
Katie
0I love that there is a higher protein option for donuts. I’m trying to incorporate more protein in my diet and these are perfect!
Jeanette Richter
0Hi Maya,
I wasn’t able to get the recipe right. The dough was loose more like cake batter. No rolling out on this one. Also came out a little to try. They did taste good Came out like cupcakes.
Thanks Jeanette
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Jeanette, Rolling the dough is not necessary. Depending on your kitchen temperature, you may still have a batter-like consistency to spoon into your donut wells. These donuts are more like cake donuts, so it sounds like you got a good result.
Jeanette
0Thanks I live in Az, but we keep the house @77° Do you think cooking them too long would make them come out dry.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Jeanette, Yes, overbaking can cause these donuts to come out dry. Next time you make this recipe, try testing them for doneness about 5 minutes earlier and adjust as necessary.
Jamie
0Incredible! I’m looking forward to having these with my morning coffee and double points for being a great source of protein!
Cathleen
0I love making homemade donuts, so this was right up my alley!
Liz
0This seems like the perfect excuse to make and eat some donuts!
adriana
0A very clever way to bake chocolate donuts and include protein. I bet this is a perfect option for those looking into more protein in their meals. Most definitely I would eat a donut rather than a protein drink. I will need to try the recipe soon.
Julia
0Honestly we NEVER get donuts because it’s such a guilty pleasure, but making these “healthier” protein donuts give me a dessert I can always sneak in after a meal every day. I think experimenting with my different flavored protein powders will be super fun!
Natalia
0I love healthy donuts specially if they are loaded with proteins. I tend to choose proteins over carbs so this recipe is perfect for my diet. Printed to make it as soon as I buy the whey powder, the only ingredient I’m lacking. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Jenny
0I tried these donuts, and I just had to come back to comment. We loved them! We could not believe they were healthy donuts, they were fantastic! This one goes into our recipe collection. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Kayla
0These protein donuts were so delicious! I normally shy away from protein powder because it can taste chalky but it didn’t, these were great!
Angie
0Since I don’t own a donut pan, could you make donut holes instead?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Angie, I have not tested this recipe in any other type of pan. My only concern with donut holes are the donut batter would probably spread out on the pan and not stay in a donut hole shape.
Amy
0Protein Donuts…yes please! So chocolatey and rich!
Devon
0Could I sub the whey protein powder with egg white protein powder? Thanks!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Devon, I have not personally tried this but it may work. Please let us know your results if you decide to give it a try.
Heather
0“Healthy” and “donuts” are usually not in the same sentence, and you’ve really made magic with this recipe! So lovely and indulgent 🙂 Thanks for the great tips!
Linda
0Anything with chocolate is my favorite, especially when it’s low-carb like this!
Scarlet
0Wow. These were kind of mind blowing. So many unusual ingredients came together to be such tasty donuts and high in protein. Yay!
Bernice
0These protein donuts sound amazing. Don’t think I would be able to resist!!
Swathi
0Looks delicious!
Suzanne Ball
0I know it says metal pan, but could I use the silicone donut molds I have?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Suzanne, I have not tested this recipe using a silicone donut pan. Please let us know how they turn out if you decide to give it a try!
Kristyn
0All the health benefits I’d want in a donut!! And, you can’t even tell!! So, so good!!
Colleen
0You can’t go wrong with double chocolate! I can’t believe how easy these protein donuts are to make and they are healthy but delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Natalie
0Protein donuts?! Yes, please!! Thank you for sharing this!! Super yummy!
Shelby
0These are so delicious! They were super easy to bake and the whole family loved them.
Toni
0This is so good! And perfect that it’s healthy and easy to make!
Fran
0We loved these donuts so much! Thank you!
Camille
0Love this so much!
Suzy
0Delish! These are so filling, so decadent, and so good! Loved how easy they were to put together!