Doughnuts are a beloved sweet treat enjoyed around the world. The classic doughnut is made by deep-frying sweetened dough in oil and then coating it in sugar or glaze. Traditional doughnut recipes call for ingredients like butter, milk, and eggs, which means they are not suitable for people who avoid dairy. However, there are a variety of ways to make dairy-free doughnuts at home or to find them in bakeries and restaurants. With some simple substitutions and adjustments to the recipe, you can enjoy fluffy, sweet doughnuts without the dairy.
What makes standard doughnuts not dairy-free?
Most traditional doughnut recipes contain some type of dairy product that gives the doughnuts their classic texture and taste. Here are some of the main dairy ingredients used:
– Milk – Often used to add moisture and tenderness to doughnut dough. The proteins in milk also contribute to the structure and rise of the fried dough.
– Butter – Gives doughnuts a rich flavor and can help create a crispy exterior when fried. Butter is a key ingredient in the dough for cake doughnuts.
– Eggs – Used as a leavening agent to help doughnuts rise when fried. The proteins in eggs also affect the structure of the dough.
– Buttermilk – Sometimes used to give a tangy flavor and contribute to a tender texture.
– Cream cheese – A main ingredient in filled doughnuts. The creamy cheese filling provides a rich contrast to the fried dough.
– Powdered sugar – The powdered sugar coating brushed on or tossed in granulated sugar after frying often contains cornstarch, which may be derived from corn cooked in dairy products.
So a standard doughnut contains dairy in some form, whether in the dough itself or in the various glazes, fillings, and toppings. This makes traditional recipes unsuitable for those avoiding dairy due to diet, health issues, or ethical reasons.
Why choose dairy-free doughnuts?
There are a few key reasons why someone may want or need to avoid dairy when eating doughnuts:
– Dairy allergies or intolerances – Milk allergies affect about 2.5% of children under age 3. Lactose intolerance, meaning difficulty digesting milk sugars, is also common. Even small amounts of dairy can cause reactions.
– Vegan diet – Vegans do not consume animal products, including eggs and dairy. Making doughnuts dairy-free allows vegans to enjoy the treat.
– Health conditions – Some digestive conditions and autoimmune diseases are managed by avoiding dairy.
– Weight concerns – Skipping dairy products can help reduce overall calorie and fat intake.
– Ethical reasons – Some people choose to avoid dairy products derived from animals for ethical reasons regarding animal rights or environmental impact.
Dairy-free doughnuts allow those with dairy restrictions for health, ethical or other reasons to take part in enjoying the tasty treat.
How to make dairy-free doughnuts
The basic method of making doughnuts is still the same whether they contain dairy or not. The key steps include:
1. Making a dough – This forms the base of the doughnut. Gluten-free flours can substitute for regular wheat flour.
2. Proofing the dough – Allowing the dough to rest and rise prior to frying. Yeast helps dough rise without dairy products.
3. Shaping doughnuts – Rolling the dough and cutting into rounds or shaping by hand.
4. Frying doughnuts – Cooking in oil at the right temperature to make them crispy outside and soft inside.
5. Finishing touches – Glazing, icing, or adding other toppings once fried.
However, some adjustments are needed to make sure dairy-free doughnuts come out with the same taste, texture, and appearance as traditional versions. Here are some tips:
– Choose plant-based milk – Nondairy milks like almond, coconut, oat, or soy work well in place of regular milk. They provide moisture and binding.
– Swap out butter – Non-hydrogenated vegetable oils or vegan butters maintain moisture and richness without dairy.
– Replace eggs – Applesauce, banana, vinegars, and commercial egg replacers bind and leaven baked goods.
– Skip powdered sugar – Opt for doughnut glazes made without powdered sugar or make your own from powdered sugar that hasn’t been processed with dairy products.
– Fill creatively – Use lightly sweetened nut butters, fruit purees, or vegan cream cheese for nondairy fillings.
With the right substitutions and adjustments, doughnuts without dairy ingredients can taste just as amazing!
Dairy-free doughnut recipe
This basic doughnut recipe excludes all dairy products, resulting in light and fluffy dairy-free doughnuts that everyone can enjoy:
Ingredients
– 3 cups gluten-free or all-purpose flour
– 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
– 3⁄4 cup unsweetened almond milk, lukewarm
– 1⁄4 cup aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas) or 2 flax eggs
– 1⁄4 cup coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
– 1 1⁄2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt until well combined. Create a well in the center.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the almond milk, aquafaba or flax eggs, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the well in the dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together just until a sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
4. On a floured surface, roll the dough to 1⁄2 inch thickness. Using a doughnut cutter or biscuit cutter, cut into doughnut rounds. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gather scraps and reroll to cut more doughnuts.
5. Heat at least 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F in a large pot. Fry doughnuts 2-3 at a time for 1-2 minutes per side until deeply golden. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
6. While still warm, toss doughnuts in cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar or glaze. Enjoy!
Tips
– The aquafaba adds lightness, but flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water, per egg) also work well.
– Let the fried doughnuts drain on a rack or paper towels to absorb any extra grease.
– Customize your dairy-free doughnuts with chocolate or fruit glazes, crushed nuts, coconut, or sprinkles on top.
– Baked versions are lower in fat. Bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Best dairy-free doughnut glazes
Glazes and toppings make doughnuts extra special. Here are some great dairy-free glaze ideas:
Vanilla glaze
– 1 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar
– 1⁄4 cup hot water or nondairy milk
– 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Dip tops of doughnuts in glaze or drizzle over.
Chocolate glaze
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
– 3-4 tablespoons hot water or nondairy milk
Mix together all ingredients until smooth. Dunk doughnut tops in glaze.
Maple glaze
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 3 tablespoons maple syrup
– 1-2 tablespoons hot water
Whisk together ingredients until a thick but pourable glaze forms. Pour glaze over doughnuts.
Fruit glaze
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1⁄4 cup fruit puree like raspberry, strawberry, or mango
– 1-2 tablespoons hot water
Stir powdered sugar and fruit puree until combined, adding water as needed for drizzling consistency.
Easy dairy-free toppings
Beyond glazes, doughnuts can be finished with a variety of dairy-free toppings:
– Cinnamon sugar – Toss hot doughnuts in a mixture of 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
– Coconut – Roll edges of glazed doughnuts in shredded coconut.
– Chopped nuts – Coat doughnuts with chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
– Sprinkles – Decorate glazed doughnuts with colorful dairy-free sprinkles.
– Crushed cookies – Roll sides of doughnuts in crushed dairy-free Oreos or other cookies.
– Dried fruit – Coat doughnut tops with chopped dried fruit like apricots, cherries, or blueberries.
– Crumbled bacon – Top savory doughnuts with dairy-free bacon bits.
– Sea salt – Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on plain, vanilla, or chocolate glazed doughnuts.
With assorted glazes and fun toppings, dairy-free doughnuts can be just as appetizing as traditional versions. Let your creativity run wild!
Non-dairy fillings for doughnuts
In addition to glazes and toppings, filled doughnuts need a creamy nondairy filling. Here are some options:
Fruit jam fillings
Any flavor of fruit jam or preserve makes an easy filling. Simply spoon into a piping bag and fill doughnuts. Popular options include strawberry, raspberry, apricot, and orange marmalade.
Coconut cream filling
Mix 1 cup coconut cream with 2-3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar and 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract. Pipe into doughnuts just before serving.
Chocolate hazelnut filling
Process 1⁄2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread with 1⁄4 cup coconut cream and 1⁄4 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag to fill doughnuts.
Vanilla nut butter filling
Whisk together 1⁄2 cup smooth nut butter, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt. Pipe into baked doughnut holes.
Lemon curd filling
Stir together 1⁄2 cup nondairy lemon curd and 1-2 tablespoons coconut cream until smooth. Use to fill cooled doughnuts.
Endless dairy-free filling options can take doughnuts up a notch!
Where to find dairy-free doughnuts
Thanks to the rise in dairy-free eating, premade dairy-free doughnuts are easier than ever to find in grocery stores and restaurants, including:
– Specialty bakeries – Many bakeries now offer vegan or dairy-free doughnuts, sometimes with advance ordering. Check your local bakeries.
– Donut shops – Trendy donut shops like Voodoo Doughnut have dairy-free options. Their locations are expanding nationwide.
– Grocery stores – Kroger, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and others carry dairy-free doughnuts in the bakery section.
– Coffee shops – Starbucks offers doughnuts and other baked goods that can be customized dairy-free.
– Food trucks/stands – Keep an eye out for mobile doughnut shops advertising dairy-free options.
– Restaurants – IHOP, Dunkin Donuts and others now serve dairy-free doughnuts on request.
Be sure to ask about hidden dairy like powdered sugar or shared fryer oil. With growing demand, dairy-free doughnuts are getting easier than ever to find!
Are there health benefits to dairy-free doughnuts?
Going dairy-free does remove some of the nutrition concerns associated with doughnuts, but they still are a treat high in sugar, fat, and calories. Some potential benefits of dairy-free doughnuts include:
– Fewer calories – Dairy-free doughnuts may be lower in calories than milk-based ones. Making them at home lets you control the ingredients.
– Less saturated fat – Using vegetable oil instead of butter lowers the saturated fat content compared to regular doughnuts.
– No cholesterol – Dairy products contain dietary cholesterol, so avoiding them eliminates that.
– Added fiber – When using whole grains like gluten-free or wheat flour, dairy-free doughnuts contain more fiber than cake doughnuts.
– No lactose – Lactose intolerant people can enjoy dairy-free doughnuts worry-free.
– Vegan – Dairy-free doughnuts contain no animal products, aligning with vegan diets.
However, doughnuts are still a sugary, high-carb, high-fat food. Portion control and moderation, even when dairy-free, are important. Overall, dairy-free doughnuts can be an slightly healthier option, but all doughnuts should be an occasional treat.
Potential drawbacks of dairy-free doughnuts
Although dairy-free doughnuts avoid common allergens and animal products, there are some potential downsides to keep in mind:
– Dryness – Without milk and butter, doughnuts may turn out drier and less tender if not carefully formulated.
– Crumbliness – Doughnuts made with alternative flours may be more prone to crumbling, especially when gluten-free.
– Off tastes – Some nondairy milks and egg substitutes introduce different aftertastes. Coconut oil also imparts a subtle coconut flavor.
– Shorter shelf-life – Dairy ingredients help extend the shelf-life of baked goods. Dairy-free doughnuts are best eaten fresh.
– Limited availability – Not all shops offer dairy-free options and finding them while traveling or in rural areas can be difficult.
– Higher price – Premade dairy-free doughnuts sometimes cost more than regular versions, especially from boutique bakeries.
– Less nutrition – Dairy products provide protein and calcium, so avoiding them removes those nutrients. Fortified nondairy milks help offset this.
With proper techniques and ingredients, the drawbacks of dryness and texture can be minimized in homemade versions. Being aware of potential challenges helps ensure success with dairy-free doughnuts.
Are there good nut-free options?
Tree nuts and peanuts are other common food allergens. Luckily, many tasty dairy-free doughnut recipes avoid nuts altogether:
– Use soy, oat or other plant milks – Almond and coconut milk can be swapped for nut-free options.
– Replace nut flours – Gluten-free oat flour or chickpea flour work instead of almond or pecan flour.
– Skip nut toppings – Use seeds like chia or flax instead of chopped nuts for toppings.
– Choose seed butters – Sunflower seed or pumpkin seed butter fillings avoid nuts.
– Use coconut cream – Whipped coconut cream can stand in for nut-based fillings.
– Fry in vegetable oil – Peanut oil is easily replaced with oils like canola or soybean.
– Top with fruit – Fresh berries, mango, and other fruits make nut-free alternatives to nuts.
– Add chocolate – Dairy-free chocolate, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips pair well with doughnuts.
With so many nut-free options for dairy-free dough, fillings, and toppings, those avoiding nuts need not miss out on enjoying doughnuts. Being aware of ingredients and substitutions creates inclusiveness.
Conclusion
Doughnuts are meant to be enjoyed by all, and today there are more dairy-free options than ever before. With some adjustments to ingredients and techniques, you can make or find doughnuts without milk, butter or eggs that are just as delicious. A world of glazes, toppings and fillings means dairy-free doughnuts can be customized to suit any taste or diet. Whip up a batch to share with family and friends, or seek out bakeries offering inclusivity. Dairy-free dessert lovers, doughnut devotees and all foodies can now experience these sweet fried treats. So go ahead and satisfy that doughnut craving, whether you avoid dairy or not!
