Deliciously Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Donuts: Your Guilt-Free Treat or Grab-and-Go Breakfast
Are you searching for a delightful treat that satisfies your sweet tooth without derailing your healthy eating goals? Look no further! These oatmeal chocolate chip donuts are the perfect solution. Crafted to be both wholesome and incredibly tasty, they strike an ideal balance between indulgence and mindful nutrition. Packed with hearty oats and just the right amount of mini chocolate chips, they deliver a comforting sweetness that truly hits the spot.
Each of these delectable donuts is a mere 82 calories, making them an excellent choice for anyone watching their intake. For those following the Weight Watchers (WW) program, they typically range from 2-3 PersonalPoints (or 3 SmartPoints on blue & green, 2 SmartPoints on purple, or 2 points plus each), offering a fantastic, guilt-free option. Whether you need a quick grab-and-go breakfast to fuel your morning, a satisfying afternoon snack, or a light dessert to round off your day, these baked donuts are versatile enough for any occasion.
Making homemade donuts might sound intimidating, but this recipe simplifies the process, making it accessible even for novice bakers. Forget the messy deep fryer; these donuts are baked to perfection, resulting in a lighter texture and less fuss. The combination of simple, wholesome ingredients ensures a nutritious outcome, while the familiar flavors of oatmeal and chocolate chips provide a comforting and utterly delicious experience. Get ready to enjoy a batch of freshly baked donuts that taste amazing and align with your healthy lifestyle!
Essential Ingredients for Your Healthy Donut Recipe
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its reliance on readily available and simple ingredients. We’ve carefully selected components that contribute to both flavor and nutrition, making these donuts a smart choice for any time of day. Below, we’ll dive into the key ingredients and why they make these donuts so special, along with some helpful substitution tips.
- Oats: The star of the show, oats provide a wonderful hearty texture and a boost of fiber.
- Flour: The structural base for our donuts, ensuring a light yet satisfying crumb.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of warmth and sweetness without being overpowering.
- Baking Powder: Our leavening agent, giving the donuts their characteristic rise and airy texture.
- Cinnamon: A hint of spice that complements the oats and chocolate perfectly.
- Apple Sauce: A secret weapon for moisture and natural sweetness, allowing us to reduce added fats.
- Almond Milk: A dairy-free liquid that keeps the batter light.
- Vanilla: Enhances all the other flavors, adding a comforting aroma.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: These tiny morsels provide pockets of rich chocolatey goodness in every bite.
- Icing (Optional): A simple drizzle of icing can elevate the sweetness if you desire.
Ingredient Deep Dive & Smart Substitutions
Let’s take a closer look at some of these ingredients and discuss how you can adapt the recipe to your pantry or dietary needs:
Oats: The Hearty Base
For the oats, I typically opt for Quaker large flake oats. These provide a lovely, chewy texture that gives the donuts a satisfying bite. However, don’t worry if you only have quick oats on hand; they will work just as well! Quick oats will yield a slightly finer texture, but the flavor and overall goodness will remain intact. Old-fashioned (rolled) oats are fantastic for their nutritional value, providing soluble fiber that contributes to a feeling of fullness and supports digestive health. This makes your donut not just a treat, but also a source of wholesome grains.
Milk: Your Choice
This recipe calls for almond milk, which keeps the calorie count low and makes the donuts dairy-free, suitable for those with lactose intolerance or vegan preferences. However, flexibility is key in the kitchen! You can easily substitute almond milk for regular cow’s milk (skim, 1%, or 2%) if that’s what you have available or prefer. Other plant-based milks like soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk would also work beautifully, potentially adding their own subtle flavor notes.
Flour Power and Sweetness
A combination of all-purpose flour and oats forms the dry base. You could experiment with whole wheat pastry flour for an added nutritional boost, though it might result in a slightly denser donut. Brown sugar contributes a deeper, caramel-like sweetness compared to white sugar, enhancing the comforting profile of these donuts. If you’re looking to reduce sugar further, some sugar substitutes designed for baking could be considered, but be mindful of their impact on texture and overall flavor. The baking powder ensures these donuts are light and fluffy, rather than dense and heavy, perfectly complementing the rich oats and chocolate.
The Magic of Applesauce and Vanilla
Applesauce is a fantastic ingredient in healthy baking, acting as a natural sweetener and a fat substitute. It provides moisture without the need for excessive oil or butter, keeping the donuts incredibly light and tender. Make sure to use unsweetened applesauce to control the sugar content. Vanilla extract, while seemingly minor, plays a huge role in rounding out the flavors, adding a warmth and depth that makes these donuts truly irresistible. Don’t skip it!
Chocolate Chips: The Essential Indulgence
Mini chocolate chips are specified for a reason! Their smaller size ensures that you get a burst of chocolate in nearly every bite, without overwhelming the delicate oat flavor. You can use semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or even dark chocolate mini chips, depending on your preference. If you’re looking for an even healthier option, cacao nibs can provide a more intense chocolate flavor with added antioxidants, though they are less sweet.
Optional Icing: A Sweet Drizzle
For the icing, I sometimes opt for the convenience of a container of Betty Crocker whipped fluffy white frosting. A little goes a long way to add a lovely touch of sweetness and a professional finish. However, if you prefer to make your own or want to avoid store-bought options, you can easily whip up a small amount of simple vanilla icing at home. Just combine a little icing sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar) with a few drops of milk (dairy or plant-based) and a tiny splash of vanilla extract until you reach your desired drizzling consistency. The key is to add the liquid slowly, a drop at a time, to prevent it from becoming too runny.
If you do decide to add icing, remember you really don’t need much. Just a light drizzle across the top of each donut will sweeten them up beautifully without adding significant calories or points. For instance, piping just one tablespoon of homemade icing from a small zip-lock bag (with a corner snipped off) is often enough to lightly cover all six donuts. A small amount like this won’t typically add points for a single donut, but if you enjoy two donuts, it might be wise to account for an extra point for the icing.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Donuts
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup oats
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp flour
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp apple sauce
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1.5 tbsp mini chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350F, spray a 6-hole donut pan.
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In a small bowl mix all of your dry ingredients together. Ensure they are well combined to distribute the baking powder and cinnamon evenly.
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Stir in your apple sauce, milk, and vanilla. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to tough donuts. Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips last, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
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Carefully fill each cavity of your prepared donut pan. A piping bag or a spoon can be used to neatly fill the molds. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean and the edges are golden brown. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before gently removing them. You might need a knife to scrape around the edges if they stick slightly. This recipe yields 6 delicious donuts. Each donut is approximately 2-3 personal points, 3 SmartPoints on blue & green, 2 SmartPoints on purple, or 2 points plus (if following older plans). For best freshness and texture, these donuts are best stored in the fridge. Optionally, top with a light drizzle of vanilla icing. You don’t need much; I typically pipe about 1 tablespoon of icing (total for all 6 donuts) out of a small zip-lock bag with a snipped corner, which is enough for a light covering. A minimal amount of icing like this won’t add points for a single donut, but if you have two, consider adding an extra point for the combined icing.
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Nutritional information per donut (not including icing): Calories 82… Fat 1.9g… Saturated fat 0.7g… Carbs 14.8g… Fiber 1.7g… Sugars 4.9g… Protein 1.8g..
Additional Info
Tips for Perfect Baked Donuts Every Time
- Donut Pan: A non-stick donut pan is essential for easy removal. Make sure to spray it well with cooking spray, even if it’s non-stick, to prevent sticking and ensure a perfect donut shape.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in dense, tough donuts rather than light and fluffy ones.
- Filling the Pan: For neat and even donuts, transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a zip-lock bag with a corner snipped off) and pipe it into the donut cavities. This helps fill them evenly and prevents messy edges.
- Cooling: Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This allows them to firm up slightly, making them easier to handle without breaking.
- Storage: These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they store wonderfully. Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They also freeze well for longer storage; simply thaw and enjoy!
Why Choose These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Donuts?
In a world of overly indulgent sweets, these healthy oatmeal chocolate chip donuts stand out as a true game-changer. Here’s why they deserve a spot in your regular baking rotation:
- Health-Conscious: With only 82 calories per donut and low Weight Watchers points, they fit seamlessly into a balanced diet without sacrificing flavor.
- Wholesome Ingredients: Made with fiber-rich oats, natural applesauce, and minimal added sugar, you can feel good about every bite.
- Easy to Make: The baked method is simple, quick, and mess-free, perfect for busy individuals or beginner bakers. No deep-frying required!
- Versatile: Ideal as a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a light dessert, these donuts cater to various needs throughout your day.
- Deliciously Satisfying: The comforting combination of oats, cinnamon, and chocolate chips creates a treat that truly hits the spot, curbing cravings effectively.
Embrace the joy of homemade donuts with this healthy, flavorful, and easy-to-make recipe. They are proof that delicious doesn’t have to mean decadent, and healthy eating can be incredibly enjoyable.
We hope you love these healthy oatmeal chocolate chip donuts as much as we do! Don’t forget to share your creations and tag us on social media using #drizzlemeskinny. Happy baking!