Indulge Guilt-Free: The Ultimate Healthy & Easy Chocolate Glazed Donut Recipe

Forget everything you thought you knew about making donuts. You might have seen countless recipes online, but this one for healthy chocolate glazed donuts stands out for all the right reasons. Not only is it surprisingly healthy, but it’s also incredibly simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy mornings or an impromptu sweet craving. With just a few basic ingredients – many of which are likely already in your pantry – and approximately 20-30 minutes of your time, you can whip up a batch of warm, freshly glazed donuts. There’s no lengthy waiting for batter to rise, no messy rolling, and no complicated steps. It’s as straightforward as mixing your ingredients and spooning the batter into a donut pan.

The beauty of a homemade chocolate glazed donut is its versatility. It perfectly complements any time of day, whether you’re looking for a delightful breakfast treat, a satisfying mid-morning snack, an afternoon pick-me-up, or even a guilt-free dessert before bed. Because this particular recipe is designed with health in mind, clocking in at just 5 Weight Watchers points per donut and a mere 110 calories, you truly can enjoy it whenever the craving strikes without worrying about consuming empty calories or derailing your healthy eating goals. This makes it an ideal choice for maintaining balance while still indulging in your favorite sweets.

Why You Need to Make These Healthy Chocolate Glazed Donuts Today!

Making your own donuts might seem daunting, but this recipe offers compelling benefits that make it an absolute must-try:

1. Enjoy Fresh Donuts Anytime, Guilt-Free

Imagine waking up to the aroma of warm, freshly baked donuts without ever having to leave your house or wait in line at a donut shop. With this easy recipe, that dream becomes a reality. You control the ingredients, ensuring a healthier treat, and you can satisfy your donut cravings the moment they hit. No more longing for a “Hot N Ready” sign – simply mix, bake, glaze, and enjoy a warm, soft donut whenever you please, knowing it aligns with your wellness goals.

2. Significantly Save Money on Your Sweet Cravings

While a single donut might not break the bank, buying them regularly can certainly add up. This homemade chocolate glazed donut recipe uses common, inexpensive pantry staples, eliminating the need for any fancy or costly ingredients. You can produce a batch of six delicious donuts for a fraction of the cost of purchasing them from a bakery or coffee shop. It’s an economical way to enjoy a gourmet-quality treat right in your own kitchen, allowing you to save money without compromising on flavor.

3. Slash Calories and Sugar Without Sacrificing Flavor

This is where this recipe truly shines. Each chocolate glazed donut made with this recipe contains approximately 110 calories and a mere 5 grams of sugar. Compare that to a typical store-bought chocolate glazed donut, like those from popular chains, which can easily contain upwards of 290 calories and 30 grams of sugar or more. This substantial difference means you can enjoy a delightful treat that satisfies your sweet tooth while actively contributing to your health and dietary goals. You can feel good about making a choice that supports your well-being, proving that healthy eating doesn’t mean giving up your favorite indulgences.

Essential Ingredients for Your Healthy Chocolate Glazed Donuts

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these delightful treats. This recipe keeps it simple, focusing on common pantry items that come together to form a rich, moist donut base and a smooth, sweet glaze. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 egg (provides structure and moisture)
• 2 Tbsp sugar (for sweetness in the donut batter)
• 1/2 cup milk (we recommend 1% for a lighter touch, but any milk works)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (enhances flavor)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (the base for our donut)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (delivers rich chocolate flavor)
• 1 tsp baking powder (the leavening agent for a fluffy donut)

FOR THE GLAZE:

• 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar (also known as icing sugar, for a smooth glaze)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (adds a touch of warmth to the glaze)
• 2 Tbsp warm water (to achieve the perfect dipping consistency)

How to Make Healthy Chocolate Glazed Donuts (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of delicious and healthy chocolate glazed donuts:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Donut Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, lightly spray a 6-hole donut tin with a nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures your donuts won’t stick and will release easily after baking.
2. Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the egg and sugar. Whisk them together vigorously until the mixture becomes noticeably lighter in color and slightly fluffy. This incorporates air, which contributes to a tender donut. Next, whisk in the milk and vanilla extract until everything is well combined and smooth.
3. Gently Fold in Dry Ingredients: To the wet mixture, gently fold in the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and baking powder. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as the dry ingredients are just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough donuts. For best results and to avoid a messy process, transfer the donut batter into a piping bag or a large zip-top bag. If using a zip-top bag, simply snip a corner off to create an opening. Pipe the batter evenly into each circle of the prepared donut pan, aiming for consistent sizes to ensure even baking.
4. Bake and Cool: Place the donut tin in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 16 minutes. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack. Cooling on a wire rack allows air to circulate, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy.
5. Prepare and Apply the Glaze: While the donuts cool, prepare your glaze. Find a small, flat plate with slightly raised sides – this makes dipping much easier. In the plate, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and warm water until the sugar is completely dissolved and you have a smooth, pourable glaze. Dip both sides of each cooled donut into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off briefly. Then, return the glazed donuts to the wire rack. Place a sheet of parchment paper or a tray underneath the rack to catch any glaze drippings and minimize cleanup.
6. Set and Store: Allow the glaze to set and dry completely on the donuts on the wire rack. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on the humidity. Once the glaze is firm, store the donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for optimal freshness.

This recipe yields 6 delectable donuts. Nutritional information per donut: Calories 110, Fat 2g, Saturated fat 0.4g, Carbs 21g, Fiber 1.6g, Sugars 5g, Sodium 105mg, Protein 4g.

Weight Watchers (WW) Points for These Donuts

One of the fantastic aspects of this recipe is its alignment with Weight Watchers plans, making it an excellent choice for those managing their intake. These chocolate glazed donuts are calculated to be just 5 points per donut using the WW app recipe creator. For those on older versions of the Weight Watchers program, here’s a breakdown of the points:

• Egg: 0 points
• Sugar: 7 points
• 1% milk: 2 points
• Vanilla: 0 points
• All-Purpose flour: 6 points
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: 2 points
• Baking powder: 0 points
• Confectioners’ sugar: 12 points

Using the WW recipe builder, these donuts come out to:

• Personal Points: 4
• Freestyle SmartPoints (Blue, Green & Purple): 4
• PointsPlus: 3

This low point value allows you to enjoy a satisfying treat without feeling deprived, proving that healthy eating can still be delicious and enjoyable!

Creative Ways to Customize Your Chocolate Glazed Donuts

While delicious as is, this recipe is incredibly versatile and can be easily adapted to suit your taste or the occasion. Get creative with these variations:

• Add More Chocolate: For the ultimate chocolate lover, stir in a handful of mini chocolate chips (dark, milk, or white) into the donut batter before baking. A little extra chocolate never hurts!
• Boost the Protein: Swap out a portion of the cocoa powder (or even some flour) for a scoop of your favorite protein powder. Vanilla or chocolate protein powder works best. Vegan protein powders often bake better than whey, producing a less dry result. This turns your donut into a “muscled-up” treat, perfect for post-workout or a more filling snack.
• Reduce Sugar (and WW Points): If you’re looking to cut down on sugar even further, try using Swerve Confectioners’ Sugar (or another erythritol-based powdered sweetener) instead of regular confectioners’ sugar for the glaze. This simple swap can save you approximately 2 points per donut, bringing each donut down to just 3 WW points!
• Seasonal Decorations: Donuts are fantastic year-round, but they can also be transformed for special occasions. Use colorful sprinkles for birthdays, red, white, and blue for national holidays, orange and black for Halloween, or crushed peppermint for a festive Christmas treat.
• Flavorful Glaze Variations: Experiment with different extracts to change up the glaze flavor. While vanilla is a classic, almond extract pairs beautifully with chocolate for a sophisticated twist. Mint or peppermint extract can create a refreshing and festive chocolate-mint donut. A touch of orange zest or extract could also provide a wonderful citrusy complement to the rich chocolate.

Expert Tips & Tricks for Perfect Healthy Chocolate Glazed Donuts

Mastering these donuts is easy with a few insider tips:

• Freezing for Future Enjoyment: These donuts freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for meal prep or unexpected cravings. To freeze, first place the cooled, glazed donuts on a baking sheet and flash-freeze them for about 30 minutes until slightly firm. Then, wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap, ensuring it’s airtight. Finally, place all the wrapped donuts into a large freezer-safe zip-top bag. When you’re ready for a treat, simply pull one out and let it thaw at room temperature on the countertop.
• Optimal Storage for Freshness: While storing these donuts in the fridge is possible, it can sometimes dry them out slightly. For the best texture and flavor, store your chocolate glazed donuts in a sealed, airtight container at room temperature for 1-3 days. If you don’t plan to eat them all within this timeframe, freezing them is the superior option to maintain their moistness.
• Recalculating Glaze Points: If you find that a significant amount of glaze drips off your donuts during the setting process, you can easily adjust your Weight Watchers points or calorie count. Simply recalculate the nutrition based on using only ¼ cup of confectioners’ sugar (or the amount you estimate was actually consumed). Since the dripped glaze isn’t eaten, you’re not intaking those calories, allowing for even greater accuracy in your tracking.
• Batch Baking Wisdom: If you’re planning to make multiple batches but only have one donut pan, it’s crucial to prepare individual batches of the batter just before baking each tray. Baking powder is a fast-acting leavening agent, and its potency diminishes quickly once mixed with wet ingredients. If the batter sits too long before cooking, the baking powder will lose its power, resulting in donuts that don’t rise as much and have a denser texture. Mix, pipe, and bake one pan at a time for consistently fluffy donuts.

More Healthy Baked Good Recipes to Explore

If you loved making these healthy chocolate glazed donuts, you’ll surely enjoy these other delightful recipes:

• Apple Fritter Bread
• Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Donuts
• Sour Cream Donuts

We hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe for healthy chocolate glazed donuts. They are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet cravings without the guilt, offering a fresh, homemade alternative to store-bought treats. Give them a try and discover your new favorite go-to recipe!