Delicious & Healthy Pumpkin Strudel Donuts: Your Guilt-Free Fall Treat!

As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, there’s one flavor that reigns supreme: pumpkin spice! Just like the perfect pairing of peanut butter and chocolate, the arrival of September heralds the irresistible return of all things pumpkin. Everywhere you look, from coffee shops to grocery store aisles, pumpkin-flavored delights seem to beckon. Instead of resisting, why not embrace this cozy season and create something truly special and satisfying right in your own kitchen?

That’s exactly what inspired the creation of these incredible Pumpkin Strudel Donuts! They capture the essence of fall’s favorite flavor in a delightfully light and fluffy baked treat. Forget heavy, sugary store-bought options that leave you feeling guilty. These homemade donuts offer a healthier twist, allowing you to indulge in the warmth and spice of pumpkin without overdoing it on calories or sugar. They are designed to be surprisingly light on points, making them a fantastic choice for those following a Weight Watchers plan. Depending on your specific plan, each donut typically comes in at a very budget-friendly 4 SmartPoints or just 2 points plus, offering a delicious way to satisfy your sweet tooth while staying on track.

Beyond their point-friendly nature, these pumpkin strudel donuts also offer the added benefit of healthy fiber from the pumpkin puree itself. So, if you’re looking to elevate your fall baking, ditch those store-bought, overly sweet treats and embark on a culinary adventure with this recipe. Your taste buds (and your waistline) will undoubtedly thank you!

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Strudel Donuts

1. Healthier Indulgence: Satisfy Cravings Guilt-Free

Are you constantly seeking out pumpkin spice treats but wish there was a healthier way to enjoy them? Look no further than these pumpkin strudel donuts! They are expertly crafted to deliver all the comforting, aromatic flavors of fall’s favorite spice without the excessive sugar and calorie overload often found in traditional baked goods. Each bite offers a delightful balance of sweet pumpkin and warm spices, enveloped in a soft donut texture and topped with a delicate streusel crumble. It’s the perfect way to truly indulge without derailing your health goals, allowing you to enjoy the season’s delights with a clear conscience.

2. Nutritional Powerhouse: Harness the Goodness of Pumpkin

Pumpkin is much more than just a seasonal decoration or a flavor for lattes; it’s a nutritional powerhouse! Packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and a good dose of dietary fiber, incorporating pumpkin into your diet offers numerous health benefits. It’s an excellent source of Vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), which is vital for vision and immune function, as well as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and potassium. Given its rich nutrient profile, there’s no reason to limit these delicious donuts to just the autumn months. You can truly make and enjoy them all year round, reaping the benefits of this versatile and healthy vegetable.

3. Perfect for Any Occasion: From Everyday Snack to Festive Fare

These Pumpkin Strudel Donuts are incredibly versatile and suitable for a wide range of occasions. While they make a fantastic addition to your everyday breakfast or a cozy afternoon snack, their festive appeal makes them especially perfect for holiday gatherings. Planning a Halloween party? These donuts are an ideal treat! They offer a delicious, healthy, and fun option that will be enjoyed by all your spooky guests, providing a wholesome alternative to candy. They also make a wonderful contribution to Thanksgiving brunch or any fall-themed get-together, proving that healthy can indeed be delicious and exciting!

Gather Your Ingredients for Pumpkin Strudel Donuts

Creating these delightful pumpkin strudel donuts requires a few simple ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. We’ve carefully selected components that contribute to both flavor and a lighter nutritional profile.

For the Donut Batter:

• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: The base for our light and fluffy donuts.
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar: Adds a touch of caramel sweetness.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: Essential for achieving that perfect rise and airy texture.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon: A key spice for that classic pumpkin pie flavor.
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg: Complements the cinnamon, adding warmth and depth.
• ¼ cup pumpkin puree: The star ingredient, providing moisture, flavor, and nutrients. Ensure it’s 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
• 2 tablespoons liquid egg whites: A low-calorie, high-protein binder that helps keep the donuts light. Cartoned egg whites work perfectly here.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors.
• ⅓ cup almond milk, original unsweetened: Contributes to the moistness without adding extra sugar or many calories.

For the Streusel Topping:

The streusel topping adds a wonderful texture and an extra layer of sweet, spiced flavor to your donuts.

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar: For a rich, sweet, and slightly moist crumble.
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Helps bind the streusel ingredients.
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon: More warm spice to complement the donut base.
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg: Reinforces the cozy fall flavor profile.
• ¾ tablespoon melted light margarine: Binds the streusel mixture, creating that desired crumbly texture without adding significant fat.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfect Pumpkin Strudel Donuts

Making these delightful donuts is a straightforward process that yields incredibly satisfying results. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch:

1. **Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Oven:** Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, generously spray a 6-hole donut pan with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step ensures your donuts will release easily once baked. Set the prepared pan aside.
2. **Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients for Donut Batter:** In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients for the donut batter: the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk them together thoroughly to ensure all the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed. Next, add in the wet ingredients: pumpkin puree, liquid egg whites, vanilla extract, and almond milk. Stir everything together with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine and often lead to a tender donut.
3. **Create the Streusel Topping:** In a separate, small bowl, prepare your streusel topping. Combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix these dry ingredients well. Then, slowly drizzle in the melted light margarine, stirring continuously. Use your fingers or a fork to work the margarine into the dry ingredients until a delightful crumbly texture forms. This streusel will add a fantastic crunch and extra spice to your donuts.
4. **Fill Donut Pan and Top with Streusel:** Carefully pour the donut batter into each hole of your prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. An easy way to do this is to transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off) and pipe it into the molds, or simply spoon it in. Once the batter is in the pan, evenly sprinkle the prepared streusel crumb mixture over the top of each donut.
5. **Bake and Enjoy:** Place the donut pan in the preheated oven and bake for 14-16 minutes. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The donuts are ready when they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. This cooling period helps them firm up slightly. Then, gently use a knife or a thin spatula to scrape around the edges of each donut and carefully remove them from the pan. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, or enjoy them warm!

This recipe yields 6 delicious pumpkin strudel donuts.

Nutrition Information & Weight Watchers Points for Pumpkin Strudel Donuts

One of the most appealing aspects of these pumpkin strudel donuts is their favorable nutritional profile, especially for those managing their intake. Here’s a breakdown of the nutrition per donut and its Weight Watchers SmartPoints:

Nutritional Information Per Donut (based on 6 servings):

• **Calories:** 101 kcal
• **Fat:** 1 g
• **Saturated Fat:** 0.2 g
• **Carbohydrates:** 17 g
• **Fiber:** 0.83 g
• **Sugars:** 5.73 g
• **Sodium:** 124.25 mg
• **Protein:** 5 g

This breakdown shows a wonderfully balanced donut that’s low in fat and sugar, while still providing some beneficial fiber and protein.

Weight Watchers Points Breakdown (Approximate Totals for the Entire Recipe):

For your convenience, here’s an estimation of the Weight Watchers points for the main ingredients. Please note that points can vary slightly based on specific brands and your current WW plan. Always use the official WW app for the most accurate calculation.

Donut Batter Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour: 8 points
• Brown sugar: 4 points
• Baking powder: 0 points
• Cinnamon: 0 points
• Nutmeg: 0 points
• Pumpkin puree: 0 points
• Liquid egg whites: 0 points
• Vanilla extract: 0 points
• Original unsweetened almond milk: 0 points

Streusel Topping Ingredients:

• Brown sugar: 8 points
• All-purpose flour: 2 points
• Cinnamon: 0 points
• Nutmeg: 0 points
• ¾ tablespoon melted light margarine: 1 point

Based on the Weight Watchers app recipe creator, these delicious donuts come out to **4 points per donut** on the current plan. This makes them a fantastic, low-point treat perfect for any Weight Watchers journey.

If you are using an older version of Weight Watchers, here’s a quick reference:

• **Freestyle SP (Blue & Purple plans):** 4 points using the WW recipe builder.
• **Smart Points (Green plan):** 4 points using the SmartPoints calculator.
• **Points Plus:** 2 points using the Points Plus calculator.

Variations to Elevate Your Pumpkin Donuts

While these pumpkin strudel donuts are absolutely perfect as is, there are always fun ways to customize them to your liking or for different occasions:

• **Vanilla Icing Drizzle:** For an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal, consider drizzling your cooled donuts with a light vanilla icing. We found that just 1 tablespoon of pre-made vanilla icing (like Betty Crocker’s) can be thinned slightly if needed and piped over all 6 donuts without significantly increasing the points per donut – typically only if you eat two or more at once. It adds a lovely finish!
• **Chocolate Chips:** Stir a tablespoon or two of mini chocolate chips into the batter before baking for a delightful pumpkin chocolate chip combination.
• **Cream Cheese Glaze:** Instead of vanilla, whisk together some light cream cheese, powdered sweetener, and a splash of milk for a tangy cream cheese glaze that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.
• **Extra Spices:** Boost the spice factor by adding a pinch of ground ginger or allspice to either the donut batter or the streusel topping for an even richer fall flavor profile.

Tips and Tricks for Making the Best Pumpkin Strudel Donuts

To ensure your pumpkin strudel donuts turn out perfectly every time, keep these helpful tips and tricks in mind:

• **Storage:** These donuts keep exceptionally well. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. They’ll remain moist and flavorful.
• **Freezing:** For longer storage, these donuts freeze beautifully for up to three months. Make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or briefly warm them in the microwave for a quick treat.
• **Do Not Overmix:** When combining the wet and dry ingredients for the donut batter, mix just until no dry streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, denser donut. A lightly mixed batter will result in a tender, airy texture.
• **Donut Pan is Key:** While you can make these as muffins, using a donut pan is essential for achieving the classic donut shape. Investing in one is worthwhile if you enjoy baking these kinds of treats.
• **Cooling Time:** Don’t rush the cooling process! Allowing the donuts to cool in the pan for the recommended 5 minutes helps them set and makes them easier to remove without breaking.
• **Serving Suggestions:** These donuts are fantastic on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or a comforting mug of spiced tea for the ultimate fall breakfast or snack.

Explore More Delicious & Healthy Recipes!

If you loved these pumpkin strudel donuts and are looking for more delicious, lightened-up recipes, be sure to check out some of our other favorites:

• PB&J Mini Pancake Muffins: A fun and nostalgic breakfast or snack that’s perfect for kids and adults alike.
• Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies: Indulge in these light and flavorful cookies with a delightful Italian-inspired twist.
• Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese: A hearty and comforting meal with a spicy kick, made easy in your slow cooker.

Pumpkin Strudel Donuts Recipe Summary

These baked pumpkin strudel donuts are a fantastic way to enjoy the flavors of fall in a healthier, Weight Watchers-friendly package. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a cook time of 16 minutes, you can have a batch of these delightful treats ready in under half an hour. This recipe yields 6 servings, each coming in at 4 SmartPoints (on blue, green & purple plans) or 2 points plus, making them an accessible indulgence for any time of day. With an average rating of 5 stars from 4 votes, this recipe is a proven winner!

So, why wait? Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and treat yourself to the comforting taste of homemade pumpkin strudel donuts. They are the perfect embodiment of fall: warm, spicy, and utterly delicious. Happy baking!