Soft, spiced, and sugar-dusted—these cozy pumpkin donuts are baked, not fried, and WW-friendly without sacrificing flavor.
📋 Recipe Snapshot
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 12 donuts
- WW Points: 2 points per donut (approx., based on WW Blue Plan)
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Dietary Tags:
- Baked, not fried
- Vegetarian
- Lower sugar
- Lower fat
✅ Ingredients (Checklist Style)
Exact amounts in instructions below
- All-purpose flour (or WW-friendly flour)
- Baking powder & baking soda
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Salt
- Canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Brown sugar substitute (like Swerve Brown or Lakanto)
- Low-fat milk or unsweetened almond milk
- Cinnamon + sugar substitute (for dusting)
- Nonstick spray (for pan)
🔪 Instructions
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Preheat & Prep Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a donut pan with nonstick spray. -
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:- 2 cups flour
- 1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
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Mix Wet Ingredients
In a second bowl, combine:- ¾ cup canned pumpkin
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup brown sugar substitute
- ⅓ cup low-fat milk or almond milk
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Combine & Stir
Add wet ingredients to dry and gently fold until just combined. Do not overmix. -
Fill Donut Pan
Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each about ¾ full. -
Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and tops spring back. -
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
While warm, lightly mist donuts with cooking spray or brush with almond milk. Toss gently in a mix of cinnamon + sugar substitute.
📝 Quick Notes
- These donuts are naturally moist from pumpkin and applesauce—no butter needed.
- For a lower-sugar version, skip the outer coating and serve plain or with a light glaze made from powdered monk fruit and almond milk.
- Best enjoyed fresh but can be frozen and reheated.
🎃 Why You’ll Love These Donuts
These pumpkin cake donuts are fall in edible form—cozy spices, moist texture, and just enough sweetness to feel indulgent without going off-track. Baked instead of fried, they come together fast and make your kitchen smell like autumn heaven.
📷 Step-by-Step Walkthrough
1. Mixing the Dry Ingredients
Use a whisk to ensure your flour and spices are well blended.
Tip: Don’t skip sifting if your flour tends to clump—smooth batter = smooth donuts.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients Separately
This step keeps the batter light and well-mixed without overworking.
Tip: Make sure your canned pumpkin is pure pumpkin, not pie filling—it should contain no added sugar or spices.
3. Filling the Pan
A piping bag (or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped) makes filling the donut pan much easier.
Tip: Don’t overfill—these rise! Aim for ¾ full.
4. Baking to Perfection
Check at 12 minutes—donuts should bounce back when gently pressed.
Tip: Let them cool slightly before trying to remove them from the pan to avoid breakage.
5. Optional Cinnamon Sugar Dusting
Use a mix of cinnamon and a granulated sugar substitute like Swerve or Lakanto.
Tip: Dust while they’re still warm for best coating adherence.
🧂 Ingredient Details & Smart Substitutions
Why These Ingredients Work
- Pumpkin Puree adds moisture without needing oil.
- Applesauce keeps texture moist while reducing fat.
- Brown Sugar Substitute lowers sugar content dramatically.
- Almond Milk keeps it dairy-light and point-friendly.
Substitution Options
- No applesauce? Use mashed banana (will affect flavor slightly).
- No donut pan? Use a muffin tin—just reduce baking time slightly.
- Want more protein? Use Kodiak Cakes mix (pumpkin flavor if available) as a base and adjust wet ingredients.
- Gluten-Free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum.
🍁 Flavor Variations & Serving Suggestions
Flavor Twists
- Add mini sugar-free chocolate chips to the batter (watch points).
- Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts for texture (optional, higher in points).
- Add orange zest for a citrusy fall touch.
Dietary Versions
- Vegan: Use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) and almond milk.
- Dairy-Free: Use almond or oat milk.
- Sugar-Free: Skip dusting or use only cinnamon for flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with a cup of coffee or chai tea.
- Drizzle with a glaze of powdered sweetener + almond milk for extra flair.
- Great for breakfast, brunch, or guilt-free snacking.
🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead
Store
- Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Freeze
- Freeze plain donuts (before sugar coating) in zip-top bags up to 2 months. Reheat in microwave or oven.
Reheat
- Microwave for 10–15 seconds or reheat in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes.
🔢 Nutrition Facts (Per Donut)
(Approximate using almond milk, sugar substitute, and low-fat ingredients)
- Calories: 90
- Protein: 2g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fat: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- WW Points (Blue Plan): 2
Allergens: Egg, Wheat (unless made GF), Dairy (if using regular milk)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes! They store well and freeze beautifully. Just dust with cinnamon sugar right before serving.
Q: Can I use oat flour or almond flour?
A: Not as a 1:1 swap—results may be denser. Try a tested gluten-free flour mix.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes! This recipe scales well. Just be sure not to overmix the larger batch.
Q: Can I bake these in a muffin tin?
A: Yes—bake at the same temperature for 10–12 minutes. They’ll be more like mini cakes.
🍂 The Story Behind the Donuts
These donuts were born on a crisp October weekend when I wanted something cozy but still healthy enough for my WW tracker. I played around with the applesauce-to-pumpkin ratio until I found the balance of moist texture without needing oil. Even my non-dieting family devoured them—and no one guessed they were lightened up.
💬 Your Turn!
What would you top these with—maple glaze, chopped nuts, or a dusting of spice? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear how you made this recipe your own.
📢 Call to Action
If you try this WW-friendly donut recipe, don’t forget to leave a review, share your twist in the comments, or tag your creation on social media to inspire others. This is one fall treat you can enjoy again and again—guilt-free.
