Who doesn’t love a warm, freshy made, good ol’ fashioned donut?!
I especially LOVE apple fritters. Those have got to be my all time favorite kind of donut.
That apple flavor, the cinnamon, the crunch when you bite into it—and the sheer size of it. Those things were huge! And only cost a couple of bucks to boot.
Back in my college days, after a night out barhopping in the Marina District, on Polk Street, or in the North Beach area of San Francisco, donuts were my go-to cheat dessert (if crepes weren’t available hehe). We would go to the late night diner in the area, get our grub on, and then afterwards, I’d force my friends to go with me to the nearby donut shop.
Because, you know, I just HAD to have my apple fritter!
There’s just something about sharing a couple of adult beverages with friends in a loud music venue that always led to a never-ending case of the munchies…
and I would eat anything and everything I could get my hands on.
You know the deal. Diets just go straight out the window.
It was like I was forever hungry!
Well, thanks to my buddies for putting up with my late night donut adventures! And thank you San Francisco for always having 24 hour donut shops open at the right locations!
So…of course, donuts had to go through the Peanut Butter on Everything wringer…
and I had to put in my standard substitution of ingredients, enhance the flavors, lower the carb count, up the protein content…
and the results are mouth-watering, and super duper delicious….
Enter….my Maple Apple Cinnamon Protein Donuts!!
These oven-baked, extra flavorful protein donuts are powered with:
low carb, high fiber almond flour..
muscle-building whey protein…
vitamin C, and antioxidant-rich honeycrisp apples….
nutrient-loaded chopped walnuts…
and that deliciously melted peanut butter drizzle…
KA-POW!!
Now, you may notice that it MAY look like I used regular white, cane sugar to coat these donuts, just like a regular sugar donut you would see at your local donut shop, but NO, NO, NO!
That’s NOT table sugar, an “added sugar” that is widely believed to be detrimental to your overall health in large amounts), but a natural, sugar alternative called a monk fruit sweetener.
Monk fruit is a small, round fruit found in southern China. To create the sweetener, the fruit is crushed, the juice is collected, and this becomes the monk fruit sweetener. It is similar in appearance to regular table sugar, but is about 200 times sweeter than sugar, and with ZERO calories. More detailed information about monk fruit can be found here.
I personally love this stuff. It can sub in for regular sugar in any recipe, I’ve tried it, I’ve experimented with it. It tastes just like regular sugar, I personally feel no ill effects after consuming it. No sugar “rush” or “crashes,” it’s like I consumed nothing really.
It’s a great flavor enhancer, and for these protein donuts, it PERFECTLY mimics the texture and flavor of a regular, cinnamon sugar donut without the use of table sugar!
Some people may not like monk fruit’s aftertaste, I personally don’t really see an aftertaste to it, but if so, other options I like to use in place of monk fruit, are stevia or erythritol.
I recommend you do your own research on these “sugar alternatives“, but check out the link I provided above, and another one right here.
OK, here are some of the nutritional benefits of the main ingredients in these Maple Apple Cinnamon Protein Donuts….
Apples contain unique antioxidants that have been shown, or believed to, help fight cancer, combat free radicals, fight off cell and DNA damage, and may help against cardiovascular disease. Phytonutrients and phytochemicals in apples may help fight against inflammation. Apples are also a great source of Vitamin C, which is believed to help repair skin tissue and fight off bacteria.
Cinnamon is widely-considered as the most antioxidant-rich natural spice available in the world. The antioxidants found in cinnamon are believed to maybe help fight cancer, slow the aging process, fight off disease, and protect cells from DNA damage. Studies have shown cinnamon may help lower blood pressure and help increase blood circulation.
Walnuts have been shown to contain the highest amount of omega-3 fats versus all other nuts. Omega-3 fats are a super nutrient shown to help the body by fighting heart disease, improve circulation, control blood sugar, among others–but its hugest benefit, is supporting brain health. Studies show it does this by helping to keep memory sharp, relieve depression, and supports the positive flow of neurotransmitters, such as seratonin and dopamine.
Here’s what you’ll need…
And of course, you’ll need 2 donut pans. Like so…
Some quick notes before you get started….
-These donuts are BAKED, not fried!
-The recipe as specified should yield about 11 mini donuts. Add or subtract to your preference.
–Almond milk is pictured, but not needed.
-You can sub a mashed banana for the applesauce.
-You can sub any erythritol sweetener or stevia instead of monk fruit.
-You can use olive oil instead of maple syrup.
-Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge. Just like regular donuts, these donuts will slowly lose their freshness within a couple of days. Best enjoyed as soon as possible!
For more high powered, apple-licious recipes check out my…
- Dark Chocolate Raspberry Apple Protein Pizookie
- Apple Cinnamon Dark Chocolate Chip Protein Waffles
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Protein Bars!!
Alright then, let’s get to it!!
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10-13 minutes |
| Servings |
mini donuts
|
- 1 1/4 cup almond flour
- 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- dash of sea salt (optional)
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- 2 whole eggs
- 2 tsp maple extract
- cinnamon
- monk fruit (or other sugar alternative, see notes)
- maple syrup
- chopped walnuts
Ingredients
donut batter:
topping:
|
|
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Add dry ingredients to bowl. Add wet ingredients to separate larger bowl. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients bowl, mixing thoroughly. Set aside.
- Grease donut pan with olive oil. Pour batter into each donut section, at least 2/3 full, or fill to the top.
- Bake in oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until surface is set.
- Remove from oven. Let cool for 3-5 minutes (for easy removal).
- Meanwhile, add cinnamon, monk fruit sweetener to bowl. Mix until combined.
- Brush maple syrup on one side of donut. Dip and roll into cinnamon/monk fruit mixture. Drizzle peanut butter on top. Add chopped walnuts. Serve immediately!
-Recipe as specified should yield about 11 mini donuts. Add or subtract to your preference.
-You can sub a mashed banana for the applesauce.
-You can sub any erythritol sweetener or stevia for the monk fruit.
-You can use olive oil instead of maple syrup.
-Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge. Just like regular donuts, these donuts will slowly lose their freshness within a couple of days. Best enjoyed as soon as possible!
