Sugar-Free Cinnamon Donuts – Grain-Free, Baked, and Full of Cozy Fall Flavor

Let’s get this out of the way: donuts can be grain-free, dairy-free, and still taste like a treat. These sugar-free cinnamon donuts are baked (not fried), spiced (not bland), and use a smart mix of cassava, almond, and coconut flours for that bouncy cake-donut texture without gluten, sugar, or weird gums.

They’re not keto-strict because of the cassava, but they’re low added sugar, low glycemic, grain-free, and great for kids, lunchboxes, or cozy weekend breakfasts when you want sweet, not spiked.

💡 What Makes These Work (Even Without Sugar or Grains)

• Cassava flour for structure – It’s got elasticity and bounce that almond flour alone doesn’t give.
• Almond + coconut flour blend – Balances fat, fiber, and absorbs moisture.
• Apple cider vinegar + baking soda – Classic acid-base lift for fluff without eggs.
• Maple syrup + apple juice = natural sweetness – No cane sugar or refined carbs needed.

🧾 Ingredients That Make the Texture Work

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsweetened plant milk – Almond, cashew, etc. Stay away from sweetened versions.
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar – Activates baking soda and adds that buttermilk tang.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup maple syrup (or sugar-free maple alternative) – See notes below.
• ¼ cup avocado oil – Moisture and healthy fat.
• ⅔ cup apple juice – For natural sweetness and moisture. Optional for low-sugar version.

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup cassava flour – Gives body and chew.
• ½ cup almond flour
• ½ cup coconut flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp allspice

Coating

• Spray avocado/coconut oil – Helps sugar stick.
• ½ cup coconut sugar or maple sugar – Swap for monk fruit golden for sugar-free version.
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp allspice

🔁 Low-Sugar Substitutions That Hold Up

Original	Swap	Notes
Maple syrup	ChocZero or Lakanto maple syrup	Low glycemic, same texture
Apple juice	Unsweetened almond milk + stevia	Cuts sugar; texture stays decent
Coconut sugar	Monk fruit golden or Swerve Brown	Keeps it sugar-free

⚠️ What Went Sideways (And Why)

What Went Wrong	Why It Happens	Fix It
Gummy inside	Overmixed or underbaked	Mix until just combined; test with toothpick
Sugar coating slid off	Didn’t cool fully or didn’t spray oil	Let them cool completely before coating
Dry texture	Used too much coconut flour	Stick to the ½ cup—don’t eyeball it

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step: How to Make It

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix plant milk, vinegar, syrup, oil, vanilla, and let sit 10 min.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
3. Add wet to dry, stir just until a batter forms.
4. Pipe into greased donut pan and bake 10–12 min.
5. Cool completely.
6. Shake sugar coating mix in a bag. Spray cooled donuts with oil and gently toss to coat.

🧠 Keto Tricks From My Kitchen

• For a lower sugar version, skip apple juice and use 2 extra tbsp almond milk + liquid stevia.
• I freeze them unfrosted and reheat gently in the oven to crisp the outside again.
• The batter thickens fast—pipe it quickly or it sets too stiff.

🧊 Storage + Tracking Tips

• Counter (uncovered): Up to 3 days—actually tastes better on Day 2.
• Fridge: Not ideal—gets soggy.
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted. Reheat at 300°F for 5–7 min.
• Macros vary by sweetener—see below for sugar-free version.

❓ Can I Eat This on Keto?

Q: Is cassava flour keto?
A: Nope. Cassava is paleo but not keto—higher in carbs than almond or coconut flour. One donut will run you 12–15g net carbs if you use maple + apple juice.

Q: How can I make this sugar-free and lower carb?
A: Use:

• Sugar-free maple syrup
• Almond milk instead of apple juice
• Monk fruit sweetener for coating
  That drops net carbs to around 7–8g per donut, depending on brand.

🧮 Full Nutrition Facts (Per Donut – Sugar-Free Version)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	~185 kcal
Total Fat	9 g
Carbs	13 g
– Fiber	4 g
– Net Carbs	9 g
Protein	3 g
Sugar	~1 g (natural only)
Sodium	110 mg

Check out More Recipes:

• Sugar-Free Banana Cake – Fruit-Sweetened, Moist, and Frosted Like a Banoffee Dream
• Sugar-Free Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake – Creamy, Tangy, and Keto-Approved
• Sugar-Free Carrot Cupcakes – Low-Carb, Moist, and Frosted Like You Mean It