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This protein donut recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth with less guilt. Cake-like with creamy frosting, these baked donuts will hit the spot and keep you full.
Some snack breaks call for a donut, but did you know you can enjoy one while still crushing your fitness goals?
These Herbalife protein donuts give you that sweet, frosted donut experience without the excess sugar!
Instead, you’ll get the satisfying fullness of a protein-packed treat.
They’re also baked, so each bite is lighter. And with no frying involved, preparation is definitely simpler—perfect with National Donut Day right around the corner!
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This healthy donut recipe yields cake-like donuts. For that fried-donut texture, try our baked pumpkin donuts.
And if you’re not in the mood to use the oven for high-protein baked goods, you’ll love these no-bake cake batter protein balls!
Why You’ll Love This Protein Donut Recipe
- This high protein donut recipe is gluten-free and a wholesome way to satisfy your donut cravings. It’s packed with protein, refined-sugar-free, and baked for a lighter take on the classic comfort dessert.
- Soft, moist, and generously topped with cream cheese, these Herbalife donuts prove that desserts with protein powder can be just as scrumptious.
- Healthy donuts for kids and adults? Yes, please! Enjoy them as a snack or dessert, and let the protein keep you feeling full.
Ingredients
Greek yogurt – These Herbalife protein donuts are made with Greek yogurt for extra protein. It’s also an important ingredient for that light, soft donut texture!
Eggs – We haven’t tested this protein donut recipe with egg substitutes like flax egg, so for the best results, stick to real eggs.
Unsalted butter – Even though we’re not frying these high-protein donuts, they still have that crave-worthy richness from butter.
Almond flour – This Herbalife donut recipe is gluten-free, thanks to almond flour!
Protein powder – This high protein doughnut recipe uses Herbalife vanilla protein powder for the best flavor, cake-like texture, and protein punch.
Baking powder – Because we’re making these high protein donuts with protein powder, don’t forget to use baking powder to lighten their texture.
Salt – To balance the sweetness of the vanilla protein donuts.
Water – When learning how to make protein powder donuts, you’ll quickly see how important it is to keep the batter properly hydrated. No dry protein doughnuts here!
Cream cheese and unsalted butter – You can use any glaze, but these moist, cake-like donuts just call for the rich, creamy sweetness of cream cheese frosting.
Powdered sweetener – Skip the refined sugar and sweeten your glaze with a zero-calorie alternative.
Vanilla extract – For that classic frosting flavor.
Candy sprinkles – To add a bit of whimsy to this easy protein donuts recipe.
Baking spray – This Herbalife protein donut recipe is made in donut molds, so if you want your donuts in your belly and not stuck in the pan, be sure to grease them!
Ingredient Substitutions For High Protein Donut Recipe
Quest protein powder
Another protein powder you can use in this protein donut recipe is Quest’s Vanilla Milkshake. It yields fluffy, moist donuts, and the flavor pairs perfectly with the cream cheese topping.
Yogurt frosting
Want to know how to make protein donuts that are less heavy?
Top them with a Greek yogurt frosting instead of a cream cheese glaze!
Just drain 2 cups of Greek yogurt overnight and beat it with 1 cup of powdered sweetener and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Peanut butter glaze
Make these Herbalife protein donuts more energy-rich with a topping made from nut butter!
Just whisk 1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter with 2 tablespoons of milk, then slowly combine with 1/2 cup of powdered sweetener.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Do Not Overfill the Molds
Make sure to fill the donut molds only about two-thirds full, or the batter could overflow.
No Donut Pan? No Problem!
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake your protein donuts in a muffin tin. Just grease it and fill each cup about two-thirds full. Check them at the 10-minute mark and adjust the baking time as needed, as oven temperatures can vary!
Check Your Protein Powder
You can experiment with different protein powders to get your desired results. Since protein powder is absorbent, you may need to add a little extra liquid to your batter. Plant-based protein powders, such as brown rice protein, as well as the more common natural organic whey protein, work wonderfully in baked goods.
Herbalife Protein Donuts Recipe FAQs
Do donuts have protein?
Of course. A typical glazed donut contains around 4 grams of protein.
Are protein donuts good for you?
It depends on the recipe, but protein donuts are better for you than traditional fried donuts. This is because they’re usually baked instead of fried, made with protein-boosting ingredients, and often use sugar alternatives.
Which protein powder is best for this protein donut recipe?
We used Herbalife protein powder for these protein-packed donuts, but Quest protein powder works as well. Other protein powders can be used, though whey isolate may dry out the donuts. For best results, stick to casein-isolate blends or plant-based proteins.
How can I store protein powder donuts to keep them fresh?
You can store your Herbalife protein donuts in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. If unfrosted, feel free to keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 days.
Can you freeze protein donuts?
Yes, you can freeze these protein donuts, but do so before adding the frosting. Once cooled, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before decorating!
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
- Homemade Baked Donuts
- Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
- Protein Strawberry Cheesecake
- Instant Pot Churro Bites
- Gluten-Free Apple Muffins
I found this recipe for Cake Balls that I HAVE to try!
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey – If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below.
Protein Donut Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups almond flour
- 1/2 cup protein powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch salt
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/3 cup cream cheese
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter for the glaze
- 4 tbsp powdered sweetener
- 1/3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp candy sprinkles
- Baking spray
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients for your protein donuts.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease your donut pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, eggs, and butter until smooth, then set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Pour in the wet mixture and gently mix until a smooth donut batter forms. Transfer the batter to a Ziploc bag with the corner cut.
- Pipe the batter into the donut pans, filling each cavity about two-thirds full. Bake for 12 to 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
- Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the donuts cool, prepare the glaze by mixing the cream cheese, butter, sweetener, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Once the donuts are fully cooled, top them with the glaze and sprinkles. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure to fill the donut molds only about two-thirds full, or the batter could overflow.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake your protein donuts in a muffin tin. Just grease it and fill each cup about two-thirds full. Check them at the 10-minute mark and adjust the baking time as needed, as oven temperatures can vary!
- You can experiment with different protein powders to get your desired results. Since protein powder is absorbent, you may need to add a little extra liquid to your batter. Plant-based protein powders, such as brown rice protein, as well as the more common natural organic whey protein, work wonderfully in baked goods.
Nutrition
PIN FOR LATER!
I have them in the oven now. I will post more once complete. I am very excited about this recipe!!
Yay! Excited for you to try these protein donuts, Sabrina.