Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts

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Golden, fluffy, and dripping with sweet vanilla glaze, these Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts taste every bit as indulgent as the donuts you grew up with—just without the dairy or eggs. They’re light inside, slightly crisp on the edges, and finished with a shower of rainbow sprinkles that makes them impossible to resist.

You don’t need any special vegan ingredients or complicated techniques here. A simple batter, a quick fry on the stovetop, and a fast glaze come together in under 30 minutes, making these donuts perfect for last-minute weekend breakfasts, birthday mornings, or whenever a craving hits.

Why You’ll Love These Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts

These donuts check all the boxes: they’re easy, fast, and crowd-pleasing. The batter stirs together in one bowl, so there’s minimal cleanup and zero stress.

Because they’re completely dairy-free and egg-free, they’re ideal for anyone with allergies or following a vegan lifestyle—but no one at the table will guess they’re vegan. The plant-based “buttermilk” keeps the crumb tender, neutral oil gives them a bakery-style richness, and the vanilla glaze locks in moisture while adding extra sweetness.

Whether you serve them fresh from the fryer or later in the day, these donuts stay soft and pillowy, making them a go-to treat for busy mornings or special dessert nights.

Can Vegan Donuts Really Taste Like Classic Donuts?

Absolutely. The secret is using the same elements that make traditional donuts delicious—fluffy interior, light crisp exterior, and a flavorful glaze—while relying on smart plant-based swaps.

Instead of eggs, this recipe uses baking powder and a quick plant-based “buttermilk” made from non-dairy milk and apple cider vinegar to give lift and tenderness. Neutral oil stands in for butter, creating rich flavor without weighing the donuts down. Once fried, they taste just like the treats you’d grab at a donut shop, especially once they’re dipped in a vanilla glaze and topped with sprinkles.

If you’ve ever worried that vegan baked goods might be dry or dense, these donuts will completely change your mind.

Ingredients

Before you begin, read through this list so you know exactly what each ingredient is doing in the recipe. We’ll cover measurements and amounts in the printable recipe card, but this overview helps you understand why everything is here and which types of ingredients work best.

• All-purpose flour – Builds the structure of the donuts and keeps the crumb soft and tender.
• Baking powder – Provides the lift that makes the donuts light and fluffy without eggs.
• Granulated sugar – Sweetens the batter and helps the outside brown to a golden color.
• Fine sea salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances every other flavor.
• Ground nutmeg or cinnamon – Adds that classic donut-shop warmth and aroma.
• Unsweetened plant-based milk – Forms the liquid base; almond, oat, or soy milk all work well.
• Apple cider vinegar – Mixes with the plant milk to create a quick vegan “buttermilk” for extra tenderness.
• Neutral-flavored oil for the batter – Adds moisture and richness; choose canola, vegetable, or light-tasting sunflower oil.
• Neutral oil for frying – Holds up to higher heat and gives the donuts a crisp, golden exterior.
• Vanilla extract – Infuses both the batter and glaze with cozy, bakery-style flavor.
• Powdered sugar – Creates a smooth, pourable glaze that clings beautifully to the warm donuts.
• Pinch of salt for the glaze – Keeps the sweetness in check so the glaze tastes balanced instead of overly sugary.
• Vegan rainbow sprinkles – Add color, crunch, and fun; check the label to ensure they’re free from confectioner’s glaze or other animal-derived ingredients.

How To Make the Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts

Once your ingredients are ready, the process goes quickly. Read through the steps before you start so you can move from mixing to frying to glazing without any pauses.

Step 1: Make the Vegan “Buttermilk”

Pour your unsweetened plant-based milk into a measuring cup or small bowl and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Let this mixture sit for a few minutes while you prepare the dry ingredients. It will thicken slightly and become tangy, mimicking traditional buttermilk and helping the donuts stay soft.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, fine sea salt, and ground nutmeg or cinnamon until everything is evenly combined. Whisking helps break up any lumps so the batter stays smooth.

Step 3: Bring the Batter Together

Add the prepared vegan “buttermilk,” neutral oil for the batter, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Gently whisk or stir with a spatula until no streaks of flour remain. The batter should be thick but spoonable—similar to a loose cake batter. Avoid overmixing, which can make the donuts tough.

Step 4: Heat the Frying Oil

Pour neutral frying oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet, leaving enough space at the top for the oil to bubble. Warm the oil over medium heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, test it by dropping in a tiny bit of batter; it should sizzle and rise to the surface within a few seconds.

Step 5: Shape and Fry the Donuts

Carefully scoop portions of batter into the hot oil using a piping bag, donut dispenser, or a spoon, forming rings as best you can. Work in small batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry the donuts until they’re golden brown on the first side, then flip and cook the second side until puffed and cooked through.

Transfer the fried donuts to a wire rack set over a baking sheet or paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 6: Make the Vanilla Glaze

While the donuts cool slightly, whisk powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, vanilla extract, and a splash of plant-based milk together in a medium bowl. Adjust the consistency as needed by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker one. You’re aiming for a smooth, pourable glaze that runs slowly off the spoon.

Step 7: Dip, Sprinkle, and Serve

When the donuts are warm but not scorching hot, dip the tops into the vanilla glaze, letting any excess drip back into the bowl. Return them to the rack and immediately shower the tops with vegan rainbow sprinkles.

Give the glaze a few minutes to set, then serve the donuts while they’re still soft and slightly warm for the best texture.

How Many People Do These Vegan Donuts Serve?

This batch makes about 10 standard-size donuts, which comfortably serves 8–10 people depending on everyone’s sweet tooth. They’re perfect for a cozy family breakfast, a small brunch spread, or a fun dessert platter.

If you’re feeding a crowd, you can easily double the recipe and fry in additional batches, keeping earlier donuts on a wire rack in a low oven so they stay warm without drying out.

How to Store Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts

Vegan donuts are at their very best on the day they’re made, especially within the first few hours after frying when the texture is still light and airy. That said, you can absolutely store leftovers if you happen to have any.

For short-term storage, let the donuts cool completely so no steam gets trapped under the glaze. Place them in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. If you need to stack them, separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

For slightly longer storage, you can refrigerate glazed donuts for up to 3 days, though the texture will firm up and the glaze may absorb some moisture. Enjoy them cold or let them sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes to soften before serving.

To freeze, skip the glaze and sprinkles, then arrange cooled plain donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then warm briefly in a low oven before glazing and decorating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake these vegan donuts instead of frying them?
Yes. For a lighter version, you can bake the batter in a greased donut pan at 350°F (175°C) until the donuts spring back when gently pressed. The texture will be more like a cake donut than a classic fried donut, but they’re still delicious and fluffy.

What kind of plant-based milk works best?
Any unsweetened dairy-free milk works here, but oat milk and soy milk tend to create the richest flavor and softest crumb. If you use a sweetened milk, you may want to slightly reduce the sugar in the batter to keep the donuts from becoming overly sweet.

How do I know when the donuts are cooked through?
The donuts should be deep golden on the outside and feel light rather than heavy when you lift them with a slotted spoon. If you cut into one, the inside should be fluffy with no wet batter. Keeping the oil at a steady medium heat prevents them from browning too quickly before the centers cook.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?
It’s best to fry the donuts soon after mixing the batter so the baking powder stays active. If you need to work ahead, you can whisk the dry ingredients and store them in an airtight container, then mix in the wet ingredients right before frying.

What if I don’t have a donut cutter or piping bag?
You can use two spoons to carefully drop small mounds of batter into the hot oil and make donut holes instead. They cook even faster and are perfect for sharing.

Want More Dessert Ideas With a Fun Twist?

If these vegan donuts make your morning, you’ll love adding a few more sweet treats to your rotation. Try one of these reader favorites next time you need an easy brunch or dessert idea:

• Big Apple Fritters for crispy, fruit-filled bites that taste like a trip to the fair.
• Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins when you’re craving bright, citrusy flavor with your coffee.
• Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole for a cozy make-ahead breakfast that feeds a crowd.
• Apple Bundt Cake if you want an impressive dessert that’s surprisingly simple to pull together.

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📌 Save these Quick and Easy Vegan Donuts to your favorite breakfast or dessert board so you can find them whenever a craving hits.

When you try them, let me know how you made them your own—did you use colorful sprinkles, a chocolate glaze, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar?

If you’re looking for even more sweet treats and everyday meal inspiration, you can follow along on Pinterest at Life With Livia. I love seeing how you bring these recipes into your own kitchen!

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