There’s something magical about warm, fluffy treats that melt in your mouth, right? This Delicious Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate or Cinnamon Recipe is exactly that kind of magic. Whether you’re after a cozy breakfast or an indulgent snack, these donuts hit the spot every time.

The image shows a pile of assorted donuts on a white marbled surface. There are four types: smooth white glazed donuts with a shiny texture, dark chocolate glazed donuts with colorful sprinkles on top, light brown cinnamon sugar-coated donuts, and white powdered sugar-coated donuts with a soft, snowy texture. Some chocolate sprinkled donuts show the inside with a light yellow soft dough. The donuts are arranged in a casual, overlapping way creating a colorful and tasty display. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Delicious Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate or Cinnamon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Delicious Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate or Cinnamon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate or Cinnamon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, once I nailed this recipe, gluten free donuts became a regular treat in my kitchen. It’s easy, fast, and super forgiving — perfect for anyone who needs a quick sweet fix without the gluten.

Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry already, making it perfect for last-minute cravings.
Quick to Make: From mixing to frying, it only takes about 30 minutes — yes, donuts in under an hour!
Multiple Topping Options: Chocolate, cinnamon sugar, glaze, or sprinkles—there’s a delicious way to customize every batch.
Gluten Free and Flavorful: No compromise on taste or texture, these donuts come out moist and tender every time.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe brings together simple gluten free ingredients that balance flavor and texture beautifully. King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour is my go-to because it mimics traditional flour’s structure so well, keeping the donuts light but sturdy.

Flat lay of a small mound of fine gluten free flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with granulated sugar, a small white bowl holding light brown ground nutmeg powder, a small white bowl with baking powder, a small white bowl of fine salt, a small white bowl of whole milk, two large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl with clear vegetable oil, a small white bowl of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl with softened unsalted butter, a small white bowl of light golden corn syrup, a small white bowl of colorful rainbow sprinkles, a small white bowl filled with powdered sugar, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Gluten free flour blend: Provides structure and a soft crumb without gluten's chewiness.
Ground nutmeg: Adds a warm, subtle depth to the flavor.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough perfectly without overpowering.
Baking powder: Gives lift so the donuts puff up nicely.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, especially the sweetness.
Milk: Adds moisture and richness; whole milk works best.
Large eggs: Provide binding and help with the rise.
Vanilla extract: Brings a sweet aromatic note.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the donuts tender and moist.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional): For that melty chocolate goodness in some donuts.
Unsalted butter and corn syrup (for glaze): Create a shiny, sweet coating that clings beautifully.
Rainbow sprinkles: Just the right touch of fun and color.
Powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar: For classic toppings that never disappoint.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Donuts are such a perfect canvas for flavors, and I love sharing how you can tweak this gluten free recipe to suit your mood or diet. Feel free to skip the chocolate chips if you're not a fan or go crazy with cinnamon sugar if you want that extra zing.

Chocolate Variation: Adding semi-sweet chocolate chips right into the batter creates little pockets of melty happiness that my family can't get enough of.
Cinnamon Sugar Twist: Toss your donuts in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar immediately after frying — nothing beats that warm spicy coating.
Glaze Option: Mix powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk for a quick glazed donut that’s shiny and sweet.
Dairy-Free: Substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use coconut oil instead of butter in the glaze to keep it dairy-free without sacrificing moisture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Delicious Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate or Cinnamon Recipe

A white box filled with four rows of donuts, each row neatly lined with seven donuts. The first row on the left has plain light tan donuts with a smooth texture. The second row features chocolate-covered donuts topped with colorful sprinkles, the chocolate layer dark and shiny, covering the top surface only. The third row consists of donuts coated in white powdered sugar, giving them a soft, snowy appearance. The fourth row on the right shows donuts covered in cinnamon sugar, with a rough, grainy texture and brown color. The box sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by combining your gluten free flour, nutmeg, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. I like to whisk them together really well to make sure everything is evenly distributed—this helps the donuts rise uniformly and have consistent flavor in every bite.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients for a Smooth Batter

In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, vanilla, and vegetable oil until smooth. The key is to have your eggs at room temperature; it helps the batter come together better and gives you fluffier donuts.

Step 3: Bring It All Together Gently

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Don't overmix here — the batter should look a little lumpy. Overworking gluten free batter can make the donuts tough, so take it easy.

Step 4: Frying Time — Watch the Magic

Heat oil in a deep pan to about 350°F (175°C). Use a cookie scoop or spoon to carefully drop donut-sized rounds into the oil—don’t overcrowd the pan! Fry each side about 1-2 minutes until golden and puffy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them onto paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 5: Glazing, Dipping, or Dusting

While still warm, dip your donuts into glaze, toss them in cinnamon sugar, or sprinkle with powdered sugar. If you want chocolate chips inside, fold them gently into the batter before frying!

Top Tip

After making these donuts several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really helped me get consistent, delicious results. I’m sharing these so you don’t have to guess or experiment blindly.

Don’t Overmix Your Batter: It’s tempting to get super smooth batter, but a little lump is okay and helps keep the donuts tender.
Oil Temperature Matters: Using a candy or deep-fry thermometer ensures the oil stays around 350°F — too hot and the donuts burn, too cool and they soak up oil.
Serve Warm: These donuts are best fresh out of the fryer or shortly after glazing. Leftovers are good but lose some of that melt-in-your-mouth magic.
Customize Your Toppings Quickly: Have toppings ready to go before you start frying so the donuts don’t cool off too much and the glaze sticks perfectly.

How to Serve Delicious Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate or Cinnamon Recipe

Garnishes

I always keep rainbow sprinkles on hand to add a playful pop of color. For a more grown-up treat, a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of smooth glaze can be just right. Cinnamon sugar coating feels cozy and nostalgic every time.

Side Dishes

A hot cup of coffee or chai latte pairs like a dream with these donuts. If it's breakfast, I throw together some fresh fruit for balance. The sweet and warm donuts contrast perfectly with tart berries and sliced apples.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or brunch parties, I arrange the donuts on a cake stand and mix topping styles for a colorful display. Another fun trick is to serve them with little bowls of glaze or cinnamon sugar on the side for guests to dip themselves. It’s interactive and super cute!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep them from getting soggy, I place a paper towel underneath to soak up moisture. They won’t be quite as fresh but still tasty enough for a quick treat.

Freezing

These donuts freeze surprisingly well. After they cool completely, wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They keep well for up to one month. When you want one, just thaw at room temperature.

Reheating

To revive old donuts, I pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or warm them briefly in a toaster oven. This refreshes their softness and flavor without drying them out too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I bake these gluten free donuts instead of frying?

While this recipe is designed for frying to get that classic crispy outside and tender inside, you can bake the batter in a donut pan at 350°F for about 12-15 minutes. The texture will be different—less crispy but still delicious.

What’s the best gluten free flour to use here?

I recommend King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten Free Flour because it behaves very similarly to regular flour, giving the donuts a fluffy yet sturdy texture. Avoid blends that don’t contain xanthan gum, or add it separately if needed.

Can I make these donuts dairy-free?

Absolutely! Just swap the milk for your favorite plant-based milk, like almond or oat, and replace butter in the glaze with coconut oil. The texture and flavor will still be wonderful.

How do I know when the oil is at the right temperature?

Using a candy or deep-fry thermometer is the easiest and most accurate way. If you don’t have one, drop a small bit of batter into the oil—it should sizzle and rise to the top quickly without burning. Adjust heat accordingly to maintain roughly 350°F.

Final Thoughts

These Delicious Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate or Cinnamon Recipe have become a staple for me when I want a quick, cozy, and fuss-free sweet treat. Sharing them feels like sharing a little piece of comfort—and once you try this recipe, I’m confident you’ll agree. So grab your mixing bowl and get frying; you won’t regret filling your kitchen with the smell of freshly made donuts!