The Ultimate Gluten-Free & Vegan Double Chocolate Baked Donuts: Top 8 Allergen-Free Recipe

Imagine a homemade donut that’s incredibly rich, wonderfully soft, and beautifully adorned with a gleaming, dark chocolate glaze. Now imagine it’s also completely free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts – yes, truly top-8-allergen-free and vegan! This isn’t a dream; it’s our recipe for Double Chocolate Baked Donuts, perfect for a decadent breakfast or a delightful dessert. And here’s a little secret: we’ve even snuck in some applesauce to keep them extra moist, making them a treat you can feel good about!

 

The Heart of an Allergy Parent: Making Sure No One Feels Left Out

Every allergy parent understands the unique blend of love, vigilance, and occasional last-minute kitchen heroics required to navigate life with food allergies. My own experience is certainly not singular; any allergy mom reading this will likely nod her head in knowing agreement. We’ve all been there: scanning labels, planning ahead, and sometimes, pulling off a culinary miracle just so our children can enjoy a moment of normalcy.

Last Friday presented one such moment. My church was hosting a trunk-or-treat event, and they were incredibly thoughtful. They notified me well in advance that donuts and hot chocolate would be served, giving me time to plan for my son’s needs. They even went the extra mile by posting a list of safe candies for my son and encouraged others to bring those options. Given their kindness, I felt it was too much to ask them to source a safe donut for him, especially since I don’t know of any reliably allergen-free bakeries nearby. “I’ll figure it out!” I declared, with a determination only an allergy parent truly understands.

Of course, “figuring it out” meant waiting until the very morning of the event. Life is a whirlwind, and let’s be honest, no one wants a stale donut anyway! This spontaneous decision, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise, leading to one of the most delicious and satisfying allergy-friendly baking adventures I’ve had in a long time.

A Culinary Confession and the Drive to Create

Here’s a small confession: I’d only made donuts once before in my entire life. My trusty old donut pan had gathered dust, a testament to how infrequently this particular treat made an appearance in my kitchen. The truly sad part? My son had never, in his whole life, experienced the joy of a homemade donut. I know, I know! As someone who considers donuts one of my favorite indulgences, I felt a pang of guilt for inadvertently depriving him. It felt like a culinary sin I needed to repent for.

This trunk-or-treat party became the perfect catalyst. I knew I had to finally make some donuts that he could safely enjoy. My previous donut-making experience involved “regular” ingredients like wheat, eggs, and butter, so I was genuinely unsure if an allergen-free version would even come close. Baking without common allergens often feels like a scientific experiment, balancing textures and flavors to mimic traditional treats.

And then there are the practicalities of donut making. I admit, I’m not a fan of meticulously piping batter into those ring-shaped wells; I much prefer simply plopping batter into a cupcake tin. Plus, I’ve never found a donut pan that makes more than six at a time, which means endless batches! However, this particular recipe, born out of necessity and a desire to see my son’s smile, was SO good that it has completely changed my perspective. I foresee these donuts gracing our kitchen counter far more often than once every few years!

A Triumph in the Kitchen: These Donuts Were a Hit!

And turn out they did! The donut gods truly smiled upon me that day. These delicious creations were so popular that we only had a few left by the time it was actually time for the trunk-or-treat event! Seriously, you’ll even spot a picture with a bite mark in it – because how can you photograph something this beautiful and not sneak a taste? It’s practically a rule of engagement for bakers!

In fact, we were so thoroughly indulged with these incredible donuts that when I asked my son if he wanted me to bring the remaining ones to the event, he simply said no! Haha! A true testament to their deliciousness, and perhaps a sign that we’d all had our fill for the day.

That Friday, I was just another allergy parent, bustling in her kitchen, striving to create something special so her child wouldn’t feel excluded and could enjoy a matching treat. It’s a scene that plays out in homes worldwide countless times, and will continue to do so. This shared experience fosters a unique empathy among us; we all “get it.” Allergy parents truly are the best, constantly innovating and sacrificing to ensure their children’s safety and happiness. I genuinely hope that if you ever find yourself needing to whip up some last-minute, allergy-friendly donuts, this recipe will be your saving grace!

Versatility and Fun: More Than Just a Treat

I hope this donut recipe empowers you to create a killer breakfast, an unforgettable dessert, or, fittingly for the time of year (Halloween!), a fun addition to any festive party. I’ve always been a huge fan of the old-school game where you tie donuts to a string and try to grab them with just your mouth. Anyone else remember that classic game? Or am I just showing my age? These sturdy yet soft baked donuts would be perfect for such a playful challenge!

Mastering the Perfect Chocolate Glaze

Let’s talk about the glaze, because it is seriously the perfect donut glaze. I discovered this gem from one of my baking goddesses, Something Swanky. The best part? It was naturally top-8-free, requiring no adjustments whatsoever! It’s thick, offers just the right amount of delightful drizzle, and boasts a truly gleaming finish. It’s simply “PURDY.”

The key to achieving that beautiful, thick glaze is a simple trick: double dipping the donuts. Dip them once, allow the first layer to set slightly, and then dip them again. This really amps up their visual appeal and ensures every bite is enveloped in rich chocolatey goodness. The extra step is absolutely worth it for that stunning, professional-looking finish.

Happy baking, everyone! Have a safe and joyful time, and most importantly, enjoy these incredible allergy-friendly donuts!

Gluten-free & Vegan Double Chocolate Baked Donuts (Top 8 Allergen Free!)

Yield:
10-12 donuts

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
12 minutes

Total Time:
27 minutes

A homemade, rich, and wonderfully soft double chocolate donut covered in a gleaming, dark glaze. Perfect for a decadent breakfast or dessert, these donuts are free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, making them suitable for the top 8 allergens. They’re also vegan and feature a secret ingredient – applesauce – for added moisture!

Ingredients

• DONUT:
• 1 cup gluten-free flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 and 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cup rice milk
• 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup measured, then melted coconut oil
• CHOCOLATE GLAZE:
• 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 – 3 Tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• Optional: Sprinkles (see note below for allergy info)

Instructions

1. For the donuts:
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, stir all of the dry ingredients (gluten-free flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt) until the cocoa powder is fully incorporated. Next, add all of the wet ingredients (rice milk, apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract, applesauce, melted coconut oil) and stir until everything is well combined and smooth.
3. Grease your donut pan thoroughly. You can either carefully spoon the mixture into the donut pan wells, filling just below the top, or for easier handling, put your batter into a large Ziploc bag, snip off one corner, and then squeeze it out into the donut rims.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Once they are done, immediately turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. While the donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze.
5. For the glaze: In a medium bowl, combine all of the glaze ingredients (powdered sugar, light corn syrup, vanilla, water, cocoa powder). Whisk until completely smooth and lump-free. Start with only 1 Tablespoon of water and gradually add more, up to 3 Tablespoons, until you achieve your desired consistency. For a thicker glaze, use less water.
6. Once the donuts have cooled completely, gently drop each donut into the bowl with the prepared glaze, ensuring both sides are coated. Carefully lift them out and place them back on the wire rack. They will drip a bit, so place parchment paper or a plate underneath your wire rack to catch any excess. Once this first glaze layer has set a bit (about 5-10 minutes), dip them again to achieve a beautiful, thick, and gleaming glaze. They are delicious plain, but if you wish to add sprinkles, be sure to add them when the second coat of glaze is still wet so they adhere properly.
7. Keep covered in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.

Notes

*For sprinkles, I often use the Great Value Rainbow sprinkles. Their ingredients typically include: “SUGAR, CORNSTARCH, PALM OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL, COCOA, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, SOY LECITHIN, CONFECTIONER’S GLAZE (SHELLAC), YELLOW 5 LAKE, RED 40 LAKE, YELLOW 6 LAKE, BLUE 1 LAKE, RED 3, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CARNAUBA WAX, BLUE 1.” Many individuals with a soy allergy can tolerate soy lecithin. Please consult with your own allergist to determine if this is a suitable ingredient for your specific needs. If strict top 8 allergen-free is required without soy lecithin, please omit the sprinkles or opt for sanding sugar.

**If you’re looking for more delicious gluten and dairy-free dinner ideas, be sure to check out my cookbook: An Allergy Mom’s Lifesaving Instant Pot Cookbook.

***Our family’s allergies, while severe and frequently re-tested, allow us to strictly adhere to what is stated on ingredient labels. I do not routinely contact companies to inquire about ingredient derivations or potential cross-contact issues during manufacturing. If your allergies necessitate these extra precautions, please perform your own thorough research. I cannot guarantee the safety of any ingredient for your specific allergies; only you can make that determination. I simply share what works safely for our family.

****If you are preparing this recipe for someone with food allergies, and you do not personally have food allergies, I HIGHLY recommend discussing every single brand and ingredient you plan to use with them. This ensures that they are comfortable with each component of the recipe. Additionally, it is crucial to discuss and implement strategies to prevent cross-contamination in your kitchen. Communication is key to allergy-safe cooking!

This delightful donut recipe was adapted from The Pretty Bee, and the perfect chocolate glaze was expertly sourced from Something Swanky. We’ve brought them together to create an unforgettable allergy-friendly treat!