Bright & citrusy lemon donut holes — secretly made with healthy ingredients and easily made in a blender! Coated in a real-deal donut glaze! (No gluten/grains, dairy or sugar. Keto, Paleo & Vegan)
More Keto / Paleo / Vegan Donut Recipes!
So many of you guys are OBSESSED with my donut recipes lately, so I did a poll on Instagram asking which flavor I should make next. And LEMON was the number one request! Ask and you shall receive. I can't get enough of these lemony GLAZED holes from heaven.
This is the first donut I've made with a glaze and oh.my.goodness it's a game-changer.
Yes, the cinnamon sugar coating was freaking amazing, too. And the powdered sugar --unbelievable! But glazed. I love it!! That crisp sugar glaze that cracks when you bite it.. Mmmmm.
Lemon flavored donut holes with a lemon glaze. Double the lemon!!
You're gonna love this EASY, healthy donut recipe! With just ONE net carb each, these are a delightful treat to enjoy on a low-carb/keto diet!
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Easy Blender Recipe
One of my favorite parts of these donuts (besides the TASTE) is that they're EASY to make in a blender!
You literally throw in the ingredients and blend. No mixing bowls, no extra equipment, no food processor, no electric mixer, nada.
BUT, you'll need a decent blender and a small (personal size) blender cup for this recipe to work.
I use this Ninja Pro 900 watt blender and it works perfectly. I've had plenty of cheap blenders in my lifetime but getting a QUALITY blender has made a huge difference. Mine is not even that expensive, but it's powerful enough to do a dang good job.
**If you have a cheap, standard size blender, do not attempt this recipe.** That's my official warning lol. It's just not going to blend smooth enough.
However, a standard size Vitamix or Blendtec or other high-speed blender should be able to handle it, using a tamper and/or scraping down the sides.
Food processor? Nope, it doesn't work for this recipe. We're blending a small quantity at a high speed to get it smooth. For the best results, use a SMALL but powerful blender.
New Method! Not your typical juicing & zesting of lemons
Don't be alarmed. This is something NEW. Something most people have never tried. It might seem unusual. That's because it IS 😉
But trust me -- it works! And it's mind-blowingly AWESOME.
I was trying to think of how I could modify my Blueberry Donut Hole recipe for lemon, and then I remembered my Lemon Frosty recipe! BINGO.
So here's the crazy part: We're gonna cut up a lemon and put it in the blender -- Yes, the whole PEEL with the fruit! The peel where the best flavor comes from!
Simply cut a lemon into quarters and take out the seeds. (I just popped them out with the tip of a knife.)
Throw the lemon wedges into your blender with the other liquids and blend smooth! My jaw dropped when I tried it.
The result is a thick and rich, heavenly lemon blend that adds INCREDIBLE flavor to your donut holes without having to get out your zester and juicer.
It's SO EASY.
Then you add in the remaining ingredients and blend again -- and there you have it! Lemon donut dough! Amazing, isn't it?!
Simple, Healthy Ingredients
The ingredients are simple and wholesome. Nothing crazy or unusual. Nothing artificial.
- almond flour
- neutral oil (I used avocado oil)
- lemon
- monk fruit (or coconut sugar)
And the result is a DELICIOUS donut hole that's actually healthy! Donuts made from plants?! Who would've thought! lol.
Unlike conventional donuts which are filled with SO much sugar and deep fried in inflammatory oils, these donuts are made with natural ingredients you can feel good about, and that make you feel good!
Sugar-free, so there's NO sugar overload, no sugar high and sugar crash.
Baked, not fried, so there's NO sluggish and sick feeling afterwards.
Low-carb, gluten-free and all natural for pure bright zingy lemon BLISS for your enjoyment.
Real Deal Donut Glaze
It's a miracle! "Real" tasting donut glaze with NO sugar!
Have you ever been to Krispy Kreme and watched their amazing little donut factory where the glaze coats the freshly made donuts? Then it dries into a light crispy shell that cracks when you take a bite?
This glaze is LIKE THAT, but infinitely healthier!
Same crisp, sweet coating that melts in your mouth, but none of the sugar or junk.
The magic is powdered monkfruit! It is a perfect replacement for powdered sugar and acts and melts JUST like the real deal.
I make my own powdered "sugar" monkfruit. (It only takes 10 seconds in a small blender)
(side note - I'm not 100% sure that store-bought powdered sweetener will yeild the exact same results. Lakanto's powdered monkfruit states that it's 2x sweeter than regular. Homemade is a 1:1 replacement, so you may not need as much if you're using store-bought.)
How to Make Donut Glaze
You only need a tiny bit of water to turn the powder into a liquid for the glaze (start with 1 or 2 teaspoons) and add just enough that it's a pourable consistency.
Stir it up and add a few drops of lemon extract or lemon essential oil. (I ran out of EO, but lemon extract contains lemon oil, so it all worked out) Adjust to taste. A few drops of extract (or 1 drop of EO is all you need.)
I tested the glaze with lemon juice instead of water and I wasn't happy with the result. It was too sour and not distinctly lemon flavored enough (remember - most of the lemon flavor comes from the peel!) So if you must use lemon juice, only use 1 teaspoon or so, and the rest water. You can add a little finely grated zest for flavor, too!
Healthy Donut Coating Options
You can make a variety of different toppings and coatings for your donut holes. These are YOUR donut holes. Make them how YOU like. Mix it up. Do a few different coatings.
- Lemon Glaze - powdered sweetener, water and lemon extract or lemon oil
- Classic Vanilla Glaze - powdered sweetener, water and vanilla extract
- Coconut Butter - Add liquid sweetener to melted coconut butter + lemon extract
- Powdered "Sugar" - roll in powdered monk fruit (SO GOOD)
- Coconut Coating - dip in a little coconut oil and roll in dessicated coconut shreds
- Sugar Coating - roll in granulated monk fruit
- Powdered Fruit Coating - roll in freeze dried fruit powder like in this Strawberry Daiquiri Bites recipe
- Naked - leave 'em bare! They're still good with nothin' on 'em! But I do recommend you try a glaze! 🙂
It's so hard for me to choose my favorite coating. It's a close tie between lemon glaze and powdered sugar. YUMM.
Natural Color for Gorgeous GLOW
If you want BRIGHT yellow color to match your bright lemony donut holes, simply add a few drops of natural yellow food coloring or a dash of turmeric.
I used Watkins Natural Food Coloring in some of my donuts and coconut butter with turmeric on the others.
If you use turmeric, just be careful not to use too much. A little goes a LONG way. And you don't want the flavor overpowering the delicious sweet lemony taste.
If you don't have any natural food coloring or turmeric, don't worry. They're still just as delicious when they're white! 🙂
Grab & Go
Just like my other keto donut recipes, these are perfectly fine to leave out at room temp for several days (if they last that long, ha).
No need to refrigerate or worry about melting. Just keep them in an airtight container.
These are portable for a breakfast treat on the go, or yummy afternoon treat at your desk or in the school pickup line (that's where you'll find me eating a snack!) #momlife
ONE CARB
This quick and easy recipe can easily be doubled, and you may want to double it!
It makes 11 donut holes. But at just ONE carb each, you may feel like eating more than one. And the good news is you totally can! 😀
Would you like to see more dairy-free keto donut/donut hole recipes? Let me know in the comments!
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Lemon Glazed Donut Holes
Ingredients
Lemon Donut Holes
- 1 cup fine almond flour
- ½ a large lemon
- 2 Tbs avocado oil
- 3 Tbs granulated monk fruit - or coconut sugar for non keto
- 1 Tbs water
- splash of vanilla
- pinch of pink salt
Lemon Glaze
- 4-5 Tbs powdered monkfruit - I used homemade - see notes
- 2-3 teaspoon water
- 4 drops lemon extract - or 1 drop lemon oil
- a few drops of natural yellow food coloring - or turmeric, optional
Instructions
To make the donut holes:
- Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Cut a lemon in half, and then cut that into quarters. Remove the seeds.
- Place lemon quarters, oil, water and vanilla in a small blender and blend smooth.
- Check to make sure it's fully blended. Remove any large pieces if needed.
- Add flour, monkfruit and salt and blend again to form the dough.
- Use a cookie scoop to form "holes." Roll smooth in your hands.
- Bake for 10-11 min. Let cool before glazing.
To make the glaze:
- Make homemade powdered "sugar" if needed (see notes)
- Add powdered monk fruit to a small bowl and add a little water at a time until it is a pourable consistency. Add lemon extract to taste and optional coloring.
- Dip donuts in glaze and place back on the parchment to dry. ENJOY 🙂
Notes
- Cal 81
- Fat 7.6
- Total Carb 10
- Fiber 1.2
- Sugar Alcohol 7.7
- Net Carb 1.1
- Protein 2.2
Disclosure: As an affiliate I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through referral links in this post (at no additional cost to you).
Find Products & Ingredients
Blanched Almond Flour from:
- Thrive Market {use my referral link to save 25% on your first order}
- Amazon
Lakanto Monkfruit from:
- Thrive Market {use my referral link to save an extra 25% on your first order}
- Amazon
- Lakanto.com Click here {use code PRETTYPIES to save 20% on your order}
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to tag me on Instagram @emily.likes.food #prettypies so I can see 🙂
Mandy Metts
These are melt in your mouth creamy rich goodness! They are also so easy to make I can't believe it! Emily has done it again with another recipe. Words cannot describe how wonderfully lemony they are!
Emily
Yay!! So happy you liked them! Thank you for your review
amanda
Does this work with coconut flour?
Emily
I’m sorry it doesn’t 🙁 Coconut flour requires a lot of liquid/eggs to work. It’s a very dry and absorbent flour. I recommend only using it in recipes specifically formulated for coconut flour.
jeanne Mitchum
This sounds amazing but I only have limes on hand. Will it work the same with limes?
Emily
That’s a good question! If you have a powerful blender it may work. Limes usually have a thicker/tougher skin than lemons so I would just make sure it blends all the way. May need a little extra sweetener too. Let me know if you try it! 🙂 hope you enjoy
Sharon
Hey! These look like they would definitely fill any lemon cravings! I’m wondering if you know if this would work with Bobs gluten free 1:1 flour? We have a nut sensitivity m in the house so no almond four for us, although I’m sure that would be amazing!
Emily
I’m not sure! GF flours are more starchy and lower in fat, so the consistency may not be quite the same. But if you try it, please let me know how it goes 🙂
Felicia
Will it work with any other flour? I'm highly allergic to nuts.. Thanks!
Emily
I’m not 100% sure, but I think pumpkin seed flour or sunflower seed flour should work. Let me know if you try it 🙂
Felicia
Thank you, will do!
Roe V
Unfortunately I used brown rice flour and it was not a success .... bummer!
Emily
Aw I’m sorry. Grains are not a good sub for almond flour unfortunately:( But another nut or seed flour should work!
becky
Tried these out today and was really hopeful but they turned out having a very bad after taste. Not sure if it was something I did or if I am just not used to the monk fruit sweetener. Any ideas? (no coating added)
Emily
Oh no I’m sorry that happened! I don’t find this sweetener to have an after taste, but everyone’s taste buds are different. It could be the lemon had a very bitter tasting peel? Not sure.
The coating definitely makes these IMO. I would try adding some sort of glaze. I hope you still enjoy!
Kristen
This recipe was okay and I may try again someday with some variations, such as additional sugar and/or less lemon. They were really bitter! The aftertaste that another reviewer mentioned may have been the strong bitter lemon rather than the monkfruit. I have used monkfruit in icing before and no aftertaste. For this recipe I used half monkfruit and half coconut sugar in the balls and half powdered monkfruit and half powdered (cane) sugar in the icing. On a plus, my Ninja blender worked perfect and they turned out to be a nice texture!
Emily
I always recommend tasting the batter to see if it needs any extra sweetener, salt, etc 🙂
Mine were not bitter. Not sure what happened. Maybe it is the type or size of lemon? The thickness of the peel? Sorry yours didn’t turn out perfectly. The sweetness of the glaze does help balance the tangy lemon taste though. You can omit the lemon in the glaze to reduce the flavor. Hope that helps.