Lemon Glazed Donut Holes (Keto, Paleo, Vegan)

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.

1. almond flour
2. neutral oil (I used avocado oil)
3. lemon
4. 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!

Save this recipe on Pinterest:

Lemon Glazed Donut Holes

Sweet, citrus-packed lemon glazed donuts! You won't believe there's no sugar!

4.50 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 11 holes

Author: Emily

Ingredients

Lemon Donut Holes

• 1 cup fine almond flour
• 1/2 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 tsp 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

To store: Keep in an airtight container at room temp for about 5 days. May be frozen for 2 months.

To make homemade "powdered sugar": blend about 1/3 cup granulated monkfruit in a small blender for 10-20 seconds until powdered. Works with coconut sugar, too!

Macros via Cronometer for 1 donut hole: 

• Cal 81
• Fat 7.6
• Total Carb 10 
• Fiber 1.2
• Sugar Alcohol 7.7
• Net Carb 1.1
• Protein 2.2

If your blender is struggling to get the lemon completely smooth: scrape down the sides of the blender cup and add 1/2 Tbs water or oil and blend again. Then add 1-2 extra teaspoons of flour at the end so the dough isn't too sticky.

Tried this recipe?Tag @emily.likes.food #prettypies!

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 🙂