Celebrate National Donut Day with Protein Donuts!
Do you love donuts? Most people do! Endless flavors, fluffy textures, frosting, and even various fillings. There’s something for everyone! November 5 is National Donut Day (though do we really need an official day to tell us to eat donuts?). It’s a day to indulge in your favorite type of donut.
Sadly, there are not a lot of beneficial ingredients in donuts, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a treat now and then! The trick is to try to at least get something healthy or nutritional in the treats we eat.
Since at Performance Inspired we’re all about caring for your body, we want to teach you how to make your own donuts at home. They are a bit healthier, and they have protein (using PI’s protein powder, of course!).
Each of the following recipes embrace the wonderful taste of fall. So whether you like pumpkin, apple, or banana (or all three), get ready for this delicious day and check out one of these three recipes.*
*Two of the recipes below require a donut pan. We have also included a donut hole recipe in case you don’t have a pan. However, you can always roll the dough and add it to oil if you don’t have a donut pan.
Pumpkin Protein Donuts
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 scoop PI vanilla protein powder (of your choice)
- 1 cup pumpkin
- ½ cup vegetable oil
In a large bowl, mix all ingredients with an electric mixer. Beat for 3-4 minutes until well combined. The longer you beat the mixture, the fluffier the donuts will be.
Pour the batter into a lightly greased donut pan. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes, depending on your oven. Use a toothpick to make sure that they are completely baked.
Let cool for a few minutes. Eat plain or sprinkle with a bit of powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Banana Protein Donuts
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 scoop PI vanilla protein powder (of your choice)
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 very ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup melted butter (melt in a pot on the stove rather than in the microwave)
Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease the donut pan.
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the brown sugar, egg, vanilla, butter, and mashed bananas. Make sure this mixture is fluffy!
Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, protein powder, and salt. Add this to the brown sugar mix. Stir well.
Add the batter to the donut pan and cook for 10-15 minutes, depending on your oven. Use a toothpick to make sure they are fully cooked. Let cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or eat plain.
Protein Apple Donut Holes
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/3 cup applesauce**
- 1 scoop PI vanilla protein powder (of your choice)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
**Alternatively, you can replace the applesauce with pumpkin.
For topping:
- Cinnamon ½ tsp
- Sugar 1 cup
Add vegetable oil to a saucepan and heat on medium. But don’t boil the oil or let it smoke.
Combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Set aside.
Mix the flour, applesauce, and the protein powder. Stir or whisk until well mixed. When the oil is hot enough to fry the donut holes, use your hands to roll the dough. Form balls and gently drop them into the oil. Cook until they are golden brown. Use a fork or tongs to flip them so they cook evenly.
When they are fully cooked, remove them from the oil and let them cool on a paper towel.
After they have cooled, roll them in the cinnamon sugar to coat them. Enjoy!
Celebrate fall by indulging in something sweet that will add a little protein to your diet. We hope these will help you enjoy National Donut Day—and beyond!
