Carrot Cake Donuts [gluten free + high protein]

1 month ago 35

Indulge in these healthy Carrot Cake Protein Donuts, topped with a creamy, healthy cream cheese frosting. Packed with protein, fiber, and sweet, spiced flavor!

If you’re a fan of carrot cake but want something lighter and packed with protein, these Carrot Cake Protein Donuts are for you! Moist, spiced, and satisfying, they’re the perfect snack or breakfast treat that you can feel good about. Plus, they’re easy to make and gluten-free.

Carrot Cake Donuts [gluten free + high protein]

Why You’ll Love These Carrot Cake Protein Donuts

Protein-Packed – With vanilla whey protein (HEALTHYHELPER saves on True Nutrition protein!) and Greek yogurt, these donuts are perfect for a post-workout snack or breakfast.
Lower in Sugar & Carbs – Using natural sweet carrots and oats keeps them light and wholesome.
Warm Spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger give them that classic carrot cake flavor.
Healthy Frosting – A creamy, tangy, high-protein cream cheese frosting takes these donuts to the next level.
Easy to Make – No fancy equipment needed, just a food processor and donut pan!

Carrot Cake Donuts [gluten free + high protein]

Carrot Cake Donuts

Author: Kaila Proulx
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Yield: 6 donuts 1x
Category: Sweet Snacks

Dry Ingredients:

½ cup rolled oats, ground into flour
15g vanilla whey protein (HEALTHYHELPER saves $$)
2 tbsp coconut flour (12g)
½ tsp cinnamon
⅛ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ginger
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda

Wet Ingredients:

2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp liquid egg whites
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
½ tsp apple cider vinegar
2 medium carrots, shredded (about 110g)

For the frosting:

4 oz (113g) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp date syrup (HEALTHYHELPER saves $$)
½ tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

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Instructions

For the donuts:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small cup, combine the almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes to create a “buttermilk” effect.
Using a food processor, grind rolled oats into flour. Combine oat flour, protein powder, coconut flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking powder, and baking soda in a mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine Greek yogurt, egg whites, and the almond milk mixture. Stir until smooth.
Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix! The batter should be thick but pourable.
Spray a donut pan well. Divide the batter evenly into 6 wells. Bake for about 15 minutes or until tops are lightly golden brown.
Let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting:

In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt.
Add maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Beat with a whisk or hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
Once the donuts are cool, spread or pipe this delicious frosting over them for the perfect carrot cake donut experience!

Tips & Variations

Add-ins: Toss in some chopped nuts or raisins for extra texture.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground cloves for more warm spice flavor.
Storage: Store leftover frosted donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Carrot Cake Donuts [gluten free + high protein]

Why These Donuts Are a Great Snack

These Carrot Cake Protein Donuts with Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting aren’t just delicious, they’re balanced and nourishing. The protein helps support muscle recovery, while the oats and carrots add fiber for better digestion. Plus, the light, tangy frosting ties it all together!

Carrot Cake Donuts [gluten free + high protein]

Ready to Bake? Try this recipe today and enjoy a healthy, protein-packed twist on classic carrot cake! Let me know how yours turn out in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you.

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115 responses to “Carrot Cake Donuts [gluten free + high protein]”

Yum. Looks so good! Had no idea that it was carrot cake day and alas, there isn’t a single carrot in my fridge. Gonna have to change that.

★★★
- GET SOME, GIRL!! You must make these! So darn good.
When I have my donut pan again, I need to try making this! I love carrot cake, and in donut form?! Ah… <3
- YOU MUST!!! They are epic!!
If it’s gluten-free, then i sure will give this recipe a try. Can’t wait to be healthy. Thanks for this post.
- Enjoy!!! I am so happy you’re going to try them!
Yes to these carrot cake donuts! It’s like having dessert for breakfast! Thanks for sharing my carrot cake fruit butter 🙂
- So welcome!! It looks delicious! I need to make it soon.
We’ve been on a homemade donut kick recently here and carrot cake is one of my favorites, so this looks perfect! Can’t wait to give these a try 🙂
- Let me know how you like them!!!
YES – I love carrot cake and I love donuts. These are perfection
- You will love these!!
[…] GET THE RECIPE […]
OH MY GOSH!!!! Totally Sharing, I have been looking for high protein low carb options that I can grab for breakfast!!! This is perfect! Thank YOU!
- So welcome! Enjoy!
Carrot cake is one of our favorites. Thanks for posting the recipe. We are going to try these.
- Glad to hear that! Enjoy!
These look yummy! What is the consistency like, soft or crunchy? I was thinking I could make cookies because I don’t have doughnut molds.
- Soft and doughy!! You could probably do muffins!
Yes yes, oh yes yes yes. Do you think this recipe would work in muffin pans? I don’t have a donut pan (but maybe this gives me an excuse to go get one!!)
- I think it would! But I highly recommend the Wilton donut pan…they are just do fun to make!
mmm i adore carrot cake. i would probably slather cream cheese all over these babies though. i can’t help it!!
- YES!! Great idea! I need to come up with a cream cheese frosting recipe!!
Wow, two of my favorite things combined! I’ll deff give this a try.

★★★★★
- Yay! Enjoy!! <3
Yum! These look delicious! I love carrot cake & I love donuts! What could be better than a combo. 😉
Thanks for sharing with us at 100 Happy Days!

★★★★★
- Thanks for stopping by to check them out!
I love carrot cake. I love donuts. Carrot Cake Donuts = Brilliant! And high in protein to boot! Great job!
- Thank you so much!!
These look delicious. Have to try them!
Holy smokes! These look so amazing!

★★★★★
- Thanks Julie! TASTE amazing too. 🙂
Looks like I am going to have to get me a donut pan so I can give these a try! YUM!
- YOU MUST!!!! The pan revolutionizes baking!
Something even my son would like I believe! Would this work with almond flour instead?
Hi Kaila,
These carrot cake donuts sound not only tasty but so healthy. What a great alternative for Ash Wednesday than the traditional donuts that are so healthy. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!

★★★★★
- Thanks Marla! Enjoy!
These look fantastic!
- Thank you!
Oh my goodness, these look amazing! I am going to have to give them a try!
- Yay! Let me know how you like them!
Oh, yum! I love making homemade donuts and I love carrot cake. You’ve combined the best of two worlds into one recipe! Can’t wait to try these 🙂
- Thanks Carly! Let me know if you try them!
Hi, visiting you via Healthy Vegan Fridays. Those look absolutely yummy, thanks for sharing!
- Thanks for stopping by!
What a great idea! I just love carrot cake, and actually I really love donuts for, so it seems this is the perfect combo! Thanks for sharing this recipe, found you at Wakeup Wednesday!
- Thanks for stopping by Katie! Glad you like the recipe!!
All these national foodie days keep popping up, and I’m loving it. 🙂 Reason to celebrate all of God’s awesome gifts. 🙂 I can’t wait to make these? Would it be legit to do a cream cheese frosting?
- OMG YES!!! I would have made some cream cheese frosting myself if I hadn’t of run out of time!!! DO IT.
these look AMAZING! will definitely have to try out!
- Thank you! Enjoy!
I’m not a donut eater but these sound really good! Would love to have you share on the “What’s for Dinner” link party –
- Thank you!!
I don’t like carrot, BUT I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE REDESIGN, LOOKS AWESOME, love the color scheme!

★★★★
- THANK YOU!!! That means so much!
What a healthy spin on a donut recipe! I really like what you came up with and can’t wait to try it! Pinning!
Would love to have you stop by at our Sunday Fitness and Food Link-Up if you want to share this recipe! :):)
- I will check out your link up for sure! Thanks for mentioning it!
ooh those do look yummmy1 I need one of those doughnut pans I think. Thanks for joining us for Meatless Monday today
Um, YUM. Having to eat gluten free is not my ideal situation, but these look yummy!

Thanks for joining us on the Alder Collective! Pinning, and we hope to see you again soon!
- So welcome! I’ll be back!
I love carrot cake! I may have to make these for my dad for his birthday in a couple weeks since the girls want to bring him donuts. Maybe with a healthy protein cream cheese glaze? You know because it’s his birthday!
Thank you for linking up, happy Meatless Monday!
- YES!!! I ran out of time to make a proper cream cheese frosting…but that would be perfect on these!!
Love carrot cake, especially with raisins, and I love donuts. Being gluten free I miss the cakey, denseness that gluten adds to baked goods, I am so going to be trying this, they look and sound delish! Yum!!!! Happy Carrot Cake day to me, I mean you! LOL
- Hahaha! These donuts are definitely ‘cakey’!! SO delicious too.
We would love your Carrot Cake Donuts! Thank you so much for sharing with us for our 5th Anniversary of Full Plate Thursday! Hope you have a fantastic week and hope to see you again real soon!
Miz Helen

★★★★★
- You are so welcome! Congrats on the milestone!
These look amazing! Thanks for the great idea! Going to make these next week!

★★★★★
- Great to hear! Enjoy!!
Looks really delicious!
- Thank you so much!
I Love Carrot Cake & so do my kids! This healthy version of donuts looks yummy, I can’t wait to try it!!
- The kids will love these!
Who knew there was a national carrot cake day! Fab! Thanks for linking the delicious recipe to #CookBlogShare
- It’s my new fave holiday!
[…] Kayla’s Favorite: Carrot Cake Donuts [gluten free + high protein] from Healthy Helper Blog […]
[…] Kayla’s Favorite: Carrot Cake Donuts [gluten free + high protein] from Healthy Helper Blog […]
These look delish! I love carrots and carrot cake, so I’m betting these donuts are divine! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe with us at Funtastic Friday.
- Thanks for hosting as always Sherry! Love your linkup!
I adore carrot cake, it has be be my favourite type of cake. Thank you for sharing with #Slimmerseeker
- Same here! LOVE carrot cake!
Happy carrot day! All those mix-ins sounds really good. #freefromfridays
- Thanks Emma! I think I discovered my new favorite holiday! 😉
Oh yum! I love carrot cake … and I know I would love some donuts. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Savoring Saturdays linky party.
- Isn’t carrot cake the best? All these need is some cream cheese frosting!
[…] from Healthy Helper […]
[…] Gluten free, high protein carrot cake donuts? Yes please! […]
Your Carrot Cake Donuts will be a great hit here. Hope you have a very special Valentine Day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen

★★★★★
- Let me know how you like them!
Oh, how neat. I just went to the market and saw carrot cake bagels and now I can make something similar at home. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday. Pinned.
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I love carrot cake. Congrats on your #HappinessisHomemade feature.
- THANK YOU!!
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I made these for breakfast this morning and HOLY COW. They were SO good sister. I glazed mine with another 1/2 scoop vanilla protein mixed with water. I’m definitely going to make these for breakfast again this week!!!
- YAY!!! I am so excited to hear that! If you’re on Instagram, take a picture and tag me in it! @healthyhelper
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Hello! Could you make this recipe without protein powder and ith flax eggs instead of egg whites? Look delicious! 🙂

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- Unfortunately the egg whites and protein powder are key!! So sorry!
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