Gluten Free Maple Donuts (Yeast Risen, Fried)
If you have been following me then you know my love for donuts runs so so deep. I mean like, I can’t put this love into words- I’m at a loss right now just thinking about it. This gluten free yeast donut recipe is like a love child to me. I’ve been working on a gluten free fried donut recipe for YEARS. I’m not exaggerating, like 5 years to be exact. For this first post I wanted to do a gluten free maple donuts recipe because those are my favorite. Keep reading to learn how to make gluten free donuts that will blow your mind!
Gluten Free Maple Donuts
I tried to make a gluten free yeast donut recipe many years back and epically failed, more than once. If we are being honest here and I feel like I can, then here’s the truth… I quit them. I was so frustrated that I just said forget this and I moved on to a safer and friendlier donut recipe like my Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze, Funfetti Donuts with Strawberry Glaze, and Chocolate Cake Donuts. All are amazing, delicious, and easy, you should give them a try!
Fried Gluten Free Donuts
However, when you are a donut addict, a baked donut does not do the trick. It might get you by for a little while, but you will start jonesing for that yeast risen, fried goodness.
Earlier this year I couldn’t take it anymore. I need that that damn donut, so I had a talk with myself and decided to really focused on how I could make a gluten free yeast donut recipe a success. I tried a few things, some worked and some didn’t. After tweaking it several times and eating LOTS of floppy donuts, I got it right. A gluten free fried donuts recipe that tasted great, has perfect texture, I WON!
What is the difference between baked and fried donuts?
Baked donuts are considered cake donuts. They are tasty, but not the same as traditional style yeast risen and fried donuts like in this recipe.
To make baked donuts you use a cake batter and donut baking pan.
To make fried donuts you make what is like a pastry yeast risen dough, cut the donuts with a donut cutter and then fry them to cook them.
Nothing beats the flavor of a fried donut!
Gluten Free Yeast Donut Recipe
Now, one of the most amazing parts of these gluten free maple donuts is that you can ACTUALLY CUT THIS OUT WITH A DONUT CUTTER and not have to squeeze the dough out! Every single gluten free donut recipe I have come across (I’ve done my research friends) you have too sticky of dough and you have to squeeze the dough out and blah blah blah. No, I was determined because I don’t have to time to play. I wanted to use a real donut cutter, cut my dough, and fry those beautiful yeast risen babies.
When I say I’m proud of this I really mean it. This is probably the most excited I have gotten about a recipe since I created my French Bread recipe that’s in my cookbook. If you love donuts then you have to make these!
Gluten Free Fried Donuts Recipe
What ingredients will I need to make these gluten free fried donuts?
- sugar
- yeast
- water
- eggs
- coconut milk
- vegan butter
- salt
- gluten free flour (see below for notes)
- xanthan gum if your flour does not contain it!
- maple extract
- powdered sugar
- corn or maple syrup
- coconut milk
- coconut oil, or vegetable oil
What kind of flour is best for donuts?
Gluten Free Flour
When developing this recipe I used my All Purpose Gluten Free Flour recipe. It is easy to make and always works perfectly! You can grab the recipe HERE.
If you are looking for a premade gluten free flour blend I only recommend Better Batter. The flours works better than anything else. You can use the code: livingfreelygf to get 30% off your purchase on BetterBatter.org .
Xanthan Gum
What is xanthan gum? In short, it is a binder. Gluten is the binder found in what flour and since we must remove the gluten we need to add a binder into our flour. Xanthan gum is the preferred binder as it works the best. Other options are guar gum and psyllium husk. Psyllium husk is not a gum, so it is the most natural binder, but it also does not work as well as xanthan gum or guar gum.
If your gluten free all purpose flour blend already contains xanthan gum, do not add more!
Yeast
These are yeast risen donuts just like traditional style donuts. I prefer red star yeast for this recipe. You might see there is active dry yeast and rapid yeast. You can use both for this recipe.
The ingredients call for active dry yeast, if that is what you are using follow the directions exact.
If you are using rapid yeast then you do not need to activate the yeast. You can skip this step entirely and simply add the dry yeast and the liquid to the mixing bowl when the directions call for the activated yeast.
Butter and Milk
Since we are dairy free the ingredients are written to use coconut milk and vegan butter. If you are not dairy free you can use regular butter and whole milk in place of the coconut milk.
Do I have to use coconut oil?
No, you do not. When frying I prefer coconut because of its high heat point, but you can use vegetable oil instead.
How to make gluten free donuts?
First you need to activate the yeast by adding the sugar and yeast to the warm water. It’s ready when it doubles in size. Heat the milk to be warm. Add the coconut oil and vegan butter to the milk and stir to melt.
Beat the eggs on medium speed for 4 minutes and turn off the mixer.
With the mixer on low add the yeast mixture to the eggs and then the milk mixture. Mix for 2 minutes.
Add the salt, sugar, xanthan gum, and gluten free flour. Mix for 2 more minutes.
Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on the kitchen counter. Put 1/2 cup of the dough on top of the plastic wrap. Put another piece of plastic wrap on top and gently push down to flatten the dough slightly. Cut your donut with a Doughnut Cutter, remove the plastic wrap, and place the donut on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You will have donut holes too. Repeat this cutting method until the dough is gone. This recipe makes about 10 donuts.
Cover them and let them rise for 20 minutes.
How to fry gluten free donuts
Heat oil to be 275-300ºF. You will need a Candy / Deep Fry Thermometer for this. I always use coconut oil for this recipe. You can use other oils, but coconut oil is truly perfect and I highly recommend it. It is so important to watch the temperature so that they cook through the middle.
Place the donut in the hot oil and fry for about 1-1 1/2 minutes on each side, it will be nicely golden brown. Carefully transfer to a cooling rack and allow it to cool for 20 minutes before frosting.
To make the glaze you simply add all of the ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until smooth. Drop the donut into the bowl, gently pick up with one figure and lay on a cooling rack frosting side up. Allow the frosting to settle for a moment and then serve.
If you would like to make a different flavor glaze for them such as chocolate, or strawberry you can reference the baked donuts recipe for the glaze ingredients and instructions.
You are truly going to love this gluten free fried donuts recipe. Make them and then invite your friends over to eat them with you. Enjoy!
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Ingredients
Dough Mixture
- ½ TBSP. Sugar
- 2 ¼ tsp. Yeast
- ½ Cup Warm Water
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Cup Warm Milk I use coconut
- ⅓ Cup Dairy Free Butter
- ⅓ Cup Coconut Oil
- ¼ Cup Sugar
- Dash of Salt
- 2 tsp. Xanthan Gum
- 4 Cups Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
Maple Glaze
- 1 ½ tsp. Maple Extract
- 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp. Corn or Maple Syrup
- 3 TBSP. Coconut Milk
2 ½ Cups Coconut Oil for Frying
Instructions
Donuts
- Activate yeast by adding sugar and yeast to warm water. It should double in size.
- Heat the milk to be warm. Add the coconut oil and butter to milk, stir to melt.
- Beat eggs on medium speed for 4 minutes. Turn off.
- Turn mixer on low and add the yeast mixture and milk mixture. Mix for 2 minutes.
- Add salt, sugar, xanthan gum, and gluten free all purpose flour. Mix for 2 minutes.
- Place ½ cup cup of dough on plastic wrap. Add another sheet of plastic wrap on the top half and gently press down to flatten the ball of dough.
- Cut donuts with a donut cutter, remove plastic wrap, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
- Heat oil to 275-300ºF and use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. Place donut in the hot oil and fry for about 1- 1 ½ minutes on each side. Until it is golden brown. Carefully transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool for 20 minutes before frosting.
Maple Glaze
- In a bowl add all of the ingredients and mix well. Drop the donut into the mixture and pick up carefully by placing your pointer finger into the hole. Lay on a rack covered with parchment paper frosting side up. Enjoy!
Nutrition
If you like this recipe then you will love my cookbook with over 100 gluten and dairy free recipes that are simple to make with easy to find ingredients.
Need more delicious recipe like these gluten free maple donuts? I’ve got you covered…
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