Once Fall hits in the US you just know pumpkin pie spice is going to be everywhere! Pop some pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice into these healthy and delicious baked donuts. Perfect for breakfast on the go or an afternoon snack. What's even better is that they freeze well, perfect for batch baking for the busy week ahead.
The perfect easy comfort food snack which pairs just perfectly with a decadent pumpkin hot chocolate (also a great way to use up the rest of the pumpkin in that can you bought for making the donuts!)
Baked Chia Pumpkin Pie Donut
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Let's start Fall off right with a Chia Pumpkin Pie Donut!
On September 1st in the US every year without fail you will see pumpkins, pumpkin spice, apple cider, and chocolate chip everything in all of the shops.
It's very hard to not get swept up in the excitement of it all (believe me, I tried).
For these pumpkin pie donuts, you are going to need:
- chia seeds: it doesn't matter whether you use black or white chia seeds;
- white whole-wheat flour;
- pumpkin pie spice (if you don't live in the US and still want to make these pumpkin donuts, then you can very easily make your own pumpkin pie spice using a recipe like this one: DIY pumpkin pie spice from Minimalist Baker);
- baking soda;
- baking powder: look for the variety without aluminum as linked here;
- maple syrup: you want pure maple syrup, not maple flavored syrup;
- coconut oil;
- pumpkin puree;
- dark chocolate to serve.
Nothing too fancy!
BONUS: Using chia seeds and pumpkin puree as a binder makes these donuts naturally vegan.
How To Make Pumpkin Pie Spice Donuts
A baked chia pumpkin pie donut is super fluffy, filling, and delicious.
They are just perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, or a sweet little addition to your lunchbox.
If you don’t have a doughnut pan for baking the donuts, don't worry, they will work just as well as muffins in either a normal or a mini muffin pan. Just adjust the timer depending on your method.
Simply mix all of your dry ingredients together.
Mix all of your wet ingredients together until smooth.
Add them together and whisk well until combined.
Be sure to coat the donut pan with some melted coconut oil or butter before adding the batter to the pan to prevent it from sticking.
Allow them to cool for about 5 minutes after baking as this allows the donuts to shrink away from the edges of the pan a little and makes it a lot easier to remove the baked donuts from the pan.
Want to take it to the next level?
Drizzle on some melted dark chocolate to make these baked donuts even more wow!
I guarantee you will be a happy wee clam when it comes to afternoon tea time (I know I was).
If you want some pumpkiny goodness, but don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen then try this pumpkin bread with cake mix.
Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions
If you can't get your hands on canned pumpkin (i.e. if you live in Australia where it is basically non-existent unless Aldi is having a US week...) then you can always make your own pumpkin puree by using a recipe like this one from Its Not Complicated Recipes: How To Make Pumpkin Puree.
Chia seeds: these are used to bind the ingredients of the donuts together (and they are also a nutritional powerhouse!). However, if you cannot get your hands on chia seeds you can sub in one of the following:
- 2 small lightly beaten eggs (use this if you don't need the donuts to be vegan)
- 2 tablespoon ground flax seeds - this is the perfect option if you would like the donuts to remain vegan.
Allow To Cool
Make sure you let the donuts cool for at least 5 mins in the donut pan before trying to remove them, otherwise you risk them sticking as they are fairly delicate.
Once removing them from the donut pan, add to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before adding the chocolate drizzle, otherwise, it will melt straight away and not stick to the donut.
If you would like to keep these donuts on the healthier side, then use dark chocolate with less added sugar as the drizzle on top, or leave the drizzle off completely (they will still taste delicious).
Storage and Freezing
Store the donuts in an airtight container with a lid in the fridge for 3-5 days.
These donuts can also be frozen, however, it is best to freeze before adding the chocolate drizzle.
To defrost, simply remove them from the freezer the night before the donuts are needed, and allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight.
Pumpkin pie donuts can also be heated in the microwave or air fryer if you want something a bit more comforting.
Need More Pumpkin Recipes?
If you need some more Fall recipe inspiration then be sure to check out these recipes:
- Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
- Healthy Pumpkin Muffins with Apple and Granola Crumb
- Pumpkin Spice Granola
- Pumpkin Goat Cheese Risotto with Pomegranate
Happy Eating
xx
Recipe
Baked Chia Pumpkin Pie Donut
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 6 tablespoons water
- 1 ½ cups white whole-wheat flour
- 1 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup maple syrup
- â…“ cup melted coconut oil
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- Melted dark chocolate to serve optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C)
- Make your chia eggs by combining the chia seeds with the water and setting them aside for at least 5 mins. They will be quite thick and gelatinous when ready.2 tablespoons chia seeds, 6 tablespoons water
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.1 ½ cups white whole-wheat flour, 1 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour in the maple syrup, coconut oil and chia seed mixture. Mix together (but don't over-mix), gently fold in the pumpkin puree until everything is just combined.½ cup maple syrup, ⅓ cup melted coconut oil, 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- Coat the inside of the doughnut pan with melted coconut oil to prevent sticking. Divide the mixture between 12 doughnut cups (you will have to do two loads if your pan only holds 6 doughnuts). Pop in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until golden and a tooth pick comes out clean. Leave to cool completely in the pan.
- To serve: melt some dark chocolate and dip the tops of the doughnuts in the melted chocolate (optional)Melted dark chocolate to serve
- To store: store at room temperature or freeze
Notes
- Store: store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3 days. They can also be stored in the fridge, but this will make them less moist and more cake-like.
- Freeze: cooled donuts can also be frozen for about 3 months. Freeze in a single layer until partially frozen and then transfer to a Ziploc bag. This prevents them from sticking together.
- Pumpkin: use plain unsweetened canned pumpkin or roast and mash your own pumpkin.
- Glaze: glazing the donuts with chocolate is an optional extra.
Blithe Raines says
Loved making these today! Everything was perfect! They cooked exact with time posted and fam loved them. I will try them with a Maple glaze soon. Thanks for another delish and cozy recipe!
Donna says
So happy to hear blithe!! My kids are HUGE fans of homemade donuts 🙂
Tammy Wiggins says
Could you please tell me if the calorie count includes the chocolate topping or not
Donna says
Hi Tammy, it doesn't include the topping.
Lynper says
Looking forward to making these! However I need some clarity. Is it 1 and 1/4 tsp baking soda?
Donna1 says
Hope you enjoy 🙂 Thanks so much for pointing out the typo! It is 1 tsp baking soda and 1/4tsp baking powder - I have corrected it on there now!
Stacie says
Can you substitute whole wheat flour for the white whole-wheat flour?
If not, what would be a good healthy sub-in?
Thanks!
Donna1 says
Hey Stacie, I have tried them with whole wheat flour and they did work, they were just a little bit heavy, but they still tasted good which is what matters right 🙂 Good luck, I would love to hear how you go!
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
Yesss to these amazing looking fluffy pumpkin donuts! I'd love to dip these in my PSL! Ha, I love all things pumpkin! Bring it on fall!
Donna1 says
I agree 🙂 Now if only the weather would cool down!!!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
These would be so perfect for breakfast this morning!
Donna1 says
Ha we actually just finished off yesterdays batch for breakfast 🙂 Perfect!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
This looks incredible! Wish I had some right now!
Donna1 says
Pretty easy to whip up a batch 🙂
Florentina says
Ohlala, now this is my kind of donut. I can smell it through the computer screen.
Donna1 says
It smells pretty delicious 🙂
Aish says
Gorgeous pics. love it so much.
Donna1 says
Thanks Aish 🙂
Platter Talk says
We like this idea very much! No hot fat to contend with & great for the Fall.
Donna1 says
Oh I am way too dangerous with hot fat 🙂
Sundari says
Good recipe and stunning pictures 🙂
Donna1 says
Oh thank you so much Sundari 🙂