Healthy Protein Donuts You Can Eat for Breakfast

Forget dry, boring protein snacks. These protein donuts are soft, and chocolatey, and each one has about 13 grams of protein. They taste so good, you won’t believe they’re actually high in protein. Let’s make them!

Watch my video below for a simple, step-by-step recipe for creating these delicious healthy protein donuts with oats. If you enjoy it, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more easy and tasty high-protein recipes!

---

Why These Are the Ultimate Protein Donuts

Let’s be real—protein donuts are the way to go. I love a good donut, but the store-bought ones? They’re packed with sugar, leave me feeling sluggish, and never keep me full. I’d eat one, and 20 minutes later, I’d be hungry again. That’s why I started making my own.

What makes them even better?

• Oats instead of white flour – More fiber, better digestion, and a soft texture.
• Baked, not fried – No greasy mess, just a fluffy, perfectly cooked donut.
• Naturally sweetened – You control the sweetness, whether you like honey, stevia, or maple syrup.

These are the donuts I actually feel good about eating—and trust me, they don’t taste “healthy.” They taste like chocolatey peanut butter heaven. So if you want a healthy chocolate donut recipe that still feels indulgent, this one’s for you!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk ingredients. The best part about these high-protein donuts is that they’re made with simple, real food—stuff you probably already have in your kitchen.

Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Protein Donuts

• Sprouted rolled oats (or regular oats) – ½ cup (50g) 
• Cocoa powder – 3 tbsp (15g) 
• Sweetener of choice (stevia, monk fruit, or granulated sugar) – 2 tbsp (24g) 
• Casein protein powder – 2 tbsp (20g) 
• Whey protein powder – 2 tbsp (20g) 
• Baking powder – ½ tsp (2g) 
• Baking soda – ¼ tsp (1g) 
• Skyr or Greek yogurt – 3 tbsp (45g) 
• Whole egg – 1 piece 
• Egg whites – 2 pieces
• Milk (dairy or plant-based) – Just under ½ cup (110ml) 
• Peanut butter – ¼ cup (64g) or ¼ cup (24g) powdered peanut butter

For the Protein Frosting

• Cocoa powder – 1 tbsp (5g) 
• Casein protein powder – 2 tbsp (20g) 
• Powdered peanut butter (PB2) – ¼ cup (24g) or ¼ cup (64g) regular peanut butter
• Skyr or Greek yogurt – 3 tbsp (45g) 
• Milk (adjust as needed for consistency)- Just under ½ cup (110ml) 

Optional Toppings

• Crushed peanuts (for extra crunch and protein)

How to Make Healthy Donuts

This is one of the best-baked donut recipes because it’s easy, healthy, and packed with protein. Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Blend the Oats
Throw the oats into a blender and let it run until they turn into a fine, flour-like texture. It’s that easy!

Tip: If you want extra smooth oat flour, sift it after blending. This helps create a lighter texture for your high-protein donuts.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, cocoa powder, sweetener, protein powders, baking powder, and baking soda. This step makes sure your chocolate protein donuts rise properly and have the perfect texture.

Tip: Use a high-quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor. Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder works great if you love deep, intense chocolate.

Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, stir together the yogurt, eggs, milk, and peanut butter until smooth.

Step 4: Combine Everything
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until just mixed—don’t overdo it! Overmixing can make your chocolate protein donuts dense instead of soft.

Step 5: Fill the Donut Pan
Grease your donut pan, then spoon the batter into the molds. Leave a little space at the top so they have room to rise.

Step 6: Bake Until Fluffy
Pop the pan in the oven at 350°F (180°C) and bake for 12-15 minutes. Your baked protein donuts will puff up beautifully and make your kitchen smell like chocolate heaven. Let them cool in the pan before taking them out—this helps them set and keeps them from falling apart.

Step 7: Make the Frosting
While the baked donuts cool, stir together cocoa powder, casein protein, peanut butter, yogurt, and milk until smooth. 

Note: If the frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk. Too runny? A little more protein powder will do the trick.

Step 8: Frost & Finish
Dip the donuts into the frosting, giving them a little twist as you lift them out. Let the extra drip off, then set them on a plate or rack. Want a thicker layer? Wait a minute, then dip again.

Try This Too! Love this protein doughnut recipe? Check out also these no-bake high-protein lemon bars here.

The Nutrition Breakdown

Let us take a closer look at what makes these chocolate peanut butter protein doughnuts not just delicious, but nutritionally impressive. Each doughnut delivers a carefully balanced nutritional profile while still satisfying your sweet tooth cravings.

Macros That Actually Support Your Goals

Each protein doughnut contains:

• Calories: 197 calories
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Fat: 5g (primarily from nutritious peanut butter)

Compare this to a standard chocolate glazed doughnut which typically contains around 250-300 calories, only 3g protein, 30g+ carbs (mostly sugar), and 12-15g fat (often unhealthy trans fats). The difference is substantial!

Storage Instructions

These protein doughnuts stay fresh and delicious when stored properly. Here are the best ways to keep them:

Counter Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Refrigerator Storage

Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. For best texture, let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before eating.

Freezer Storage

Wrap each doughnut individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 1-2 hours.

The texture is best within the first 2-3 days, but proper storage helps maintain both flavor and moisture content longer.

Doughnuts That Don’t Disappoint

I’ve made these protein doughnuts three times now, and I’m honestly impressed. They don’t taste “healthy” at all! The chocolate-peanut butter flavor is spot-on, and I love that I can enjoy a doughnut without the sugar crash afterward.

For me, the texture is what makes these special – they’re moist and cakey, not dry like most protein baked goods. At 15g of protein each, they’re perfect for my post-workout breakfast when I don’t feel like another shake.

Have you tried protein doughnuts before? Let me know how these compare to other recipes you’ve tried! What’s your favorite protein-packed treat?