Craving donuts but trying to stick to a ketogenic diet? These keto air fryer donut holes are the perfect solution! They're quick, easy, and satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your low-carb lifestyle. This article explores a few variations of keto-friendly donut holes, including cinnamon sugar and banana almond flour options, all cooked to perfection in your air fryer.
Why Keto Donut Holes?
Traditional donuts are loaded with sugar, fat, and carbs, making them a no-go for keto dieters. Luckily, with a few clever ingredient swaps, you can enjoy a similar treat without the guilt. These keto donut holes are typically low in carbs, high in healthy fats, and often incorporate protein for added benefits.
Basic Keto Donut Holes Recipe
This recipe provides a foundation for creating delicious keto donut holes. Feel free to experiment with variations and toppings to suit your preferences.
Yields: 8 Donut Holes## Ingredients:
- ½ cup fine almond flour
- ¼ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup powdered sweetener (e.g., erythritol, monk fruit)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Optional - ½ tsp vanilla extract
Toppings:
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp sweetener
Directions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine almond flour, Greek yogurt, sweetener, cinnamon, and baking powder. Stir until a dough forms. If the mixture is too flimsy, soft, or sticky, gradually add more almond flour until it’s firm enough to handle and retain its shape.
- Line your air fryer with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough into eight even balls.
- Place them on a parchment paper-lined air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.
- Lightly spray the donut balls with oil to ensure they crisp up nicely. For an extra crispy exterior, spray the donut balls with a little more oil halfway through cooking.
- Air fry at 325°F (160°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden and cooked through.
- Serve warm for the best flavor and texture. They pair wonderfully with a cup of sugar-free almond milk latte or your favorite keto-friendly hot beverage for a cozy and comforting snack.
Notes:
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the Greek yogurt with a non-dairy alternative, and use dairy-free butter.
- The sweetness level can be adjusted according to taste preference; add more or less sweetener as desired.
- These donut balls can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Ensure your air fryer is preheated for even cooking.
Variations and Modifications
- Chocolate Cinnamon: Add sugar-free chocolate chips (e.g., LILY’S or ChocZero) to the dough for a chocolatey twist. After the donut holes have cooled to the touch, dip each one into a mixture of melted sugar free chocolate and coconut oil. Let dry on a wire rack to set the chocolate.
- Nutty Delight: Mix in crushed pecans or walnuts for added texture and nuttiness.
- Pumpkin Spice: Incorporate pumpkin spice into the dough and coating for a fall flavor variation.
Keto Churro Donut Holes
These donut holes offer a delightful cinnamon-sugar flavor reminiscent of churros.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ingredients:
- Almond flour
- Protein powder
- Baking powder
- Xanthan gum
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Melted butter (or melted coconut oil for dairy-free)
- Sour cream
- Hot water
Instructions:
- Add almond flour, protein powder, baking powder, xanthan gum, cinnamon, salt, melted butter, sour cream and hot water to a small bowl.
- Mix until combined.
- Roll dough into 1/2 to 1 inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking tray, spacing about 1 inch apart.
- Bake according to the recipe you are following.
- Let keto donut holes cool completely before handling. They are very delicate after they finish baking and may crumble if you handle them too soon.
- Once doughnut bites have cooled to the touch, dip each one in the melted butter. Melted coconut oil can be used in place of butter for a dairy free option.
Air Fryer Banana Almond Flour Donut Holes (No Added Sweetness)
For a naturally sweet and fruit-flavored option, try these banana almond flour donut holes.
Recipe Servings: 10 donut holesCalories per Serving: Approximately 70 caloriesPrep Time: 5 minutesTotal Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Coconut oil spray (for the air fryer)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Batter: In a medium bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
- Add almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon (if using), and salt.
- Mix well until the ingredients are fully combined into a thick batter. If the mixture is too sticky, add a little more almond flour.
- Shape the Donut Holes: Scoop out a tablespoon of batter and roll it into a ball with your hands.
- Follow air frying directions from basic recipe.
The Role of Ingredients
- Almond Flour: A low-carb, gluten-free flour alternative that forms the base of most keto donut hole recipes.
- Protein Powder: Adds protein and can act as a flavorless flour substitute. It also provides a protein matrix to trap air bubbles released from leavening agents, contributing to a lighter texture. If you don't have protein powder, try using coconut flour. Use the same amount 1/4 cup of coconut flour.
- Sour Cream: Provides moisture and fat, balancing the dryness that protein powder can sometimes cause. One tablespoon of sour cream has 0.3 grams of carbs, making it keto-friendly.
- Sweetener: Keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol, monk fruit, or stevia replace sugar without spiking blood glucose levels.
- Greek Yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tang to the donut holes.
- Bananas: Mashed ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture in the banana almond flour version.
Tips for Success
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough donut holes. Mix until just combined.
- Cool Completely: Let the donut holes cool completely before handling, as they are delicate when warm.
- Storage: Store leftover donut holes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Keto Donut Holes vs. Traditional Donuts
The main difference lies in the ingredients. Keto donut holes replace high-carb ingredients like wheat flour and sugar with low-carb alternatives like almond flour and keto-friendly sweeteners. This significantly reduces the carbohydrate content, making them suitable for a ketogenic diet.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these keto donut holes as a quick breakfast, a midday snack, or a guilt-free dessert. Pair them with a cup of coffee or tea for a complete and satisfying treat. The keto doughnut holes are the perfect on the go keto breakfast or just enjoy them as a quick bite. My favorite way to eat this churro bites is to have them with a hot cup of coffee - either in the morning or as an afternoon snack and pick me up!
Other Keto-Friendly Treats to Explore
If you enjoy these keto donut holes, you might also like other keto-friendly dessert options, such as:
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
- Keto mozzarella sticks wrapped in rice paper
- Low-carb Mongolian beef
- Keto apple cider donuts
- High-protein overnight French toast casserole
- 3 easy no bake desserts
- French Toast Cloud
- Viral Melting Cabbage
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