By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On August 17, 2023

If you're a pumpkin lover, you won't want to miss out on these irresistible Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts! With their tender texture and tasty pumpkin flavor, these Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts will become a year-round favorite in your household.

Indulge in all things pumpkin with my collection of irresistible gluten-free pumpkin recipes. If you're a pumpkin lover, try my moist and flavorful Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread and easy-to-make Paleo Pumpkin Muffins.

For cake enthusiasts, don't miss out on the heavenly Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake. Explore the Gluten-Free Recipes section for more tantalizing options like the delectable Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Donuts, the ultimate list of the best Gluten-Free Donuts, the festive Gluten-Free Gingerbread Donuts, and the show-stopping Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake.

Alternatively, access 20 of the best gluten-free pumpkin recipes and satisfy your pumpkin cravings in style.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts Recipe

My friend Brianna from Flippin Delicious recently told me that I was the queen of donuts. I don't know if I'd go that far, but I do like to create donut recipes that are simple and delicious.

I was searching through my recipes the other day and realized I didn't have a recipe for pumpkin donuts. How could I not?

Pumpkin donuts are one of my favorite types of donuts, and they're the donut of choice (well, in our house) during the fall months.

Did I create one and not share it with you? Did it get lost in the archives somewhere? None of the above.

I have a recipe for Grain-Free Pumpkin Bars that you might like. BUT... no recipe for Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts. At least, not that I've typed up. Well, that's where the fun began.

My girls and I tested several batches of Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts and loved every bite during the taste testing.

One of the days we tested the recipe, I ate more than one donut. I won't disclose how many I ate.

I have no interest in breaking the world record for how many donuts can be eaten in one sitting, and I'd like to reserve my reputation for knowing my limits here.

Why You’re Going to Love These Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts

Irresistible Flavor - These Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts boasts a delicious pumpkin flavor that will satisfy any pumpkin lover's cravings.

Tender Texture - Enjoy these donuts' soft and tender texture, making each bite a delightful treat.

Easy to Make - With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, making donuts is easy and quick to whip up.

Versatile and Freezable - This recipe yields 12 donuts that freeze well, allowing you to enjoy these treats whenever you want to.

Ingredients in Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts

Coconut Oil - Adds moisture and richness to the donuts, contributing to their tender texture.

Eggs - Provide structure and help bind the ingredients together, ensuring the donuts hold their shape.

Granulated Sugar - Sweetens the donuts and enhances their flavor.

Pumpkin Purée - Infuses the donuts with a delicious pumpkin taste and adds moisture. Do not use pumpkin pie filling.

Pumpkin Pie Spice - A blend of warm spices that enhances the pumpkin flavor and contributes to the aromatic profile of the donuts.

Ground Cinnamon - Adds a hint of warmth and complements the pumpkin flavor.

Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour - A gluten-free flour blend mimics all-purpose flour's texture and performance, making it suitable for gluten-free baking.

Salt - Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness in the donuts.

Gluten-Free Baking Powder - This is a leavening agent, helping the donuts rise and achieve a light and fluffy texture.

Powdered Sugar - Used for the sugar coating, it adds a touch of sweetness and a beautiful finish to the donuts.

Missing something? No worries! Order missing ingredients from GoPuff and have them arrive at your doorstep in minutes.

Equipment Needed for This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts

Donut Pans - This specialized doughnut pan with indentations for donut shapes are required for baking the donuts. 

Large Mixing Bowl - A spacious bowl is necessary to mix the ingredients together effectively.

Piping bag or ziplock Bag - Used for piping the donut batter into the donut pans, a large ziplock bag works well for this purpose.

Cooling Rack - A cooling rack is needed to allow the donuts to cool properly after baking.

Spatula or Spoon - Required for mixing the batter and transferring it into the ziplock bag for piping.

If you have any questions about making Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts, please leave a comment, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

How to Make Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts

1. Combine coconut oil, eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add in flour, salt, and baking powder.
3. Mix just until combined.
   Spoon batter into a large zip lock back and snip the corner off. Gently squeeze batter into your prepared donut pans, filling about ¾ of the way.
4. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until donuts are set. Enjoy plain or coat with powdered sugar.

These numbered steps match the photos above and are for illustration purposes only. Please see the printable recipe below.

Tips for Making the Best Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts

Use a reliable gluten-free flour blend - Opt for a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, such as Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 baking flour, for the best texture and taste in your donuts.

Ensure proper measurement of ingredients - When working with gluten-free flours, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, which can lead to inaccurate measurements.

Mix ingredients until combined - Overmixing can result in dense and tough donuts. Mix the ingredients until combined to achieve a tender and fluffy texture.

Preheat the oven and greased pans - Preheat the oven to the specified temperature and ensure the donut pans are properly greased before filling them with the batter. This helps in achieving even baking and easy release of the donuts.

Don't overbake the donuts - Gluten-free baked goods can dry out quickly if overbaked. Keep a close eye on the donuts and remove them from the oven as soon as they are set and lightly golden.

Allow the donuts to cool before coating - Let them cool for a few minutes in the pan, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before coating them with powdered sugar or other toppings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Store Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts?

Store the baked pumpkin donuts in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to three days.

Can I Freeze Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts?

Yes, you can freeze the gluten-free pumpkin donuts. Place them in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to two months.

Can You Make This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make the gluten-free pumpkin donuts ahead of time. Prepare the donuts as instructed and allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to three days or frozen for longer storage.

What Substitutions / Replacements Can I Make?

Eggs - To make the recipe vegan or egg-free, use flax eggs or applesauce to substitute eggs.

Spices - Feel free to adjust the pumpkin spice and cinnamon amount according to your taste preferences.

Toppings - You can also try other toppings like cinnamon sugar, glazes, or a cream cheese frosting.

Can I use a different oil in these gluten-free pumpkin donuts?

I've used a variety of oils in this recipe; while avocado is my new favorite, I use coconut oil quite often too. You can use whichever oil you prefer; this recipe is really versatile.

Avocado oil is pretty mild in flavor, while virgin coconut oil adds hints of coconut oil.

What Toppings Can I Place On These GF Pumpkin Donuts?

• Powdered Sugar - Dust the donuts generously with powdered sugar for a classic and simple topping.
• Glaze - Prepare a glaze using powdered sugar, milk (dairy or non-dairy), and vanilla extract. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled donuts for a glossy and sweet finish.
• Cream Cheese Frosting - Whip a creamy and tangy cheese frosting to spread or pipe onto the donuts for an indulgent twist.
• Maple Glaze - Mix powdered sugar with pure maple syrup and a splash of milk to create a deliciously sweet and maple-flavored glaze.
• Chocolate Ganache - Melt chocolate and heavy cream (or a non-dairy alternative) together to make a rich and smooth chocolate ganache. Dip the donuts into the ganache or drizzle it over the top.
• Chopped Nuts - Sprinkle chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, over the freshly glazed donuts to add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
• Sprinkles - Decorate the donuts with colorful sprinkles to make them more festive and appealing, especially for special occasions or celebrations.
• Toasted Coconut - Toast shredded coconut in the oven until golden brown and sprinkle it over the donuts for a tropical twist and delightful crunch.
• Caramel Drizzle - Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the donuts to create a gooey and caramelized topping that pairs well with the pumpkin flavor.

Can I use all-purpose wheat flour in this recipe?

I often get this question, even though this is a gluten-free recipe blog. I don't use wheat flour in my recipes, but you can try it. Just note that this recipe was developed with gluten-free flour.

Working with Gluten-Free Flours

Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level when working with or measuring gluten-free flour. Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour.

The best method really is to weigh the gluten-free flour, but I don't have the ingredient weights for all my recipes yet.

This recipe makes 12 donuts. They freeze well, so you can store any leftover donuts in the freezer and reheat them when ready.

I use an affordable Wilton Donut Pan when I make donuts. In fact, I have two recipes like this that make 12 donuts.

If you're not a fan of pumpkin, you might light my Gluten-Free Gingerbread Donuts or my Gluten-Free Vanilla Birthday Cake Donuts.

And if you're not a fan of any of those, then maybe you're not really a donut person. Just something to think about (just kidding).

Continue to Content

Yield: 12 donuts

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts

Print

If you're a pumpkin lover, you won't want to miss out on these irresistible Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts with their tender texture and tasty pumpkin flavor.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 16 minutes

Total Time 21 minutes

Ingredients

For the donuts:

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted and cooled (or oil of choice)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
• 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 ¼ cup Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 baking flour
• ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder

For the sugar coating:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two six-serving donut pans; set aside.
2. Combine coconut oil, eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add flour, salt, and baking powder and mix until combined.
4. Spoon batter into a large zip lock back and snip the corner off. Gently squeeze batter into your prepared donut pans, filling about ¾ of the way.
5. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until donuts are set. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes.
6. Mix powdered sugar and cinnamon in a large zip lock until combined. Place each donut, one at a time, in the zip lock back and coat.
7. Serve warm.
8. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

Notes

• You can cut this pumpkin donut recipe in half.
• I've tested this gluten-free pumpkin donut recipe with my flour blend and Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour (not the gluten-free all-purpose flour).
• Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level when working with or measuring gluten-free flour. Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. They never cost you extra.

• 
  Wilton Non-Stick 6-Cavity Donut Baking Pans, 2-Count
• 
  Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Piece Prepware Mixing Bowl Set, 1-Qt, 1.5-Qt ,and 2.5-Qt Glass Mixing Bowls, Dishwasher, Microwave and Freezer Safe
• 
  RICCLE Disposable Piping Bags 12 Inch - 100 Anti Burst Pastry Bags - Icing Piping Bags for Frosting - Ideal for Cakes and Cookies Decoration
• 
  Checkered Chef Cooling Rack - Set of 2 Stainless Steel, Oven Safe Grid Wire Cookie Cooling Racks for Baking & Cooking - 8” x 11 ¾"
• 
  ChefAide 4 Pieces Silicone Spatula Set, Food Grade Rubber Spatula, Upgrade Strong Handle with Ergonomic Grip, Heat Resistant Up to 600°F for Nonstick Cookware, Cooking Baking Mixing

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 129Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 101mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 21gProtein: 1g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.

Did you make this gluten-free pumpkin donut recipe? If so, please stop by, leave a review, and let me know what you think. Also, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments below.