Easy Baked Sweet Potato Donuts (Clean Transformation)
For a “healthified” version of a classic bakery item, this recipe is a “Gold Standard” strategy. It utilizes the natural sweetness and moisture of roasted sweet potatoes, allowing for a significant reduction in added sugars and fats. From an expertise perspective, the secret to a professional-grade baked donut is “batter density.” By using a thick sweet potato puree rather than water or milk, we achieve a cake-like texture that is moist and tender without being greasy.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 Min
- Cook Time: 15 Min
- Total Time: 30 Min
- Yield: 6 Donuts
- Calories: 145 kcal per donut
Ingredients:
The Foundation
- 1 cup Sweet Potato Puree (Roasted and mashed is best for flavor)
- 2 Large Eggs (Pasture-raised)
- 2 tbsp Coconut Oil, melted
The “Gold Standard” Dry Mix
- 1 1/2 cups Oat Flour (Blended rolled oats)
- 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (or Cinnamon/Nutmeg/Ginger mix)
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
The Finishing Touch
- 1 tbsp Coconut Sugar & 1 tsp Cinnamon (The coating)
- Optional: Light drizzle of melted dark chocolate
Preparation Steps:
1. The Puree Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk sweet potato puree, eggs, maple syrup, and melted oil. Note: Ensure potato is mashed perfectly smooth; lumps disrupt the rise.
2. The Fold-In Technique
- Add oat flour, baking powder, spices, and salt.
- Technique: Use a spatula to fold until just combined. Over-mixing leads to a gummy texture rather than a light, airy bite.
3. Precision Pipe
- Transfer batter to a piping bag (or Ziploc with corner cut).
- Pipe into donut molds, filling them 3/4 full. This ensures an even shape that looks professional.
4. Bake & Coat
- Bake for 12–15 minutes. They should spring back to the touch.
- Let cool in pan for 5 minutes. While still warm, toss them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture so the coating adheres perfectly.
Expert Tips:
- Roast vs. Boil: Roasting your sweet potato is the professional secret. Boiling adds water, making the batter runny. Roasting concentrates the natural sugars and keeps the puree thick.
- No Donut Pan? You can use a muffin tin to make “Donut Holes.” Simply adjust the baking time to 10–12 minutes.