These Greek Yogurt Donuts have no yeast, no eggs, and no frying. Just bake in a donut maker, air fryer, or oven and then dust with cinnamon sugar.
This Greek yogurt donut recipe is a winner when donut cravings strike. If you’re using plain Greek yogurt the donuts taste quite plain, but you can change up the flavor with vanilla yogurt.
What makes these donuts taste like donuts is the cinnamon sugar coating, especially when you dip them in butter, delicious!
I find that their shape and the coating are good enough to pass the kids approval! And we can eat donuts at home that are not deep fried but rather baked.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients: Just 8 everyday ingredients, and no yeast or eggs required.
- Healthy dessert: Baked, not fried, and made with Greek yogurt for a tiny boost of protein.
- Quick and easy: Prep in 15 minutes and ready in no time using a donut maker, air fryer, or oven.
- Customizable flavor: Mix it up with vanilla Greek yogurt and have fun choosing from different sugar coatings or glaze options!
Ingredients for Greek Yogurt Donuts
I’m sure you’ve got most, if not all, of these 8 simple ingredients already in your kitchen for this donut recipe.
- Flour: I can’t find self-rising flour where I live, so I used all-purpose flour.
- Baking powder: Since we’re skipping yeast, we use baking powder to make the dough rise.
- Salt: Just a small amount for flavor and texture. If you’re using self-rising flour, you can omit both salt and baking powder.
- Milk: You can use any milk including plant-based milk. I used 3.25% milk.
- Greek yogurt: I used plain Greek yogurt, and you can use whole, low-fat, or fat-free yogurt.
- Sugar and cinnamon: Coating them with cinnamon and sugar gives them that classic donut flavor. You can use granulated, cane, turbinado, or brown sugar, or even monk fruit sweetener.
- Butter or cooking spray: Brushing the donuts with melted butter or cooking spray helps the cinnamon sugar stick, and also adds a delicious buttery taste.
How to Make Greek Yogurt Donuts
Here’s a quick overview on making yogurt donuts with a donut maker.
For the full how-to and tips on making donut holes with an air fryer or oven, check out the recipe card below.
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and Greek yogurt, and mix until combined. The dough will be sticky, that’s just how it should be!
- Cook the donuts: Preheat your donut maker machine and spray with cooking spray. Add enough dough to cover the holes, close it, and cook until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the rest of the dough.
- Coat the donuts: On a large plate, mix sugar and cinnamon with a fork. Spray the baked donuts with cooking spray or brush with melted butter, then dip or roll them in the cinnamon sugar. Enjoy!
Tips for Best Results
Here are my expert tips for the perfect homemade Greek yogurt donuts.
- Donut maker machine is the best: It browns them nicely, gives classic shape, and keeps them moist inside.
- To make in air fryer or oven: This dough is sticky, it is meant to be poured or scooped. Add a bit more flour for baking in the oven or air fryer.
- Don’t skip the coating: That’s what makes these donuts donuts. Otherwise they’re more like Greek yogurt bagels. Also, melted butter will be next level!
- Using self-rising flour: Where I live it’s not available, but if you have it use 1:1 ratio and skip the baking powder and salt.
- To make donuts in a donut pan: Fill it and bake at 375 F for 15-20 minutes.
Variations and Glaze Options
- Vanilla Greek yogurt: You can use it, donuts will have more flavor and be more sweet but also higher in sugar a bit.
- Dairy-free Greek yogurt: You may use it, but make sure it’s Greek yogurt.
- Vanilla flavored dough: Add a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract along with milk to flavor the dough.
- Melted chocolate glaze: Melt chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon coconut oil and a bit of milk in a microwave, stirring often until desired consistency. Once donuts are cool, hold each donut by the edges and dip, or use a spoon to drizzle.
- Powdered sugar: Spray and dip in powdered sugar.
- Maple syrup: Roll in maple syrup and possibly in crumbled baked bacon for a delicious breakfast treat.
- Classic donut glaze: Combine 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 tablespoon hot water.
- Lemon glaze: Mix together juice from 1 lemon and 1/4 cup powdered sugar.
How to Store
Store: These donuts are best fresh, but if any happen to survive longer, keep them under a linen towel for 24 hours. After that, store them in an airtight container for 2 days.
Freeze: Store in an airtight container or Ziploc for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter for about an hour, then reheat in the microwave or air fryer for a few minutes.
FAQs
I think so but I haven’t tried. Regular yogurt contains more whey, so you will have to add a bit more flour.
I haven’t tried, but usually I have good success with substituting all-purpose flour with this Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free baking blend 1:1 ratio.
You can use whole wheat white flower on 1:1 ratio. I don’t recommend to use whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour because donuts will be dry. Almond flour, coconut flour or oat flour will not work as they need different amount of liquids.
Yes. Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough, then drop the dough balls into oil heated to 325 F – 350 F. Fry for a few minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
More Recipes to Try
Greek Yogurt Donuts
Equipment
Ingredients
For Donuts:
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk plus another tablespoon, if necessary
- 1 cup Greek yogurt plain
Instructions
- In a large bow, add flour, baking powder, salt and whisk well. Then add milk and Greek yogurt, mix well until combined. Dough will be sticky.
- Donut maker machine: Preheat and spray with cooking spray. Add enough dough to cover the holes, close and cook until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and proceed with remaining dough.
- Oven (donut holes): Preheat oven to 375 F and line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Add a bit more flour to make dough thicker. Using small trigger scoop, scoop some dough, smooth at the bottom and release on baking sheet. To roll with hands, you will have to oil your hands and then roll the balls. This dough is sticky. Bake for 15 or so minutes.
- Air fryer (donut holes): Preheat the air fryer to 375 F and spray the basket with cooking spray. Add a bit more flour to make dough thicker. Using small trigger scoop, scoop some dough, smooth at the bottom and release on baking sheet. To roll with hands, you will have to oil your hands and then roll the balls. This dough is sticky. Bake for 12 or so minutes.
- On a large plate, add sugar and cinnamon and whisk with a fork. Spray donuts with cooking spray or brush with melted butter and dip in cinnamon sugar coating on both sides or roll. Enjoy!
Notes
- Store: Donuts taste best same day. Store under a linen towel for first 24 hours. I doubt you will have nay left but if you do, keep them in an airtight container for 2 more days. After that freeze them.
- Freeze: In an airtight container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. Thaw on a counter for an hour or so. Reheat in a microwave or air fryer for a few minutes.
