Tyler and I live in an older apartment complex in an older neighborhood in central Utah, so there's not a ton of young married couples our age. However, over the 18 months we've lived here, we managed to make some friends that live just down the street!
Hailey is a newly graduated nurse and her husband works from home, so I actually get to see them more than I thought. One day, Hailey texted me and asked if we could hang out. She had just gotten her donut pans back from her sister and wanted to try a new donut recipe! As an avid foodie and food blogger, I agreed without hesitation!
To be honest, I was a little skeptical at first about the whole "baked donut" thing. But after trying a vanilla glazed donut recipe, I was sold. I immediately went home and bought my own donut pans to write my own recipe!
Since St. Patrick's Day is around the corner, today's special recipe is mint chocolate flavored. BUT! Homemade donuts are more addicting than you think, so these donuts are special Healthy Mint Chocolate Protein Donuts! Just to give you an idea of how these compare to the classic Krispy Kreme Glazed Donut, THREE of my donuts have the same amount of calories as ONE Krispy Kreme Donut!
Before making the donut batter, you need a good donut pan! I love this one from Amazon because it's nonstick, the perfect size, and you get two pans for one great price!
Just like most other baking recipes, mix the dry ingredients, mix the wet ingredients, then mix both bowls together. Your batter should be thick enough that you'll want to avoid spooning the batter into the donut pan ;)
Here's where a good home-baker's trick comes in: homemade piping bags! I don't have any on hand (I'm not really an avid baker), but if you do have some, now is a great time to use one.
To make a homemade piping bag, spoon the batter into a sandwich-size ziploc bag, then cut a small hole in one of the bottom ends.
In my experience, the bag expands once the batter starts to squeeze out, so start with a smaller slit that you think. It's not very fun to have too big of a slit and make a mess of your donut pan!
Once the batter is finished, gently press the chocolate chips into each donut, then bake in the oven. Remove the donuts onto a cooling rack after baking.
The icing is simple: whisk together the Stevia, egg whites, 3-4 drops of green food coloring, and a three drops of mint extract until smooth and runny.
To finish the donuts, dunk the top of each donut in the prepared icing, place on a cooling rack to drip, and garnish with chocolate sprinkles.
Keep reading for the recipe video!
If the pictures haven't convinced you yet, let's take a look at the nutritional profile of THREE of my homemade donuts and compare them to ONE Krispy Kreme Donut:
(3) Mint Chocolate Protein Donuts
(1) Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Donut
If you need a simpler comparison, my donuts have half as much fat, half as much sugar, and six times the protein! Yes, there is a time and a place for our favorite indulgent desserts, but now you can have three donuts instead of one AND the donuts are made with more wholesome ingredients. Win-win!
Each donut also has a source of whole grains and three types of chocolate: chocolate Kodiak Cakes, cocoa powder, and Lily's mint chocolate chips. Yum!
I have not tested these donuts with gluten-free mix, but I think a gluten-free pancake mix would work.
Because this recipe calls for an egg, egg whites, and whey protein powder, I don't think it would be successful to substitute any of these ingredients. There are plenty of vegan homemade donuts on Pinterest that you can add mint extract to!
Possibly, but this has not been tested and there will be many changes to the recipe, which could result in a less-than-par homemade donut. See the above gluten-free question for options.
If you can't find the Dark Chocolate Kodiak Cakes but you can find the regular mix, try adding an additional two tablespoons of cocoa powder, a tablespoon of milk, and expect to have leftover batter.
Please leave a comment below if you try any of these options!
Store in an airtight container for up to three days at room temperature. I do not recommend freezing, nor do I think these donuts will last that long!
Since you love healthy chocolate baking recipes, be sure to also check out my delicious Fudgy Triple Chocolate Banana Bread!
I can't wait to hear what you think about these Mint Chocolate Protein Donuts! Please leave a star rating and review below so other readers and myself know how you liked them! Then make the recipe again and tell all your friends because these Mint Chocolate Protein Donuts are life changing!
Made with three types of chocolate and infused with mint, these Healthy Mint Chocolate Protein Donuts are the perfect protein packed snack or breakfast! Each donut is 67 calories and you'd never guess they are refined sugar-free.
*If you want more of a traditional icing, use 1 cup of powdered sugar.
Nutrition facts are a calculated estimate of one donut, including icing but not including sprinkles.
Serving: 1 donut / Calories: 67 / Fat: 2.1g / Saturated Fat: 0.9g / Carbohydrates: 6.8g / Fiber: 1.9g / Sugar: 1.5g / Protein: 6g
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