Bacon Maple Donuts – After I started eating clean a few years ago the combination of Bacon Maple Donuts became a big deal and I couldn’t have any. Loaded with wheat, dairy and tons of refined sugar I was doomed to never eat one. Until, I was challenged to make healthy Bacon Maple Donuts.
So, I did… and they are amazing. Especially the two ingredient cream cheese (dairy free) frosting!
Why These Bacon Maple Donuts are the Best!
Let me just say that these are the tastiest, sweetest and most savory tasting donuts I’ve ever made. And I’ve made quite a few types of donuts — with more on the way.
Although this Chocolate Donuts with homemade Chocolate Ganache are quite delicious, this recipe for Bacon Maple Donuts takes the cake!
The savory blend of crispy uncured bacon paired with coconut-based cream cheese frosting and slightly salty donuts is quite the trio.
Choose Your Bacon Very Carefully for these Bacon Maple Donuts
Most often for clean eating, we would automatically choose turkey bacon, which is delicious. For this recipe, I opted to use this as a teachable moment when it comes to using pork bacon.
Our family eats clean the majority of the time – we are gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free almost 100% of the time. So, on occasion, we’ll add a little nitrate-free or uncured bacon to our dinner.
There is nothing wrong with this — and please don’t send me angry messages. haha. Just know, we don’t PROMOTE bacon usage all the time… but if you’re going to enjoy these Bacon Maple Donuts to their fullest, use a little bacon. You’re gonna be okay!
This Bacon Maple Donuts recipe is one of those rare exceptions. To learn more about choosing healthier bacon, you can learn more here.
Health Benefits of Maple Syrup
Growing up in Western New York meant seeing the maple trees tapped all summer and fall while driving around town. Then, the “sugar shack” would have steam pouring from it in late winter/early spring with long days of making all of the maple syrup ready for consumption.
As I switched to a mostly clean eating diet a few years ago, I begin substituting sugar in recipes with maple syrup. For example, this Key Lime No Bake Pie.
It doesn’t take like maple syrup in the pie or in our other recipes, just a naturally sweetener doing it’s job.
So, the next time you’re out — look for locally made maple syrup. When I’m home in New York, I always pick up a few gallons to bring back to Virginia. The two brands we trust are Crown made in the Hudson Valley and Butternut Mountain Farms made in Vermont.
How to Make the Perfect Healthy Bacon Maple Donuts – Yes, I said Healthy!
Not only are these Bacon Maple Donuts healthy for you — no wheat, no dairy, no refined white sugar, but they are loaded with healthy substitutes. I opened for King Arthur whole grain gluten free flour, made with brown rice. I also used coconut sugar and maple syrup as natural sweeteners. Then, went for a coconut-based cream cheese for the delicious frosting.
Skip the Fry Daddy for These Bacon Maple Donuts
The absolute best way to make healthy Bacon Maple Donuts is to bake them. Yes, avoid the fryer or the Fry Daddy or whatever you’re using these days. Skip it completely and just stick with donut pans in the oven.
Why? Because we don’t need fried food to enjoy a tasty donut. Baking these Bacon Maple Donuts will do the trick and you will be so happy you did. Plus, less mess, less stomach irritations and save your gall bladder.
Favorite Baking Pans for Donuts and Donut Holes
These donuts and donut hole pans make it easy to bake donuts versus fried donuts. And if you’re a clean, healthy family like we are then you will definitely appreciate having these pans handy when you’re craving donuts.
Check out this Donut Pan to make the perfect sized baked donuts every single time.
The best donut hole pan. Using the small scoop and slightly overfilling the holes makes perfect donut holes every time.
Great Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas
If you’re looking for more great make ahead breakfast ideas, you can always subscribe to our email and get them delivered there. Or, you can check out some of these favorites:
- Zucchini Bread with Chocolate Chips
- Chocolate Donut Holes with Chocolate Ganache
- Gluten Free Banana Bread
- Easy Make Ahead Crepe Recipe
- Homemade Granola
Easy Drinks to Pair with Breakfast
Some of my favorite recipes here at Clean Cuisine require a high speed blender. Check out these favorites for a delicious and quick morning:
- Starbucks Vanilla Latte Copycat is a perfect iced coffee recipe.
- Golden Milk Latte provides excellent anti-inflammatory support.
- Whole Almond Milk or Hemp Milk are great for cereals, oatmeal and pancakes!
- Tomato Smoothie is a great alternative to v8, full of nutrition and flavor.
Kitchen Favorites
Bacon Maple Donuts
Bacon Maple Donuts are a perfect blend of savory and sweet. This recipe is both dairy free and gluten free plus, naturally sweetened.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup nut or hemp milk, try almond milk or hemp milk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 1/2 cup gluten free flour
- 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
- 2/3 cup coconut sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 organic eggs
- 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil
- 1/2 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
FROSTING INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup coconut cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Oil the doughnut pans with coconut oil and set aside.
- In a liquid measuring cup, add the 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and fill to 1 cup with nut or hemp milk. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, ground flaxseed, coconut sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Using a whisk, stir to combine. Set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the vanilla, maple syrup, eggs and coconut oil. With a hand mixer, mix on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until well combined.
- Alternating, add 1/2 of the milk mixture to the large bowl. Using the hand mixer to combine on medium speed. Then add 1/2 of the egg mixture. Mix again on medium speed. Then, add the rest of the milk mixture, mix again – and the rest of the egg mixture, mix again. (Alternating mixing creates a smooth and creamy buttermilk dough that is perfect for this gluten free donut recipe.)
- Fold in the 1/2 cup of cooked bacon, chopped until well combined.
- To a large decorating bag or 1 gallon plastic bag (cut a small piece the size of your thumb off the corner when filled), add all of the donut dough to the bag and begin piping into the donut pan.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove donuts from pan and let cool on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, frost the gluten free donuts with the cream cheese frosting (see below), then garnish with chopped bacon. Love salty donuts? Sprinkle just a little pink himalayan sea salt, to taste.
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a large mixing bowl, add the coconut cream cheese (preferably room temperature) and beat with a hand mixer on high until light and creamy.
- Add in the maple syrup and beat again until well combined.
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Notes
