Gluten-Free Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 14 minutes
Servings 12

An easy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts recipe. These baked gluten-free pumpkin spice donuts are topped with a maple cinnamon glaze. The recipe is also dairy-free.

Gluten-Free Baked Pumpkin Donuts on a white plate with pumpkin is the background

Recipe originally published in October 2017. Post updated August 2019.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Donuts

It’s pumpkin spice season! I love all things pumpkin spice, especially when it comes to cakey things. These beauties have just the right amount of pumpkin pie spice and are dipped in a glorious maple cinnamon glaze.

Gluten-Free Donuts

My husband adores donuts and it’s one of the things he misses the most since going gluten-free. I don’t know why I did not try to make baked donuts sooner because they really are easy to make.

I am so glad that I broke down and ordered a full-size donut pan.

These gluten-free pumpkin donuts turned out amazingly soft and delicious! My whole family went crazy over these gluten-free donuts.

Don’t be intimidated by the thought of making gluten-free donuts, I promise they are super easy to make. The batter for gluten-free donuts is much like cake batter, but just a little thicker. Even yeasted fried donuts are easy to prepare if you are looking for a more traditional-tasting donut.

How To Make Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts

  • Preheat your oven to 350° F.
  • Spray full-sized donut pan with gluten-free cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl combine the sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, canned pumpkin, and pure vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
  • Add gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (leave out if your flour already has it), salt, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and baking powder and mix until fully combined.
    The batter will be thick and sticky.
  • Add batter to a large plastic storage bag (or piping bag). I like to take a tall cup and put the bag inside of the cup so it’s easier to fill the bag with the batter. Close the seal of the bag.
    Cut the tip-off of the bag.
  • Squeeze the bag carefully filling the donut pan.
  • Bake for 14-16 minutes. They will be golden brown and set.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the ingredients for the glaze.
  • Dip each warm donut into the glaze and place on a plate or wire rack.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Pro Tip For Making Donuts

My trick for making donuts easy is to put the batter into a large plastic storage bag, then snip the end off and use it to pipe the batter into my donut pan. I take a tall cup and put the bag inside of the cup, so it’s easier to fill the bag with the batter.

Gluten-Free Baked Pumpkin Donuts on a cooling rack

Can I Freeze The Donuts?

Yes you can! Once the donuts are completely cooled place them on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. The glazed side should be facing up.
Put the cookie sheet in the freezer for 3 to 5 hours, or until the donuts have been completely frozen.

Once the donuts are frozen in a freezer bag or airtight container. The donuts will be good frozen up to three months. Defrost the donuts at room temperature or in the microwave 10 to 15 seconds.

Gluten-Free Flour

These gluten-free pumpkin donuts are made with an all-purpose gluten-free rice flour blend. I like baking with cup for cup (1 for 1)  gluten-free rice flour blends. A cup for cup rice flour blend that has rice flour, starches, and xanthan gum it.

The xanthan gum helps to replace the elasticity and texture of gluten. It makes gluten-free baking so much easier!

Make sure not to add any extra xanthan gum to your flour if it already has it in it. If you do you will get gummy donuts!

I like Pillsbury gluten-free flourNot all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts on a white plate with pumpkins in the background

Tip For Measuring Gluten-Free Flour

I have found that the best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method. Use a spoon to scoop the flour into the measuring cup. After you have spooned the flour into the measuring cup, use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup.

Please do not scoop the flour directly out of the bag with your measuring cup or you could get more flour than the recipe calls for.

Dairy-Free Baking

These gluten-free pumpkin donuts are also naturally dairy-free.

Some of my favorite dairy-free alternatives that I like to bake with are almond, cashew or coconut milk. If you can’t have nuts, you can also use soy milk.

I also like baking with coconut oil or Smart Balance butter.

You are going to love the way your kitchen smells when baking these gluten-free pumpkin donuts. You are going to love eating them even more! These donuts are perfect for breakfast, dessert or as a special treat.

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5 from 20 votes

Gluten-Free Baked Pumpkin Donuts {Dairy-Free}

By: Audrey
Servings: 12
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 14 minutes
An easy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donuts recipe. These baked gluten-free pumpkin spice donuts are topped with a maple cinnamon glaze. The recipe is also dairy-free.

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Ingredients 

Donuts:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour, I like Pillsbury gluten-free
  • 1/2 tsp  xanthan gum, leave out if your flour already has it
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling

Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon  pure vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons  pure maple syrup

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Spray full-sized donut pan with gluten-free cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl combine the sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, canned pumpkin and pure vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
  • Add gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (leave out if your flour already has it), salt, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and baking powder and mix until fully combined.
  • The batter will be thick and sticky.
  • Add batter to a large plastic storage bag (or piping bag). I like to take a tall cup and put the bag inside of the cup so it’s easier to fill the bag with the batter. Close the seal of the bag.
  • Cut the tip off of the bag. Squeeze the bag carefully filling the donut pan.
  • Bake for 14-16 minutes. They will be golden brown and set.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the ingredients for the glaze.
  • Dip each warm donut into the glaze and place on a plate or wire rack.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!
  • Place leftovers in an air-tight container. The donuts can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Notes

  • My trick for making donuts easy is to put the batter into a large plastic storage bag, then snip the end off and use it to pipe the batter into my donut pan.
  • I like Pillsbury gluten-free flourNot all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
  • Store in an air-tight container.
  • The donuts can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Mama says, “Check all of your labels!”

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 211kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 113mgPotassium: 96mgFiber: 2gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 3215IUVitamin C: 0.8mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @mamaknowsglutenfree or tag #mamaknowsglutenfree!

About Audrey Roberts

I'm Audrey Roberts, a busy mama of four and I love sharing the recipes that I make for my family. I make gluten-free family-friendly recipes that are simple and delicious that you can too! I use easy to find ingredients that won't break your budget. You will also find dairy-free options and Paleo recipes. I am also the author of The Everything Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook, which is an Amazon Best Selling Cookbook in the US and Internationally. Living gluten-free since 2010. I hope by me sharing my journey it may help you with yours.

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5 from 20 votes
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Breanna
February 2, 2026 12:44 am

The whole family loved them

Sandra
October 27, 2025 9:53 pm

I can’t find the flour you use. Have you tried Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 flour blend?

Amy - Mama Knows Gluten Free
November 4, 2025 10:37 am
Reply to  Sandra

Hi Sandra, Bob’s Red Mill should work fine for this recipe.

Gray Jones
September 21, 2025 1:14 pm

I love your recipes so much I use them weekly.

Amanda
September 2, 2025 2:30 pm

I forgot to rate it with the stars in the last comment! 5 stars all day! lol I wish I could send you the pictures of my donuts! you would be proud lol

Amanda
September 2, 2025 2:27 pm

whoa! these donuts are the bomb.com! lol seriously. I am test baking some fall gluten free options to replace our GF muffin at work, and I wanted to show them a donut option and I will be bringing these in to work for everyone to try!! even if work doesnt want to have these as an option I will be making these all October long at home 😋😋😋😋 oh yeah I almost forgot to tell you how I did them up! I dipped each one in butter and then coated them in cinnamon sugar then glazed them with a maple glaze! I used king arthur flour and country crock plant butter. amazing recipe again, thank you!!

Amy - Mama Knows Gluten Free
September 3, 2025 11:22 am
Reply to  Amanda

Yummy! Thanks Amanda!

Julie Culshaw
October 11, 2024 8:35 am

I just made these and they were a success. My grandkids will be here today and I know they will gobble up all eleven, I had to try one yesterday myself.

Hilary Swayze
October 17, 2021 4:30 pm

Using this for a class project. I hope it turns out well. Thank you for posting it.

Roxanne
October 10, 2021 1:26 am

Amazing easy to make donut! No gluten-free dense or gritty taste.

Ryan
September 20, 2021 10:22 pm

Amazing!!! This is my first recipe from Mama Knows and she delivered! I’m making these for a friend who needs gluten free and dairy free. I do not and now I will! This was just fabulous!

Jazz
September 4, 2021 5:26 pm

Oh my god, this is by far my favorite recipe for doughnuts so far! This is also the first recipe blog that uses pillsbury gf flour, so that made me even more excited I added some extra pumpkin spice in my glaze, and I had to resist not eating them all 😅 Im definitely adding this to my go to for doughnuts!! Thank you so much for making this recipe!