Baked Paleo Spinach Donuts with Matcha Glaze are a healthy breakfast full of sneaky veggies! No food coloring needed to make these donuts naturally green! 
My kids gave me a donut pan for Christmas. Every day from December 25th until I made my first batch, my oldest daughter asked, “Mom, when are you going to use the present we got you to make us some donuts?” Can someone say #stringsattached and #agiftforwho? 😉
Well sweet Bethany knows her momma well because I had been wanting a donut pan for forever. Plus, she got her wish and we’ve enjoyed making some delicious donutty creations together! However, these baked Paleo Spinach Donuts with Matcha Glaze are definitely her favorite, and mine too!
I totally love making them for my family because they’re paleo, which means there’s no gluten, dairy or refined sugar! Plus, the beautiful green color is imparted naturally by the addition of spinach, not artificial food coloring or dyes!
Another reason to LOVE this paleo donut recipe is that the batter is made in the Vitamix, which always makes this momma happy. 😉 Seriously if you aren’t a veggie lover or you live with someone who isn’t, you need a Vitamix.
I sneak veggies into just about everything we eat and my family has no idea. Even my husband doesn’t figure it out most of the time…and there’s no need to reveal my ninja mom secrets…ever.
How to make these Paleo Spinach Donuts
These donuts are super easy to make {like every recipe I will be sharing with you from now until well after this baby girl arrives}!
1. Mix dry ingredients together first.
Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl and set aside. I like to mix dry ingredients first so that I don’t have to wash measuring cups/spoons during the batter-making process!
2. Blend wet ingredients.
then blend the wet ingredients in the Vitamix. I really can only recommend a super high-powered blender like the Vitamix here to ensure that your mixture becomes totally homogenous and silky-smooth. I don’t recommend using a food processor.
3. Pour wet into dry, then let the batter sit!
Next, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently mix until completely combined. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes to ensure that the coconut flour has absorbed all the moisture, then bake.
This recipe makes 12 regular-sized donuts. Since I only have one donut pan with 6 cavities, I had to bake two batches but I totally didn’t mind! 😉
Paleo Spinach Donuts: Substitutions
Since paleo baking is like a fine science, I do not recommend making any substations in this recipe. Please absolutely do not change the type or ratio of flours in this recipe! There are only a few substitutions that I haven’t tried, but could potentially work:
- Coconut sugar: You can substitute any granulated sugar here, as long as it complies with your dietary needs.
- Almond Milk: Coconut milk can be substituted for almond milk.
- Coconut oil: You may substitute grass-fed butter for the coconut oil if you do not need to stick to a dairy-free lifestyle!
How to make Matcha Glaze
In my opinion these baked Paleo Spinach Donuts stand alone on their own and do not need a glaze. I made one because…..hello, frosting. I used my recipe for Paleo Powdered Sugar to make this glaze.
However you can let your imagination run wild and glaze these guys with whatever you like! I wanted to keep the green color natural, so I used just a touch of Matcha powder so that the flavor wouldn’t be overpowering!
If you make something from JoyFoodSunshine I would love to see your creations! Don’t forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below! Also, follow along with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter for more recipe inspiration and a glimpse into our everyday life!
Paleo Spinach Donuts
Ingredients
Donuts:
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup tapioca flour
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- 2 TBS coconut sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ½ cup almond milk
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Glaze:
- ½ cup Paleo Powdered Sugar
- ½ tsp matcha powder
- 1 TBS almond milk or to your desired consistency
Instructions
Make the Donuts:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a donut pan.
- In a large bowl combine almond flour, tapioca flour, coconut flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda and sea salt. Set aside.
- In your Vitamix, add almond milk, coconut oil, honey and spinach. Blend, starting on low and increasing to medium speed, until mixture is completely smooth and green.
- Add eggs and vanilla and pulse to combine.
- Pour wet ingredients into the large bowl with your dry ingredients and gently mix until combined. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes.
- Evenly divide the batter into your prepared donut pan, filling each “well” about ¾ of the way full.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes.
- Let sit in the pan for 3 minutes before removing to a wire cooling rack. Cool completely.
Make the glaze:
- While the donuts are cooling, make the glaze.
- Whisk all glaze ingredients together in a small bowl. If you would like a thinner glaze, add more almond milk. If you would like a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar.
Assembly:
- When donuts are completely cooled, drizzle them with glaze.
- Let sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator until the glaze is hardened!
- Eat immediately.
Storage:
- Store the donuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Note: If you glaze them the donuts could become a a little soggy if not eaten the day they are made.
Nutrition
Since St. Patty’s Day is on the horizon, I have green food on the brain…so the next few recipes coming your way are perfect for the little leprechauns in your life….or yourself if you’re just feeling festive! 😉
Are you planning on making something green for St. Patty’s Day?
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StaceyN
This was really good! My glaze didn’t turn out as green and thick as yours but it was still super good. My whole family liked it. 🙂
Beth
Looks great! Did you use fresh spinach? I only have frozen but I’m wondering if it would make the batter too wet.
Laura
I did use fresh spinach. I agree with you on the frozen spinach!
Madelin M
These look great! Do you know if I would be able to make a big batch and freeze the leftovers for easy breakfasts?
Thanks!
Laura
Yes they freeze really well! I’d recommend skipping the glaze for the ones you want to freeze!
AIP Cook
Is there any way to substitute the almond flour ? Really want to try these but we are nut free
Laura
Hello! Unfortunately to keep these paleo I have only tried using almond flour! Do you need them to be paleo or just healthier? Oat flour or all-purpose gluten-free flour might work too!
Wrenn
How much raw spinach is two cups? Do I mash it down or chop it up first? I’m excited to make these for my little grand sons! We’re going to call them Grinch donuts.
Laura
I use fresh, loosely packed spinach!
Aaron Kilbey
The glaze recipe produced a very dark brown glaze on account of the coconut sugar being brown. I’ve not seen a coconut suaar that isn’t brown. Are these quantities wrong? I made the Paleo Powder Sugar exactly as written but it’s still brown and that color dominates the glaze. It looks nothing like the light green glaze seen here.
Laura
Hey Aaron! YES that will happen if you use the homemade coconut sugar powdered sugar. I used regular (albeit organic) white powdered sugar in this recipe, hence the lighter color.
Tanya
These are great. They have a nice texture and my children (4 and 6.5 ) love them! I made them (entirely) in a standard blender. Thanks for the recipe.
MarshA
Hey,
Could I use a ninja blender if I don’t have a vitamix blender?
Laura
Hello Marsha! I have only ever blended with a Vitamix, which is significantly more powerful than a Ninja. You could give it a try, but you might have to blend for a while with a few stops to stir the batter to make it smooth. I recommend blending the wet ingredients and hand-mixing them into the dry.
Jean
I have a Nutro Ninja and it works beautifully for liquifying leafy greens, nuts, ice or anything else I have thrown into the container. I plan on trying these doughnuts and will put my Ninja to the test.
Jason
Have never seen anything like this. Thanks for the awesome recipe.
Laura
They’re super fun for St. Patty’s Day!
Eli
Hey there! Thinking of making these! Just wondering, can I omit the coconut sugar as theres already honey? Or should I not?
Laura
Hey Eli! I would not omit the coconut sugar for both texture and taste!
Eli
Okay! Any idea how long I would have to bake for if I were to make these into muffins?
Laura
Hey Eli! I usually bake muffins at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes!
Marilyn
Made these donuts this morning and these are amazing!
Skirmante
Hi there, I’ve been making these AMAZING donuts a couple times now and my entire non gluten free, non dairy free family is crazy about them! Woo! My only problem is that I can never get my matcha glaze to look as light and thick as yours, what am I doing wrong?
Laura
Hey! In this pictures I used regular powdered sugar and not paleo! That’s probably why!
Robin
Hi Laura! I really want to try this recipe but cannot have tapioca starch…do you suggest a subsititute such as adding more coconut flour? (Currently on SCD diet so no starches allowed.) Also, would honey work at a substitute for the coconut sugar? Thanks!!
Laura
I would substitute arrowroot powder but that could be considered a search. I would not use honey in place of the coconut sugar because it will add more moisture. I’m unfamiliar with the SCD diet….adding more almond flour might work but not coconut flour. I can’t say for sure though because I’ve only tried them as written!
Robin
Ok thank you for your reply! Will give it a go 🙂
cakespy
I’m absolutely intrigued. These are gorgeous!
Randy Johnston
Hi Laura,
I would love to give these a try. Do you have a good substitute for the eggs?
Thank you.
Laura
Hey Randy! Unfortunately I am not familiar with a great egg substitute. In other recipes I have used ground 1 TBS ground flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with 2.5 TBS hot water to replace eggs…however I’m not sure that either one of those would work well in this recipe!
Mil
They are beautiful and DELICIOUS!!! I took them to a ST. Patty’s party and even the non-healthy eaters liked them. Thanks!!!
Laura
Woo Hoo I’m SO SO glad you and your friends enjoyed them!!
Cora
I have been wanting to make donuts SO badly AND I have matcha I need to use. These are absolutely perfect and I am so excited. Thank you!!
Laura
Whoo hoo! I hope you love them Cora!
Maria @ Maria Makes
These are SO pretty! Perfect treat for St. Patty’s 🙂
Laura
Thank you Maria!
Bethany @ athletic avocado
Love the vibrant green color of these donuts! I bet your kids LOVE these, they probably don’t even know that the food color here is veggies! YASSS to sneaking in veggies 😉
Laura
They have NO idea I put spinach in them! I just have to make sure they don’t help me with this recipe…lol!
Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen
I saw these on Instagram a day or so ago and was sold! I think they are so gorgeous and will be perfect for St. Patty’s Day! I can’t wait to whip them up!
Laura
Yay! They’re so easy to make too! 🙂
Emily Swanson
WoW! They are so beautiful; I really want to make donuts now; maybe when I get home!
Laura
I bet your siblings would enjoy them! 🙂
Alisa Fleming
OMG, spinach donuts!! I love it. They’re such a pretty green and it’s the perfect time of year to sneak these by loved ones.
Laura
My kids have no idea they’re eating veggies! LOL!
Taylor Kiser
I am seriously crushing on these paleo spinach donuts! I need to make asap! Oh, and love that gorgeous green color!
Laura
I love using real food to impart fun colors! 🙂
Jessica @Nutritioulicious
I can’t get over that gorgeous color! How festive for the St. Patrick’s holiday!
Laura
Thank you Jessica!
amanda -runtothefinish
I’ve never tried making donuts at home, but I now seriously want to!! I love the whole combo and mmmm icing!
Laura
I love that my kids think they’re eating a “real donut!” haha!
Sarah
Who doesn’t love a good donut and I LOVE that these are green! So perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, I wish I was in town because these would be made if I was.
Laura
I’ve been working on lots of healthy green treats! 🙂