There’s something utterly comforting about warm, homemade donuts—especially when they’re free of gluten but still overflowing with flavor. This Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate and Cinnamon Recipe is exactly that kind of treat: soft, tender, with just the right balance of Cinnamon spice and melted chocolate that makes every bite a tiny celebration.

A pile of assorted donuts placed on a white marbled surface, showing five different types. The first type has a light brown cinnamon sugar coating with a slightly grainy texture, scattered around the edges. The second type has a smooth white powdered sugar coating, also scattered throughout the pile. The third type shows a shiny white glaze with a smooth surface, placed on top in different spots. The fourth type consists of chocolate glaze donuts topped with colorful rainbow sprinkles, with two of these donuts showing bites taken out to reveal a soft golden inside. The donuts are overlapping each other in a casual arrangement. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate and Cinnamon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate and Cinnamon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate and Cinnamon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these donuts—they puffed up perfect, were impossibly tender, and the chocolate chips melted just right inside. It’s such a joy to enjoy a gluten-free treat that doesn’t feel like an afterthought but a star of the show.

Simple ingredients: Just 10 pantry staples that come together quickly for a fuss-free batch.
Fast & fuss-free: From mixing to frying, you’re looking at about 30 minutes total to sweet bliss.
Irresistible flavor combo: Cinnamon and chocolate make every bite cozy and indulgent.
Versatile topping options: Choose chocolate, glaze, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar—mix or match for fun.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient has a special role here to ensure your gluten free donuts come out soft, fluffy, and flavorful. Hint: the gluten free flour I use makes all the difference for texture, and don’t skip the baking powder to get that perfect rise.

Flat lay of a small mound of fine white gluten free flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden vegetable oil, two large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl with white granulated sugar crystals, a small white bowl of fine ground cinnamon, a small cluster of semi-sweet dark chocolate chips, a small white bowl holding pale yellow unsalted butter cubes, a small white bowl containing smooth light corn syrup, a small white bowl of pure white powdered sugar, a tiny white bowl with creamy whole milk, and a few colorful rainbow sprinkles scattered neatly, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All purpose gluten free flour: I recommend King Arthur’s Measure for Measure—it’s reliable and gives a great crumb.
Ground nutmeg: A subtle warmth that harmonizes beautifully with cinnamon.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough nicely without overpowering.
Baking powder: The secret to light, airy donuts that aren’t dense.
Salt: Enhances every flavor and balances sweetness.
Milk: I use whole milk for richness, but any milk will work.
Large eggs: They bind everything and add structure.
Vanilla extract: Adds depth and a warm aroma.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the donuts moist and tender.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melty pockets of pure joy.
Unsalted butter and light corn syrup: For the shiny, smooth chocolate glaze.
Rainbow sprinkles: Fun, colorful, and totally optional—but I love the pop they add.
Powdered sugar & granulated sugar with cinnamon: For that classic sweet cinnamon glow.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love switching up toppings depending on the mood—sometimes a heavy chocolate glaze, other times a dusting of cinnamon sugar. Don’t be afraid to get creative and tailor this Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate and Cinnamon Recipe to your liking!

Variation: Try adding a pinch of cayenne in the cinnamon sugar for a subtle spicy kick—surprisingly addictive.
Dairy-Free: Swap milk with almond or oat milk and use coconut oil instead of butter and veg oil.
Chocolate Lovers’ Upgrade: Toss extra chocolate chips directly into the batter or drizzle melted dark chocolate on top.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate and Cinnamon Recipe

A white box is filled with four neat rows of doughnuts on a white marbled surface. The first row shows plain doughnuts with a smooth light tan glaze, each with a soft texture. The second row has chocolate-covered doughnuts topped with colorful sprinkles, the smooth dark chocolate layer contrasts with the bright bits on top. The third row contains white powdered sugar doughnuts, looking soft and slightly fluffy with a thick dusting. The fourth row has cinnamon sugar doughnuts, showing a grainy brown topping with a slightly rough texture. Each doughnut is round with a hole in the middle, all lined up evenly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients Until Fluffy

Start by whisking together the gluten free flour, nutmeg, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. This ensures everything’s evenly distributed and helps your donuts rise nicely. I always take a moment here to admire that pale, powdery mix — promising a soft donut ahead.

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients Gently

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs lightly, then stir in the milk, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil. The wet ingredients should feel smooth and a little glossy. When I pour these into the dry mix, I do it slowly, folding just enough to combine—overmixing can make the donuts tough.

Step 3: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Delicately fold in those semi-sweet chocolate chips. I love how some get buried inside to ooze out warm pockets of chocolate once fried—pure magic in every bite.

Step 4: Fry Gently Until Golden

Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully drop spoonfuls of batter—about golf ball size—into the hot oil. Fry a few at a time, flipping them after about 1-2 minutes once the bottoms turn golden brown. They only take around 3-4 minutes in total, so keep an eye! Overcooking dries them out.

Step 5: Glaze, Dust, or Dip

Drain donuts on a rack lined with paper towels. While still warm, dunk or drizzle with your choice of glaze, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or sprinkle with colorful bits for a festive touch. I tend to get a little enthusiastic at this step—don’t judge me!

Top Tip

After making this recipe several times, I found these little tips really save the day and help your donuts turn out perfect every time.

Oil Temperature control: Using a kitchen thermometer makes all the difference; too hot and the outside burns before inside cooks, too cool and they soak up oil.
Don’t overmix batter: Stir until just combined to keep donuts soft and fluffy.
Small batches: Fry only a few donuts at once to maintain stable oil temperature.
Drain well: Rest donuts on paper towels or a wire rack to avoid greasy bites.

How to Serve Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate and Cinnamon Recipe

Garnishes

I often top mine with a shiny chocolate glaze and rainbow sprinkles—they just feel fun and festive. For cinnamon lovers, a dusting of cinnamon sugar really enhances that warm spice. Sometimes, a simple powdered sugar sprinkle is all the elegance I want.

Side Dishes

Pair these donuts with a rich, creamy latte or a simple cup of chai tea to complement the cinnamon notes. For brunch, a fresh fruit salad or a dollop of Greek yogurt balances the sweetness nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to stack donuts on a tiered stand, alternating toppings for color and flavor bursts. Wrapping a few in parchment and tying with twine makes for cute gifts that friends adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, store your Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate and Cinnamon Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. I find the texture stays best this way.

Freezing

Wrap individual donuts tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen donuts keep well for up to 1 month. When I freeze them, I usually add glaze or sprinkle cinnamon sugar after thawing to keep toppings fresh.

Reheating

To warm leftovers, I pop the donuts in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes or use a toaster oven. It revives that fresh, just-made softness without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I bake these donuts instead of frying?

Absolutely! You can bake this batter in a donut pan at 350°F for about 15-18 minutes. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious. Just watch for doneness with a toothpick.

Is King Arthur’s Measure for Measure the only flour I can use?

While I personally recommend King Arthur’s Measure for Measure for its reliability, you can use other all-purpose gluten free flour blends. Just make sure they contain xanthan gum or another binder for the best texture. You may need to tweak liquid amounts slightly.

Can I make these donuts dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute the whole milk with almond, oat, or your preferred plant-based milk. Replace butter with coconut oil or dairy-free margarine, and use a neutral oil for frying. The flavor will still be fantastic and texture tender.

How long do gluten free donuts stay fresh?

These donuts taste best the day they’re made but will keep fresh at room temperature for 1-2 days stored in an airtight container. Beyond that, texture starts to decline, so freezing leftovers is your best bet!

Final Thoughts

These Gluten Free Donuts with Chocolate and Cinnamon Recipe have become a favorite in my kitchen, not only because they’re delicious but because they bring that nostalgic donut-shop magic to my home—gluten free, without compromise. I can’t wait for you to give them a try and share that same joy with your family or friends. Trust me, once you make them, you’ll keep coming back for more.