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Indulge in the zesty delight of these Gluten Free Lemon Doughnuts, a perfect treat for those who love a burst of citrus flavor without the gluten. These doughnuts are light, fluffy, and coated with a tangy lemon sugar that will leave you craving more.
I remember the first time I tried making gluten-free doughnuts. It was a challenge, but the result was worth it. The lemony aroma filling the kitchen and the joy on my family’s faces made it all worthwhile. Now, I’m excited to share this recipe with you!
Get ready to cook up a storm with these Gluten Free Lemon Doughnuts. They’re easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
What to Expect
- Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy

Before You Begin
Before you start, make sure you have all your ingredients measured and ready to go. Preheat your oven to 200° Celsius and grease your doughnut moulds with vegetable oil to ensure your Gluten Free Lemon Doughnuts come out perfectly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Milk | 130ml |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Vegetable oil (+1 Tbsp for greasing) | 40ml |
| Gluten free flour | 120 grams |
| Glutinous rice flour | 40 grams |
| Caster sugar | 60 grams |
| Baking powder | 3 tsp |
| Lemon juice | 4 tsp |
| Rind of one lemon | 1 |
| Granulated sugar for coating | 1/4 |

Step-by-Step Guide
- Preheat your oven to 200° Celsius.
- Grease the doughnut moulds with vegetable oil.
- In a large bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, and vegetable oil together until combined.
- Sift in the gluten free flour, glutinous rice flour, caster sugar, and baking powder. Whisk again until there are no lumps.
- Fold in the lemon juice. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter.
- Pour the mixture into the doughnut moulds. This mixture should be enough for 12 medium doughnuts.
- Bake in the oven for about 11 minutes. The doughnuts should have risen nicely and be a beautiful golden color.
- Remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before turning them out onto a cooling rack.
- Sprinkle the doughnuts with granulated sugar and lemon rind.
- Enjoy your Gluten Free Lemon Doughnuts! They are best eaten within 2 days. Keep in a sealed container.

Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
For the perfect Gluten Free Lemon Doughnuts, make sure to whisk the batter until it’s smooth and free of lumps. This will ensure your doughnuts are light and fluffy. Store them in a sealed container to keep them fresh for up to 2 days.
If you love lemon desserts, you might also enjoy this Gluten Free Lemon Bars Recipe.
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Gluten Free Lemon Doughnuts
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 12 doughnuts 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Gluten Free Lemon Doughnuts are bursting with fresh citrus flavor and have a soft, fluffy texture thanks to a blend of gluten-free and almond flours. They are baked, not fried, making them a lighter treat that’s easy to whip up in under 30 minutes. The applesauce in the batter keeps them incredibly moist without being heavy, and they are finished with a zesty lemon glaze.
Ingredients
— The Doughnuts —
1 1/4 cups gluten free flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum)
3/4 cup almond flour
3/4 cup cane sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup unflavored applesauce
2/3 cup light oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup non-dairy milk (or regular milk)
— The Glaze —
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (add more for thinner glaze)
1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a doughnut pan with oil or non-stick cooking spray.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour blend, almond flour, cane sugar, baking soda, and baking powder until well combined.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, unflavored applesauce, oil, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and milk until smooth.
4. Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix well until just combined and no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
5. Fill Pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared doughnut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. (You can use a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner cut off for easier filling).
6. Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the doughnuts are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Cool: Remove from the oven and let the doughnuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make Glaze: While the doughnuts cool, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar (thicker) or juice (thinner).
9. Decorate: Dip the tops of the cooled doughnuts into the glaze and return to the wire rack to set. Sprinkle with lemon zest if desired.
Notes
Flour Blend: This recipe uses a combination of 1:1 gluten-free flour and almond flour. The almond flour adds moisture and tenderness that is hard to replicate with just a rice flour blend.
Applesauce: Unflavored applesauce acts as a binder and moisture agent, keeping the doughnuts soft for days.
Storage: Store these doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They also freeze beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 doughnut
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 110
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 30
Your Burning Questions Answered!
- Can I use a different type of flour?
- While gluten free flour is recommended for this recipe, you can experiment with other gluten-free flour blends. However, the texture might vary.
- Can I make these doughnuts ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make them ahead of time and store them in a sealed container for up to 2 days.
Can I freeze these doughnuts?
Yes, you can freeze them. Just make sure to thaw them completely before serving.
Dig In & Enjoy!
These Gluten Free Lemon Doughnuts are a delightful treat that everyone will love. The zesty lemon flavor combined with the sweet sugar coating makes them irresistible. So, go ahead and give this recipe a try. For more delicious ideas, follow me on Pinterest.