Indulge in the delightful taste of Vegan Krispy Kreme Recipe. Crafted without animal products, these treats boast a light, airy texture with a heavenly glaze that melts effortlessly on the tongue. Perfect for vegans and anyone looking to enjoy a classic dessert with a plant-based twist, they offer sweet, guilt-free pleasure with every bite.
WHY IT WORKS?
- Plant-based ingredients ensure no animal products are used.
- A specialized dough recipe maintains the iconic fluffy texture.
- The glaze is made from vegan sugars and natural flavorings, offering a sweet, smooth finish.
- Perfect for those with dietary restrictions seeking classic indulgences.
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Finding a vegan version of your favorite treats can often feel daunting, especially concerning the beloved Krispy Kreme doughnuts. As a lifelong vegan, I’ve missed sinking my teeth into that sweet, fluffy goodness more times than I can count.
Fortunately, I’ve devised a Vegan Krispy Kreme Recipe that brings all the joy of these iconic doughnuts without animal products. Start by gathering some simple vegan substitutes; this will be your first step towards recreating the magic.
This homemade recipe will recreate the classic delight in your kitchen, ensuring a compassionate and equally tasty experience. Ready to impress friends and family with your culinary skills? Let’s get baking!
What Are Vegan Krispy Kreme Doughnuts?
Vegan Krispy Kreme doughnuts are a plant-based alternative to the traditional Krispy Kreme, designed to cater to vegan dietary preferences. These doughnuts avoid all animal-derived ingredients, substituting them with vegan-friendly options like plant-based milk, vegan butter, and egg replacements.
The result is a doughnut that retains its non-vegan counterpart’s iconic light, airy texture, and sweet, glossy glaze. This adaptation not only broadens accessibility for those following a vegan lifestyle but also offers a more inclusive option for anyone with dietary restrictions or those choosing to reduce their animal product consumption.
Fact– Vegan Krispy Kreme doughnuts use aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, as an innovative egg substitute to maintain their classic fluffy texture.
Recipe Directions
Make the Egg Replacer
- Mix the aquafaba with cornstarch and set aside.
Bloom the Yeast
- Mix the yeast with lukewarm water and 1 teaspoon of sugar; let it sit until it becomes frothy.
Knead and First Proof
- Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl and create a well in the center.
- Add the aquafaba mixture, soymilk, and yeast mixture.
- Stir until combined, then sit for 30 minutes to autolyze for easier kneading.
- Knead by hand for 10 minutes or with a stand mixer for 5 minutes until smooth.
- Incorporate softened vegan butter and knead for an additional 2 minutes.
- Conduct a windowpane test to ensure gluten development.
- Cover and let rise until doubled in size.
- Optionally, deflate, reshape, and refrigerate the dough overnight for flavor development.
Roll and Cut
- Flour a surface and divide the dough in half.
- Roll each half to ½” thickness and cut with a 3 to 3.5-inch doughnut cutter.
- Place cut dough on small pieces of parchment paper.
- Re-roll scraps once and cut more doughnuts.
Second Proof and Dry
- Place doughnuts in an off-oven with a bowl of boiled water to prevent drying.
- Proof until an indentation in the dough holds its shape.
- Remove from oven to let the surface of the dough dry slightly.
Fry
- Heat oil to 375ºF in a deep pan.
- Fry doughnuts until golden brown, about 45-60 seconds per side.
- Drain on paper towels and cool on a wire rack.
Glaze
- Combine powdered sugar with vegan butter and plant milk to achieve the desired consistency.
- Glaze the cooled doughnuts.
Variations, Add-Ons, And Toppings
Variations
- Chocolate Doughnuts: Mix cocoa powder into the dough for a chocolatey twist.
- Filled Doughnuts: Before frying, fill the dough balls with vegan custard, jam, or chocolate spread.
- Whole Wheat Doughnuts: Substitute a portion of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.
Add-Ons
- Fruit-Flavored Glazes: Blend fruit purees like strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry into the glaze mixture.
- Espresso Glaze: Add a strong-brewed coffee to the glaze for a coffee-flavored topping.
- Coconut Cream: Top your doughnuts with a dollop of whipped coconut cream for a lush, creamy finish.
Toppings
- Sprinkles: Use vegan sprinkles for a pop of color and fun.
- Nuts: Sprinkle chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts on top for added crunch.
- Toasted Coconut: Scatter toasted coconut flakes over the glaze for a tropical flair.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Instead of glazing, you can roll the warm doughnuts in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
- Vegan Chocolate Chips: Melt vegan chocolate chips and drizzle them over the doughnuts or sprinkle them on top while the glaze is still wet.
Vegetable Substitutions
- Applesauce: Use unsweetened applesauce as a binder and moisture-adder, replacing eggs in the dough.
- Pumpkin Puree: Like applesauce, pumpkin puree can be used for its binding properties and adds a subtle, sweet flavor.
- Mashed Sweet Potato: Provides moisture and natural sweetness, making the dough tender.
- Avocado: Mashed avocado adds creaminess and fat content, substituting for butter in both the dough and the glaze.
- Beet Juice: Ideal for coloring your glazes naturally while adding a hint of sweetness.
- Zucchini: Finely grated and drained zucchini can add moisture to the dough without altering the flavor significantly.
- Carrot Juice: Use in glazes for a natural sweetness and vibrant color, especially appealing in autumn-themed doughnut varieties.
Quick Tip– For a lighter, airier vegan doughnut texture, ensure your frying oil is consistently at the right temperature—around 375ºF—to prevent oil absorption and sogginess.
Best Side Dishes
- Fresh Fruit Salad A mix of seasonal fruits adds a refreshing and healthy touch to balance the sweetness.
- Vegan Yogurt Serve with a bowl of creamy vegan yogurt to dip your doughnuts in or simply to have on the side.
- Nut Butter Offer a selection of almond, peanut, or cashew butter for dipping or spreading on the doughnuts.
- Vegan Ice Cream A scoop of vegan ice cream, particularly vanilla, chocolate, or coffee flavor, pairs wonderfully with warm doughnuts.
- Vegan Whipped Cream For an extra indulgent treat, top your doughnuts with or dip them in vegan whipped cream.
- Homemade Vegan Custard Serve your doughnuts with rich, creamy vegan custard for dipping or drizzling.
- Vegan Hot Chocolate A warm mug of vegan hot chocolate is a comforting side dish to enjoy with your doughnuts during colder months.
- Vegan Cappuccino or Latte The perfect coffee pairing can enhance the flavors of your vegan doughnuts, which is ideal for a breakfast or brunch setting.
How To Serve?
- Warm and Fresh: Serve the doughnuts warm for that irresistibly soft and fluffy texture, like fresh out of the fryer.
- Dusted with Powdered Sugar: Lightly dust with vegan powdered sugar before serving for a classic finish.
- With a Variety of Glazes: Offer multiple glaze options, such as vanilla, chocolate, and maple, allowing guests to choose their favorite or mix and match.
- Doughnut Bar: Set up a doughnut bar with various toppings, such as nuts, coconut, vegan sprinkles, and syrups, for a customizable treat.
- Stacked: Arrange them in a fun stack or on a tiered platter to create an eye-catching display.
- Paired with Coffee or Tea: To complement the sweet flavors, serve with freshly brewed vegan cappuccino, latte, or herbal tea.
- As a Dessert Sandwich: Slice them in half and fill them with vegan ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent dessert sandwich.
- Mini Doughnut Platter: Make mini doughnuts and serve them on a platter for easy snacking or as part of a larger breakfast spread.
Quick Tip– For a lighter, airier vegan doughnut texture, ensure your frying oil is consistently at the right temperature—around 375ºF—to prevent oil absorption and sogginess.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Cool Completely: Before storing, allow doughnuts to cool completely to avoid condensation and sogginess.
- Airtight Container: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat gently before serving.
- Freezing: Freeze individual doughnuts on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the microwave.
- Make Ahead: Prepare and refrigerate the dough overnight to develop flavors and simplify the day of preparation. Fry fresh for best results.
Fact– Vegan Krispy Kreme doughnuts use aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, as an innovative egg substitute to maintain their classic fluffy texture.
Time-Saving Tips
- Prep Ingredients Ahead: Measure out all your ingredients the night before. This includes mixing the dry ingredients and preparing the egg replacer.
- Use a Stand Mixer: Save time and effort by using a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough, which can speed up the process significantly.
- Proof in a Warm Environment: To speed up the rising time, proof the dough in a warm environment. You can use a slightly warmed oven (turned off after preheating for a minute) or place the dough near a warm appliance.
- Roll and Cut in Batches: While one batch of doughnuts is proofing or frying, roll out and cut the next batch. This keeps the process moving and effectively utilizes waiting times.
- Fry in Larger Batches: If you have a large enough fryer or pan, fry multiple doughnuts at once. However, be careful not to overcrowd the pan, as this can lower the oil temperature and lead to uneven cooking.
- Make Double the Recipe: Since frying can take time, it’s efficient to make double the recipe and freeze half for later use. This ensures you have a quick treat ready whenever the craving strikes.
Vegan Krispy Kreme Recipe – Enjoy Classic Doughnuts At Home!
Vegan Krispy Kreme doughnuts bring the classic indulgence into the plant-based realm without compromising taste. These doughnuts feature a light, airy texture and a shiny, sweet glaze, all achieved with vegan-friendly ingredients. Perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike, they offer a delightful, satisfying, and cruelty-free treat. Enjoy them fresh for the best experience.
12
doughnuts1
hour30
minutes210
kcal2
hours (proofing)Keep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
100 ml 100 Aquafaba
3 Tbsp 3 Cornstarch
2 Tsp 2 Instant yeast
100 ml 100 Water, lukewarm
pinch pinch Pinch of sugar (for yeast)
4 Cups 4 All-purpose flour
⅓ Cup ⅓ Sugar
1 Tsp 1 Table salt
⅔ Cup ⅔ Soy milk
⅓ Cup ⅓ Vegan butter, room temperature
3+ Cups 3+ Vegetable oil (for frying)
- For the Glaze
1 Cup 1 Powdered sugar
1 Tsp 1 Vegan butter
2 Tbsp 2 Soy milk
Directions
- Make the Egg Replacer
- Mix the aquafaba with cornstarch and set aside.
- Bloom the Yeast
- Mix the yeast with lukewarm water and a pinch of sugar; set aside until frothy.
- Knead and First Proof
- Place all dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt) in a large bowl and make a well in the center.
- Pour in the aquafaba & cornstarch mixture, soymilk, and yeast mixture.
- Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough somewhat comes together. Let this coarse mixture rest for 30 minutes to autolyze for easier kneading.
- Knead for 10 minutes by hand until smooth, or 5 minutes with a stand mixer using a dough hook. Add the softened vegan butter and knead for another 2 minutes to combine.
- Check the dough’s gluten development with the windowpane test.
- Cover with cling wrap and let rise until doubled in size.
- Optionally, deflate, reshape, and refrigerate the dough overnight for better flavor and easier handling.
- Roll and Cut
- Lightly flour a working surface and place the dough on it. Gently knead and divide into halves. Cover the unused half.
- Roll out to ½” thickness and cut with a 3 to 3.5-inch doughnut cutter. Re-roll scraps once.
- Place cut doughnuts and holes onto parchment paper on baking sheets.
- Second Proof and Dry
- Proof doughnuts in an off oven with a bowl of boiled water to create a steamy environment, preventing skin formation, or cover with cling wrap.
- Proof until an indentation in the dough holds its shape.
- Fry
- Heat vegetable oil to 375ºF in a heavy-bottomed pan.
- Fry doughnuts until golden, about 45-60 seconds per side, adjusting the temperature as needed.
- Remove doughnuts using a steel mesh spider and let cool on a wire rack.
- Glaze
- Make the glaze by sifting powdered sugar and mixing it with vegan butter and soy milk.
- Drizzle or dip the cooled doughnuts into the glaze.
- Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Wooden Spoon
- Stand Mixer (optional)
- Dough Hook (for stand mixer)
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Rolling Pin
- Doughnut Cutter
- Small Circular Cutter (for doughnut holes)
- Cling Wrap
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper
- Heavy-Bottomed Frying Pan or Deep Fryer
- Candy/Oil Thermometer
- Tongs
- Wire Rack
- Cooling Rack
- Sifter (for powdered sugar)
- Whisk
Notes
- Aquafaba is crucial for the dough’s structure, so don’t skip it.
- Proper proofing is key; dough should double in size.
- Frying temperature should be maintained at 375ºF for optimal texture.
- Windowpane test: Stretch a small dough piece to ensure it’s thin enough to see light through without tearing.
- Overnight refrigeration of the dough enhances flavor complexity.
- Glaze customization: Adjust the thickness by varying the amount of soy milk.
- Storage: Best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make These Doughnuts Gluten-Free?
Yes, you can make vegan Krispy Kreme doughnuts gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend designed for baking. Ensure the blend includes xanthan gum, or add it separately to help mimic the texture and elasticity of gluten.
What Can I Use Instead Of Soy Milk In The Recipe?
Plant-based milk can be used as a substitute for soy milk in this recipe. Almond, oat, and coconut milk are popular choices. Each imparts a slightly different flavor and richness, so you might want to choose based on your taste preference.
How Do I Ensure My Doughnuts Are Light And Fluffy?
To ensure your doughnuts are light and fluffy, make sure the yeast is active (it should foam when blooming), knead the dough adequately to develop the gluten (unless gluten-free), and allow sufficient proofing time so the dough can double in size. Also, frying at the correct temperature (375ºF) prevents the doughnuts from absorbing too much oil and becoming heavy.
Can I Bake These Doughnuts Instead Of Frying?
Yes, you can bake these vegan doughnuts as a healthier alternative to frying. Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC), place the doughnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden. Remember that the texture will differ from frying, typically softer and more bread-like.
How Can I Store Leftover Vegan Krispy Kreme Doughnuts?
Vegan Krispy Kreme doughnuts are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a microwave or oven to restore some of their original texture before serving.
