If you’ve ever craved the sweet, warm flavors of cinnamon sugar donuts but wanted a simpler, healthier alternative, then you’re in the right place. These vegetarian cinnamon sugar donut muffins strike the perfect balance between a soft, fluffy muffin texture and the irresistible sweetness of a cinnamon sugar coating.
Jump to
The best part? They’re easy to make and take only three simple steps. Whether you’re a baking pro or a beginner, these muffins will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Why These Vegetarian Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins Are a Must-Try
Let’s face it, cinnamon sugar donuts are delicious, but sometimes they can be a bit too much. The deep-frying, the mess, and the added calories can make them less appealing for an everyday snack.
But what if you could enjoy the same comforting flavor of cinnamon sugar donuts without the frying or extra calories? This is exactly where these vegetarian cinnamon sugar donut muffins shine. They offer the same satisfying taste but are baked instead of fried, making them a lighter, healthier option.
Here’s why you’ll love these muffins:
Quick and Easy: These muffins are made in 3 simple steps, so you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen.
Fluffy Texture: The combination of ingredients gives you the perfect texture, soft, light, and airy, just like a donut.
Vegetarian-Friendly: They’re suitable for vegetarians, and with a few simple swaps, they can easily be made vegan as well.
Forget the mess of deep frying! These muffins are baked in the oven, making them a much cleaner breakfast option.
If you’re in the mood for something equally fun and easy, you might also enjoy whipping up a batch of mini pancakes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- All-Purpose Flour: This is my go-to for muffins because it creates a soft, fluffy texture that’s just right. You can’t go wrong with it as the base for this recipe.
- Baking Powder: baking powder is essential to get that beautiful rise on the muffins. It’s what gives them their classic muffin-top look.
- Baking Soda: I like to use a little baking soda to add extra lift and keep the texture light and airy. Trust me, it makes all the difference!
- Salt: A small pinch of salt works wonders. It’s not just there for balance it enhances the sweetness and makes the cinnamon flavor pop.
- Ground Cinnamon: This is the star ingredient. I use it to give these muffins their signature warm, spiced flavor.
- Granulated Sugar: I prefer just the right amount to keep the muffins sweet but not overwhelming. You can adjust it to your taste, but this amount is perfect for me.
- Unsalted Butter: Butter makes these muffins rich and moist. For me, plant-based butter works just as well if you want to keep things dairy-free.
- Egg (or Flax Egg): I usually use a regular egg for binding everything together, but if you prefer, a flax egg is a fantastic vegan alternative that works seamlessly.
- Milk (Dairy or Plant-Based): I like using milk to keep the batter smooth and moist. You can use whatever type of milk suits your preferences—dairy or plant-based, both are great.
- Vanilla Extract: a splash of vanilla is non-negotiable. It adds a rich complexity and a gentle touch of sweetness that beautifully unites all the flavors.
Note: This is just a quick rundown of the ingredients I used and why, to find all the details and measurements, simply scroll down to the recipe card!
The 3 Easy Steps to Make Vegetarian Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
Step 1: Prepare the Muffin Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and get your muffin tin ready by greasing it. In one bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients: melted butter, sugar, egg (or flax egg), milk, and vanilla. Carefully add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring lightly until everything is just combined. Don’t worry if the batter has some lumps, it’s completely normal and won’t change the outcome!
Step 2: Bake the Muffins
Distribute the batter into the muffin tin, making sure each cup is filled to about three-quarters of its capacity. This gives them plenty of room to rise into fluffy little muffins. Set your tin in the oven.
Bake for about 18 minutes. They’re ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, signaling they’re perfectly baked.
Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for around 15 minutes, giving them time to set perfectly. Once they’re done, move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
While the muffins are still warm, lightly brush them with melted butter. Coat each muffin by rolling it in a cinnamon-sugar mixture until it’s completely covered. This imparts that delightful, donut flavor and texture that’s hard to resist. Now they’re ready to enjoy!
My Tips for You
Avoid overmixing the batter: it can make your muffins dense and heavy. Instead, stir gently until everything is just blended for that perfect fluffy texture.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Using ingredients like butter, milk, and eggs at room temperature ensures better mixing and a smoother batter.
Customize the Coating: If you like a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can increase the cinnamon in the sugar coating. How about adding a pinch of nutmeg for a delightful, flavorful twist?
Use a Muffin Scoop: For evenly sized muffins, use an ice cream scoop to fill the muffin tin. This ensures they bake uniformly.
How to make sure your muffins stay moist: Add a tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt to the batter for extra moisture.
How to Store Your Muffins
For short-term storage, pop the muffins into an airtight container and keep them at room temperature, they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. For long-term storage, freeze them, and they’ll be good to enjoy for up to 3 months! Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag for easy grab-and-go treats.
FAQs About Vegetarian Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
Can I toss in some mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?
Absolutely! Fold in some chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even fruit for an added twist.
Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
Absolutely! If you’d like, you can easily substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check the instructions on your gluten-free flour, as some require additional binding agents.
Can I make these muffins ahead of time?
For sure! You can mix the muffin batter the night before and store it in the fridge. Then, simply pop them in the oven the next morning for a batch of freshly baked muffins.
Can I add a glaze to these muffins?
Absolutely! A simple glaze made with powdered sugar and a splash of milk or vanilla extract would be a great addition, making them even more irresistible.
Did you try making this recipe? It will make me so HAPPY if you rate it and share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Thank you 💚
Vegetarian Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
If you’ve ever craved the sweet, warm flavors of cinnamon sugar donuts but wanted a simpler, healthier alternative, then you’re in the right place. These vegetarian cinnamon sugar donut muffins strike the perfect balance between a soft, fluffy muffin texture and the irresistible sweetness of a cinnamon sugar coating.
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter (or plant-based butter), melted
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or plant-based butter), melted
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Muffin Batter
Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease your muffin tin to get it ready for baking.
In a bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, until they’re evenly blended.
In a different bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, egg (or flax egg), milk, and vanilla. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, giving it a gentle stir until everything is just blended. Take care not to overmix, keeping it light and fluffy is key!
Step 2: Bake the Muffins
Carefully spoon the batter into the muffin tin, filling each cup around three-quarters full so there’s plenty of room for a nice rise.
Pop the tin into your oven and bake for about 18 minutes. when you insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean, then you’ll know they’re perfectly baked!
Allow them to cool in the tin for about 15 minutes to firm up, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 3: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
Brush the muffin lightly with melted butter. Roll each muffin in a cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring it's fully coated for that sweet, flavorful finish. Enjoy!
Notes
- For added moisture, consider stirring a tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt into the batter.
- Want to make your muffins even more special? Why not incorporate a little orange zest? It’ll add a lovely burst of citrus flavor that pairs so nicely with the cinnamon and gives your muffins a bright, refreshing twist
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 215Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 200mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g
Nutritional information is provided as a general guideline and is calculated using standard online tools. Variations may occur depending on the specific ingredients and methods used.
