When it comes to "eating right," January starts out so strong.
After the excess and indulgence of the holiday season, the new year comes with the best of intentions. But I have found that strict avoidance of all treats is the quickest way for those intentions to go by the wayside. The trick is to make better choices ("healthy-ish") when choosing to indulge—and these doughnuts are a perfect option.
By swapping just a few standard ingredients (all-purpose flour, butter and sugar) for healthier alternatives, you can still "have your cake" (or in this case, doughnut) and eat it too!
To start, these doughnuts are gluten-free. And you don't have to invest in fancy alternative flour either. Putting oats (you know you have a canister somewhere in your pantry) through the food processor turns them into a perfectly suitable and far healthier substitute for all-purpose flour.
I then replaced half the sugar with unsweetened applesauce, which also eliminates the need for additional fat.
Finally? Zucchini. High in fiber and other nutrients, zucchini also makes for incredibly moist and tender doughnuts. Also, its mild flavor makes it undetectable in the finished product. Promise.
The scrumptious glaze is three-ingredient easy: maple syrup (in place of the usual powdered sugar), cocoa powder and coconut oil. As for the sprinkles? Well, let's be reasonable. It IS only January, after all!
