A perfect Fall breakfast or dessert recipe for baked Cinnamon Sweet Potato Doughnuts! Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, & paleo, these doughnuts have all the healthy superfood nutrition of the delicious sweet potato and nothing else!
Storytime! This is another recipe from the long “to post” folder. However, this one has quite a unique story behind its creation. It’s from last year, but since we’re in the beginning stages of FALL EVERYTHING season, some comforting sweet potato doughnuts seemed fitting! (Sorry, not pumpkin, but still good!) This is one of those recipes that was “saved” and if you know my way of cooking, baking, and thinking, there is no such thing as failures!
Where shall we start? Well, once upon a time, I was trying to make homemade gnocchi. This was my first time trying it and obviously, as you can tell by what I’ve already said, the gnocchi making didn’t work out this day. I didn’t go in with a good plan, just some mashed sweet potato and sweet potato flour, thinking gnocchi would magically appear. A good gnocchi dough did not appear, that’s for sure! It was just a sad, very wet, mess. Not stable enough for boiling these little pillows for joy!
For me, it is such a sin to have to throw away not just food, but POTATOES! That was NOT going to happen; I needed to save this wet sweet potato mess I had my mixing bowl. So with a bit of fast tweaking and something to thicken it all up, I somehow managed to create a perfect batter for…DOUGHNUTS! The food angels say down from the heavens that day! We would not have an orange mess in the trash, but beautiful baked dough rings of sweet SWEET potato goodness!
I may not have had dinner that night, but I did have some wonderful cinnamon sweet potato doughnuts for munching! What was the lesson we can learn from all this? Never give up…never! Even when you feel like all your hard work and intended roadmap are completely in the trash, stop, breath, and just re-evaluate the options at hand. There is 95% always a way to avert a complete failure. It may not be anything close to what you wanted or expected, but it is not a failure. You can still find some success, just in another way. There will always be another chance to retry your original plan (just look at these beauties!) For this moment, this time, just take a new direction in stride.
The motto I want you to take away from this sweet potato gnocchi/doughnut story is this…“When in doubt, doughnut it out!” Remember that little gem and I guarantee you’ll never feel like a failure or that all is lost ever again. The sweet potato resurrection! When you have a wet and mushy mess, just add a little hearty love and keep that oven heated, ready to bake up some success right before your very eyes!
Cinnamon Sweet Potato Doughnuts
- 2 Cups Mashed Sweet Potatoes (about 2 medium potatoes, baked, cooled, skin removed)
- 1 Cup Sweet Potato Flour
- ½ Cup Arrowroot Starch
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- ½ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- 1 TB Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (optional topping)
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients (except the shredded coconut) and mix well to form a thick batter.
- In 2 greased doughnut pans, evenly scoop out the batter into 8-10 doughnuts molds.
- Bake the doughnuts for 16-18 minutes (add the coconut to the tops 5 minutes before finished if you are using it).
- Remove and let cool on a wire rack.
I think the coconut looks like snow :O I’m not ready for THAT season just yet! Let’s keep it pumpkin, apple, and sweet potato season for…a while 😉 So today we averted failure, made doughnuts, and are thinking of snow? That’s life in my kitchen! So go ahead, never fail, try a new direction, make some gnocchi AND doughnuts, and create your OWN success!
So tell me:
+ What been your latest failure “averted” success in the kitchen?
+ Do you try to make things work out no matter what ends up happening?
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My kind of treat.
Amalia
xo
Thanks!
I guess I wouldn’t feel too guilty eating these, since they have sweet potatoes in them 😉
Food and guilt don’t go together on this blog!
hello Rebecca,
I believe fall is an experience for all the senses and food is a large part of what makes fall so wonderful with the scents of fall coming from the kitchen.
That’s nice!
Saved these to my doughnut pin board. Can’t tell my kids they are sweet potato’s or they will never give them a try. Lol
But everyone loves potatoes!!!
I keep saying this but I really need to get myself a donut pan so I can make all your delicious recipes! These look amazing!
Annmarie recently posted…Inside Out Apple Almond Bites
If you’re still saying it, than you’ll probably never get one 😛
I think my husband would go wild over these!
That’s good to hear!
These look so delicious, cake donuts are my favorite. I think I would try a coconut glaze though for an extra sweet touch.I so appreciate your honesty and embrace of recipe mistakes. So many times I have ruined a dish that I planned days/weeks in advance and just went to plan B. Its so encouraging to know I’m not the only one who flubs.
Lol, well it’s not a flob, so….
Can you substitute coconut flour for the sweet potato flour? This is the first time I’ve heard of sweet potato flour and have never noticed it being sold at the market I frequent. Sounds delicious though – my girls love it when I make donuts and this is definitely a healthier option!
You need to buy the flour online. No do not sub coconut flour.
These look so delicious!
They are so pretty! I love the shredded coconut topper – very nice touch. I’m actually glad you did a sweet potato recipe, I’m seeing all things pumpkin and I’m sadly sensitive to it :/ But these I can EAT =D
kimmythevegan recently posted…Healthy Vegan Fridays #118
Sweet potato will always reign supreme!
This looks like a great recipe to try. I’m sure plenty of people appreciate the fact that it’s gluten free.
Crystal Green recently posted…Small Victories Sunday Linkup Party
Sure!
Well aren’t these a wonderful failure! LOL I haven’t had breakfast yet and now I want one of these! ASAP I love fall flavors, sweet potato or pumpkin. And pairing up the sweet potato with cinnamon and vanilla? I’m in! YUM!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton recently posted…All Good Things. Things I’m Loving Lately.
The perfect breakfast!
Oh my…It looks so tempting. Good and healthy for sure
You bet!
Ooo they look so delicious! I recently bought a doughnut tray so I definitely need to give this recipe a go 😀
nadia recently posted…Chocolate Protein Waffles (Vegan & Gluten-free)
Yay!!! Your life is about to change!
I would never have thought to make sweet potato doughnuts. They look quite easy to make and should taste good.
Kathleen – Bloggers Lifestyle recently posted…Chia Nutrition, Chia Dessert
Super easy and delish!
Yum!
#Lol
yuuuuuuuuum!!! these look SO delish – craving one to dunk into my saturday coffee right now!
That would be the perfect way to start the weekend!
Now these are definitely some doughnuts that I can get behind! Love!
Sarah recently posted…Paleo Pumpkin Muffins with a Chocolate Swirl + Video
Ahh yea! Well that’s what I like to hear!
These looks so delicious! And I love how simple they are. Bring them on!
Sophia | Veggies Don’t Bite recently posted…Easy Vegan Apple Nachos with Pumpkin Caramel
Simple delights!
These look lovely Rebecca. I had my first potato donut in Portland, ME and was hooked immediately. Although, it’s pretty hard to find anything to hate about a Chocolate Sea Salt Potato Donut!
That sounds incredible!
Hi Rebecca,
What a great ides – sweet potato donuts – healthy, tasty, and how I love sweet potatoes in any recipe. Gives a great healthy flavorful new twist to conventional donuts. Pinned & tweeted!
Thank you!
I so have to try this! These look so very good!
Yes! Please do!
I would totally try this! Good for you for not just scrapping it!
Haha, I hope you do try it for yourself!
Ah, what a happy ending to that sweet potato story! We seem to think in similar ways because I’d likely have taken the situation as a hidden little life lesson of persevering and still seeing some success in it after all.
Miss Polkadot recently posted…Healthy Maple Buckwheat Granola [gluten-free, vegan]
Never a failure!
I love doughnuts, but am always conscious of how fattening they can be. At least these are super healthy (as well as look and sound delicious), so I’ve got to give this one a try! 🙂 Thank you!
Quentin Jessen recently posted…The Freedom of Forgiveness
No food has to be unhealthy if you know how to cook!
Man, I have to buy a donut pan! Why have I resisted for so long? 🙂
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Secret Veggie Mint Fudge Chunk Frozen Yogurt
AHHH! Yes, please!!!! I’LL buy you one 😛
These look amazing!! I’ve been dying to make some of my own doughnuts, but a little hesitant. Sweet potato doughnuts are such a smart and healthy idea. These are going onto the “must make” Pinterest board!
Gina recently posted…How To Write A Short Story Plus Contest!
Why are you hesitant? They are SO easy! (At least the baked healthy ones are!)
What a happy mistake! I too hate to throw food away and always repurpose it some way. Sweet potato is one of my favourites and these are so healthy. I have never used sweet potato flour. I don’t think I have even seen it anywhere but I will keep a look out next time I’m at the store. I really want to try it!
Obviously, it’s something you need to buy online 😛
Ooooh! We love ALL things sweet potato! great idea!!
Laura @PetiteAllergyTreats recently posted…Gluten Free Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Who doesn’t!?
This just sounds heavenly!
Thank you!
These will fit my sweet potato obsession nicely!
Perfect!
You’re my hero to even think of making donuts out of failed gnocchi, let alone actually doing it. Slap a little chocolate glaze on there and I’m in!
Haha! If you ever find yourself with a failing recipe, just call me over 😉
Pretty sure I’ve never had sweet potato in a doughnut!
Sharon @ What The Fork recently posted…Fall Cash Giveaway
Time to change that!
So smart to turn that dough into doughnuts! They look amazing. 🙂
Linda @ Veganosity recently posted…Cherry Chocolate Chip Nice Cream
Haha, right? Winning!
I love anything sweet potato, so I’m definitely going to need to make these doughnuts!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day recently posted…Harry Potter’s Pumpkin Juice
Awesome! Thanks Amy!
These are healthy and good looking donuts:) Yum!
Uma recently posted…Sun Dried Ginger Preserves- Ginger Murabba
They are!
Yum! Doughnuts that I can actually eat for breakfast! These look so hearty and nourishing.
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free recently posted…60 Dairy-Free Yogurt Mix-Ins + Cool Yogurt Packing Ideas
Haha, yes! You can feel so good about having a few!
These look so good! I have not made donuts in forever! And sweet potato makes everything better!
Amber recently posted…Carly You’re so Vain
Time to bake!
I hate to waste things, too! Glad you were able to repurpose the sweet potato – these look perfect 🙂
Megan – The Emotional Baker recently posted…Coconut Granola
Haha, thanks Megan!
Wow!! These look and sound amazing!! 🙂
Thanks, Ella!
It was lucky for us that the original recipe didn’t go according to plan then, or we’d never have got to see these beauties! They sound absolutely gorgeous.
Haha, I guess so! Thank you Natalie!
The addition of the sweet potato sounds delicious!
The addition? Haha, it’s ALL potato!?
These sound truly delicious! I have yet to experiment with sweet potato flour, but it’s on the agenda!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Getting My Burger On With Tom Bergeron
I bet.
What a fun way to use sweet potatoes! The topping looks great too!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables recently posted…Coconut Mango Smoothie
Thanks!
I love sweet potatoes with cinnamon – so perfect for dessert!
Kate recently posted…Recipe: Matcha Horchata
Just the classic potato spice!
These apeared in the recommended for me bit of Pinterest. Oh how it knows me well – they look divine Rebecca! Anything sweet potato sounds delicious, but these doughnuts really exceed everything! X
Teffy @ Sprinkle of Green recently posted…Mung Bean Baked Falafels with Spicy Tahini
O, I’m glad 😉 They should be recommended for everybody 😉
I recently made scones with left over sweet potatoes so I have absolutely no doubt that these taste fantastic Rebecca!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com recently posted…Summer Holiday In Cornwall
Perfect for keeping things moist and soft!
So um, I unearthed my donut pan! :]?
I didn’t bring mine :O
These are definitely sweet potato goodness!
All the way!
I love the way your repurposed your original ingredients into a whole new recipe. Well done!
Platter Talk recently posted…How to Cook Hard-Boiled Eggs
Thanks!
These look amazing! Two of my favorites combined! Pinned! Shared! Love it!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters recently posted…Building a Paleo Pantry: Nut Delight Kinder Bars
Mine too 😉 Thank you, Elle!
I love using sweet potato flour! It would be perfect here – yum!
~jules
jules recently posted…Gluten Free Lunchbox Ideas
Total potato!
Well, it looks like your kitchen flop wasn’t a flop at all!! Love that you repurposed the dough 🙂 Yum!!!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen recently posted…Pesto Tomato Kale and Shrimp Skillet
Haha, yes!!! We can never let a recipe die!
Love that you turned your cooking flop into success! And into dessert even better 🙂 I think dessert for dinner is totally a better plan anyway! These look scrumptious!
Haha, well I wouldn’t call these doughnuts dessert. This is breakfast 100%
I love that there aren’t any failures in your kitchen! Plus, the fact that you don’t like throwing food away. That totally makes me cringe and feel guilty, like… FOREVER. Too ingenious whipping these formerly would-have been gnocchi into doughnuts! 🙂 I agree that the coconut looks like snow… but we’ll both keep that at bay for a few months. Hehe. 🙂 These look incredible!
Food waste is one of my biggest “beefs”. If I see food get thrown out…feel my wrath!!
Ah! I hope so!!! The monsoonal rain today was bad enough!
These sound AMAZING! So delicious!
Thank you, Liz!
I have never tried sweet potato doughnuts before. What an awesome idea. These little guys look mouth-watering!
They sure are!
They sound utterly delicious and perfect for fall
The Food Hunter recently posted…Prosciutto, Green Bean & Provolone Appetizer
Thank you!
I’ve never had a sweet potato doughnut before, but I bet they’re amazing. Thanks for the recipe.
I don’t think they’re “sold in stores” 😛
Love sweet potatoes and how these are grain free!!
All the goodness!
I have never made a dessert with sweet potatoes! These sound delicious, can’t go wrong with doughnuts!
Well that needs to change.
I had a jelly roll fail miserably one time! Just wouldn’t roll at all so I ended up using an icecream scoop to get it out of the pan and served it in cute little bowls with whip on top. It still was amazing, just not what I had planned. Love how you got donuts out of disaster 🙂
Nicole Dawson recently posted…Berry Delicious Protein Smoothie
See! That’s perfect!!! We can always make things work!
Creative twist looks very tasty!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Spinach, Eggplant and White Bean Burgers
What’s the twist?
These look delicious! I imagine they would taste like pumpkin doughnuts…only without the slightly bitter edge pumpkin can have.
Well I have cinnamon glazed pumpkin doughnuts as well!
Sweet potatoes are a favourite around here, I’ll have to try these soon! I love how you can take something that isn’t working and turn it into something so yummy.
Kim recently posted…How To Plant Garlic
We can never waste sweet potatoes!
Sweet potato flour? How interesting!
Wow, Erica.
I would never have guessed that these started their life as gnocchi!! 😉 They look delicious.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche recently posted…Breakfast rice and beans
Hahaha, destined for magic doughnuts 😉
I love that! “When in doubt, doughnut it out!” ???????? Looks like an awesome save here! Doughnuts are my weakness, which is why I’ve been working on a grain free version myself. These look wonderful and I love the shredded coconut topping. I need to get my hands on some sweet potato flour now! ❤️
Mandy recently posted…What I Eat in a Day {AIP}
These doughnuts will save you on your AIP diet 😀
Oh wow, these look absolutely delish! And made out of sweet potato…that’s mad! Will DEFINITELY have to try these this winter! xx
Perfect! Glad you’ll try them!
doughnuts are always the answer! these are way better than gnocchi
Heather Kinnaird recently posted…how to make crispy baked curly fries
Haha, doughnuts do always make us feel better 😉
Love innovation in food. The sweet potato donuts sound new to me and I already started liking them.
They’re fantastic!
Wow! These sound so yummy and refreshing!
Haha, I’ve never heard someone way a doughnut was “refreshing” 😛
I might have a problem with how much I love donuts…. haha
These look super easy! Can’t wait to try them.
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate recently posted…Gluten-Free Pina Colada Cupcakes (11 Ingredients)
Thanks!
I love sweet potatoes, and donuts, this is the perfect recipe for me!
Cricket Plunkett recently posted…Maple Coffee Breakfast Sausage #SundaySupper
Sounds like it!
I cringe at the thought of throwing sweet potatoes away. You turned it around very nicely :). The only thing I mess up regularly is an omelette…which becomes a scramble.
Emily @ My Healthyish Life recently posted…Making Room For The New
See! There’s always a way around a mess up!
Rebecca, I knew I would love these by the title alone. But your recipe sealed the deal. I am SO making these!
Fantastic! Enjoy, my friend!
Yummmm! Omg these sound (and look!) amazing!!!
Thank you, friend!
Loving the sweet potato goodness! Sweet potatoes are so underrated! These beauties would be perfect with the morning cup of joe 🙂
rachel @ Athletic Avocado recently posted…Cinnamon Roll Creme Brûlée Stuffed Sweet Potato {Paleo + Vegan }
Coffee, potatoes, doughnuts? Sounds like a good morning deal!
I prefer not to think of things as kitchen failures–if I eat the evidence (there is always a way to make it edible!) then no one is the wiser, right?
Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…Late Summer Girls Weekend!
Exactly my thoughts!
YES, give me ALL the sweet potato recipes! 🙂 These look divine! I need to try sweet potato flour.
Courtney recently posted…Autumn Granola
All we need are sweet potato recipes and dishes!
Well I tried to make these pumpkin pancakes this weekend…somewhere in the recipe I went wrong…I knwo it was me and not the recipe but it was a DISASTER..I had to throw it all away I wish I would’ve thought to maybe just stick the batter in the oven and see if something came out of it…it was tasty just the wrong consistency for pancakes!
I might love sweet potatoes more than pumpkin for fall…these are on the ‘to make’ list!
sarah@creatingbettertomorrow recently posted…Potty Training is a Lot Like Health & Fitness
Lol, well I suggest you try MY pumpkin pancake recipe then!