Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Donuts: High Protein Fall Baking Favorite
Pumpkin donuts are already a fall favorite, but these baked pumpkin cottage cheese donuts bring something extra to the table: 7 grams of protein in every donut. Made with blended cottage cheese, they’re tender, fluffy, and full of warm pumpkin spice flavor; the kind of cozy treat that feels indulgent but also adds a boost of protein to your day.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
These donuts aren’t just another fall baking idea; they’re a balance of comfort and substance. The cottage cheese blends seamlessly into the batter, leaving no texture but adding protein and moisture that keeps the donuts soft. The pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice give them that unmistakable autumn flavor, while the cinnamon sugar coating makes them taste just like a bakery treat.
This recipe yields six full-sized, bakery-style donuts and is sized perfectly for cozy fall weekends, back-to-school snacks, or even a fun twist on dessert. Perfect for anyone who loves pumpkin recipes, wants something seasonal for breakfast or snack time, or is searching for a new way to use cottage cheese.
Pro Tip: For the best texture, make sure to blend the cottage cheese until completely smooth before adding it to the batter. This ensures you get soft, fluffy donuts without any lumps. A quick blend in a small food processor or blender does the trick.
Serving Ideas
These donuts are delicious warm from the oven, but they also hold up well for up to two days in an airtight container. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or chai latte for a cozy afternoon pick-me-up, or serve them as part of a fall breakfast spread.
If you’d like to lean into dessert territory, drizzle them with a simple glaze instead of rolling them in cinnamon sugar: pumpkin glaze, maple glaze, or even a cream cheese drizzle would all work beautifully.
If you loved these donuts, check out my full High Protein Fall Recipes collection for more pumpkin, apple, and cozy fall favorites.
More Fall Baking Ideas
- Baked Chai-Spiced Donuts bring all the warm, cozy flavors you love in an easy homemade treat. They’re perfect with your morning coffee or tea and make any day feel a little more special.
- This chocolate pumpkin patch brownie cake is fudgy, festive, and almost too pretty to cut into. The candy-coated strawberry pumpkins make it a perfect centerpiece for fall parties and holiday tables.
- Pumpkin Spice Donuts are soft, baked, and filled with warm fall spices. They’re easy to make and perfect for a cozy morning treat. Bring the best fall baking flavors right to your kitchen.
- These chai-spiced buttercream cookie bars take everything you love about a cup of chai and turn it into dessert. Perfect for fall gatherings or cozy evenings, they’re a dessert worth trying for your next baking session.
- Maple pecan cottage cheese muffins bring the perfect balance of nutty crunch and soft, tender texture. The cottage cheese keeps them moist, while the maple syrup makes each bite feel homemade and cozy. They’re freezer-friendly too, which means you can keep a batch ready for busy mornings or last-minute snacks.
If you love pumpkin recipes with a twist, these baked pumpkin cottage cheese donuts are a must-try. They’re easy, protein-packed, and guaranteed to be on repeat all season long. Tried this recipe? Please leave a rating and comment below. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you.
Equipment
- Wire cooling rack
- Pastry brush (for butter)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup cottage cheese blended smooth
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing
- ⅓ cup cinnamon sugar for coating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and lightly grease a 6-cavity donut pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, blended cottage cheese, brown sugar, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until donuts spring back when lightly pressed. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- While still warm, brush each donut with melted butter and toss in cinnamon sugar until evenly coated. Serve warm.
Notes
- Blend the cottage cheese until completely smooth before using.
- Don’t overmix the batter; stir until just combined.
- If your oven runs hot, check at 12 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Best enjoyed the same day, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Followed the recipe as is and really enjoyed these! I appreciate a simple recipe that is delicious without leaving you feeling heavy. They had the right amount of spice and turned out very soft. A must for the fall season!
Thank you so much, Tessa! I’m so glad you enjoyed the donuts. Simple and cozy recipes like this are exactly what make fall baking feel special.
Super easy and delicious recipe. I added a little bit more pumpkin spice because why not 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Adding a little extra pumpkin spice sounds perfect for fall baking. It’s such a cozy touch. Thanks so much for trying it and sharing your feedback!
– Shilpa
Followed recipe exactly, needed more time to bake than instructed. They were just “okay”- too moist and soft to be called a donut. Will not make again.
Thank you for trying the recipe and sharing your feedback. These donuts are meant to be very soft and cake-like rather than firm or fried-style. Oven times can vary quite a bit depending on pan and oven calibration, so needing a little extra bake time is common. I appreciate you giving them a try and sharing your experience.
– Shilpa