The best low calorie lemon cheesecake donuts

These low calorie lemon cheesecake donuts are the perfect little springtime treat. They are made with oats and topped with a lemon cream cheese frosting. These donuts are refreshingly zesty, ultra fluffy and just 67 calories each! Plus, they are baked taking away the hassle of frying (not to mention all the excess calories from the oil)!

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Lemons just scream spring. All things lemon flavored are so refreshing and delicious! These low calorie lemon cheesecake donuts are the perfect desserts disguised as breakfast! They are jam packed with fiber and nutrients. Each donut is just 67 calories or you can have all 6 for just 400 calories! That’s less than the calories in 2 regular donuts!

This recipe isn’t just for the oat lover looking to spice up their breakfast. These donuts do not have the distinct oat taste at all! They are super fluffy, delicious and flavorful. Plus, these delicate, cake-like donuts require very few ingredients and just 15 minutes to bake!

Low calorie lemon cheesecake donuts

These low calorie lemon cheesecake donuts are so easy to make and super versatile. You can have them as a snack, for breakfast or even for dessert! Imagine a lemon cheesecake but in donut form. These donuts are seriously so good I can easily finish the entire batch in one day!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

• Requires just 6 ingredients!
• Super easy to make and bakes in just 15 minutes.
• This recipe is completely free of added sugars!
• This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.
• The BEST low calorie lemon cheesecake donuts.

The ingredients

Exact ingredient quantities can be found at the bottom of this page.

To make this low calorie cinnamon roll for one you will need:

• Oat flour – This recipe calls for oat flour. It is the best way to turn a dessert into a delicious breakfast! If you don’t have oat flour, you can just blend up some oats yourself until super fine and now you have oat flour!
• Baking powder & baking soda – The combination of both baking powder and baking soda helps these donuts rise to give the prefect cake-like texture.
• Stevia or granulated sweetener – Any granulated sweetener will work for this recipe. Stevia is my personal favorite and is the closest in taste to sugar.
• 0% fat yogurt – Yogurt is great at providing moisture and structure to these donuts. 0% fat yogurt is very low in calories whilst still adding moisture! For a vegan alternative, use vegan yogurt.
• Unsweetened almond milk – Any milk will work for this recipe but unsweetened almond milk is the lowest in calories.
• Lemon zest – Gives these donuts a refreshing, delicate lemon-y flavor.
• 0 calorie icing sugar – 0 calorie icing sugar keeps this recipe sugar-free. If you don’t have any 0 calorie icing sugar to hand, regular icing sugar works too but it adds a few extra calories.
• Philadelphia lightest – Philadelphia lightest is 3% fat cream cheese. It is really creamy but super low in calories, perfect for low calorie frosting.
• Lemon juice – A dash of lemon juice is added to the frosting.

How to make the best lemon cheesecake donuts

See below for ingredient quantities and exact instructions.

1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C (356°F). Spray a 6-count donut case with a few 1calorie sprays.
2. If you’re using oats, blend in a high-speed blender until super fine and flour-like in consistency.
3. Combine all the ingredients except the zest in a medium bowl and mix until you get a thick, smooth batter.
4. Fold in the lemon zest until fully combined. Scoop the batter into the donut cases using a spoon or pipe into the donut molds using a piping bag.
5. Bake the donuts until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean – about 15 minutes.
6. Let the donuts cool in the mold for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Low calorie frosting

This cream cheese frosting is creamy, refreshing and delicious. Its super low in calories which makes it the perfect accompaniment to these zesty donuts.

I like to use ultra light cream cheese as a base for my frosting. It doesn’t have a strong flavor so whatever you mix it with really comes through.

Here’s how to make this low calorie lemon cream cheese frosting:

1. Mix all the ingredients – In a small bowl, whisk ultra light cream cheese, 0 calorie icing sugar and lemon juice until smooth and lump-free.
2. Spread frosting onto cooled donuts – Spoon and spread the frosting over the donuts. Make sure the donuts have cooled – otherwise, the cream cheese frosting will just melt!

Its really that simple!

Tips to make the best lemon cheesecake donuts

• Measure ingredients according to the recipe – Make sure your ingredients are exactly as stated in the recipe to get the best results. I would recommend getting a kitchen scale to make sure you get the right measurements.
• Blend, blend blend – Make sure you blend the oats until super fine. Its better to over-blend than to be left with lumpy donuts! Make sure your blender is completely dry before blending the oats.
• Make sure lemon is dry before zesting – You need to make sure the lemon is completely dry before zesting it. I’ve had a few hiccups with zesting lemons but the best way I’ve found is using dry lemons and a cheese grater!
• Allow the donuts time to cool – If you spread the frosting onto warm donuts, it will melt. Allow the donuts to completely cool before adding the frosting.

Storage

These donuts are best served the day they’re made but if you do have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the donuts in a single layer to keep the frosting from sticking.

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