5 from 6 votes

Servings pieces

These Tofu Donuts are a delicious vegan-friendly dessert! With just five simple ingredients, you can make these light and fluffy treats in no time!

Looking for easy snacks? Try my Rice Flour Donuts, Chocolate Mochi, or Vegan Matcha Cake!

Featured Comment

From Linda: “You were right!! I made mine in an air fryer and they came out great. Mine look more like mini biscuits than donuts but delicious. I can see adding blueberries, raisins or cranberries. They are almost like mini scones. Wish i knew how to share pictures. 😊”

I’ll walk you through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions. I hope you enjoy it!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

These tofu donut holes are crispy on the outside and perfectly chewy on the inside.
Made without butter or eggs, these vegan donuts are easy to make.
Try them with different sugar-coating options for extra flavor.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make these Tofu Donuts:

Silken tofu
Sugar (brown sugar or white sugar)
Maple syrup
All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Vegetable oil for frying

How To Make Tofu Donuts: STEP BY STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions! For the video and all the detailed ingredients and instructions, go to the printable recipe card below.

Step 1

Whisk the silky tofu in a mixing bowl to make it creamy paste.

Step 2

Add the sugar, maple syrup, flour, and baking powder, then mix until a smooth dough forms.

Step 3

Use two spoons to shape the dough into small balls, then drop them into hot oil.

Step 4

Deep-fry until golden brown.

Place the donut holes on a wire rack to cool slightly. Enjoy their crispy exterior and soft, springy interior. For extra sweetness, roll them in sugar (see below) to fully satisfy your sweet tooth!

Recipe Tips

There’s no need to press the tofu—this recipe uses the tofu’s moisture to form the dough. If the dough turns out too firm, just add a little water to adjust the consistency.
The thick batter can be sticky and tricky to work with. Instead of using your hands, shape the donut holes using two spoons.
To avoid burning, keep the oil temperature between 160-180°C (320-350°F). Too hot oil will burn the exterior before the inside cooks through.

Sugar Coating Variations

many tofu donut balls with 3 sugar toppings on a tray

Here are some sugar coating options to make your donuts even more enjoyable:

Cinnamon Sugar: A warm, classic flavor perfect for a simple, comforting treat.
Cacao Sugar: A slightly bitter, sophisticated flavor for those who love a rich taste.
Kinako Sugar: A Japanese twist with roasted soybean flour, offering a mild, nutty flavor.

Which one would you like to try? We hope you enjoy these flavors as much as we do!

Want More Plant-Based Ideas?

Download 10 Vegetarian Recipes

More Dessert Recipes You Will Love

Leave a Rating!

I hope you enjoy this Tofu Donut Recipe! If you try it, don’t forget to leave a rating to share your thoughts—I love hearing from you!

Vegan Tofu Donuts Recipe (Donut Holes)

5 from 6 votes

Prep: 5

Cook: 10

Total: 15

Servings: pieces

Author: Juri Austin

These Tofu Donuts are a delicious vegan-friendly dessert! With just five simple ingredients, you can make these light and fluffy treats in no time!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

Frying pan 22cm, (9 inches)
Measuring spoon

Ingredients

Sugar Coating

▢ 1 Tbsp Sugar
▢ ½ tsp Cinnamon, or cacao powder, kinako

Instructions

Make the Dough: Whisk the silken tofu in a bowl until creamy. Add sugar and maple syrup, then whisk until smooth. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder, mixing until well combined.
Deep-fry: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Use two spoons to shape the dough into small balls, then carefully drop them into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown. Transfer the donuts to a cooling rack or paper towel to drain any excess oil.
Coat the Donuts: In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. While the donuts are still warm, roll them in the sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Video

Notes

Storage: Store the donuts in an airtight container and enjoy them within a day. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
There’s no need to press the tofu—this recipe uses the tofu’s moisture to form the dough. If the dough turns out too firm, just add a little water to adjust the consistency.
The thick batter can be sticky and tricky to work with. Instead of using your hands, shape the donut holes using two spoons.
To avoid burning, keep the oil temperature between 160-180°C (320-350°F). Too hot oil will burn the exterior before the inside cooks through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1.8g

This nutritional information is estimated and provided for general reference only.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: tofu donuts

Did You Make This Recipe?

Please !

Juri Austin

Hi! I’m Juri, founder of Chef JA Cooks and the creator and photographer of this site. I’m here to guide you in authentic yet easy-to-follow Japanese recipes! Let’s explore the world of Japanese cuisine together!

Learn More About Juri

5 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

12 Comments

Jojo says:

Jun 2, 2025 at 4:17 AM

This is dangerous delicious. Glad I tried it, but I fear my life will be different knowing I can make something as delicious as these doughnut holes. Be warned, you might want to eat them all in one go!

1. Juri Austin says:
  
  Jun 2, 2025 at 4:45 AM
  
  Thanks for trying the donut, Jojo! I totally agree! 🙂
  
Micheline says:

Aug 24, 2024 at 8:54 AM

J’aimerais essayer cette recette (beignets) mais on ne parle pas de la quantité d’ingrédients…

1. Juri Austin says:
  
  Aug 25, 2024 at 1:25 PM
  
  Couldn’t find the recipe card with the ingredient quantities? If so, here’s the link: https://chefjacooks.com/en/tofu-donut-balls/#recipe.
  
Linda says:

Mar 16, 2023 at 4:39 AM

You were right!! I made mine in an air fryer and they came out great. Mine look more like mini biscuits than donuts but delicious. I can see adding blueberries, raisins or cranberries. They are almost like mini scones. Wish i knew how to share pictures. 😊

1. JURI says:
  
  Mar 16, 2023 at 5:31 AM
  
  Oh, I’m happy to hear your donut turn out well! Thanks for trying the recipe!!
  
2. Josephine says:
  
  Jul 30, 2024 at 8:47 AM
  
  How long did you air fry them for?
  
  1. Juri Austin says:
    
    Jul 31, 2024 at 2:35 AM
    
    You can try baking them for 3-5 minutes at 180c.
Linda says:

Mar 16, 2023 at 3:51 AM

Will do! I’ll give it a go. Thank you for these wonderful recipes.

1. JURI says:
  
  Mar 16, 2023 at 4:05 AM
  
  Thanks, Linda! You are very welcome!!
  
Linda says:

Mar 14, 2023 at 11:48 PM

Can these be made in an air fryer instead of frying in oil?

1. JURI says:
  
  Mar 15, 2023 at 3:13 AM
  
  I haven’t tried it, but it should work!