From Food Network Challenges to Best of New York, vegan doughnuts are taking the world of pastries by storm!

Accolades

Last April, Mighty-O-Donut shocked foodies everywhere when they won the “Food Network Challenge: Donut Champions” edition, edging out the contest favorite and two other “more traditional” competitors. Mighty-O’s doughnuts contain no chemical preservatives, no hydrogenated oils, no trans fat, no coloring or artificial flavors, and no animal derived ingredients. That’s right, the winning doughnuts were vegan! (A vegan bakery also recently won Food Network’s Cupcake Wars!)

Then, in December, New York City’s first vegan doughnut shop opened for business. Just a couple of months later, Dun-Well Doughnuts was named the best doughnut in the city! Not the best vegan doughnut, the best cruelty-free doughnut, or the best healthy doughnut. The best doughnut…PERIOD!

Can’t Get Enough

Pretty awesome news. And it’s indicative of a larger trend that’s been sweeping the nation. People across the U.S. and Canada just can’t seem to get enough doughnuts. The more creative the better!

Perhaps even more surprising, vegan doughnut shops (and shops with vegan options) are opening their doors across the country, including Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland, Oregon and Ronald’s Donuts in Las Vegas, Nevada. And recipes are also popping up all over the internet. From fruit-filled to chocolate-topped, there’s now a vegan doughnut recipe for every taste, mood or occasion.

Eat More Doughnuts?

Although some scientists are now recommending eating doughnuts for breakfast to help you lose weight (!), we realize these sweet little o’s are not exactly a health food. However, the vegan versions of many popular doughnuts are definitely more wholesome than their conventional counterparts! Free of eggs, dairy, and other animal products, vegan doughnuts are cholesterol-free, and typically contain no saturated fat. And most at-home recipes will be baked, not fried, so they are also lower in total fat.

We’ve been featuring some of the best vegan recipes right here! Check out all these amazing doughnut recipes from One Green Planet contributors – there’s sure to be one you’ll love:

1. Chocolate Caramel Doughnuts
2. Baked Blueberry Donuts
3. Healthy Chocolate Donuts for One
4. Raspberry White Wine Glazed Donuts
5. Healthy Krispy Kremes for One
6. Easy Baked Doughnuts
7. Cake-Batter Doughnuts

Got an awesome vegan doughnut recipe? Share it with us!