I'm convinced. Every town needs a good vegan donut shop.
Vegan donuts (doughnuts?) are one of the coolest dessert discoveries I have made as a plant-based eater. I first discovered some at Babycakes NYC. Then just a few weeks ago I stumbled upon Fōnuts in West Hollywood. I still need to make it out to Ronald's Donuts in Las Vegas and the famous Voodoo Donuts in Portland. But for right now I'm swooning over these amazing little circles of bliss. Seriously, I used to be a donut-lover as a kid and these vegan versions are better than anything I have ever tasted - my husband agreed!
Check out Fōnuts and get a few vegan donut recipes + my reasoning on why donuts are a healthy part of my life 🙂 ..
Fōnuts: Opened by pastry chef Waylynn Lucas and Nancy Truman. "Fōnuts. As in faux-nuts. As in doughnuts that aren't fried, but baked." -- ""I'm using different methods of steaming and baking at high heat to replicate the light and fluffy texture of a doughnut -- without frying," Lucas says. Some will be wheat-free and vegan, some more indulgent. Some sweet, some savory. Some with traditional flavors, some more cutting-edge. Lucas mentions a fōnut topped with olive oil powder instead of powdered sugar. " - LA Times blog
I say: "Donuts are a Healthy Part of Life." Let me explain this somewhat silly-sounding statement. You guys know it, I am a pretty healthy eater. And when I think of "donuts" my mind darts right away to a pink-frosted round, plump cake donut with rainbow sprinkles on top, cradled in the fuzzy orange fingers of Homer Simpson. His drooling mouth hanging wide open, his eyes glossed over and a cartoon thought bubble above his head saying "Mmmmm, Donuts."
Just as Homer stuffs the pink-frosted treat in his mouth I cringe. Donuts and health do not mix. Le sigh. Or do they?
I used to shun donuts. But I was wrong. Donuts totally go along with my healthy vegan diet. Yup. Ever since I realized that delicious (I mean DELICIOUS - ordinary vegan donuts need not apply) vegan donuts existed, I knew that these special high-calorie treats could go in my "sometimes" food file. Back in my twenties I would cringe at donut chomping, but I've seen the glossy, maple-glazed light. Now (as a mature, wise old 32 year-old) I realize that "decadent treats" are not only easy to fit in my diet but necessary! Nutritionally unnecessary desserts have a place in my life. And I like that.
Fōnuts Review. First off, the actual shop is adorable and smells like vanilla-scented heaven. They have coffee + donuts + an adorable vintage stovetop that holds all the goodies like sweetener and napkins for coffee. Not all the flavors are vegan, but that's ok because when I was there they had three vegan flavors which was enough for me. I would suggest getting a half dozen. They come in a cute white box with a yellow ribbon and they actually keep in the fridge pretty well for a few days. Just warm a few seconds in the microwave. (But obviously fresh tastes best!)
Taste. These uber-moist frosted donuts are so fresh-tasting and have a cake-y texture but at the same time they melt in your mouth. The flavor is bold and cravable. Nothing tastes artificial. My favorite flavor was the Vanilla Latte with its maple-bar like flavor and accent of espresso. I also loved those frosted lemon donuts and the chocolate coconut donut was super rich and tasted like dessert. We paired our donuts with some steamy soy lattes and then collapsed into post-donut-eating bliss for a movie on the couch with a snoozing sunbeam kitty by our side.
Perfect weekend morning if you ask me.
Vegan Donut Recipes. Oh and if you are deprived of a donut shop in your town, do not worry, you can make your own! -> find over 100 recipes in a pretty Vegan Donut Recipe Gallery on FindingVegan.com (recipes from your favorite bloggers!)
(Vegan) Fōnuts...
Had to sneak a peek in the car..
The aroma of these Fōnuts would put any human (or kitty cat) at ease..
Want to visit Fonuts:
8104 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Neighborhood: Mid-City West
(323) 592-3075
fonuts.com
Homemade Donuts: If you are now craving some vegan donuts but your town is deprived of a vegan-friendly donut shop, here are a few great recipes from the vegan bloggers who have submitted to my other website Finding Vegan:
* German Chocolate Donuts by Better with Veggies
* Vanilla Donuts + Wild blueberry Lemon Glaze by Alimentageuse
* Baked Carrot Cake Donuts by Baking the Law
* Glazed Maple Rhubarb Donuts by Pickles n Honey
* Lemon Lavender Donuts by Fragrant Vanilla Cake
* Zesty Lime Donuts with Coconut Frosting by Season 2 Season Eating
* Basic Vanilla Donut Recipe by Killer Bunnies Inc
* Vegan Donut Party by the Socially Awkward Vegan
* Glazed Chocolate-y Donuts by The Sweet and Savory Life
Or find over 100 recipes in a pretty VEGAN DONUT GALLERY on FindingVegan.com
Purr/Snoring going on here that I had to dart my camera lens over to and capture..
cindy says
kathy!!
*casually just going through each and everyone of your breakfast recipes cuz i'm really into cool breakfasts at this moment haha* but when i saw fonuts i knew i had to click on this... this place has been bookmarked on yelp for AGES and i have no idea why i haven't tried it yet! i'm scrolling through this post, and im getting SO HUNGRY (donuts are #1 weakness!) haha. did you get to try the strawberry buttermilk one? i hear that's super good!
ps: i'm not sure whether you've visited voodoo doughnuts in portland yet! but in my opinion it's not as great as the donuts i've had elsewhere (aka la/seattle). i feel like everyone just goes there for the pictures bc they've got such adorably decorated donuts!! 🙂 but if you ever visit portland, i'd suggest you try out blue star donuts - theirs are better tasting! 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Yay thank you for browsing Cindy! I need to visit Portland eventually... Vegan paradise I have heard!
Christopher Armeno says
Look up sticky fingers, the owner is the girl who won cupcake wars twice with her vegan cupcakes. I believe her vegan bakery/lunch spot is in Georgetown. :]
Christopher Armeno says
Last time I was in San Francisco I got a dozen from pepples, in the ferry building, and ate about 7 of them!! To die for!
Christopher Armeno says
Ronald's is pretty awesome!! I'm there buying a dozen almost every Sunday!!! :]
Kathy Patalsky says
Amelia! That is the best story ever!! I love it. How funny. I'm so glad you like the book too! And thanks for reading! Xoxo
Amelia says
OH P.S., the reason I commented on this thread: I was amazed at the Whole Foods on Lincoln Ave. because it had SIX different types of Vegan Donuts (Coffee and donuts are totally my sweet sweet pleasure). Around here we have NONE... maybe one type if I drive two hours but I haven't checked the whole foods here.
I had a coconut-creme filled chocolate long-john and it was lifechanging. The dough was so soft and perfectly crisp from the fryer, the creme was decadent and creamy, and the chocolate glaze... that was the best part: a super dark chocolate rich gooey icing. Try one from there if you ever get the chance!
Kathy Patalsky says
I need to go to that WF!! I keep hearing about vegan donuts there and i don't normally go to that location, but will have to!! 🙂
Amelia says
Hi Kathy,
So, funny story. I have wanted to buy your book since it came short but I have been a little tight on cash with a trip to LA and Santa Monica (OMG I want to live there btw, WI just doesn't compare. You are so right in that opening part about fresh produce, etc.). Anyway, after like four weeks, I caved and fessed up to my boyfriend that I had put in a new Amazon order. He asked what I got and as soon as I said the book, he went "Damn!" and I asked what happened, and he had bought it already and was waiting to give it to me but hadn't had the chance because of my trip. He was like, "I knew you would do that but I wanted it to be a nice surprise!" I was able to cancel mine in time but it was just a funny story.
Anyway, I LOVE YOUR BOOK. I LOVE my PB banana and almond smoothies but I have totally felt in a rut lately... and all these new refreshing flavor combinations have made my mouth water. I literally have bookmarked about 90 to try (I was trying to narrow it down and slightly failed, haha). The first one I made was the Maple Pecan Pie and it was amazzzzzzzing after a long morning run.
Thanks for all your inspiration and sharing all that goodness! 🙂 I can't stop telling all of my friends about it and will probably eventually give some copies as gifts. Hopefully I can eventually get a t-shirt help spread the love too... but that will have to be later!
Gabrielle Thomas says
I live in Las Vegas and LET ME TELL YOU.... RONALD'S ROCKS! They are better than regular doughnuts =) Light, airy, fluffy, and an old shop with little old men drinking coffee. Perfect afternoon stop. No frills, only good doughnuts and kinda smiles. I feel like a spokesperson haha! Definitely stop if you are ever in the area.
RockMyVeganSocks says
omg those look SO GOOD!!! It looks like one of your pictures shows vegan & gluten-free? That would make it donut heaven =D I have tried Voodoo in Portland (which you definitely need to try out), but was disappointed that they didn't have gluten-free.
Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth says
Next stop, Cinnaholic!!!
McKel Hill, MS, RDN, LDN says
I was never a big fan of glazed doughnuts, but cake type doughnuts are amazing in my opinion. It's always great finding vegan (or gluten free) options too! These look great 🙂
Cici says
Next time you're in NorCal go to Pepples Donuts in Oakland. The donuts are amazing!!!! They also do breakfast on the weekends.
Natasha says
They look delicious. I miss doughnuts. I'm going to try one of the recipes this weekend.
Maria Tadic says
OMG...now all I can think about are donuts! I wish we had a vegan place here in DC!!!!
jodye says
I was never a big donut fan, but those photos and your description might just have me convinced. If I'm ever in the area, I'll certainly make it a point to drop by. The texture looks spot on. Thanks for the collection of recipes. I do have a donut pan that hasn't seen much use. I suppose I'll have to dust it off!
Cataract Surgery New Jersey says
"Mmmmm, donuts!"
What should I eat for breakfas says
I regret I not knowing about them when I had 3 yesterday 😀
Liz Thomson says
Those donuts look AMAZING! Yum 🙂
Amy @ Nowheynocow.com says
Wow, I need some donuts STAT. Luckily a new donut shop just came into town that serves vegan options! What better is there to do on a Sunday night? 🙂
Christina says
These look unreal! I absolutely love vegan donuts, especially because they are not fried.
Caitlin @ Streets Ahead Style says
Wow! I wish I was going to LA sometime soon!
Suzanne says
Love that picture of you modelling the box of fonuts; I nominate you as the next Vanna White!
While not donut specific, there are a few places here in Toronto to get vegan 'fonuts'; Bunners, Kelly's Bakeshoppe, and Tori's Bakeshop!
Kelly Rae says
great post! I have yet to eat a vegan donut. Texas isn't very vegan friendly so usually I go without the lovely sweet things I crave. I'm going to check out the recipes you listed though 🙂
coconutandberries says
Oh wow, those sound and look amazing! I've never had a vegan donut, and probably not many non-vegan donuts either. They're not really a big thing in England. I'll have to try some of those recipes 🙂
And yes, totally agree, nutritionally unnecessary desserts DO have a place in my diet. Just definitely not as an everyday occurrence!