These low carb donut holes have just 1.7 net carbs for the whole recipe! The texture is soft and tender inside with a firm outside — just like conventional donuts.
If you miss having donuts as much as I do you’ll love this quick recipe for induction friendly, low carb donut holes!

Low Carb Donut Holes with Just 1/7 net carbs per serving
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pork rinds 1/3 cup after grinding
- 1 tablespoon almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 teaspoons xylitol or equivalent carb-free sweetener
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring
- Oil for frying I use peanut oil because it works best...use vegetable if you have allergy worries
Instructions
- Heat oil to 360F
- Grind the pork rinds and almonds in a blender until they look like crumbs.
- Add the xlitol and baking powder.
- Mix well.
- Blend in egg and flavorings.
- Drop by Tablespoonful into the hot oil and fry until puffed and golden.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Shake xylitol, or xylitol and cinnamon mixture over the top.
- Eat immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe for low carb maple donut holes is super easy to make. All of the mixing is done right in your blender. You can make them on top of the stove but I do suggest a deep fryer (note: this is an affiliate link to the fryer I use. I love mine). An electric deep fryer keeps the temperature more level and it does make a difference. It takes longer to heat the oil than it does to fry up your breakfast treat!
A quick word about oil. I use peanut oil because I really do think it works best for frying. If there are concerns about food allergies then use your favorite light vegetable oil. Keep the oil clean and fresh. If you fry a lot change it often. If you don’t fry a lot check the oil before you fry to make sure it’s not rancid. A quick dip with your finger into the cool oil, taste, and determine if you need to change it or not. Remember, your fried food will taste like the oil it is fried in. Rancid oil will make these taste terrible.
Do not linger over these. Do not freeze them. Do not try to keep them for later. Think of it as manna. As they start to cool down the texture will change. Eat them while they are hot and make more another time. After all, the recipe is easy.
How is your low carb lifestyle going? I did straight protein shakes for two weeks because I am in the midst of my doctor adjusting me to new thyroid meds and my metabolism is uber sluggish right now. I lost two pounds, sigh, but at least that’s two pounds gone, right?
Leave me comment and let me know…. what’s your favorite low carb breakfast?
41 Responses to “Low Carb Donut Holes”
Cindy
I made these tonight and they are wonderful! They hit the spot and knocked out my carb craving.
Thank you!
jane
yeah. wow! delicious. thanks so much. i put cinnamon on them.
Marye
Glad you liked them!
Jan
What kind of maple do I use?
Marye
Maple flavoring. It should be right by the vanilla extract in the baking aisle… or you can click on the link on the recipe and get it from Amazon – I get a small commission if you do that. 🙂
Mama Owl
how much is 1.4 tsp of baking powder?
Marye
Sorry it should say 1/4. 🙂
Tiara
Is there any way to make this vegetarian? I.e. without the pork rinds? Looks delish!!
Marye
try ground almonds. 🙂
Best Low Carb Donut Recipes | All Day I Dream About Food
[…] Maple Donut Holes from Lowcarb-ology […]
Paula
Could I use maybe a cinnamon extract in place of the maple flavoring? I hate maple. They look so yummy and would really like to try them. Thank you.
Marye
Yep you sure could!
Low-Carb Raspberry Thumbprint Scones - lowcarb-ology
[…] Low Carb Donut Holes Lowcarb-ology […]
Eugene
Where are you getting such low calorie pork rinds? I tried to input this to My Fitness Pal and the entire plate is 910 calories. Thanks!
Marye
that is wrong. 1/2 cup of pork rinds, which is roughly 14 grams, has just 80 calories. try a couple of other nutrition calculators. That one is screwed up!
Trudy Cary
How do I subscribe to this blog? I can’t find the subscribe tab! Thanks.
Marye
I’ve recently added a subscribe button in the side bar. thanks!
Cake Batter Granola - lowcarb-ology
[…] Low Carb Donut Holes […]
Mary
Is there anyway I could bake these? I tend not to like frying things.
Marye
You could try… I don’t know, I’ve never tried. i think the texture would be off.
April
I am allergic to almonds (nuts in general), is there an alternative or could you make without?
Marye
Sorry April I don’t know of one.
Paige
Try it with golden flaxseed. I’m betting it will be just as good as the ground almonds
Marye
Oh I bet it would!
Double Chocolate Donuts - lowcarb-ology
[…] Low Carb Donut Holes […]
Arctic Orca
Is that 1 tbsp of almond flour? meal? Or literally almonds that get ground up in the blender?
Marye
I grind almonds up but you can use almond flour/meal if you like.
Janet
I just made a tweaked version of these. Thanks, I lost my old recipe and needed this today.
Marye
I am so glad!
Inez
My husband thanks you. These once a month are going to be a real delight for him.
Marye
🙂 SO glad he likes them!!!
Andrea
I made these using flax seed and added a little creme brûlée sf syrup to them since I didn’t have maple extract. I also made a thin cream cheese icing. Very good and I think they actually inspired an idea for hush puppies!
Marye
Oh that would be awesome! let me know
DonnaL
Oh WOW!.. Hush Puppies?! What a great idea!!
I hope someone can figure a recipe out.
Thanks,
DonnaL
Marye
🙂
Pam
Why is everyone worrying about calories on a LCHF diet? I dont consider any of that as long as the carb count is low? I have lost 25 pounds in 3 months and eat 3 to 5 low carb sweets daily. I just had blood work and all levels were the best ever.
Marye
Well, for some people calories count more than others. With my thyroid condition I have to eat low carb and make sure my calories stay under a certain number as well.
Anonymous
I dont see full nutrition information for these. Is it available?
Marye
I’ve added it – it was apparently lost during an update. 🙂
Krysti
If using almond flour/meal would it still be only 1 tablespoon?
Marye
I think so. You might have to experiment a little.