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Recipe card image for 4 ingredient lemon donuts with glazed lemon donut holes, fresh lemon zest, and quick baking tips.
Linda

4 Ingredient Lemon Cottage Cheese Donuts

These 4 ingredient lemon donuts are soft, bright, and easy to make with cottage cheese, self-rising flour, powdered sugar, and fresh lemon. They are made without eggs, butter, or oil and can be cooked in the air fryer or oven for a quick lemon dessert.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 16 donut holes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 55
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Donut Ingredients
  • 1 cup cottage cheese preferably full-fat or 4%
  • 1 1/4 cups self-rising flour plus more only if needed for shaping
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
Optional Lemon Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice adjust for desired glaze thickness
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Small cookie scoop
  • Air fryer or baking sheet
  • Parchment Paper

Method
 

  1. Blend the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until completely smooth and creamy.
  2. Add the blended cottage cheese, self-rising flour, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a mixing bowl.
  3. Stir gently until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but scoopable. If it feels too wet, add a little extra flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  4. Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough into about 16 small balls. Lightly wet your hands and roll each portion into a smooth donut hole.
  5. For the air fryer method, preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Line the basket with parchment paper and air fry the donut holes in a single layer for 9 to 11 minutes, or until puffed and lightly golden.
  6. For the oven method, preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the donut holes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly golden.
  7. Let the lemon donut holes cool for 3 to 5 minutes before adding powdered sugar or lemon glaze.
  8. To make the optional lemon glaze, whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Drizzle over the warm donut holes or dip each donut into the glaze.
  9. Serve warm for the softest texture and best lemon flavor.

Notes

Blend the cottage cheese very smooth before mixing so the dough has the best texture. Do not add too much flour, or the donuts may become dense. Use fresh lemon zest for a stronger lemon flavor. These 4 ingredient lemon donuts are best served warm, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated before serving.