Celebrate Valentine’s Day with our Strawberry Lemon Donut Holes made with Lifeway Farmer Cheese for mini bites of sweet decadence. Featuring a light drizzle of glaze made with probiotic Lifeway Kefir, these donut holes are finished with fresh lemon zest for a delightful zing of brightness to complement the sweetness of the strawberries.
To prepare these donut holes, Lifeway Farmer Cheese is first whipped in a food processor to create an ultra-smooth, cloud-like texture. This process aids in achieving the perfect dough before finishing up the rest of recipe, and since our cultured cheese is high in protein, it helps the dough come together beautifully for a richer, more satisfying mouthfeel.
With less than 10 minutes of cook time in an air-fryer, these donut holes are ready to enjoy. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you… these little bites of heaven are addicting in the best way!
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The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 15 mins Servings: 4-6Ingredients
For the Donut Holes:
- 3/4 cup Farmer Cheese
- 2 3/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1 cup flour (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp. raw honey or pure maple syrup
- 3 large strawberries, finely chopped/diced
For the Probiotic Kefir Glaze:
- 3 tbsp. Lowfat Strawberry Kefir
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (or alternative)
- 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
- zest of 1 lemon
- optional: butter for brushing
Directions
- Add Lifeway Farmer Cheese to a food processor or stand mixer with the raw honey (or maple syrup), and process/whip until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt together until combined. Add the egg and farmer cheese mixture from step 1, then work the dough with a spatula or fork to achieve a stiff, workable dough.
- Dust your hands with some flour, then roll the dough into 4-6 donut holes (depending on how small you want them). Place them on a pan that fits into an air-fryer and brush lightly with butter if using. If you do not have an air-fryer, you can bake these in a small toaster oven or regular oven. See next step for instructions.
- Air-fry the donut holes for 8 minutes or until golden brown. If using a toaster oven or regular oven, bake for 8-10 minutes at 350° F on a pan covered in parchment paper, or until golden brown in texture. Various ovens can differ in cook times, so watch the donut holes carefully as they bake.
- After cooking, let the donut holes cool, and make the frosting (you can make this ahead, if desired). Whisk the Strawberry Lifeway Kefir with the powdered sugar (or alternative), and the vanilla until you have a glaze.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled donut holes, add the lemon zest, then enjoy!
