Protein Donut Holes!!!

Protein Donut Holes (I got off an OH posting, but have seen on other sites too)

oil (I used olive oil)

1 large egg
1/4 cup melted butter
2 TBS splenda (or 2 packs/tubes of Stevia- I use Purevia)
1 tsp vanilla
1 scoop vanilla protein powder

splenda/stevia
cinnamon

Start heating about 1 inch of oil in a frying pan over MEDIUM heat. If your oil is too hot then when you drop your batter in it...this is what happens:



The batter will just spread and not maintain a "ball" form and will burn the second it hits the oil...no bueno.

While the oil is heating, beat the egg and butter lightly. Add the splenda/stevia, vanilla, and protein powder, beat well, and then let sit for a minute. Then beat again until the lumps are gone. Using a tablespoon drop (don't drizzle) the batter into the oil in small batches. BE CAREFUL! Also have ALL of your "tools" on hand because you will need to flip them almost immediately to prevent burning...flip when they start to brown. After the other side is browned, remove from oil, drain, and sprinkle with the cinnamon and splenda/stevia. As you can see below, I sprinkled mine w/powdered sugar. I understand that doing so negates the sugar free aspect, but that's just what I was feeling tonight.

A few other people who have tried this said that they get more of a round, real donut hole shape by spooning the batter into a baggy and snipping the end to "glop" out balls of batter instead of spooning it in. I didn't try that, but go for it :)

Also...if you're finding that your batter is still spreading too much when you plop it in the oil, add another 1/2 scoop of protein powder to thicken the batter up a bit. I had to do this and it worked perfectly!

Since this is fried...this should be a "sometimes" snack...but hey, when you are craving something fried and sweet...this gives you a nice protein punch and doesn't have any flour :)