Last Updated on June 22, 2025 by Allison Lancaster

These baked key lime coconut donuts are bursting with fresh lime flavor and creamy coconut. Topped with a coconut rum glaze and toasted coconut, they are a perfect 21 plus summer treat with easy nonalcoholic options too.

A plate of baked donuts topped with white icing, toasted coconut flakes, and lime zest, with a blue and white checkered cloth in the background.

If you’re craving a fresh, tropical-flavored dessert, these baked key lime coconut donuts are the perfect solution. Made with simple pantry staples, fresh lime zest, and topped with toasted coconut and a coconut rum glaze, they’re light, fluffy, and full of flavor. Whether you’re planning a summer brunch, need a new dessert idea, or just want a fun twist on traditional donuts—this easy recipe is a must-try.

Why You’ll Love These Key Lime Coconut Donuts

These donuts are baked (not fried), bursting with tropical flavor, and super simple to make….even if you’re not a pro in the kitchen. The combo of creamy coconut and zingy key lime makes them totally irresistible. They’re perfect for summer parties, weekend brunch, or an indulgent midweek treat. Just a heads up: with the coconut rum in the glaze, these are a 21+ treat. But don’t worry….there are easy ways to make them family-friendly, too.

Want to Make These Donuts Non-Alcoholic?

If you want to serve these at a family gathering or have little ones in the house, it’s easy to make them alcohol-free. Just replace the coconut rum with any of these options: a splash of coconut milk, heavy cream, or even a bit of limeade or water with a dash of coconut extract. You’ll still get that tropical flavor without the booze.

A close-up of several baked donuts topped with shredded coconut and lime zest, stacked on a white plate with a blue napkin in the background.

Ingredients for Key Lime Donuts

Flour
Sugar
Baking powder
Salt
Whole milk
Egg
Fresh lime zest
Oil
Disposable piping bag

Rum Glaze:

Powdered sugar
Fresh lime juice
Coconut rum
Fresh lime zest

Topping:

Lime zest
Toasted coconut

Making Your Coconut Lime Donuts

Three panels show a blue-and-white bowl: first with dry ingredients, then with an egg and lime zest added, and finally with a mixed batter, illustrating baking steps.

Preheat oven and spray a 6-cavity donut pan with baking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
In another bowl, whisk together milk, egg, key lime zest, and oil until smooth.
Pour the batter into a piping bag, cut the tip off, and fill each donut cavity about ¾ full.
Bake for 10-13 minutes or until lightly golden. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

How to Make Rum Glaze:

Using a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, lime juice, lime zest, and coconut rum until combined and smooth.
Dip the tops of the donuts into the glaze and place them onto the wire rack
Sprinkle toasted coconut on top of the donuts.
Zest a fresh lime over the donut to add a bit of color and zingy taste.
Allow the glaze to set before enjoying!

A stack of donuts covered with toasted coconut flakes sits on a white plate, with a blue and white checkered cloth in the background and coconut flakes scattered around.

Can We Freeze Coconut Lime Rum Donuts?

If you want to freeze coconut lime donuts, I recommend freezing them unglazed. You can freeze baked and unglazed coconut lime donuts by placing them in large freezer bags. Cut a piece of wax paper in half and put one on each side of the donuts before sliding it into the freezer bag. Make sure to suck all the air out of the bag before sticking it in the freezer. This will help keep the coconut donuts fresh.

For thawing, you can easily thaw it by microwaving for 10 seconds. For best results, let the donut cool down to room temperature before glazing it.You can also thaw them on the countertop for 2-3 hours before serving.

For a frozen treat, you can enjoy these donuts frozen, and crumbled over ice cream, or just frozen by themselves, too.

Coconut Lime Donuts

Yield: 12

Ingredients

For the Donuts

1 c flour
1⁄4 c sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1⁄2 tsp salt
5 tbsp whole milk
1 egg
2 tbsp fresh lime zest
3 tbsp canola oil 1 disposable piping bag
1 disposable piping bag

Rum Glaze

1 c powdered sugar
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tbsp coconut rum
2 tsp fresh lime zest

Topping

Lime zest
Toasted coconut

Instructions

First, preheat the oven to 350° degrees and spray a 6 cavity donut baking pan with pam baking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder until combined nicely.
Now whisk together the milk, egg, lime zest, and oil until combined and smooth.
Spoon the batter into the piping bag and cut the tip off.
Next, fill the donut cavities 3⁄4 of the way full.
Bake the donuts in the oven for 10-13 minutes or until a light gold color.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing and placing onto a wire rack.

Glaze directions:

Using a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, lime juice, lime zest, and coconut rum until combined and smooth.
Dip the tops of the donuts into the glaze and place them onto the wire rack
Sprinkle toasted coconut on top of the donuts.
Zest a fresh lime over the donut to add a bit of color and zingy taste.
Allow the glaze to set before enjoying!

Notes

Want to Make These Donuts Non-Alcoholic?

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Wilton Non-Stick 6-Cavity Donut Baking Pans, 2-Count

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 171Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 167mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 2g