These baked Apple Cider Donuts are the perfect fall treat, offering a soft and cakey texture with a warm cinnamon-sugar coating. They’re incredibly easy to make and will quickly become a breakfast favorite during the cooler months. Whether you’re whipping these up for a cozy fall brunch or just as a weekend snack, the warm apple cider flavor will have you coming back for more. Trust me, it's hard to stop at just one!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Apple cider donuts are soft and chewy
- Recipe can be made vegan and gluten-free
- They are baked, not fried which makes them a healthier dessert choice
- They are coated in cinnamon in sugar, giving them a warm, cozy flavor
- Comes together in under 25 minutes
- Delicious with ice cream
- Great for special occasions
Apple Cider Donut Ingredients
- Apple cider: you can buy this wherever or look for ones with minimal ingredients at Trader Joe's .
- All purpose flour: I used King Arthur's flour. You can also sub for a 1:! GF all purpose flour.
- Egg: Helps with the donuts rise and texture.
- Unsalted butter: lends to the overall texture. I use unsalted so I can control the salt content.
- Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: using both is instrumental to the overall flavor of the donuts.
- Vanilla extract: always needed for extra flavor in your desserts.
- Cinnamon + nutmeg: adds a lovely fall aroma.
- Salt + baking powder + baking soda: helps balance out the flavors and allows your dessert to rise.
Storage Recs
These apple cider donuts taste best eaten the day of, but you can keep them in a sealed container. They will keep for 2-3 days on the counter.
You can freeze the donuts by placing them in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between each one. They’ll stay good in the freezer for 1-2 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply take them out of the bag and let them thaw on the counter for about 30 minutes before serving.
Tips for Success
- Reducing the Apple Cider: Make sure to reduce the cider before starting the recipe, as it concentrates the flavor and gives the donut holes that classic apple cider taste.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the dry and wet ingredients, mix until just combined to avoid dense donut holes.
- Use silicone donut molds: Silicone molds allow you to easily pop out your donuts instead of scraping them from a pan
- Use unsalted butter: prevents the donuts from becoming too salty
FAQS
Can I freeze donuts? Absolutely! Place them in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between each one. They’ll stay good in the freezer for 1-2 months.
How can I reheat these donuts? Reheat the donuts in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or in an air fryer for 2-3 minutes to restore fluffy inside.
What can I serve the donuts with? You can serve with ice cream or drippy caramel.
Why do I need to reduce the apple cider? Reducing the apple cider concentrates its flavors, giving the donuts a deeper, more robust apple taste. Skipping this step may result in a milder flavor.
Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?While you can use apple juice in a pinch, apple cider offers a richer, more complex flavor that’s ideal for these donuts. Apple juice will be sweeter and less flavorful, so it's best to stick with apple cider for authentic taste.
Can I use a different coating besides cinnamon sugar?Absolutely! If cinnamon sugar isn’t your thing, you can try glazing them with a simple powdered sugar glaze or dipping them in maple syrup for a sweet fall twist.
Do I need a donut pan?While a donut pan will give you that classic donut shape, you can also make these in a muffin tin. They’ll be more like donut muffins, but just as delicious!
What can I substitute for butter?You can replace the melted butter with an equal amount of melted coconut oil or a neutral-tasting vegetable oil like canola or avocado oil for a dairy-free version.
If you make these Apple Cider Donuts, I would really appreciate a comment and rating down below, under the recipe card. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me over on Instagram, Tik Tok, or Pinterest. For more ideas, check out my Fall Recipes page.
Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup regular milk
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes until it reduces to about 1/4 cup. This intensifies the apple flavor. Set it aside to cool.
- Preheat your oven to to 350°F .
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla, reduced apple cider, and milk until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as you want the donut to stay light and fluffy.
- Add your dough into your donut molds. Fill 3/4 of the way.
- While the donuts are cooking, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a bowl for the coating.
