Learn how to prepare this hard-to-resist fall treat in less than 30 minutes. Made with just a few basic ingredients, this apple cider donuts recipe yields soft, fluffy donuts, full of apple cider flavor!
Whether it’s fall or not, these egg and dairy free apple cider donuts need to be on your go to list. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked!
Why you’ll love these apple cider donuts
- Easy to make. No special equipment is needed. Just a few simple ingredients and you can prepare a batch for family and friends.
- Perfect texture. Soft and fluffy on the inside, with a crispy sugar coating on the outside. Their perfect texture will leave you craving for more.
- Full of fall flavors. With cinnamon and nutmeg you’ll enjoy the perfect fall spice flavors in every bite.
- Kid-friendly. These donuts are a surefire hit with kids and great to bake with them too as no vats of hot oil are needed!
Ingredients needed
For the donuts
- All-purpose flour. The primary ingredient provides the structure for the donuts.
- Granulated sugar. Adds sweetness.
- Baking powder. It helps the donuts to rise.
- Baking soda. It makes the donuts fluffy and helps them to rise.
- Ground cinnamon. Adds flavor and aroma.
- Ground nutmeg. Adds flavor.
- Salt. To taste.
- Applesauce. Unsweetened. Adds moisture and tenderness to the donuts.
- Apple cider. Provides a rich apple flavor and aroma.
- Vegetable oil. To make a smooth batter, in place of melted butter.
- Vanilla extract. Enhances the overall flavor of donuts.
For the cinnamon sugar coating
- Light brown sugar. Sweetens the cinnamon sugar coating.
- Ground cinnamon. Adds a warm, spicy flavor to the coating.
How to make apple cider donuts?
Step 1 – Preparation. Preheat the oven to 350°F or 175°C. Meanwhile, grease a donut pan to bake the donuts.
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Step 2 – Mix the dry and wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients and mix well. Take a separate bowl and combine and mix the wet ingredients.
Step 3 – Make the donut batter. Now, pour the wet ingredients mixture into the flour mixture and mix until the dough is just combined. Once combined, transfer the batter to the donut pan. I like to use a piping bag to assist with this. I highly recommend, if you have one available.
Step 4 – Bake. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. While the donuts are in the oven, mix ground cinnamon and granulated sugar for the coating in a shallow medium bowl.
Step 5 – Serve. Allow the donuts to cool slightly on a wire rack until they can be picked up, then dip in the cinnamon sugar mixture and serve.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes before baking. This will help the gluten to relax, making your donuts even more tender.
- Use fresh apple cider. The quality of your apple cider will significantly impact the flavor of your donuts. Opt for fresh, unpasteurized apple cider for the most intense flavor.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined, and avoid overbeating the batter to keep your donuts soft and fluffy.
Storage instructions
To store. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container to store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To freeze. Use freezer-safe bags or an airtight container to freeze for up to 3 months.
More easy donut recipes to try
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any neutral flavor oil, such as canola oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil.
Yes, you can fry these donuts if you like.
No, this recipe isn’t gluten-free. But you can make apple cider donuts gluten-free by using gluten-free flour blends. Quantities may require adjusting.
The batter can be piped into a ring on a baking sheet, but for that classic donut shape, I recommend using a donut pan.
Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
For the donuts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the applesauce, apple cider, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fill the donut pan with the batter, smoothing the tops. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- While the donuts are baking, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the coating in a shallow bowl.
- When the donuts are done, let them cool slightly, then dip each one into the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Tina says