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Soft, fluffy, moist Baked Apple Cider Donuts with all the flavors of fall. So easy to make – ready in just about 20 minutes!! Plus, they’re dairy free, egg free, and oil free!! Trust me, you are going to love these!
One of our favorite fall treats are apple cider donuts from a local apple orchard. They are always freshly made and still warm. The donuts are light and soft and, of course, coated in the signature cinnamon sugar mixture.
I decided to create my own recipe so we can enjoy these sweet baked goods anytime we want. They’re just as soft, tender, and perfectly spiced as the versions we love from the orchard, but these are baked, not fried, making them a tad healthier.
Ingredients you need
Ingredient notes and substitutions
I’m not trying to fool anyone – these donuts are not health food – they are sparkling with sugar after all. But, they are a healthier option than what you’ll find at your local apple orchard.
They are dairy free, egg free, soy free, and oil free! The batter is refined sugar free. And, the donuts are baked, not fried. Best of all, they have that light, melt-in-your-mouth texture that you expect from these fall sweet treats.
Spelt flour ~ I love spelt flour for how light and fully and it is. You can sub all-purpose flour or a gluten free all-purpose flour blend if you wish.
Coconut sugar ~ I love coconut sugar for its slightly caramel-like flavor. It’s less processed than traditional sugars, which is good. Feel free to sub organic light brown sugar in the same amount. White sugar will be too sweet here.
Apple cider ~ While apple juice will technically work as a substitute, it isn’t nearly as complex in flavor.
Coconut milk ~ Light or full fat will work here. Light coconut milk has no coconut flavor, but since only ¼ cup is needed, you won’t taste coconut with the full fat stuff either. Soy milk would be a good alternative.
How to make the recipe
Baked donuts are so easy to make! In less than 30 minutes, you can be indulging in some serious fall deliciousness!
Place all of the dry ingredients, including sugar, in a large bowl (1) and whisk together well (2).
In a separate small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the wet ingredients (3). Pour the wet into the dry (4) and mix to combine (5).
Pour the batter into a pastry bag (or plastic zip top bag). Snip off a small piece of the corner of the bag and squeeze the batter into the donut pan cavities almost of the top, but not quite (6). Alternately, you can spoon the batter into the donut pan as well.
Bake for about 12 minutes until firm.
Let cool in the donut pan on a cooling rack for 1 to 2 minutes until you can handle them without burning yourself. Turn them out onto the cooling rack to continue cooling.
Meanwhile, mix together sugar and cinnamon on a rimmed plate or shallow bowl. While the donuts are still warm, dip each one into the sugar mixture and press gently (7).
I did this on one side only, but you can certainly dip both sides if you prefer.
Storage/Freezing
These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are best eaten warm on the day you make them. However, they will keep well for 1 to 2 days in an air-tight container on the counter.
You can store them longer in the fridge in an air-tight container, for about 4 to 5 days.
You can even freeze these donuts! Store them for up to 3 months in a freezer safe bag or container.
To reheat, gently warm in the microwave next to a cup of water for 15 to 20 seconds. The cup of water will create steam that will keep the donut moist.
Pro tips for success
~ Be sure to use apple cider, not apple juice! Apple cider is much more complex in flavor. Apple juice is very bland in comparison.
~ Canned coconut milk tends to separate in the can. Shake the can vigorously before opening to mix it up well. If it still looks a little separated upon opening the can, pour it into a blender and give it a whiz for a few seconds to fully combine before measuring out what you need for this recipe.
~ While not a necessity, a pastry bag and tip will help you fill the cavities in the donut pan quickly, evenly, and mess-free.
~ Give the donuts a dunk in the cinnamon sugar mixture while they are still warm. This will allow the sugar to stick without using melted butter like in traditional recipes.
FAQs
Apple Cider Donuts are sweet cake donuts with the flavors of apple cider, cinnamon and nutmeg. They taste like autumn in dessert form!
These baked cider donuts are best warm from the oven, but they can be eaten cold or room temperature, as well, if you prefer.
Baked donuts are healthier than oil-fried donuts. And these vegan apple cider donuts made with no eggs, no oil, no butter, and no milk are healthier still. But they are still a sugary treat and should be enjoyed in moderation.
You can easily transform a muffin pan into a donut pan with some tin foil. Or skip the tin-foil and just bake them as muffins instead.
More vegan apple recipes
More vegan donut recipes
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup spelt Flour
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup apple cider
- ¼ cup canned coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- A few tablespoons organic cane sugar mixed with ¼-1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Lightly spray a 6-cavity donut pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- In a large measuring cup, whisk together the apple cider, coconut milk, applesauce, and apple cider vinegar.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined. The batter might seem a bit wet, but don’t worry – this is going to keep the donuts soft and moist.
- Pipe the mixture into the prepared donut pan using a pastry bag (or just use a spoon). Fill each cavity just to the top, but don't overfill.
- Bake the donuts for 11 to 13 minutes until the donuts are firm. The batter will have pulled away from the sides of the pan and when gently pressed will "bounce" back.
- While the donuts are baking, mix together the sugar and cinnamon for the topping and set aside.
- When the donuts are done, let them cool in the pan on a wire rack for just about a minute or two – until you can handle them without burning yourself. They should slide easily out of the pan. Immediately dip each one into the cinnamon sugar mixture while they are still quite warm and return to the wire rack to continue cooling.
- These delicious donuts are best served warm. Try not to eat them all in one sitting. I dare you. 🙂
diane says
In place of the coconut milk can you use more apple cider?
Now are you talking about plain apple cider or spiced apple cider?
Thanks, I made your chocolate donuts and they were a big hit so cant wait to try these.
Jenn Sebestyen says
Hi, Diane. I wouldn’t use more cider in place of the coconut milk. The consistency isn’t the same as canned coconut milk is fairly thick as far as milks go. I would actually suggest a plain dairy free yogurt instead if you have that.
So happy you love the chocolate donuts!
diane says
Oh yes the chocolate donuts were a huge hit.
Now thats a great idea, I do have coconut yogurt here so will try that. Thank you
Jenn Sebestyen says
Perfect! Let me know how they turn out!
Sarah De la Cruz says
We LOVE these! That sugar coating is the best. And the donuts came out perfectly moist and “apple-y!” We will definitely make these again for fall!!!
Jenn S. says
Thank you, Sarah! It’s just not fall until the apple cider donuts come out! Can’t wait to make more this year!
Becky Striepe says
We just got a donut pan, and these were the first donuts we made in them. They came out PERFECTLY! Shared them with omni neighbors, and they all loved them, too.
Jenn S. says
Oh, I’m so glad to hear everyone loved them! I have a feeling that donut pan is going to get a lot of use going forward!
julie says
If I don’t have the donut pan is there another option to cook them in? I really want to try these since I have just about all the ingredients 🙂
Jenn S. says
Hi, Julie! Although I haven’t tried, I suspect they would work just fine in a muffin tin. You might have to bake them an extra couple of minutes. Just check them for doneness in the center and they should pull away from the tin easily. Let me know how they turn out. Enjoy!
Vegan Heaven says
These look amazing, Jenn! Can’t wait to try them. I’m actually looking forward to fall this year. Probably only until it gets all rainy and yucky outside. 😀
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Sina! I wish fall lasted longer. For some reason, it’s back in the upper 80’s again this week. And I know all too soon, it will be in the negative digits. Yuck! I would love fall weather all year!
nadia says
I love baked doughnuts. Regular doughnuts are way too heavy, greasy and sweet for my liking, so for me these are perfect! I like the idea of using apple cider vinegar 😀
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Nadia! I don’t love traditional donuts either – WAY too sweet. I hope you get a chance to try these. I think you’ll love them.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I haven’t had a donut in years! These look really delicious!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Amy! Time to start indulging again! 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
These donuts look amazing! They’re perfect for fall!
Jenn S. says
My favorite time of year – and I need sweets to celebrate! 🙂 Thanks, Taylor!
Lindsay Cotter says
These are perfect for fall! They look so delicious!
Jenn S. says
Fall is the best! Thanks, Lindsay!
Emily Kyle says
Everytime I see these donuts I drool! They look so amazing, its hard to believe they are made of nutritious ingredients too!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Emily!
Sarah- A Whisk and Two Wands says
These look so good! They are one of the things I missed most from the apple orchard. I tried to make baked apple cider mini donuts in the past but they don’t look nearly this good. We just went to the apple orchard last weekend and if I had spelt flour I would be making these tomorrow morning to enjoy on the sidelines of the soccer field with my coffee and fuel the girls games!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Sarah. I did test them with white whole wheat and they were good, but a little more dense than I wanted them. I would definitely hold out for the spelt!
Laura says
Apple cider donuts remind me of cool fall days spent apple picking! Love this healthier version!
Jenn S. says
Yes! Those are the best days! Thanks, Laura!
Mandy says
I am SO ready for fall!!! It doesn’t feel like it yet here, but I’m already seeing some of the leaves changing and I’m excited! Jenn, these donuts look amazing!!! Reminds me of our trips to Long Grove to grab hot apple cider and donuts as a kid…I miss that! These look just like them, but without the grease and refined sugar 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Mandy! It seems these donuts are conjuring up memories of childhoods everywhere. I love that! Even though I don’t think I ever had an apple cider donut as a kid. Now, in my adult life, I’ve eaten probably a few too many. Thank goodness for a healthier version now. And, yes, bring on the beautiful fall colors!
The Vegan 8 says
I just saw these on your IG last night and commented how I just got a big jar of apple cider vinegar! These look sooo good! I have never had apple cider donuts before, but I imagine the flavor is amazing. I love that you used spelt, too. I love using spelt, it can be a bit tricky to work with, but it definitely makes things so soft! I love all that sugar on top. I like sweet donuts, don’t give me healthy boring ones, no thanks!
Jenn S. says
HaHa! Thanks, Brandi. Yes, these might be healthier, but they are still a treat for sure. I go through apple cider vinegar like it’s water. Love it to make super soft fluffy baked goods. And, I love spelt flour too. I did trial this recipe with white whole wheat and it was just too dense.
Nayna Kanabar says
I can’t believe these are baked , the texture is perfect and they look delicious.When I made baked doughnuts mine all dried out.