How to Prepare Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Soft Baked Apple Cider Donuts made more nutritious with whole wheat flour, applesauce, and Greek yogurt, offering an ideal autumn indulgence ready in only 20 minutes! Packed with comforting spices and sprinkled with a combination of cinnamon and sugar!

For additional healthy donut recipes, take a look at these gluten-free pumpkin spice donuts, these baked banana bread donuts, or these delightful strawberry banana donuts!

Today, I have a special treat for everyone! Apple cider donuts are a beloved fall tradition in Virginia, and we always make sure to grab some whenever we visit the apple orchards, paired with a warm cup of apple cider. I decided to recreate those delightful donuts we adore, but with a healthier twist! These homemade apple cider donuts are baked rather than fried and made wholesome using whole wheat pastry flour, a touch of almond flour, Greek yogurt, applesauce (and, of course, apple cider!) while being naturally sweetened with maple syrup for the ultimate fall delicacy.

Why You’ll Adore this Recipe

• The most delightful apple cider donuts that are incredibly soft, airy, and cake-like!
• Prepared with wholesome ingredients and baked, not fried.
• Simple and ready in just 20 minutes.
• Fresh apple cider truly shines in this recipe.

Ingredients Needed

• whole wheat pastry flour – I opted for whole wheat pastry flour for its nutritious profile, providing the benefits of whole grain while keeping the donuts light and airy. I highly recommend this, but if it’s unavailable, regular whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, or gluten-free 1 to 1 baking flour can be used.
• almond flour – a nutrient-rich flour that enhances moisture with ‘good’ fats, making these donuts pleasantly moist without butter or oil.
• baking powder + baking soda – serves as leavening agents to give these donuts their rise.
• apple cider – the highlight of this recipe; avoid apple cider vinegar or apple juice! You can find fresh apple cider at your local apple orchard, farmers’ market, or most grocery stores.
• applesauce – I utilized unsweetened applesauce which substitutes oil in this recipe while intensifying the apple taste.
• Greek yogurt – contributes moisture and a protein boost to these donuts. Mashed banana or pumpkin puree can be used as an alternative to yogurt.
• eggs – you’ll require 2 large eggs to add moisture and bind these donuts together.
• maple syrup – offers natural sweetness and complements the cozy flavors of fall beautifully.
• vanilla extract – enhances flavor.
• warm spices – a mix of apple pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. A sprinkle of nutmeg or ground cloves could also be included.
• cinnamon sugar coating – consists of melted coconut oil (or butter) combined with organic cane sugar and cinnamon.

Necessary Baking Tools

• Donut pans – I use these Wilton donut baking pans that come in a pack of 2, currently on sale for $14.50!
• Pastry bag – while not essential, it greatly simplifies piping the batter into the donut wells, making it highly recommended.
• Mixing bowls – two mixing bowls are needed to combine the dry ingredients separately from the wet ingredients before mixing everything into the donut batter.

Steps to Make Apple Cider Donuts

1. Create the batter. In a large bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, apple cider, Greek yogurt, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry mixture, stirring until just blended (avoid overmixing). A stand mixer can also be utilized, though it’s not mandatory.
2. Prepare your donut pan. For these donuts, you’ll need two 6-count donut pans. Coat them generously with nonstick spray so your donuts will release effortlessly! Next, using a pastry bag or ziplock bag, fill the bag with the donut batter and cut off a corner. Pipe the batter into each donut well until filled (this recipe yields exactly 12 donuts).
3. Bake the donuts! Place the donuts in the oven set to 350 degrees F for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean (mine turned out perfectly at 10 minutes). Be cautious of over-baking, as donuts bake quickly! Move the cider donuts to a wire cooling rack to cool.
4. Coat with Cinnamon-Sugar. After the donuts have completely cooled to room temperature, melt the coconut oil (or butter) and mix the cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. Using a pastry brush, coat each donut in the melted oil and toss in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, ensuring both sides are covered. Optionally, you can dip or drizzle these donuts with a delightful maple cream cheese glaze or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Success Tips

• Don’t skip the apple cider – it imparts the rich apple flavor to these donuts!
• Avoid overmixing the batter – overmixing activates gluten, making the donuts denser rather than light and fluffy. Stir the wet and dry components until just combined; lumps are acceptable!
• Utilize a piping bag – or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped, for neat filling of the donut wells.
• Best served fresh – these donuts are fluffiest and taste best on the day they are made.

Preparation and Storage

To Store: These apple cider donuts will remain fresh for about 3 days in a sealed, airtight container and can last up to 6 days in the refrigerator. I suggest warming them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds to enhance those cozy flavors!

To Freeze: These donuts freeze exceptionally well and can be stored in the freezer for about 3 months. If you plan to freeze them, wait to coat them in cinnamon and sugar until ready to serve. Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds.

More Apple Recipes You’ll Adore

Enjoy these Baked Apple Cider Donuts! If you savor them as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star review below and remember to tag me on Instagram with #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your yummy recreations!