This delicious Apple Cider Donuts recipe is quick, easy, and healthier than typical donuts because these donuts are baked! With ingredients like apple cider and cinnamon, they taste like pure fall.
The simple cinnamon sugar topping puts these apple cider donuts over the top. They make a perfect fall breakfast and a delightful snack!
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As soon as September arrives I start craving all the flavors of fall. Our local apple orchard always sales fresh apple cider donuts and my husband loves them. I decided to make them at home so we can have them anytime we want and share the recipe here so you can make them too!
This recipe makes a big batch of baked apple cider donuts, so it’s perfect for feeding a crowd, taking to a bake sale, or bringing into the office.
You’ll love the warm fall flavors in these donuts created by the apple cider and cinnamon. The crunchy cinnamon sugar topping is a unique touch that makes them completely irresistible.
Why You Will Love This Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
- Perfect for Fall - Nothing screams fall like apple cider and cinnamon!
- Baked, not fried - Donuts are traditionally fried, but this apple cider donuts recipe is baked, making it healthier.
- Big batch - This recipe makes 18 full-sized donuts of 42 mini donuts, so they’re perfect for a bake sale, feeding a crowd, or bringing to a class party or brunch potluck.
If you need more donut recipes I recommend trying these baked cinnamon sugar donuts and these baked pumpkin donuts.
Ingredient Notes
See printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.
- Apple Cider - This will infuse the donuts with a warm apple flavor.
- Flour - Flour gives the donuts their structure.
- Sugar - This will sweeten the donuts and create the cinnamon sugar topping.
- Baking Powder - Baking powder ensures that the donuts rise.
- Cinnamon - Cinnamon goes in the donuts and the topping to give them a warm fall spice.
- Salt - To bring out all the flavors.
- Eggs - This helps the donuts hold their structure.
- Milk and oil - Keep the donuts moist.
- Vanilla - Adds an extra layer of flavor to the apple cider donuts.
- Butter - The donut tops will be dipped in melted butter before the cinnamon sugar topping goes on.
Substitutions and Variations
- For even more fall flavors, try adding apple pie spice to your apple cider donuts. If you don’t have any, make your own with cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg.
- Prefer glazed donuts? Make a simple cinnamon glaze by whisking together ½ cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream.
How To Make Apple Cider Donuts
Bring the apple cider to a simmer in a saucepan. Simmer until it thickens and reduces to half a cup. Then pour into a bowl and let the cider cool.
Next preheat the oven to 350ºF and start making the donut batter.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt and mix well. Add eggs and whisk gently.
Add cider, milk, vanilla, and oil and stir until just mixed.
Spoon the batter into a pastry bag or a zip-top baggie with the corner cut off. Squeeze into greased donut pans, filling each donut about ⅞ full.
Bake donuts for about 12 minutes for full-sized donuts or 9-10 minutes for mini donuts. Then Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. I like to bake both sizes. The mini donuts are perfect for snacking.
Mix cinnamon and sugar together in a shallow dish. Dip the tops of the donuts in melted butter, then cinnamon sugar, and serve.
How To Store the Donuts
I think these donuts are best eaten the same day they are made - fresh out of the oven. But if you have leftovers you can store them in the refrigerator or freezer.
Refrigerator - Donuts can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer - Apple cider donuts can be stored in a large freezer bag and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before serving and heat them in the microwave.
Apple Cider Donuts Recipe Tips
- Do not skip reducing the apple cider! This makes a sort of concentrated apple cider which adds big flavor without a bunch of excess liquid.
- If you don’t have a donut pan, use a muffin tin! Spray it with cooking spray and then roll a cylinder of tin foil for each compartment. Stand the cylinder up in the center and press it down so it stands upright. Pipe around the cylinder to create a hole in the middle of your donuts.
Serving Suggestions
These donuts are perfect served with a glass of cold milk or with this copycat Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice. And a cup of hot coffee is always a good choice if you are enjoying these baked donuts for breakfast.
If you want a whole brunch menu, make these apple cider donuts with our Ham, Broccoli, and Cheddar Breakfast Muffin Cups and serve with a fruit salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple cider donuts are a favorite fall treat and are either fried or baked. They get their flavor from boiling apple cider until it thickens and becomes syrupy. It's an extra step but this gives the donut a more concentrated apple flavor. They are delicious!
For this recipe you need plain apple cider. Not spiced apple cider. You can use your favorite store-bought brand. For the freshest apple cider, visit your local apple orchard.
If you love apple recipes here are a few more favorites to try!
This baked Apple Cider Donuts recipe is a fall treat that is so simple to make and the flavors will be loved by the whole family. I can’t wait for you to try these donuts!
If you try it, be sure to come back here to rate the recipe and leave a comment. I love to hear from you!
Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 Tablespoon oil
Topping Ingredients
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Pour apple cider into a saucepan, and bring to a simmer. Simmer until cider is reduced to ½ cup, stirring occasionally. This usually takes about 20 minutes.
- Once cider is reduced, remove from stove and allow to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray donut baking pans cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the eggs. Whisk the eggs to break them up, but don’t mix them into the batter yet.
- Next add in the cider, milk, vanilla, and oil. Stir until just combined. Don't overmix.
- Spoon batter into a pastry bag, or zip-top baggie with the corner cut off.
- Squeeze batter into greased donut pans, filling each donut about ⅞ full.
- Bake full sized donuts for about 10 to 12 minutes, or mini donut for 9-10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar together in bowl.
- Dip the tops of donuts in melted butter, then dip in the cinnamon sugar.
- Serve and enjoy!