This recipe for baked donuts is one you have to try this fall! These apple cider donuts are loaded with delicious flavor, the perfect amount of sponge, and a true treat for the fall season! 

Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes

EASY APPLE CIDER DONUTS

Is there anything more “Fall” than this apple cider donuts recipe?

Maybe if you paired them up with some pumpkin flavored coffee and pumpkin flavored creamer, you’d be entirely set to get you through the season.

But in my mind, these donuts simply rock all on their own.

First and foremost, I love their flavor.

One bite and I’m already dreaming of hoodies and campfires and corn mazes galore.

I’ve often heard people say that certain foods and flavors can take them back to a special place in time and for me, these donuts do just that.

Somehow, they remind me of warmth, campfire talks and a giant mug full of hot apple cider, all wrapped up into one.

I’d be lying if I said that these delicious treats are only supposed to be eaten at breakfast because I can’t think of any other time that I’d rather be eating them than literally all the time.

Plus, I love that they are the perfect grab and go snack.

As I’m running out the door, grabbing one (or two) is absolutely an option to enjoy a treat on the run or a snack a little bit later down the road.

Welcome Fall into your kitchen and your home with these amazing baked apple cider donuts!

Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes

APPLE CIDER DONUTS INGREDIENTS

To make these delicious apple cider donuts, you’ll need these ingredients:

  • APPLE CIDER: of course, they wouldn’t be apple cider donuts without it!
  • ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR: just two cups, you could also use whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
  • BAKING POWDER: 1 1/2 teaspoons. Just a tip: make sure you baking powder is less than 3 months old for the best results.
  • BAKING SODA: another 1 1/2 teaspoons.
  • GROUND CINNAMON: ground cinnamon makes these donuts so flavorful.
  • SALT: just 1/4 teaspoon.
  • EGG: all you need is one egg.
  • MELTED BUTTER: 2 Tablespoons of unsalted butter.
  • BROWN SUGAR: light or dark brown sugar will work.
  • BUTTERMILK: this is the secret ingredient to make these donuts OUT OF THIS WORLD. If you don’t have buttermilk, no worries, you can make it at home. Check out my post about How To Make Buttermilk.
  • VANILLA: because it makes everything better.
  • APPLESAUCE: this is what really brings out the apple cider flavor.

BAKED APPLE CIDER DONUT HOLES

HOW TO MAKE BAKED APPLE CIDER DONUTS

Scroll down for the baked apple donuts printable step-by-step recipe!

  1. SIMMER APPLE CIDER: In a small saucepan, simmer apple cider for 10-15 minutes. You want to reduce the apple cider to 1/2 cup. Place apple cider in the refrigerator to cool while you prepare the donut batter.
  2. PREHEAT OVEN: Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray mini muffin pan or donut pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
  3. MIX DRY INGREDIENTS: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
  4. MIX WET INGREDIENTS: In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, melted butter, and brown sugar together. Add buttermilk, vanilla extract, applesauce, and apple cider.
  5. COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS: Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix until JUST COMBINED.
  6. BAKE: Pour batter into prepared mini muffin pan or donut pan, filling 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 9-10 minutes for donut holes or 9-12 minutes for regular sized donuts or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. MAKE TOPPING: In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon together. Dip donut holes into melted butter and then roll into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat for all donut holes. You may need more butter/cinnamon-sugar.
  8. SERVE: Enjoy these delicious apple cider donuts and store in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days.

DO BAKED DONUTS TASTE THE SAME AS FRIED DONUTS?

Yes, but no. They don’t taste exactly the same, but they do taste very delicious!! You won’t even miss the fact they’re baked instead of fried. You’ll still eat these puppies right up!

CAN I SUBSTITUTE THE BUTTERMILK IN THIS RECIPE?

No. The buttermilk is what makes these apple cider donut holes out of this world!! You can, however, make your own buttermilk using regular milk and either lemon juice or vinegar. 

CAN I USE APPLE JUICE INSTEAD OF APPLE CIDER?

Yes!! I know it’s hard to find apple cider at the store unless it’s around halloween/thanksgiving time, so if you can’t find apple cider you can use apple juice, I like to use Simply Apple Juice (it’s the closet thing I found to apple cider that you can buy all year-round).

CAN THIS RECIPE MAKE REGULAR DONUTS?

Yes it can! You can make donut holes using a mini muffin pan or you can make regular sized donuts using a donut pan. The only difference is the bake time. Donut holes will bake in the oven for 9-10 minutes, whereas regular sized donuts will bake for 9-12 minutes.

HOW LONG DO BAKED DONUTS LAST?

These donuts taste best on the same day you bake them but you can store them in an air tight container for 2-3 days at room temperature. But trust me, you will not be able to wait 2-3 days to eat them and I guarantee that won’t last for 2 days either.

Check out these other sweet fall apple recipes!

If you have tried this Baked Apple Cider Donuts recipe, then please rate it in the recipe card and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

BAKED APPLE CIDER DONUT HOLES PINTEREST IMAGE

BAKED APPLE CIDER DONUT HOLES
4.85 from 33 ratings
Leave a Review
Servings: 40 Donut Holes

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Additional Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 40 minutes
This recipe for baked donuts is one you have to try this fall! These apple cider donuts are loaded with delicious flavor, the perfect amount of sponge, and a true treat for the fall season!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
 

CINNAMON-SUGAR:

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan, simmer apple cider for 10-15 minutes. You want to reduce the apple cider to 1/2 cup. Place apple cider in the refrigerator to cool while you prepare the donut batter.
  • Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray mini muffin pan or donut pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, melted butter, and brown sugar together.
  • Add buttermilk, vanilla extract, applesauce, and apple cider.
  • Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix until JUST COMBINED.
  • Pour batter into prepared mini muffin pan or donut pan, filling 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 9-10 minutes for donut holes or 9-12 minutes for regular sized donuts or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

MAKE CINNAMON-SUGAR TOPPING:

  • In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon together. Dip donut holes into melted butter and then roll into cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat for all donut holes. You may need more butter/cinnamon-sugar.

Notes

  • STORE: Donuts taste the best the same day but can be stored in an air tight container for up to 2-3 days at room temperature.
  • DON'T HAVE BUTTERMILK? No problem, you can make homemade buttermilk with just a few simple ingredients. Click here for my step-by-step guide and recipe on how to make homemade buttermilk!
Serving: 1donut hole, Calories: 79kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 91mg, Potassium: 26mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 65IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 0.4mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast
Author: Jennifer
Tried this recipe?Mention @deliciouslysprinkled on Instagram or tag #deliciouslysprinkled.

This blog post contains affiliate and/or referral links, which pay me a small commission for recommending my favorite products at no extra cost to you! Additionally, as an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.