Baked Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts

This gluten-free baked apple cider donuts are incredibly delicious for breakfast, snack or a healthy dessert. Made with simple ingredients, sweetened with honey and coated with cinnamon sugar. These donuts bring together the best flavors of the season!

Fall has arrived and so has our cravings for all things apple, cinnamon and pumpkin... oh and soups!

I have certainly jumped right on the all-things-cozy-and-comforting train, and made a few batches of these apple cider donuts as well as my Instant Pot Mushroom Wild Rice Soup and Classic Pot Roast.

But when I revisited this very recipe for Baked Gluten-Free Apple Cider donuts, I had to make a few changes (see recipe). Well, the short story behind the decision has to do with turning 40s and following some rigorous doctor's orders.

I usually don't sweat the 'small' stuff. I find food creation fun and the substitutions totally doable. Nowadays, we have access to a wide variety of alternative ingredients that makes totally possibly for us to still eat our favorite treats, without feeling achy and such.

Does that hit home to you? okay... then try these Healthy Banana Oat Muffins too!

what makes these apple cider donuts healthy?

Let's make something clear here, donuts are not healthy foods. These donuts are healthier simply because we eliminate the refined sugar, we opted for baked instead of fried donuts and made them gluten-free.

These alterations make it possible for most of us, including the group of people with food allergies, to be able to enjoy a treat here and there. Donuts are not meant to substitute a healthy breakfast or meal.

what you need to make apple cider donuts

• a couple donut pans!
• gluten-free flour - I like to use this flour because it works are 1-to-1 substitute in most recipes.
• baking powder and baking soda
• cinnamon and nutmeg OR ground cloves as our spices (loving cloves lately!)
• unsalted butter or ghee for a lactose-free option
• one egg, be sure to use organic and pasture raised eggs
• sugar or honey (I have tested the recipe with both!)
• apple cider, and finally
• apple sauce

how to make gluten-free apple cider donuts

• Grab a large bowl and add in the first 6 ingredients (dry ingredients). That's the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg or ground cloves. Whisk to combine.
• In a second bowl add remaining ingredients (wet ingredients). Butter or ghee for lactose-free, egg, sugar or honey (refined sugar-free), apple cider and apple sauce. Whisk well to combine. 
• Pour dry ingredients into the liquids and fold gently to combine without over mixing it.
• Pour batter into a pastry bag or large zip lock bag and make a small cut in one of the corners. 
• Spray donut pan with cooking spray. When you are ready to pour the batter simply put pressure on zip lock bag from top down, twisting as you release the batter on to donut pan.
• Bake at 375F for 10 minutes. Insert a toothpick to make sure it is cooked through. Transfer to a cooling rack and let it cool off before removing from donut pan.
• Meanwhile pour some cinnamon on to a shallow plate. If sugar is not an issue feel free to mix sugar and cinnamon. Gently dip donuts on to cinnamon to coat.
• Alternatively you can brush a little butter or ghee on warm donuts so the cinnamon will stick better.

other healthy treats to try

Healthy Banana Oat Muffins

Gluten-Free Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

Pumpkin Walnut Bread

Gluten-Free Morning Glory Muffins

Banana Bread with Candied Walnuts