These Baked Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts are soft, fluffy, and filled with the cozy flavors of fall! Made with real apple cider, applesauce, and warm spices, they’re lightly sweetened and baked instead of deep-fried. They’re easy to make at home and perfect for enjoying with a hot cup of coffee on a crisp autumn morning.
If there’s one thing I look forward to every fall here in New England, it’s apple cider donuts! Whether we’re visiting a local apple orchard or stopping by a farm stand, I can never resist picking up a few freshly made donuts.
But as much as I love those traditional farm-fresh donuts, I also love having a homemade version that I can make whenever the craving hits. That’s exactly why I developed this recipe years ago, and it’s one I come back to every single fall.
These donuts have just the right amount of apple flavor, a little sweetness, and warm spices that complement the cider without overpowering it. Best of all, they’re baked, not fried, and made with simple ingredients you can feel good about using.
A Note from My Kitchen
As a New England girl, I’ve had my fair share of farm-fresh apple cider donuts, and I can confidently say they’re one of my absolute favorite fall treats!
I originally developed this recipe years ago because I wanted to recreate those delicious orchard flavors at home, but with a few simple changes. I use gluten-free flour, real apple cider, applesauce, and a modest amount of sweetener, with honey as one of my favorite options.
I’ve made these donuts year after year, and what I love most is how balanced the flavors are. You can taste the apple cider, the spices are warm but not overpowering, and the donuts are soft and tender without being overly sweet.
If you’re looking for a delicious homemade fall treat, this is one recipe you absolutely must try!
-Silvia
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cider Donut
- Baked, not fried: No deep fryer or messy oil required! These donuts bake in just about 10 minutes.
- Delicious apple cider flavor: Real apple cider and applesauce give these donuts a wonderful apple flavor and help keep them moist.
- Perfectly spiced: Cinnamon and nutmeg or cloves bring just the right amount of warmth without overpowering the apple.
- Gluten-free: Made with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for an easy homemade treat.
- Not overly sweet: These donuts use a modest amount of sweetener, and I’ve made them successfully with both sugar and honey.
- A fall tradition: This is one of those recipes you’ll want to make every apple-picking season!
If you love apple cider donuts and look forward to it every Fall, you’ll love this Caramel Apple French Toast Casserole that’s an easy make-ahead breakfast, perfect for the holidays.
What You Need to Make Apple Cider Donuts
You only need a few simple baking ingredients and a donut pan to make these delicious fall treats.
Gluten-Free Flour: Use a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. These blends are formulated to replace regular all-purpose flour and generally give better results than using a single gluten-free flour, such as almond or coconut flour.
Apple Cider: This is what gives the donuts their signature fall flavor! I recommend using fresh apple cider, preferably from a local orchard or farm stand when it’s in season. Be sure to use apple cider rather than apple cider vinegar.
Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds moisture and natural apple flavor, helping the donuts stay soft and tender.
Cinnamon and Nutmeg or Cloves: A little warm spice goes a long way. I love how these spices complement the cider without overpowering the flavor.
Butter or Ghee: Adds richness and moisture to the batter. I’ve included both options in the recipe.
Honey or Sugar: I’ve tested this recipe using both, so you can choose your preferred sweetener. I especially enjoy the subtle flavor honey brings to these donuts.
Egg, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt: These help give the donuts structure, a soft texture, and a nice rise.
My Tips for the Best Baked Apple Cider Donuts
➜ Don’t overmix the batter. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, gently fold everything together just until incorporated. Overmixing can affect the texture of the finished donuts.
➜ Use a piping bag for easy filling. One of my favorite tricks is to transfer the batter to a large zip-top bag, snip off one corner, and pipe it directly into the donut pan. It’s much easier and less messy than trying to spoon the batter into each cavity.
➜ Grease your donut pan. Even if you’re using a nonstick pan, a light coating of cooking spray helps the donuts release more easily.
➜ Keep an eye on the baking time. These donuts bake quickly! Start checking around the 10-minute mark. A toothpick inserted into the thickest part should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
➜ Let them cool slightly before removing them. Give the donuts a few minutes to set in the pan before carefully transferring them to a cooling rack.
➜ Finish with cinnamon sugar. For that classic apple orchard experience, lightly brush the warm donuts with melted butter and coat them in cinnamon sugar. It’s such a delicious finishing touch!
Fall Baking Treats
Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves or nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter or ghee* melted at room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup coconut or brown sugar or honey
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened apple sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl add in first 6 ingredients (dry ingredients), 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, egg, sugar, 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 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 and sugar on to a shallow plate. Gently dip donuts on to cinnamon-sugar to coat. Alternatively you can brush a little butter or ghee so the cinnamon will stick better.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Oh my gosh, these donuts look amazing!!!!! I love that fall baking had started! 🙂
Isn’t Fall baking the BEST time of year?!! Thanks so much Shinee 🙂
These seriously look SO GOOD! I am loving your blog! What’s your favorite (easy) recipe?
Hi Suzanne! it’s so hard to pick one, but the Banana Bread is one I make the most. It’s super easy, healthy and delicious.
Could the egg be omitted by adding more applesauce?
I haven’t tried without the egg so I am not 100% the consistency will work but I believe it is worth a try. Let me know!
These Apple Cider donuts are the best I’ve ever had! So delicious and Fall flavors really come out!! Thanks for this delicious recipe!