Apple cider donuts are the ultimate fall treat—soft, cakey, and coated in cinnamon sugar. Whether you’re baking them at home or bringing a batch to share, these 14 delicious apple cider donut recipes will fill your kitchen with cozy autumn aromas and keep your belly full all season long.
1. Classic Apple Cider Donuts
The iconic fall donut made from reduced apple cider and warming spices.
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider (reduced to ½ cup)
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Simmer cider until reduced by half.
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Whisk egg, buttermilk, butter, and cider.
- Combine and roll dough. Cut into donut shapes.
- Fry at 350°F until golden. Toss in cinnamon sugar.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with hot apple cider or black coffee.
2. Baked Apple Cider Donuts
A healthier take without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cup reduced apple cider
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix dry ingredients. In another bowl, whisk wet ingredients.
- Combine and spoon into greased donut pan.
- Bake 12–14 mins.
- Brush with butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.
How to Serve It
Best eaten fresh with warm cider or tea.
3. Apple Cider Donut Holes
Bite-sized delights that are perfect for snacking and sharing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup reduced apple cider
- ¼ cup milk
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix ingredients to form thick batter.
- Heat oil to 350°F.
- Drop batter by spoonful into oil. Fry until golden.
- Drain and toss in cinnamon sugar.
How to Serve It
Serve with caramel or maple glaze for dipping.
4. Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts
Light and fluffy without any wheat flour—just as satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 cup reduced apple cider
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour blend
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp xanthan gum (if not in blend)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup yogurt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients separately, then combine.
- Fill donut pan and bake 12–15 mins.
- Cool and roll in cinnamon sugar.
How to Serve It
Enjoy with almond milk latte or warm cider.
5. Vegan Apple Cider Donuts
No dairy or eggs, but all the fall flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup reduced apple cider
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- ½ cup applesauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Whisk wet ingredients. Mix in dry.
- Spoon into donut molds.
- Bake 12–14 mins. Coat in cinnamon sugar.
How to Serve It
Perfect with chai or dairy-free milk.
6. Apple Cider Cake Donuts
Rich and substantial—these keep you full all morning.
Ingredients
- 1 cup reduced cider
- 2 cups cake flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix ingredients into a thick dough.
- Roll and cut into donut shapes.
- Fry at 350°F or bake at 375°F.
- Coat with cinnamon sugar.
How to Serve It
Best warm with coffee or spiced tea.
7. Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts
Crispy outside, soft inside, and lower in oil.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup reduced cider
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Mix ingredients into a soft dough.
- Roll and cut into donuts.
- Air fry at 350°F for 6–8 mins.
- Brush with butter and sugar-coat.
How to Serve It
Serve fresh with maple butter or fruit jam.
8. Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cider Donuts
The cinnamon sugar coating is the star of this donut show.
Ingredients
- 1 cup reduced cider
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a smooth batter.
- Fry or bake until golden.
- Dip in melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.
How to Serve It
Great for breakfast or dessert boards.
9. Apple Cider Donuts with Maple Glaze
Maple and apple cider = ultimate fall flavor match.
Ingredients
- Base donut batter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Make and bake donuts.
- Whisk glaze ingredients.
- Drizzle glaze over warm donuts.
How to Serve It
Sprinkle with sea salt or chopped nuts.
10. Apple Cider Donuts with Brown Butter
Brown butter adds deep, nutty flavor to this fall staple.
Ingredients
- Classic donut batter
- ¼ cup browned butter
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Fry or bake donuts.
- Brown butter in a pan.
- Whisk with sugar and milk for glaze.
- Dip cooled donuts.
How to Serve It
Garnish with chopped pecans or crushed graham cracker.
11. Apple Cider Donuts with Apple Chunks
Extra fruity and filling thanks to real apple pieces.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup reduced cider
- ½ cup finely chopped apple
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients.
- Fry small donuts or use muffin tin.
- Glaze or sugar-coat as desired.
How to Serve It
Top with diced cooked apples and caramel.
12. Apple Cider Donuts with Oats
Hearty and fiber-rich with a satisfying chew.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup oats
- ½ cup reduced cider
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix dry and wet ingredients.
- Bake at 350°F for 12 mins.
- Brush with butter and sugar.
How to Serve It
Pair with Greek yogurt and honey for breakfast.
13. Apple Cider Donuts with Spiced Sugar
The sugar coating has a little extra fall spice punch.
Ingredients
- Classic donut base
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ginger
Instructions
- Make donuts by baking or frying.
- Mix spices and sugar.
- Roll donuts in mixture while warm.
How to Serve It
Perfect with mulled cider or hot cocoa.
14. Apple Cider Donuts with Vanilla Glaze
Sweet, simple, and beautifully glazed.
Ingredients
- Donut base batter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix glaze ingredients until smooth.
- Dip cooled donuts and let glaze set.
How to Serve It
Add festive sprinkles for a Halloween twist.
Conclusion
Whether you bake, fry, glaze, or sugar-coat them, apple cider donuts are the sweet, spiced treat your fall menu needs. Try a new flavor every week or double a batch to share—either way, your kitchen is going to smell amazing. 🍎🍩🍂
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