• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
To Simply Inspire
  • About Me
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Recipe Index
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Main Dishes
  • Desserts
  • On the Lighter Side Recipes
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups and Stews
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • By Course
  • Holidays
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • By Course
    • Holidays
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » American

    Baked Apple Cider Donuts

    Published: Aug 5, 2021 · Modified: Feb 14, 2025 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    356 shares
    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe
    a stack of five donuts

    Infused with all the fall flavors of apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then coated in a cinnamon sugar sprinkle, these baked apple cider donuts are made in a doughnut pan without any deep frying and are so moist and tender!

    Anything apple or cinnamon, or a combination of both is one of my favorite reasons to get out from under the warm blankets in the morning! Apple cinnamon baked oatmeal and apple scones are two of my morning staples throughout the fall. The oatmeal is quick and easy on weekday mornings and the scones are a weekend specialty. These apple cider donuts are for any time in between!

    stack of five baked apple cider donuts on a small silver tray

    Table of contents

    • Simple Baked Donuts
    • Why this recipe works
    • Ingredients/shopping list
    • How to Make Apple Cider Donuts
    • Variations/Substitution
    • Tips
    • FAQ’s
      • Other Breakfast Recipes

    Simple Baked Donuts

    These apple cider donuts are an easy, baked treat that beautifully encompasses all the fall flavors like apple cider and cinnamon spice. This delicious donut is moist and tender like an old-fashioned donut but it’s made without yeast and there is no deep-frying so it’s more cake-like and slightly denser. It is fantastic! I treat it as much like a breakfast pastry as I do as an afternoon snack or dessert!

    One of the most amazing things about this recipe is that it is super simple to come together in a quick 30 minutes or less, all in one bowl! It’s a healthy version of a fried donut but doesn’t skimp on any of the flavors. In fact, it’s loaded with all things apple cinnamon, and spice! It’s made with actual apple cider which only adds to the moisture and depth of autumn essence, so it just oozes comfort and cozy! Homemade baked donuts might just be my new favorite irresistible baked good…and I’m not exactly sure if that’s a good thing or slightly dangerous. That cinnamon sugar coating gets me every time!

    closeup of several baked donuts on a small silver tray

    Why this recipe works

    • Quick and easy. These donuts are a one bowl recipe that are ready to bit into in under 30 minutes.
    • There is never a wrong time to eat them! Eat them with your morning tea or coffee, with a cold glass of milk in the afternoon or with a scoop of ice cream for dessert.
    • Deliciously flavored with warming spices, but nothing overly complicated. All of the ingredients are basic kitchen staples.
    • They’re donuts! They’re baked, healthier versions of the classic kind, but they’re still donuts. Maybe even better!
    • Your house will smell like a bakery. That alone is reason to bake a batch.
    several small glass bowls with ingredients for apple cider donuts

    Ingredients/shopping list

    • All-purpose flour – The foundation of the donut, all purpose is a great choice for structure and works alongside the baking powder to create great texture. Cake flour also works wonderful!
    • Sugar – Needed for sweetness!
    • Baking powder – There is no yeast in these donuts, so the baking powder helps to create the rise needed.
    • Cinnamon & nutmeg – Work in conjunction to give us all the autumn feels.
    • Egg – Used for binding all of the ingredients together and holding the adorable structure of these baked donuts.
    • Whole milk – Full fat is needed for richness and moisture which gives these donuts perfect consistency and texture.
    • Apple cider – Readily available at your grocery store, especially when the cooler weather hits. You can substitute with unsweetened apple juice.
    • Canola oil – As oil does in baking, it helps keep everything nice and moist!
    • Vanilla extract – The perfect flavor that does to sweet ingredients that salt does to savory. It enhances the other flavors.

    How to Make Apple Cider Donuts

    This recipe will come together before the rest of the house wakes up, or before your kids get home from school. Either way, they’ll be ready (and then gone) in no time!

    Step 1: First, combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Then, add in the wet ingredients on top of the flour mixture.

    Step 2: Whisk to combine, just until there are no more lumps. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing will cause your donuts to be denser than you’d like them to be because you’re getting rid of too much of the air that will keep them light.

    white bowl with flour, white bowl with donut batter and a 6 donut baking tin filled with batter

    Step 3: After preparing the donut muffin tin with nonstick spray, pour ¼ of the doughnut batter in each groove. It should come up to about ¾ full. This Wilton donut pan is my favorite! Don’t have a donut pan. See my notes below on how to make baked donuts in a muffin pan.

    Step 4: Bake for 16-17 minutes until golden brown around the edges. To test it out, use a toothpick and insert it into the thickest part of the donut. If it comes out clean, it’s ready.

    twelve baked donuts on a wire rack

    Step 5: Mix cinnamon and sugar together in a separate small bowl (preferably a shallow one on easier dipping) and once the donuts are out of the oven, dip them into the cinnamon sugar mixture while they are still warm. Place on a wire rack to cool and then dig in!

    Variations/Substitution

    1. Substitute canola oil for vegetable oil.
    2. For gluten free version, substitute one-to-one gluten free flour or oat flour.
    3. Substitute unsweetened applesauce for the oil for a lower calorie option. Apple sauce is a great swap, not only for moisture but even more apple flavor..
    4. Substitute whole milk for low-fat milk or non-dairy milk like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk or rice milk. It will change the texture a bit, but they’ll definitely still be awesome.
    5. Although fresh apple cider is best, you can substitute unsweetened apple juice if needed.
    6. Use brown sugar or coconut sugar instead of white sugar.
    closeup of baked donuts on a baking sheet

    Tips

    • Use a resealable plastic bag and but a corner out or use a piping bag to fill the donut tin with the batter.
    • Dip in a little melted butter before dipping in the cinnamon/ sugar mixture.
    • Dipping in the cinnamon sugar mixture is optional. They’re also great plain or glazed.
    • Serve warm or cooled at room temperature.
    • For a little extra something special, some people enjoy reducing their apple cider to a more concentrated, thicker liquid and using that for a more intense flavor.

    FAQ’s

    How to Store?

    These donuts will keep fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days, in an airtight container for maintaining moisture. They’re also freezer friendly, for up to 2 months stored in a ziplock bag. Separate them with parchment paper, so you can take one out as you want it.

    How to Reheat?

    The quickest and easiest way to reheat these baked gems would be to thaw in the fridge overnight if they are still frozen and then pop in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time.


    Hw to Make Baked Donuts without a Donut Pan?

    If you don’t happen to own a donut pan, you can also use a standard muffin tin along with some aluminum foil. Cut 4-5 inch square pieces of foil and place your finger into the center and wrap the foil tightly around your finger. Carefully slide the foil off of your finger. Then place the foil cup into each hole of the muffin tin a press it into place and curl up the sides a little as well.t.

    Other Breakfast Recipes

    Baked Glazed Vanilla Donuts

    Homemade Crepes

    Protein Waffles

    Pumpkin Waffles

    Sheet Pan Pancakes

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe below. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram!

    stack of five apple cider donuts on silver baking sheet with parchment paper

    Baked Apple Cider Donuts

    Infused with all the fall flavors of apple cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then coated in a cinnamon sugar sprinkle, these baked apple cider donuts are made in a doughnut pan without any deep frying and are so moist and tender!
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Pin Share Rate
    Course: Breakfast, brunch, Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 16 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 26 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 193kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup whole milk
    • ½ cup apple cider
    • 1 tablespoon canola oil
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    For the cinnamon/sugar mixture

    • ½ cup sugar
    • ½ tablespoon cinnamon

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray a donut pan with non-stick spray.
    • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg and stir to combine well.
    • Add in the egg, milk, apple cider, oil, and vanilla extract and whisk just until there are no lumps of flour remaining, careful not to over-mix.
    • Pour approximately ¼ cup of batter in each section of the donut pan, filling it about ¾ full
    • Bake for 16-17 minutes until golden brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted into the thickest section comes out clean.
    • While donuts are baking, mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small shallow bowl. Dip the warm donuts in the mixture and place them on a wire rack to cool.

    Notes

    Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
    For a gluten free version, use gluten free one-to-one flour or oat flour.
    Substitute canola oil for vegetable oil.
    Substitute unsweetened applesauce for the oil for a lower calorie.
    Substitute whole milk for low fat milk or non-dairy milk like almond milk, soy milk, oat milk or rice milk.
    Substitute unsweetened apple juice for the apple cider.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1donut | Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 38IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

    Tried this recipe?We love seeing your pictures! Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    More American

    • A square slice of cosmic brownie topped with chocolate ganache and rainbow chocolate chips on a white plate.
      Cosmic Brownies
    • A close-up of a serving of cheesy baked Johnny Marzetti recipe with ground meat and tomato sauce being lifted from a casserole dish.
      Johnny Marzetti Recipe
    • A sliced bundt cake with a white glaze and a cinnamon streusel filling.
      Sock It To Me Cake
    • A cast iron skillet filled with cajun shrimp and rice garnished with parsley.
      Cajun Shrimp and Rice

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lynn

      September 11, 2021 at 6:42 pm

      I tried making these with apple juice and almond milk. They seemed like a muffin more than a donut, but that could be b/c of my substitutions or that’s what a baked donut is going to look and taste like. I may have over mixed too. I don’t have a donut muffin pan. I tried the foil technique but they kept falling over. As the donuts cooked I was able to readjust them. Maybe you could post photos or a brief video on how to do this correctly (l.o.l.)?

      Reply
    2. Sharon Lorraine

      August 25, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      4 stars
      Looks great but there are no amounts of any thing. How much Flour. Eggs, vanilla, salt. Oil.

      Reply
      • Sherri

        August 27, 2021 at 8:30 am

        Hi Lorraine, all the ingredients are listed about in the recipe card. 🙂 https://www.tosimplyinspire.com/baked-apple-cider-donuts.html/comment-page-1#recipe

        Reply
      • Wesley

        September 27, 2021 at 7:21 pm

        When I was looking at it bits had all the amount of everything to put into it.

        Reply
    4.80 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sherri Hagymas leaning on a counter with a white coffee mug

    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

    More about me →

    Easy Dinners

    • White bowl full of Egg Fried Rice with fork inserted.
      Egg Fried Rice

    • White skillet with tuscan chicken recipe with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach in a creamy sauce.
      Tuscan Chicken

    • four breaded chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet with lemon slices
      Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken

    • Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
      Butter Steak Bites with Garlic Herb Potatoes

    • skillet full of creamy chicken with mushroom sauce topped with parsley.
      Chicken with Mushroom Sauce

    • bowl full of fresh cucumber slices, imitaion crab meat, and avocado with spicy mayo drizzles and topped with sesame seeds
      California Roll in a Bowl

    Popular Recipes

    • slice of coffee cake on a white plate
      Best Easy Coffee Cake

    • Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta recipe in a silver serving bowl
      Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

    • closeup of several crispy chicken wings on white parchment paper.
      Oven Baked Chicken Wings

    • White bowl full of fresh mango salsa topped with cilantro and red onion.
      Mango Salsa

    • black bowl with cottage cheese dip with a carrot and celery
      Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip

    • closeup of shrimp corn chowder in a white bowl with spoon in it.
      Shrimp Corn Chowder

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    List of publications that have featured Tosimplyinspire.com. woman's day, southern living, delish, parade, Forbes, prevention, and parade.

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop
    • Shop My Favorites
    Copyright © 2025 To Simply Inspire
    Discloure Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
    To Simply Inspire is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
    designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.