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    Home » Vegan Dessert Recipes

    Baked Apple Cider Donuts (Vegan and Gluten Free)

    By Sarah Pilley Updated Aug 31, 2023 · Published Aug 31, 2023

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Gluten-free vegan apple cider donuts on a wire rack. Photo is broken up by text that says "Vegan + GF" in fancy lettering and "APPLE CIDER DONUTS" in bold block lettering.

    Baked Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts are the perfect vegan treat for fall! These donuts come together quickly for a moist, flavorful, and healthy dessert.

    9 gluten-free vegan apple cider donuts on a wire rack on top of a wood background.

    When pumpkin and apple recipes take center stage, you know it’s that time of year. So why not embrace fall flavors in the sweetest way possible with these delicious apple cider donuts?

    And if you love making baked goods for fall, you must try baked apple chips, dairy-free apple crisp, 3 ingredient apple muffins, and vegan cranberry-apple crisp too. They are sure to put you in the fall mood!

    The best part of fall has to be visiting the local apple orchard. It’s the whole experience of picking apples, the cool fall air, being outside, and eating treats we only get once a year... like apple cider donuts!

    Real apple cider + warm spices = pure fall magic! 

    Sugar perfectly coats the outside, and rich cinnamon is laced throughout, making these apple cider donuts irresistible. There’s no way you can just have one!

    And you don’t have to hold back! These apple cider donuts are:

    • Vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free so that everyone can enjoy!
    • Can be made oil-free as well.
    • Ready in under 30 minutes, relatively quick compared to yeast donuts!
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment
    • Directions with Pictures
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • More Fall Vegan Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    You will need these simple, plant-based ingredients to make gluten-free apple cider donuts:

    • Oat Four - Gives the donuts a perfect fluffy, cakey texture.
      • You can make oat flour at home, which is much cheaper than storebought and super easy to do!
    • Baking Powder and Baking Soda - Work as leavening agents to achieve the fluffiest donuts. 
    • Cinnamon and Salt - Add to the flavor of these donuts.
      • To further enhance the apple flavor, swap ground cinnamon for apple pie spice which also includes nutmeg and allspice.
    • Apple Cider - Makes these donuts what they are and gives that delicious apple cider flavor! Make sure to use fresh apple cider (which is essentially unfiltered apple juice).
    • Maple Syrup - Is used to sweeten the donuts.
      • You could also try using another liquid sweetener like agave syrup.
    • Non-Dairy Milk - Any plant milk works!
    • Neutral Oil - Using oil like grapeseed, canola, or coconut oil in this recipe elevates the texture.
      • Using applesauce makes these donuts a bit denser, but it is an oil-free option. 
    • Granulated Sugar - You can coat the donuts with granulated white or coconut sugar or erythritol.
      • You could also add some cinnamon to make a cinnamon sugar coating
      • Sugar coating is optional, and the donuts are still fabulous without it. 

    Please refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.

    Equipment

    You will need a doughnut pan for this baked donut recipe. You could also try making them in a mini muffin pan for a donut hole.

    This recipe would not work as a fried donut since it is a liquid batter. You need to use the donut pan to get that perfect shape!

    Directions with Pictures

    These apple cider donuts come together in a snap! Here’s a step-by-step guide to making them:

    Make the Donut Batter

    1. Add oat flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
    2. Add the apple cider, milk, maple syrup, and oil or applesauce to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Whisk to combine until no floury bits remain. 
    3. The donut batter will be really thin at this point. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes to allow the batter to thicken slightly.
    Apple cider donut batter portioned in a doughnut pan before being baked.

    Bake the Donuts

    1. Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, taking care not to fill over the hole post in the center. Wipe away any batter that may have dripped on the pan's surface. 
    2. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the donut springs back when pressed lightly with your finger. If an indent remains, bake another 1 to 2 minutes.
    3. Move the donuts to a wire rack and allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Then, turn the pan upside down and tap it to pop the donuts out.
      • Try running a knife around the edge of each donut to help them release from the pan.
      • Allow the donuts to cool completely on the wire rack.
    Baked apple cider donuts on a wire rack to cool.

    Coat With Sugar

    To make these the best apple cider donuts, take them a step further with a sugar coating. 

    1. When donuts are cooled completely, add a small amount of apple cider to a dish and spread granulated sugar or a cinnamon sugar mixture on a small plate. 
    2. Brush the top of a donut with apple cider and gently place brushed side down in the sugar. Remove and place back on the cooling rack. 
    3. Repeat with remaining donuts. Enjoy!
    Baked apple cider donuts on a wire rack with sugar coating. Background shows the bowl of sugar and apple cider for sugar coating process along with an apple and 2 cinnamon sticks.

    Storage

    Store gluten-free apple cider donuts in an airtight container or tightly sealed ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 but must reheat them in the microwave. They are best eaten fresh and won't be as magical the next day!

    FAQ

    Is there gluten in apple cider?

    No, apple cider is naturally gluten-free!

    Vegan apple cider donuts with sugar coating on a wire rack. Cinnamon sticks and an apple are in the background.

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    Did you make this recipe?
    Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!

    📖 Recipe

    9 gluten-free vegan apple cider donuts on a wire rack on top of a wood background.

    Baked Apple Cider Donuts (Vegan & Gluten Free)

    Baked Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts are the perfect vegan treat for fall! These donuts come together quickly for a moist, flavorful, and healthy dessert.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Resting Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10 donuts
    Author: Sarah Pilley
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    Equipment

    • Donut Pan

    Ingredients

    • 2 ¾ cups oat flour
    • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅔ cup apple cider plus more for brushing
    • ½ cup almond milk
    • ⅓ cup maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoons neutral oil or applesauce
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar optional, for coating

    Instructions

    Make the Donuts

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a donut pan if not using a non-stick pan. Set aside.
    • Add the oat flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
    • Add the apple cider, milk, maple syrup, and oil or applesauce to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Whisk to combine until no floury bits remain.
    • The donut batter will be really thin at this point. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes to allow the batter to thicken slightly.
    • Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, taking care not to fill over the hole post in the center. Wipe away any batter that may have dripped on the pan's surface.
    • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the donut springs back when pressed lightly with your finger. If an indent remains bake another 1 to 2 minutes.
    • Move the donuts to a wire rack and allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Then, turn the pan upside down and tap it to pop the donuts out. Try running a knife around the edge of each donut to help them release from the pan.
    • Allow the donuts to cool completely on the wire rack before sugar coating.

    Sugar Coating

    • Add apple cider to a small bowl and spread granulated sugar or a cinnamon sugar mixture on a plate.
    • Brush the top of a donut with apple cider and gently place brushed side down in the sugar. Remove and place back on the cooling rack.
    • Repeat with remaining donuts. Enjoy!

    Notes

    See more expert tips and pictures above for making apple cider donuts!
    • If you are making oat flour at home, you need 3 ⅔ cups rolled oats to make 2 ¾  cups oat flour.
    • Using applesauce makes these donuts a bit denser, but is an oil-free option.
    • Sugar coating is completely optional, and the donuts are still fabulous without it.
    Did you make this recipe? Share your experience! Mention @AlternativeDish on Instagram or Facebook, or drop a comment below—I'd love to hear from you!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 192mg | Potassium: 224mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 1mg

    This recipe has been updated with additional pictures and tips. It was adapted from Maggie's recipe that was posted on August 27, 2020.

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    Comments

      5 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jo says

      August 27, 2020 at 10:05 am

      These look so amazing! If I don't have a donut pan - do you think the mixture could work as mini muffins?

      Reply
      • Maggie says

        September 01, 2020 at 8:05 am

        Hi Jo, Apologies for the late reply. Yes,these would definitely work as mini-muffins. I hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    2. Luciana says

      January 06, 2021 at 12:55 am

      I loved the recipe.

      Reply
      • Maggie says

        January 06, 2021 at 6:40 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed these! Thank you for the comment.

        Reply
    3. Kimberly says

      October 25, 2022 at 11:21 am

      Which measurement is used for the oat flour? 2.75 cups of rolled oats when blended DOES NOT equal 2.75 cups of oat flour.

      Reply
      • Marjory Pilley says

        October 30, 2022 at 3:40 pm

        Hi! Thanks for your comment! 1 cup of oat flour should yield about 3/4 cups of oat flour. So start with about 3 1/2 cups.

        Reply

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Gluten-free vegan apple cider donuts on a wire rack. Photo is broken up by text that says "Vegan + GF" in fancy lettering and "APPLE CIDER DONUTS" in bold block lettering.
    Headshot of Sarah Pilley.

    Hi, I'm Sarah!

    I’m so excited you stopped by! I'm thrilled to share my passion for tasty vegan food with you on the Alternative Dish. I focus on creating recipes that everyone can enjoy with allergy-friendly tips! 

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    Gluten-free vegan apple cider donuts on a wire rack. Photo is broken up by text that says "Vegan + GF" in fancy lettering and "APPLE CIDER DONUTS" in bold block lettering.
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