Baked Apple Cider Donuts (Vegan and 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.

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!

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. 

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.

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.

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!

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