Baked Apple Cider Donuts
When fall rolls around, nothing feels cozier than the smell of apples and warm spices baking in the oven. These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are perfect if you love classic cider donuts but don’t want to deal with deep frying at home. Many people skip making donuts because frying feels messy and intimidating—this baked version fixes that completely.
I’ve been baking apple cider donuts for years, especially during apple season. Baking them keeps things simple while still giving you that soft, cake-like texture and bold apple flavor everyone loves. These donuts are lightly sweet, warmly spiced, and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon treat.
In this post, you’ll learn how to make baked apple cider donuts step by step, plus tips, variations, serving ideas, and answers to common questions so they turn out perfect every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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No frying required: Easier, cleaner, and lighter
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Big apple flavor: Reduced cider makes all the difference
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Perfect for fall: Cozy spices and soft, tender texture
Ingredients & Prep
These baked apple cider donuts use simple ingredients with one important extra step for maximum flavor.
Main Ingredients Prep
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Apple cider: Reduced to concentrate flavor
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All-purpose flour: Creates a soft, cake-like donut
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Eggs: Room temperature for even mixing
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Butter: Melted and slightly cooled
Seasonings, Sauces, or Flavor Base
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Ground cinnamon: Warm and cozy
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Ground nutmeg: Classic donut spice
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Ground allspice or cloves (optional): Adds depth
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Vanilla extract: Rounds out flavor
Pantry Staples
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Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter
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Brown sugar: Adds moisture and richness
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Baking powder: Helps donuts rise
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Salt: Balances sweetness
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Milk: Keeps donuts tender
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Pre-Cooking Prep
Pour apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until reduced by about half. This usually takes 10–15 minutes. Let it cool slightly.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a donut pan.
Cooking Method
In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and any optional spices.
In another bowl, mix melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, and the reduced apple cider until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
Spoon or pipe the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the donuts spring back lightly when touched.
Doneness or Texture Check
The donuts should be set, lightly golden, and soft. A toothpick inserted should come out clean.
Resting or Final Touches
Let donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Optional topping: Brush warm donuts with melted butter and toss in cinnamon sugar.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Skipping the cider reduction step
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Overmixing the batter, which makes donuts dense
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Overbaking, which dries them out
Recommended Tools
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Donut pan
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Mixing bowls
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Whisk
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Saucepan
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Piping bag or spoon
Storage & Reheating Tips
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Store donuts in an airtight container for up to 3 days
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Refrigerate for up to 5 days
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Warm briefly in the microwave before serving
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Freeze unfrosted donuts for up to 2 months
Flavor Variations
Spicy Version
Add extra cinnamon or a pinch of cloves for bolder spice flavor.
Healthy / Special Diet Option
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Use whole wheat pastry flour
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Reduce sugar slightly
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Bake mini donuts for smaller portions
Global Flavor Twist
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Apple chai: Add chai spice blend
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Maple cider: Replace part of the sugar with maple syrup
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Apple glaze: Drizzle with apple cider glaze instead of cinnamon sugar
Serving Suggestions
Baked apple cider donuts are perfect with:
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Hot coffee or tea
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Apple cider
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Milk
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Yogurt and fruit for breakfast
They’re great for fall mornings, holiday brunches, or cozy afternoons.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Bake them a day ahead and store airtight. Warm before serving for best texture.
How do I fix common mistakes?
If donuts are dry, bake for less time next batch. If flavor is weak, reduce the cider more next time.
Conclusion
These Baked Apple Cider Donuts deliver all the cozy fall flavor of classic cider donuts without the hassle of frying. They’re soft, warmly spiced, and full of apple goodness. I make these every fall, and they never last long.
If you love easy baked treats like this, save this recipe and make it part of your fall baking tradition—you’ll look forward to it every year.
Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- Donuts
- 1½ cups apple cider
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice or cloves optional
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Reduce cider: Pour apple cider into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until reduced by about half (10–15 minutes). Set aside to cool slightly.
- Preheat oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional spices.
- Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk sugars, eggs, melted butter, milk, vanilla, and reduced apple cider until smooth.
- Combine: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fill pan: Spoon or pipe batter into donut cavities, filling about ¾ full.
- Bake: Bake 10–12 minutes, until donuts spring back lightly when touched.
- Cool: Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Optional topping: Brush warm donuts with melted butter and toss in cinnamon sugar.
Notes
- Reducing the cider is key for bold apple flavor—don’t skip it.
- Avoid overmixing to keep donuts tender.
- Donuts will firm up slightly as they cool.
