Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

If you’re craving that warm, cozy fall flavor wrapped up in a perfectly soft, sugary treat, then you’re going to want to stick around for this one. I’m so excited to share my go-to Apple Cider Donuts Recipe with you — it’s the kind of recipe that fills your kitchen with the most amazing aroma and leaves you with donuts that are tender, flavorful, and coated in just the right amount of cinnamon sugar. Trust me, once you try this, your family and friends will be asking for them again and again.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient works together to create that nostalgic donut flavor and texture you remember from fall fairs and farmers markets. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand — and a few tips to help you pick the best versions for your donuts.

• Apple Cider: I prefer unfiltered apple cider to get that rich, fruity depth; you’ll reduce it to concentrate flavor, so freshness is key.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter adds richness and keeps the texture tender — make sure it’s cold when you add it to the cider.
• All-Purpose Flour: Use plain all-purpose flour; extra for dusting the work surface is a lifesaver when rolling out sticky dough.
• Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon is essential for that warm, spicy taste — fresh or good-quality pre-ground works great.
• Baking Powder: This helps the donuts rise; use 2 teaspoons if frying the same day, or 4 teaspoons if you plan to chill the dough overnight for better flavor.
• Kosher Salt: Just a touch enhances the sweetness and spices.
• Baking Soda: Works together with buttermilk to create a tender crumb.
• Ground Nutmeg: Freshly grated nutmeg really elevates the flavor—but pre-ground is fine too.
• Light or Dark Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture with a hint of caramel flavor.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: This ingredient adds natural sweetness and keeps the donuts moist without extra fat.
• Cold Buttermilk or Kefir: The acidity tenderizes the dough and improves texture; I often use buttermilk.
• Large Eggs: Cold eggs help bind the dough and create a tender donut.
• Granulated Sugar: This will be used with cinnamon for the classic donut coating.
• Vegetable, Canola, or Peanut Oil: Choose a neutral frying oil with a high smoke point for safe frying and crisp donuts.

Variations

I love to make this recipe my own depending on the season or what I have in my pantry. Feel free to get creative — that’s the beauty of making donuts at home!

• Spiced Up: Sometimes I add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the dough for extra warmth — it’s like a mini spice festival in each bite.
• Gluten-Free: I’ve swapped all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend and had great success, but be sure to check your flour’s instructions for batter consistency.
• Maple Glaze: If you want to skip the cinnamon sugar, try a simple maple glaze drizzled over warm donuts — it’s a total crowd-pleaser.
• Vegan Option: Use dairy-free butter, plant-based milk with apple cider vinegar instead of buttermilk, and flax eggs to adapt this recipe vegan-style.

How to Make Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Step 1: Reduce the Apple Cider to Concentrate Flavor

Start by bringing that apple cider to a boil in a large pan. This step really builds the heart of the donut’s flavor — by reducing 2 1/2 cups of cider down to about 1/3 cup, you’re concentrating the natural apple sweetness without making the dough soggy. This takes roughly 10 minutes. A little tip: if you happen to reduce it too far, just add a splash of water to make up the difference. Once it’s right, pull it off the heat, whisk in your butter and brown sugar until melted, and set this fragrant mixture aside to cool.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

Once your cider reduction has cooled a bit, whisk in your unsweetened applesauce, cold buttermilk, and the eggs until it’s smooth and well combined. This blend keeps the donuts tender and gives them that beautiful crumb. I find cold eggs and buttermilk really help keep the dough from becoming too sticky — makes rolling out so much easier.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, half your cinnamon, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and nutmeg. The spices give the donuts that nostalgic warmth you’ll crave. Making sure the dry ingredients are evenly mixed here helps you avoid uneven spots of baking powder or salt in the final donuts.

Step 4: Bring Dough Together and Chill

Scrape your wet cider mixture into the dry ingredients, then fold gently with a spatula until you have a sticky dough. It’s super important not to overmix here — I discovered that overworked dough makes tougher donuts, and that’s the last thing you want. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least an hour. If you opted for 4 teaspoons of baking powder because you’re chilling overnight, the wait is definitely worth it for even better flavor.

Step 5: Roll, Cut, and Prepare for Frying

Flour your work surface generously — sticky dough is a given here! Roll your dough out to about 1/2 inch thick in a round about 12 inches wide. Flouring your rolling pin makes everything easier. Cut out donuts with a floured donut cutter or two round cutters, and gather scraps to roll and cut again. Your dough might feel a bit sticky, but don’t worry — a light hand with the flour will help you keep things manageable. Keep the cut donuts chilled if your oil isn’t ready yet to avoid them becoming too soft.

Step 6: Heat Oil and Fry the Donuts

Heat your oil to a steady 350°F. This is key to getting golden, puffed donuts without greasy heaviness. Carefully fry your donuts in batches of four, about one minute per side, flipping gently to avoid deflation. Use tongs or chopsticks to remove them, letting excess oil drip back before transferring to a wire rack. Fry the donut holes in smaller batches, just the same. I learned to watch the oil temperature closely — if it gets too hot, donuts burn on the outside and stay raw inside; too low and they soak up oil. It’s a balancing act worth mastering!

Step 7: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar

While the donuts are still warm, toss them one at a time in the cinnamon sugar mixture. I like to be generous here — it sticks perfectly, giving that classic, nostalgic finish. This immediate coating also stops the donuts from getting greasy and adds a beautiful sweet-spicy crunch.

How to Serve Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Garnishes

While classic cinnamon sugar is my favorite every time, I sometimes sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top for a delicate look or even a drizzle of melted caramel for an indulgent twist. On rare occasions, a hit of chopped toasted nuts adds a satisfying crunch that pairs beautifully with the soft donut.

Side Dishes

These donuts are perfect on their own, especially with a steaming cup of coffee, chai, or hot apple cider. For a brunch spread, I like to pair them with fresh fruit salad or a crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For fall parties or cozy weekends, I like to arrange these donuts stacked on a pretty cake stand, garnished with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Another fun idea is putting the donut holes into small decorative cups with little flags or tags—perfect bite-sized treats that get gobbled up quickly!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

While these are best enjoyed fresh, I know life happens! Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. I learned that placing a paper towel inside the container helps absorb moisture so the donuts stay nice and tender without getting soggy.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze these beauties! After they’ve cooled completely, wrap each donut tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. This way, they’ll keep well for up to a month. When you want a treat, thaw at room temperature or reheat directly from frozen.

Reheating

I usually warm my leftover donuts in a 325ºF oven for about 8 minutes. This revives the texture without drying them out, and the cinnamon sugar gets nicely toasted again. You can also pop a donut in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds if you’re in a rush, but the oven method is my favorite.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Apple Cider Donuts Recipe brings autumn right into my kitchen, no matter the time of year. There’s something so comforting about the warm spices, the rich apple flavor, and that perfect coating of cinnamon sugar. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just a cozy weekend treat, they’re sure to make your day a little sweeter. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe — once you make them, you’ll see why I keep coming back for more!

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