Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe with Cinnamon Glaze

Soft baked apple cider donuts made lighter with whole wheat pastry flour, unsweetened applesauce and Greek yogurt — a cozy fall treat that comes together in about 20 minutes. Warm spices and a cinnamon-sugar coating make these soft, cake-like donuts irresistible.

Apple cider donuts are a quintessential fall treat, and this baked version keeps the full apple flavor while using healthier swaps and simple ingredients. Instead of frying, these donuts are baked, and they include whole wheat pastry flour for fiber and texture, a bit of almond flour for moisture, applesauce and Greek yogurt to replace oil, and maple syrup to add natural sweetness. The result is a tender, fluffy donut packed with apple and warm spice — perfect with a mug of cider.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft, cake-like baked donuts with authentic apple cider flavor.
• Made with healthier ingredients and no frying.
• Quick to prepare — ready in about 20 minutes.
• Coated in cinnamon and sugar for a classic finish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Whole wheat pastry flour – makes donuts light and tender while keeping whole grain benefits. If not available, regular whole wheat or all-purpose flour can be substituted, but pastry flour yields a softer crumb.
• Almond flour – boosts moisture and adds healthy fats for extra tenderness.
• Baking powder and baking soda – leavening agents to help the donuts rise.
• Apple cider – the main flavor component. Use fresh apple cider (not apple juice or cider vinegar).
• Unsweetened applesauce – replaces oil and adds apple flavor while keeping the recipe moist.
• Plain Greek yogurt – adds moisture and a bit of protein; plain yogurt keeps the flavor balanced.
• Eggs – bind and add structure; use two large eggs.
• Maple syrup – natural sweetener that complements apple and spice.
• Vanilla extract – enhances overall flavor.
• Warm spices – apple pie spice and cinnamon are used here; a pinch of nutmeg or cloves can be added if you like.
• Cinnamon-sugar coating – melted coconut oil or melted butter plus a mix of sugar and cinnamon to finish the donuts.

Baking Tools Needed

• Donut pans – two 6-count donut pans are ideal for this recipe so you can bake 12 donuts at once.
• Pastry bag or zip-top bag – makes filling the donut wells neater and faster.
• Mixing bowls – one for dry ingredients and one for wet ingredients to combine separately before mixing together.
• Wire cooling rack – to let the donuts cool evenly before coating.

How to Make Apple Cider Donuts

1. Preheat and combine. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, apple pie spice, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, apple cider, Greek yogurt, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla until smooth.
2. Mix the batter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. A few lumps are fine — avoid overmixing to keep the donuts tender.
3. Fill the pans. Thoroughly spray two 6-count donut pans with nonstick spray. Transfer batter to a pastry bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped and pipe the batter evenly into the donut wells. This recipe yields 12 donuts.
4. Bake. Bake at 350°F for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the donuts are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Donuts can overbake quickly, so check at the 10-minute mark. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Coat in cinnamon-sugar. Once cooled, melt coconut oil or butter and prepare a shallow bowl with cane sugar and cinnamon. Lightly brush each donut with the melted oil and toss in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat both sides. Alternatively, drizzle with a maple glaze or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Tips for Success

• Use real apple cider. Fresh apple cider provides the authentic apple flavor — apple juice will taste different.
• Don’t overmix. Stir until ingredients are just combined to keep donuts light and tender.
• Pipe the batter. A piping bag or zip-top bag helps fill donut wells evenly and prevents spills.
• Serve fresh. These donuts are best the day they are made; warming them briefly brings back the fresh-baked texture and flavor.

Prepping and Storing

To store: Keep donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 6 days. Warm for 10–15 seconds in the microwave before serving to revive their softness.

To freeze: Freeze donuts (uncoated is best) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm briefly before coating in cinnamon sugar or glazing.

Nutrition (Approximate)

Serving size: 1 donut — Calories: 157 kcal · Carbohydrates: 26 g · Protein: 3.9 g · Fat: 4.5 g · Saturated Fat: 1.4 g · Sodium: 88 mg · Fiber: 2.3 g · Sugar: 14.8 g

More Apple Recipes You’ll Love

• Healthy Apple Cinnamon Muffins
• Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
• Healthy Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
• Healthy Apple Crisp
• Apple Pie Overnight Oats

If you try these baked apple cider donuts, enjoy them warm and share your results — photos and notes make it fun to see how others adapt the recipe!