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Learn how to make this authentic Apple Cider Donuts Recipe for a fun fall pastry! With reduced apple cider for incredible flavor, these donuts are perfectly spiced, golden-brown treats everyone loves. They are a delightful way to enjoy the taste of apples in a whole new way!

A plate piled with sugar-coated apple cider donuts and donut holes sits on a wooden surface, hinting at a homemade apple cider donuts recipe, with fresh apples and a checkered cloth in the background.


 

Quick Recipe Overview

apple cider donuts and holes dusted with sugar on a cooling rack.

WHAT: Apple cider donuts are super soft and fluffy, practically melt in your mouth, and have apple cider flavoring.

WHY: Fall vibes just roll off these donuts. Great for a special Fall treat or party!

HOW: Reduce the apple cider, mix up the dough, and deep fry the donuts, dusting with cinnamon & sugar at the end.

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Table of Contents

Why I Love Making This Apple Cider Donut Recipe

Amazing Apple Flavor: Apple cider is the star ingredient in these donuts, and it gives them a fantastic apple cider flavors that’s both sweet and slightly tangy. It’s like taking a bite of autumn!

Warm and Cozy: These donuts are often enjoyed during the fall season when the weather gets cooler. They make you feel warm and cozy inside, just like wrapping up in a soft blanket.

Soft and Fluffy Texture: Apple cider donuts are super soft and fluffy, and they practically melt in your mouth. They’re the perfect mix of cake-y and sweet and a homemade treat that will match (or beat!) any bakery donuts.

Cinnamon and Sugar Coating: Apple cider donuts are even better when coated with a cinnamon and sugar mixture that adds a delightful crunch and extra flavor. It’s like a sweet hug for your taste buds!

Melissa in her kitchen smiling in front of the starting ingredients for the chicken the quinoa salad and skillet chicken on the wood block in front of her

🩷 Melissa

These homemade apple cider donuts are everything fall baking should be – warm, comforting, and absolutely delicious.

The combination of reduced apple cider, brown sugar, and warm spices creates something truly special.

Whether you enjoy them with your morning coffee or as an afternoon treat, these donuts bring a little bit of orchard magic right to your kitchen.

I love breaking out the donut recipes to celebrate the first weekend of fall and will make these donuts plus a batch of pumpkin donuts, too.

Happy baking! 🍎🍩

Ingredient Notes

  1. Apple Cider: Apple cider is the star of the show, infusing the donuts with a delightful apple flavor and moisture, creating a tender and flavorful crumb.
  2. Nutmeg, Allspice, and Cinnamon: These spices add warm, aromatic flavors that complement the apple cider’s sweetness. Nutmeg offers a hint of earthiness, allspice provides depth, and cinnamon brings a classic, comforting spice note.
  3. Oil for Frying (Vegetable or Canola Oil Recommended): The frying oil is essential for cooking the donuts. It heats up quickly and evenly, ensuring a crispy, golden exterior while maintaining the soft interior.
  4. Cinnamon Sugar (for Coating): Cinnamon-sugar for coating serves as a sweet and slightly spiced coating for the freshly fried donuts, adding a delightful crunch and extra sweetness that makes them irresistible.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

top view of apple cider donuts and holes dusted with sugar on a cooling rack.

Apple Juice or Apple Sauce Substitute

If you don’t have apple cider, you can use apple juice as a substitute. It will still give your donuts an apple flavor, though not as intense. Apple sauce can also be used to add moisture and apple flavor to the dough.

Baked vs. Fried

While traditional apple cider donuts are fried, you can make a healthier version by baking them in the oven. Baked donuts are still delicious and have a slightly different texture.

Spice It Up

To give your donuts an extra kick of flavor, try adding a pinch of ground cloves or cardamom to the batter. These spices complement the apple flavor beautifully and add a unique twist.

    apple cider donuts and holes dusted with sugar on a white plate
    4.50 from 4 votes

    Apple Cider Donut Recipe

    By: Melissa Griffiths
    Learn how to make this authentic Apple Cider Donuts Recipe for a fun fall pastry! With reduced apple cider for incredible flavor, these donuts are perfectly spiced, golden-brown treats everyone loves. They are a delightful way to enjoy the taste of apples in a whole new way!
    Prep: 30 minutes
    Cook: 10 minutes
    Chill Time: 1 hour
    Total: 1 hour 40 minutes
    Servings: 24
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    Ingredients 

    Instructions 

    • In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of apple cider to a boil.
    • Continue boiling until the cider is reduced to about 1 cup. This concentrates the flavor.
    • Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
    • In a mixing bowl, whisk the cooled cider, eggs, and melted butter together until well combined.
    • In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon.
    • Gradually pour the wet ingredients mixture into the dry ingredients.
    • Use a spatula or your hands to mix until a sticky dough forms.
    • Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to make it easier to handle.
    • Turn the chilled dough out onto a well-floured surface.
    • Roll it out to a ½-inch thickness.
    • Use a floured donut cutter or round cookie cutters to cut out donuts and holes.
    • Fill a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer with 3 inches of oil.
    • Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), monitoring the temperature with a cooking thermometer.
    • Carefully lower the donuts into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding.
    • Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
    • Use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Let them cool for just a couple of minutes.
    • While the donuts are still warm, roll them in cinnamon sugar to coat them evenly. (I use a medium bowl to mix the cinnamon and sugar and to coat the doughnuts, and then let them finish cooling on a wire cooling rack.)
    • Enjoy the apple cider donuts warm, savoring the rich apple flavor and spices!

    Notes

    Master the Cider Reduction: This is where the magic happens! Keep your apple cider at a rolling boil and watch it carefully as it reduces. You’ll know it’s ready when you have about 1 cup of thick, concentrated cider. Let it cool completely before adding to your batter – adding hot liquid will affect your dough consistency.
    Temperature Control is Everything: Maintain your oil at a steady 350°F. Too hot and your donuts will brown before cooking through; too cool and they’ll absorb excess oil and become greasy. Invest in a good cooking thermometer and check the temperature between batches, adjusting your heat as needed.
    Don’t Skip the Chill Time: I know waiting is hard, but refrigerating your dough for at least 1 hour makes it so much easier to roll and cut. The cold dough holds its shape better and produces lighter, fluffier donuts. If you have time, you can even chill it overnight.
    Work with a Floured Surface: Keep that surface and your donut cutter well-floured to prevent sticking. I like to have a small bowl of flour nearby for frequent dipping. Pat excess flour off gently before frying.
    Coat While They’re Warm: The cinnamon sugar mixture adheres beautifully to warm (but not hot) donuts. Set up your coating station before you start frying so you can roll each batch asap. This creates that irresistible sweet crust we all crave. Let the donuts cool for just a couple minutes and then roll in the coating of your choice.
     
    This recipe was adapted from Norine’s Nest.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 of 24 donuts, Calories: 134kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 21mg, Sodium: 162mg, Potassium: 64mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 108IU, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 1mg
    Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

    How To Make Deep Fried Apple Cider Donuts

    Step 1: Boil the apple cider in a saucepan until it reduces to 1 cup. Allow it to cool.

    Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon.

    Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the cooled concentrated apple cider, eggs, and melted butter.Gradually add the wet mixture to the flour mixture, forming a sticky donut batter.

    Step 4: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to a ½-inch thickness. Cut out donuts and holes using round cookie cutters.

    Step 5: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C), fry the donuts in batches until golden (about 2-3 minutes per side), then roll them in cinnamon sugar while still warm. Enjoy!

    Make Ahead Tips

    You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated. In fact, overnight chilling can improve the texture.

    Just let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before rolling if it’s too firm from extended chilling.

    This makes it perfect for serving fresh donuts at brunch without the morning rush!

    apple cider donuts and holes dusted with sugar on a cooling rack.

    FAQs for Making Apple Cider Donuts

    Can I use regular apple juice instead of apple cider?

    Yes, you can, but apple cider gives the donuts a richer apple flavor.

    Can I bake these apple cider donuts instead of frying them?

    While this recipe is designed for frying, you can adapt it for baking in a donut pan. Reduce the flour slightly to create a batter consistency, pipe into greased donut pans, and bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes. The texture will be more cake-like than the traditional fried version, but you’ll still get great apple flavor from the reduced apple cider.

    My dough is too sticky to roll out. What should I do?

    The dough should be sticky but workable after chilling. If it’s still too soft, pop it back in the fridge for another 30 minutes. When rolling, use generous amounts of flour on your surface and rolling pin. You can also work in small portions, keeping the rest chilled while you cut.

    My Best Tips for Making Fried Apple Cider Donuts

    • Use Fresh Cider: Fresh apple cider has a more intense flavor than store-bought apple juice, making your donuts taste even better.
    • Perfect Oil Temp: If you’re frying the donuts, make sure the oil is around 350°F (175°C) for that perfect golden brown.
    • Don’t Over-Mix: Mix the dough until it just comes together. Overmixing can make the donuts tough.
    • Let Cool A Bit Before Coating: Allow your donuts to cool for a few minutes before adding the cinnamon sugar coating. This helps it stick better.
    • Other Amazing Flavors: Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract adds just enough vanilla taste for those who love vanilla flavors. I have also added 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom to the spices for a bit of a deeper flavor – so good! You can even substitute apple pie spice for the seasonings.

    What to Serve With Apple Cider Donuts

    Apple cider donuts pair wonderfully with a warm cup of apple cider, hot chocolate, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

    You can also enjoy them with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for added sweetness.

    un-sugared apple cider donuts on a paper towel.

    Storage & Reheating Tips

    Storing Leftover Donuts

    Store cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For best results, wait to coat them in cinnamon sugar until just before serving if you’re planning to keep them overnight.

    Freezing Cooked Donuts

    You can also freeze unfrosted donuts for up to 2 months – just thaw and warm slightly before coating.

    Reheating Leftover Donuts

    To reheat apple cider donuts, you can warm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for a few minutes until they’re heated through. This helps restore their freshness.

    top view of apple cider donuts and holes dusted with sugar on a white plate.

    More Sweet Breads Recipes To Try

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    4.50 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    2 Comments

    1. Dale says:

      Hi Melissa, If I wanted to bake the donuts what temperature would I use, how much time, and would I need to turn them? The recipe looks great! I’ve already gotten rave reviews on your easy cornbread recipe. Thank you!

      Reply
      1. Melissa says:

        I’ve never done it! You’ll have to let me know what you try and if it works out!