Baked Apple Cider Donuts
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The perfect fall treat, these healthier baked apple cider donuts are made with whole wheat pastry flour, coconut sugar, Greek yogurt, and coconut oil.
Nothing says fall like warm baked apple cider donuts. Isaac and I love apple picking at Carter Mountain each year, and we always grab a donut while we are there.
This lighter, baked version brings that orchard vibe home with real apple cider, cozy spices and a cinnamon sugar finish. They come out soft and cakey with big apple flavor, and you do not need any frying to get that classic taste.
Why I Love These Donuts
When I set out to make a lighter apple cider donut, this is the version that checked every box and still tastes like a treat.
- Make ahead friendly: They stay soft the next day and freeze well. Warm one for a few seconds and it tastes freshly baked.
- Nourishing ingredients: Whole wheat pastry flour, coconut sugar and applesauce replace the usual white flour, brown sugar and lots of butter. A little Greek yogurt keeps the crumb soft and tender.
- Simple bake: Mix the batter, spoon or pipe it into a donut pan and bake. They are ready in about 10 to 12 minutes with no frying required.
- Warm cinnamon sugar finish: Coat the donuts while they are still warm so the sugar sticks and you get that classic orchard vibe.
Ingredients Needed
- unfiltered apple cider – no, I don’t mean ACV, I mean apple cider! I prefer getting mine from a local orchard but a lot of grocery stores carry it as well.
- unsweetened apple sauce – any kind works great. I like to use my recipe for homemade applesauce.
- whole-wheat pastry flour – more fiber, protein, and other nutrients than traditional white flour. I prefer using Bob’s Red Mill Whole-Wheat Pastry Flour.
- coconut sugar – the less-processed upgrade for granulated sugar or brown sugar.
- Greek yogurt – the yogurt adds protein and moisture to these donuts! My favorite brand of dairy yogurt is Fage 5% Greek yogurt or Stonyfield whole milk Greek yogurt.
- coconut oil – the perfect sub for butter.
- egg – a binding ingredient, plus a little protein boost.
- cinnamon sugar topping – a light brush of melted coconut oil or butter, then organic cane sugar and cinnamon for the classic finish.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions
- Flour swap: You can always just use all-purpose flour if that’s what you have on hand! You can also sub in 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour to make these donuts gluten-free. I always recommend Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 GF baking blend.
- Yogurt: I’ve only tested this recipe with Greek yogurt, but readers have had success swapping in non-dairy yogurt. If you want to try it, my favorite brand is Culina coconut yogurt. A few readers have also used sour cream and said it worked well.
How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Once you have your materials, you’re ready to get started and to be honest, making baked donuts is really similar to making muffins.
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
Step 2: In another bowl, whisk the apple cider, applesauce, coconut sugar, yogurt, oil and egg until smooth.
Step 3: Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until just combined.
Step 4: Pipe or spoon the batter into greased donut pans and bake at 350°F for 6–8 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 5: Let cool for 2 minutes, then brush each donut with melted coconut oil.
Step 6: Dip brushed donuts in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated, then enjoy warm.
Tips for the Best Donuts
- Piping the batter: A large icing piping tip makes filling the donut pan neat and easy, but it’s not required. You can also spoon the batter in and shake the pan gently to even it out.
- Let them rest: Give the donuts 5 minutes to cool in the pan before removing so they don’t break apart.
- No donut pan? If you don’t have a donut pan, you can try making muffins instead! Someone else tried this and said they turned out perfectly. You’ll just need to double the cook time.
Storing and Reheating Donuts
They’re best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in an air-tight container for 2-3 days. I like to reheat them in the toaster oven so they get nice and crispy!
Popular Donut Recipes
- Baked Almond Flour Donuts
- No-Bake Blueberry Muffin Donut Holes
- Chocolate Frosted Baked Donuts (Entenmann’s Copycat)
- Protein Donuts
- Coconut Crunch Donuts (Hostess Copycat)
- Pumpkin Spice Donuts
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Healthy Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- ½ cup apple cider, not vinegar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 ¾ cups whole-wheat pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 1 egg
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil
- ½ cup organic cane sugar
- ½ Tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir until combined.
- In another medium bowl, whisk together apple cider, apple sauce, sugar, yogurt, oil and egg until combined.
- Add wet mixture to flour mixture, and stir until just combined.
- Spray two (6-cavity) donut pans with cooking spray. Spoon or pipe batter evenly into the 12 cavities.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until donuts spring back when lightly pressed. Cool in pan for 2 minutes. Invert donuts onto a wire rack.
- While donuts are baking, mix together sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
- Brush each donut with coconut oil on both sides and dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat. Repeat until all donuts are coated.
Video
Notes
- Donut pan needed: To get that classic donut shape you will need a donut pan. They are inexpensive and easy to find. I recommend the Wilton non-stick pans which you can grab online for less than $15.
- Storage: These donuts taste best the day they are baked, but you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.
- Make ahead: If you want to prep ahead for brunch or the holidays, bake the donuts the day before and store them plain. Coat them in cinnamon sugar right before serving so they stay fresh and perfectly coated.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
Hi! i made these donuts and they were delicious, one thing is, the donuts had a lot of holes in them but they were still delicious. Are they supposed to have a lot of holes?
So glad you liked them, Eve! Those holes usually show up when the batter gets a little overmixed and traps air, which is easy to do with donut batter, but it won’t change how they taste. Thanks so much for making the recipe and for coming back to leave a comment, I really appreciate it.
My family loves these, and my 30-year-old son has requested that I make them for him weekly. <3 Makes my mommy heart happy!
Aww, that’s the sweetest, Robin! I’m so happy your family enjoys them so much, especially your son. Thanks so much for coming back to leave a review. It means the world to me. 🙂
These donuts were easy to make and tasty. The only problem I had was getting the cinnamon sugar to stay coated on the donut. I brushed with melted coconut oil but didn’t adhere well…certainly not like yours look.
Hi Janet, I’m so glad you liked them! The sugar can be tricky — if the donuts are too cool, it won’t stick, but if they’re piping hot, it can melt right off. Letting them cool for just a few minutes before brushing and coating usually gives the best texture.
These donuts look absolutely delicious! I love how simple and healthy your recipe is. Thanks for sharing!
Aw, thanks so much, Airin! I’m so glad you love how they look. Hope you get a chance to make them soon!
DELICIOUS!!! light and fluffy and so much flavor. Another one of my favorites!
I made them twice this week to share.
Followed the recipe and they were wonderful! Is there a chance I could sub almond flour for the pastry flour? Thank you!
Hi Tessa – I do not recommend subbing almond flour for pastry flour. You typically cannot sub almond flour 1:1 for other flours. You can always just use all-purpose flour if that’s what you have on hand! You can also sub in 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour to make these donuts gluten-free if you need. I always recommend Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 GF baking blend. Let me know how they turn out for you.
this is my second time to use this recipe, the previous attempt I chopped some apples and they didn’t soften. so this time I (using measurements from recipe )melted butter, combined the brown sugar, cinnamon, and some finally chopped sour apple (about 1/4 -1/2 cup) into a pan on simmer about 5 minutes until apples soften. then combine the dry and other wet ingredients, and gentle folded carmalized apples in to batter. omg they came out really good. I wish I could add a picture.
Ahh this is seriously the best, Janicelynn! I am so glad you gave these another try and they turned out great for you. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
Can I used banana purée instead of the applesauce ?!!😅😅😊
Hi Maria – I am not sure, I think it would change the flavor of the donuts. Let me know if you give this recipe a try and how it turns out for you!
This is a winner- my whole family loves them. Even my husband who is not easy to please. I’ve made lots of swaps depending on what I have on hand. I’ve used sour cream instead of yogurt. Vegetable oil for the donuts, butter for the coating instead of coconut oil. And I use regular sugar. They turned out great each time! Will be making again for sure!
WOO! I am so excited to hear that this recipe was a hit for your whole family, Lindsey. Thank you for sharing your substitutions. They sound like it worked out great. I appreciate you coming back to share your review + star rating, it means so much to me.
I’ve made these before following the recipe exactly and love them! Currently out of yogurt and wondering if sour cream would be a good substitute or vanilla Greek yogurt?
I am so happy to hear that you are loving this recipe, Dana. Yes, you could use the vanilla greek yogurt, it might add more of a vanilla flavor since that is the flavor of the yogurt you have, but it should still be delicious. Enjoy!
So yummy! Love the healthier versions of treats like this one! We used leftover apple cider from Thanksgiving , came out perfect
Woo!! So pumped to hear these donuts were a hit, Jocelyn! Thanks for the review :).
Made these this morning! So so tasty! Really could taste the apple cider which was so yummy!
Oh yay! So glad you made them, Anna! And thank you for coming back to leave a comment!! You’re the best.
Made these with the grandsons and they loved them! I used an Apple cider called Apple Pie Cider that had cloves and cinnamon so didn’t add as much as the recipe called for. They were moist and delicious. Great recipe!! Thanks!!
Woo!! Glad to hear these apple cider donuts were a hit, Mary! Thanks so much for the review. I really appreciate it!
Made these donuts with my grandsons. Cut back the sugar in the batter and used an apple cider that was called “Apple Pie Cider” that already had cinnamon in the cider so didn’t add what the recipe called for. Moist and delicious and the boys loved painting on the butter and dipping in the sugar!!
Yay! So thrilled to hear these apple cider donuts were a hit, Mary Pat! Thanks for making them and coming back to leave a review. It means so much to me!
I made this recipe using the flax egg and it worked out just fine. The flavor was so great and the texture actually worked out! I also made the recipe with Bob’s red mill as well as Almond flower. 1 and 1/2 cups of Bob’s Red Mill and 1/4 cup of Almond flower. It gave it a great moisture and fluff.
Thanks for another great recipe!
Happy to hear these apple cider donuts were a success, Sierra! Thanks for trying them out and coming back to leave a review. I rally appreciate it!
They came out a good texture but I’m disappointed because to me they don’t taste anything like apple cider
Oh no! So sorry to hear that! Did you change anything about the recipe?
Love these donuts! Very easy to make. I had to cook for 18 minutes. I followed the recipe as is but I used a 9 donut silicone mold which may be why. Anyway…still great just had to wait longer to try them 😃
Delicious! I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten free 1 to 1 flour. Will definitely make again.
Yay!! So happy to hear these donuts were a hit, Angie! Thanks so much for the review and star rating. I really appreciate it!
Can i freeze the donuts?
I haven’t tried it, but I’m sure they’d freeze just fine! Let me know if you try it.
My mom introduced me to these donuts over the winter holidays, and I was obsessed! I made them for some friends a few weeks ago, and they absolutely loved them as well. I actually forgot the apple cider, so I just used water and they still turned out great. One of the easiest (and yet still delicious) donut recipes ever!
One of my friends was actually curious as to whether it would be possible to make a very similar gluten-free chocolate donut?
So glad you love these donuts, Cassidy! I’m sure it would be possible, I just haven’t tested a gluten-free version of these donuts. Maybe use gluten-free all-purpose flour mixed with cocoa powder? Let me know how they turn out if you guys test them!!
So good!!! My kids and husband enjoyed these right out of the oven!
So glad these were a hit!! Thanks for the review, Lisa. I appreciate it!
These are amazing healthy donuts!!
Very easy to make too!
Woo!! So glad you loved these donuts, Janet. I appreciate you coming back to leave a review. 🙂
Could you make these in mini electric donuts maker?
Hi Charisse! I would assume so, but I haven’t tried it! Let me know if you try it!
They may not look perfect but they are perfectly delicious! I used gluten free 1.1 flour and they turned out great!
Thanks Brittany for another great recipe. My family thinks I’m a rock star in the kitchen.
Ahh love it!! I’m so glad these donuts were a hit with the fam, Linda. Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it. 🙂
I made these donuts using pumpkin spice apple cider and they came out amazing. The only problem I have is storing them they tend to get very moist or wet and the sugar coating on the outside absorbs into the donut I can’t seem to keep them stored dry unless I leave them on the counter uncovered. Any suggestions?
I absolutely loved these! I did swap coconut sugar for maple syrup and I simmered the apple cider to make it more flavorful, but these were incredible!!!
So glad you loved these donuts, Tiffany. I’m glad they turned out with coconut sugar instead of maple syrup. Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a review, I appreciate it. 🙂
Tracy,
How much maple syrup did you swap for the coconut sugar?
Made this recipe a few times and used pumpkin spice apple cider. Love these donuts. Although my donuts tend to get moist once I store them. Any tricks on how to keep them ‘cakey’ where the sugar coating doesn’t eventually melt into the donuts?
Hey Tracy – So glad you’re loving these donuts! How are you storing them – in the fridge or at room temp and what type of container are you storing them in?
Hi sorry I didn’t see your reply to my first inquiry so please disregard my second one today. I am storing the donuts in a Tupperware container which has an air vent in the lid.
No worries, Tracy!! Glad you’re loving the donuts. 🙂
These were delicious, light and flavoursome, although I couldn’t taste the cider much. I think the cider made them very airy though.
I used vegetable oil instead of coconut oil and fat free Greek yogurt instead of plain Greek yogurt.
It made 9 doughnuts instead of twelve, but they were quite large.
Did you try it with a gluten free flour ???
Hey Julie – I haven’t, but others have tried using a gluten-free all-purpose flour and said the donuts turned out just fine! Let me know if you end up trying them.
Absolutely delicious and the vegan modifications worked great!
Yay! That makes me happy to hear, Claire. Thanks for trying these donuts. I appreciate it. 🙂
Wow these are so good! And so easy to make. So light and fluffy, incredibly moist and the cinnamon sugar is the perfect finish. So worth buying donut pans because this recipe will become a family tradition now every Fall. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed these donuts, Danielle! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it!
These turned out wonderfully. I have a silicon doughnut make six at a time and it made 12. I did need to bake them 16 minutes rather then 8. For those who like to know if subs work–it did for me and I used fage nonfat Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup homemade unsweetened applesauce that I increased to 1/2 cup and I skipped the oil altogether. I used swerve sugar replacement. I did use Pensey regular sugar and cinnamon mix on top and light Brummel and brown Yogurt spread melted. We loved them and will make them again. Nice Fall treat. And they look like your picture as they came out
So glad these donuts turned out for you! Thanks so much for coming back to share the subs you made and for leaving a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. <3
Do you think these could be made with coconut milk yogurt? We’re dairy free and I do not keep greek yogurt on hand. <3
Yes, that should work just fine! 🙂 Let me know how these turn out for you if you end up making them!
Not super “apple-ly”….any tips to make taste come through more?
Otherwise delicious!
Did you change anything about the recipe? They’re definitely supposed to be more apple cider tasting versus just apple.
These are so good! I used regular whole wheat flour and made them vegan with a flax egg and homemade soy yogurt. I baked them for 10 minutes, and they turned out light and fluffy and delicious!
Yay!! So glad these donuts turned out for you, Jess. Thanks for sharing the subs you made and for leaving a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
Hello – i really want to try and make these but I am lactose intolerant and was curious what you would sub out the Greek yogurt for?
Thanks!
Hey Heather – you can use a dairy-free yogurt.
I made these over the weekend!! They are absolutely amazing!! Such a treat!
Yay! So glad you loved these donuts, Katherine. Thanks so much for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
I doubled the recipe and baked it in a honeycomb pull apart pan. The cake turned out better than I expected especially because I substituted sugar with monk fruit sugar and used only half of the amount called for. The family loved it. Thank you
Oh yay!! So glad this turned out for you, Sana! Thanks for sharing the subs you made and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. It’s super helpful for other readers, so I appreciate it.
These are AMAZING! I used all purpose flour and they came out delicious! So easy too! Highly recommend
Yay! So glad these donuts turned out for you, Hannah! Thanks for sharing what sub you made on the flour. It’s super helpful for other readers, so I appreciate it. 🙂
Oh my goodness!!! You’ve done it again! Made a family staple, turned it healthy but also made sure it tastes delicious. Not easy to do! Those are the types of recipes we loooove. Thank you
Ahh yay, I’m so pumped these donuts were a hit with your family! Thanks for making these and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it, Jessica. 🙂
These are amazing and so easy to make! I made several batches – all with dairy free yogurt and some with a gluten free all purpose flour and all batches turned out wonderfully!
Can you Make these with Regular yogurt vs greek ? The Greek yogurt gives bagels and all that butter taste .
Hey Jenifer – You can definitely use another type of yogurt if you prefer.
Would it work to use gluten free flour instead of whole wheat?
Thanks!
Hey Erin – these should be fine if you subbed in gluten-free 1:1 flour. Let me know how they turn out if you try them!
From upstairs I heard the “WOW!!!” and knew these donuts were a mega-hit. With GF 1:1 baking mix! Husb had three donuts today & I had fun making donuts for the first time. Thanks so much for such a scrumptious, easy treat! Donuts are FUN!
Ahh I love hearing that!! So glad these donuts were a hit. As always, I appreciate you coming back to leave a comment + star rating, Jennifer. <3
We absolutely loved these! They taste awesome and the non-healthy eaters in my house did not suspect they were health-ified. I halved the recipe because I only have one donut pan. I also used a sugar/stevia baking blend to further reduce sugar. I brushed the donuts with melted butter instead of coconut oil prior to the cinnamon sugar coating. I will definitely be making them again!
Yay!! So glad these donuts were a hit! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating, Christy. I so appreciate it. <3
Made with flax egg and cashew yogurt – turned out perfect! Had to bake the full 8 minutes. Thanks for the great recipe.
So glad this recipe turned out for you, Angela! Thanks for sharing the subs you made. 🙂
Hey… I want it to ask what do you recommend to replace all the coconut ingredients with, because I am allergic to coconut and I love fall recipes and apples and pumpkins but I can’t use products from coconut. Thank you!! 😊
For this recipe I would swap the coconut oil for butter!
My girlfriends and I made these for a girls game night. They were easy to make & so delicious. Being able to eat them warm was the best! Great recipe for fall!
Yay!! I’m so glad these donuts were a hit! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment and star rating, I so appreciate it! <3
Can I substitute canola oil for the coconut oil
It should be just fine, but I haven’t tested this recipe with anything besides coconut oil so I’m not 100% sure it’ll turn out the same.
These are delicious. Had to go 10 mins, but didn’t bake them on convection the first time. I wonder about adding a scope or two of my snickerdoodle protein powder would work if I took a little of the whole wheat pastry flour out. Delicate balance.
Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Erika – I am so glad these turned out great for you. If you were to add some protein powder, just be careful of the batter consistency because some protein powders tend to absorb more liquid and it could make the donuts a bit dryer. Thanks for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
Light, fluffy, easy to make. And very, very yummy! Couldn’t find pastry flour; so, substituted half all purpose flour and half cake flour. Worked out well.
Oh yay, I’m so glad that the half AP flour and half cake flour worked for you! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment + star rating, Karin. I so appreciate it! <3
Having a hard time finding unfiltered apple cider… Would regular apple cider work just as well?
Thanks! Excited to try.
Regular apple cider will 100% work. Thanks for asking. 🙂
Delicious! More donut recipes please!
Hi Kim, I am so glad you’re loving this recipe! I’m sure more donut recipes will be coming soon. 🙂 Thanks for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it!
Delicious, I made a vegan version with egg replacer and more apple sauce to replace the yogurt and they turned out great!
Hi Marie, I’m so happy to hear that you were able to make these donuts vegan! Using extra applesauce as a replacement for the yogurt was a great idea. Thank you so much for coming back to leave a comment (and star rating). It means the world to me!
Delicious! I baked mine in a muffin tin since I didn’t have a doughnut pan.
Oh, yay! I love hearing that they turned out well in a muffin tin too. Thanks for sharing and thank you for coming back to leave a comment (and the star rating) as well. I really appreciate it.
I reduced the water in the apple cider; from a cup to half a cup and add pieces of apple and 1 teaspoon of all spices. The consistency was fluffy and moist, so I didn’t have to add coconut oil to sprinkle it with sugar. 😋use the cake pop to “bake” them. The recipe yielded 40 donut Hole.
Oh I love that you turned these into donut holes!! Great idea!
I don’t have a donut pan so this great! Was cooking time the same?
Super easy! I also did them like a muffin and added chopped apple and sunflower seeds. Super good!
Hi Sherri! Thank you for sharing, that variation sounds delicious! And thank you so much for coming back to comment (and leaving the star rating) for this recipe. It means the world to me!
These look amazing, there is nothing better than cider donuts in the fall!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
I am doing WW. is there a way that you could include WW points in your information? It all sounds so good but I can’t eat it!
You can eat it! Just put the ingredients in the WW recipe builder! It’s super easy to use.
Can you use other types of flour?
Hi Lauren. I haven’t tried the donuts with any other type of flour. What type of flour were you hoping to use?
These look delicious! Have you tried substituting gluten-free baking flour at all? Or a mix of almond/coconut flour? I would love to see if I can make these gluten-free. Thanks!
Hi SommerAnn. I haven’t experimented with different flours yet, but I would love to try to make them gluten-free. I’ll keep you posted. 🙂