Stack of cinnamon sugar donuts drizzled with vanilla glaze on a white plate

Apple Cider Donuts

by

Warm, spiced, and bursting with fall flavor

Bring the cozy magic of the apple orchard to your kitchen with these irresistible Apple Cider Donuts! Soft, tender, and coated in a sparkling cinnamon-sugar mix, they’re the ultimate fall treat. This recipe uses real apple cider that’s simmered down for rich, caramel-apple flavor in every bite no trip to the orchard required! Whether you bake them for a cozy weekend breakfast or fry them for a nostalgic fall fair feel, these donuts will make your home smell absolutely divine. Perfect with a hot cup of coffee or warm cider, they’re everything you love about autumn in one sweet, spiced bite. 🍂☕

Time Breakdown

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Servings: 12 donuts

Ingredients List

For the Donuts:

  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter

✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free:

  • Saucepan (for reducing cider)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk & spatula
  • Donut pan (for baking) or deep pan (for frying)
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Measuring cups & spoons

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

  1. 🍎 Reduce the cider: Pour apple cider into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until reduced to ½ cup (about 10–15 minutes). Cool slightly.
  2. 🧈 Mix the wet ingredients: In a bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in reduced apple cider.
  3. 🥣 Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  4. 🍩 Make the batter: Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Don’t overmix!
  5. 🔥 Bake or fry:
    • Baked version: Spoon batter into greased donut pans (¾ full) and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
    • Fried version: Heat oil to 350°F and fry spoonfuls of batter until golden, about 1 minute per side.
  6. ✨ Coat in cinnamon sugar: Brush warm donuts with melted butter, then toss in cinnamon-sugar mix.

🎃 Serving Tip: Enjoy warm with a mug of hot apple cider or a drizzle of caramel!

💡 Pro Tips

  • Flavor Boost: Reduce cider the day before for deeper apple flavor.
  • Make Ahead: Store at room temp for 2 days or freeze up to 2 months.
  • Extra Moisture: Add 2 tablespoons applesauce for softer donuts.
  • Baked vs Fried: Baked = cake-like & soft; Fried = classic crisp outside, fluffy inside.

Nutrition Table

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
1 donut2303g32g9g1g18g