Looking for the perfect Fall treat? Look no further than this gluten free apple cider donut recipe. Coated in a cinnamon sugar mixture, they are the perfect gluten free treat and is full of fall flavors.
Fall is the best time of year. You can head to the apple orchard and go apple picking, get fresh apple cider, and make gluten-free apple cider doughnuts (even better homemade apple cider donuts). They have all the flavor of fried doughnuts except they are baked and can therefore be qualified under your healthy apple recipes. The delicious apple cider flavor comes from the fresh cider that goes into this recipe, and the ground cinnamon and cinnamon-sugar mixture on top just transports you to a happy place.
Tip: Baking is way easier than making fried apple cider donuts
Typically when we think of donuts, we think of the fried donut that has that shiny glaze on top. These are not those type of donuts. The beauty of the apple cider donut is that by baking it, you are not missing out on anything, I think the opposite. You are allowing the donut to be more cake like, a bit dense, and just packed full of flavor (without all of the mess).
What about using an air fryer?
Again, just bake them. It is less mess, less fuss, and the results are super delicious.
What is the origin of apple cider donuts?
Apple Cider Donuts enter the mainstream donut world in the 1950s. They were first introduced by the Doughnut Corporation of America. The DCA was founded by a Russian immigrant named Adolph Levitt in the 1920s. Apple Cider Donuts were considered a seasonal treat initially (as the cider would be readily available in the Fall) however now with our grocery stores and cider being easily accessible all year long, they no longer have to remain a Fall treat! You can enjoy them all year round.
Can you use apple juice instead of apple cider for donuts? Are they healthy?
Traditionally, you would want to use apple cider for these donuts but if you cannot get your hands on any, then yes, you can supplement apple juice. You will just need to boil it down to help amp up the apple flavor (I will discuss this below).
The perk to these being a baked apple cider donut recipe is that they are substantially healthier than any fried donut would be!
Equipment to make gluten-free apple cider donuts
Wire Rack
Small saucepan or pot
Doughnut pan
Large mixing bowl (or a stand mixer- really any large bowl is fine)
Cooling rack
Measuring cup
What do you need to make baked apple cider donuts?
- 2 cups of gluten free flour *
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter (it doesn’t need to be room temperature as it is melted)
- ½ cup milk (I use 2% regular milk)
- 1 ½ cup apple cider (you will boil this down to ½ cup)
- 1 egg
- 1.5 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
*Remember that not all gluten-free flour is created equal. For best results, use King Arthur Measure for Measure flour with xanthan gum. Using something like almond flour will not work for this recipe, you need to use a gluten free all purpose flour. Some people only have access to Bob’s Red Mill and while it is okay to use that, I cannot guarantee the quality of your gluten free donuts as I do not use that flour.
*Please note that I have not tried to make this vegan (i.e. using vegan butter, flax eggs, chia eggs, almond milk etc). The best way to ensure that you get the best results is to follow the recipe card as closely as possible. If you do wish to try to make it vegan, leave me a comment down below to tell me how it turns out.
How do you make this gluten free apple cider donut recipe?
In a heavy bottom pot: place the apple cider and boil it down until ½ cup remains. By boiling it down, you are amping up the flavor so much! It is a step that you shouldn’t miss. If you simply don’t have time, then fine, but I suggest you do not. In the meantime, set your oven to 350°F.
In a bowl: mix the dry ingredients. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and sugars. Whisk until they all come together.
Mix wet ingredients: Add the vanilla, egg, melted butter, milk, and apple cider and whisk together. The batter should now be good to go!
Spray a donut tin: with a non-stick spray. Transfer your donut batter into a piping bag and then pip the batter into the donut pan. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Make cinnamon sugar coating: In a bowl add cinnamon and sugar (the amount is up to you
Remove from the oven: and take the donuts out of the donut pan. )Dip them in the cinnamon-sugar coating. Set them on the side while you dip them all and enjoy!
How can I store these gluten free apple cider donuts?
These apple cider donuts are best eaten day of (and or the next day). If you want you can freeze them, but, I still suggest consuming within the first 48 hours of baking them. If you do freeze them, I suggest a ziplock bag that is made to withstand the freezer or if you are keeping them on your counter then an airtight container.
WHY SHOULD I MAKE THIS GLUTEN FREE APPLE CIDER DONUT RECIPE?
The first time you make your own gluten free apple cider donuts at home can be a bit tricky (as all things are with baking) but you get the hang of it in no time. The real apple cider flavor is the best because it is essentially unfiltered apple juice (but better) gives such a great flavor. Using the real thing makes these the best apple cider donuts. You don’t have to go to New England this fall to have an ideal fall experience. By using the donut tin you get the perfect shape for your donut and most people won’t even know that this is a gluten free version of the classic apple cider donut.
Looking for other recipes?
Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups of gluten free flour I like King Arthur for this recipe
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoon butter melted
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ½ cup apple cider you will boil this down to ½ cup
- 1 egg
- 1.5 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In a bowl add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and sugars. Whisk until they all come together. Add the vanilla, egg, melted butter, milk, and apple cider and whisk together. The batter should now be good to go!
- Spray a donut tin with a non-stick spray. Transfer your batter into a piping bag and then pip the batter into the donut pan. Bake for 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and take them out of the donut pan. In a bowl add cinnamon and sugar (the amount is up to you) and dip them in. Set them on the side while you dip them all and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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Amanda says
I’m normally not a baked doughnut girl, but these look so darn tasty! Great video, Laura!
siftrva says
Thanks, Amanda! I hope these make you a convert!
Dianna Wilson says
These taste as good as they look!
siftrva says
You bet!
Damian says
Can you fry these instead of bake?
Sift | Gluten Free says
Hi Damian,
the way the batter is made is really meant to bake the donuts. If you want to try frying them, I would suggest piping them onto parchment paper, freezing them, and then trying to fry them. I still feel though that baked would yield the best results!
Karina says
These look seriously delicious! I can’t wait to bake them with my daughter this weekend. Perfect Fall treat.
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
I hope you love them!
Charlotte says
I love donuts especially ones that are healthier and not deep-fried! Thanks for this great recipe for baked apple cider donuts! I find when I eat gluten-free I feel so much better and with this recipe I don’t have to sacrifice my treats!
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
Yes! Being gluten free doesn’t mean having to go without.
Tiffany says
These look absolutely perfect! I can’t wait to try them.
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
Hope you love them, Tiffany!
Karishma says
Apple cider donuts are my *favorite* fall treat, and I can’t wait to try this recipe to share with a gluten-free friend of mine!
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
Yes! I hope they love them!
Natalie says
Wow! These apple cider donuts look heavenly! I’m going to try them with Bob’s Red Mill and with Jules gluten-free flour. I’ll
let you know how how they turn out. Thanks for sharing!
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
Love Jules! Bet they turn out great!
Julie C says
This is the perfect fall recipe if you are looking for a gluten-free treat this is it!!!
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
Thanks, Julie!
Braghan says
These look fantastic! I love to make special breakfast foods on the weekend for my family and I definitely added this to our menu for Saturday!
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
Yay! Hope you love them.
Alessandra says
I just want to say that every fall I struggle with my love of apple cider donuts and my gluten intolerance. So I just want to say, THANK YOU! And I love that it only uses a cup of sugar for the whole batch. I can’t wait to make this with my kids!
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
Aw yay, I’m so glad!
Tressa says
I was hesitant because I am not much of a baker, but your recipe make it really easy. Thank you for sharing.
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
Thanks, Tressa!
Deepti says
I loved the healthy version of these donuts! And Apple in desserts is my all-time favorite. looks so perfectly made and utterly delicious!!
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
Apple is just the best!
Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky says
what says Autumn better than these??
Bonnie says
These look wonderful. Which KA flour did you use?
Laura Sirkovsky-Kauffman says
Hey Bonnie!
Thank you!
I always use the King Arthur Measure for Measure flour. It is gluten free and it has xanthan gum already in the mix.
Enjoy!