Baked Apple Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar – Easy, Healthy, and Perfect for Fall Baking

Why You’ll Love This Baked Apple Donuts

• Ease of preparation: This baked apple donuts recipe is simple and quick, needing only minimal ingredients and about 20-25 minutes of cooking time. It’s perfect for those who want a delicious treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Health benefits: Made with fresh apples and baked rather than fried, these donuts offer a nutritious twist. They provide natural sweetness that reduces the need for excess sugar, along with fiber and vitamins for wellness.
• Versatility: Easily adapted to diverse dietary preferences, baked apple donuts can be made vegan, gluten-free, or low-calorie by swapping a few ingredients, making them accessible to everyone.
• Distinctive flavor: Infused with warm apple pie spices and fresh applesauce, these donuts stand out from ordinary varieties with their cozy autumn aroma and tender crumb texture.

Essential Ingredients for Baked Apple Donuts

Here is the complete list of ingredients needed to create these moist, tender donuts. You can substitute ingredients for specific dietary needs as explained further below.

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour blend by weight)
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar (add 1 tablespoon more for a sweeter dough, optional)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice (or pumpkin pie spice: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves)
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon regular salt)
• 1/2 cup (158g) unsweetened applesauce (smooth preferred for a cake-like texture)
• 1/4 cup (60g) olive oil (can swap with canola, vegetable, sunflower, or neutral oil)
• 3/4 cup (180g) milk or almond milk (almond for vegan options)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Optional additions: 1 large egg (omit for vegan), 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness and moisture

For Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (vegan butter or neutral oil for dairy-free)
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or apple pie spice

How to Prepare the Perfect Baked Apple Donuts: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Thoroughly grease two donut pans, including the center holes, with butter, oil, or nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, apple pie spice, and salt until evenly combined.
3. In a separate bowl, blend the applesauce, oil, milk, vanilla extract, and if using, egg and maple syrup, mixing well.
4. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until combined; avoid overmixing. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
5. Using a piping bag, a ziplock bag with a corner cut off, or a spoon, fill the donut molds nearly full, about a heaping 1/4 cup per cavity.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Adjust time if using mini donut pans.
7. Allow donuts to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
8. Dip each donut in melted butter or for a lighter option, applesauce, then immediately roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
9. Serve the donuts warm for best texture and flavor. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-3 days and gently reheat before serving.

These baked apple donuts make a warm, cozy breakfast or a comforting afternoon snack perfect for fall.

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Baked Apple Donuts

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

• Omit eggs for vegan versions; applesauce sufficiently binds the batter. Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons water as an egg replacer.
• Use almond milk or other plant-based milks in place of dairy milk for vegan and dairy-free options.
• Replace olive oil with coconut oil or other neutral oils as preferred.

Flour and Sweetener Modifications

• Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe gluten-free. Refer to Tips for Baking with Gluten-Free Flour for best results.
• Use natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey in place of sugar to add moisture and flavor nuances.

Flavor and Spice Variations

• Customize the apple pie spice blend by adjusting cinnamon, nutmeg, or adding ginger and cloves to suit taste.
• For a richer texture, swirl in chopped nuts or a bit of caramel before baking.

Mastering Baked Apple Donuts: Advanced Tips and Variations

• Pro cooking techniques: Use room temperature ingredients to create an even batter and reduce baking inconsistencies. Using a piping bag to fill donut molds yields uniform shapes and thickness.
• Flavor twists: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for texture. Swirl in cream cheese or caramel fillings as a special surprise inside.
• Presentation ideas: Dust donuts lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle with a spiced glaze. Garnish with thin apple slices or fresh mint leaves for a fresh look.
• Make-ahead tips: Prepare the batter the night before and refrigerate to deepen flavors; bake fresh the next day. Baked donuts freeze well for up to one month when wrapped tightly, then reheat gently.

How to Store Baked Apple Donuts: Best Practices

Baking larger batches and portioning donuts into sealed containers simplifies busy mornings or snack times, while labeling storage dates ensures freshness.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Apple Donuts

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🍩 Experience fall’s cozy flavors with these easy, healthy baked apple donuts topped with cinnamon sugar.
🍏 Perfect for breakfast or a midday treat, these donuts are moist and tender with a hint of warm spices.

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 donuts 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour blend by weight)

1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar (add 1 tablespoon more for a sweeter dough, optional)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice (or pumpkin pie spice: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves)

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon regular salt)

1/2 cup (158g) unsweetened applesauce (smooth preferred for a cake-like texture)

1/4 cup (60g) olive oil (can swap with canola, vegetable, sunflower, or neutral oil)

3/4 cup (180g) milk or almond milk (almond for vegan options)

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Optional additions: 1 large egg (omit for vegan), 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness and moisture

4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (vegan butter or neutral oil for dairy-free)

1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or apple pie spice

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Instructions

1-Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Thoroughly grease two donut pans, including the center holes, with butter, oil, or nonstick spray.

2-In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, apple pie spice, and salt until evenly combined.

3-In a separate bowl, blend the applesauce, oil, milk, vanilla extract, and if using, egg and maple syrup, mixing well.

4-Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until combined; avoid overmixing. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.

5-Using a piping bag, a ziplock bag with a corner cut off, or a spoon, fill the donut molds nearly full, about a heaping 1/4 cup per cavity.

6-Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Adjust time if using mini donut pans.

7-Allow donuts to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

8-Dip each donut in melted butter or for a lighter option, applesauce, then immediately roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.

9-Serve the donuts warm for best texture and flavor. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-3 days and gently reheat before serving.

Last Step:

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Notes

📏 Use a kitchen scale to measure flour accurately for a light texture.
🥄 Smooth applesauce yields a more uniform cake-like donut.
🌱 For vegan or dairy-free versions, swap milk and butter with plant-based alternatives and use oil instead of butter in the topping if needed.

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cooling: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 donut
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 160mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 15mg