Name: Apple Cider Donut Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups apple cider; 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting); ⅔ cup brown sugar (packed); 2 teaspoons baking powder; ¾ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon allspice; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; 2 large eggs; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled); Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil recommended); Cinnamon sugar (for coating)

Learn how to make this authenticApple Cider Donuts Recipefor 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.

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!

🩷

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 abatch of pumpkin donuts, too.

Happy baking! 🍎🍩

Ingredient Notes

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.
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.
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.
Cinnamon Sugar (for Coating):Cinnamon-sugarfor 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.

Popular Substitutions & Variations

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.

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!

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 flavorthan 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 ofapple cider,hot chocolate, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

You can also enjoy them with adrizzle of caramel sauceor 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.