u003cstrongu003eCan doughnuts be baked instead of fried?u003c/strongu003e

Absolutely! Baking donuts in a donut pan gives them a soft, cake-like texture without needing to deep fry. While fried donuts are more yeasty and chewy, baked donuts are fluffier and lighter. They’re also easier, faster, and a little less indulgent, making them perfect for home bakers.

u003cstrongu003eAre apple cider donuts baked?u003c/strongu003e

Yes! Traditionally, many apple cider donuts are fried, but this recipe bakes them in the oven. You’ll still get soft, fluffy donuts with a spiced sugar coating, but without the mess of hot oil. Baking also makes them easier to prepare at home, especially if you don’t have a deep fryer.

u003cstrongu003eWhat is so special about apple cider donuts?u003c/strongu003e

Apple cider donuts are a fall classic because they capture everything we love about the season in one bite: warm spices, cozy apple flavor, and that nostalgic orchard treat vibe. Reducing apple cider concentrates its flavor, making each donut taste sweet, spiced, and perfectly autumnal. They’re basically fall wrapped in cinnamon sugar.

u003cstrongu003eAre apple cider donuts healthier than regular donuts?u003c/strongu003e

Baked apple cider donuts are a bit lighter than fried donuts since they’re made without hot oil. They still taste indulgent but aren’t as heavy or greasy. That said, they’re still a sweet treat, so enjoy them in moderation. The good news is you can enjoy two without feeling weighed down the way fried donuts sometimes do.

u003cstrongu003eDo apple cider donuts taste like apple cider?u003c/strongu003e

Yes, though the apple cider flavor is more subtle than drinking apple cider straight. Reducing the cider intensifies the apple flavor and pairs beautifully with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. The result is a donut that tastes warmly spiced with a gentle apple tang, rather than overwhelmingly sweet. It’s balanced and comforting.

u003cstrongu003eWhy do they call them apple cider donuts?u003c/strongu003e

The name comes from the main ingredient: apple cider, which is boiled down to infuse flavor into the donuts. When apple orchards in the U.S. began selling fall treats, apple cider donuts became their signature. The cider gives them a unique taste that sets them apart from plain cake donuts.

u003cstrongu003eWhere did apple cider donuts originate?u003c/strongu003e

Apple cider donuts are said to have originated in the northeastern United States, where apple orchards and cider mills are abundant. They became especially popular in New England as a seasonal treat during fall harvests. Today, they’re a staple at orchards, fairs, and pumpkin patches all over the country.

Baked Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Description

Indulge in the flavors of fall with these delicious baked apple cider donuts coated in spiced cinnamon sugar. An easy to make and cozy fall treat!

Ingredients

Scale

For the apple cider donuts:

1 ½ cups (360 grams) apple cider
1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
pinch of ground nutmeg
3 tablespoons (42 grams) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup (110 grams) light brown sugar
1/4 cup (60 grams) sour cream
2 tablespoons (30 grams) applesauce, unsweetened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

For the spiced sugar coating:

1 cup (200 grams) white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

Make the apple cider donuts:

Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare 2 donut pans by lightly spraying with cooking spray.
Add apple cider to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then continue boiling until reduced to ½ cup, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg until well combined.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled reduced apple cider, melted butter, brown sugar, sour cream, apple sauce, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then whisk until just combined and smooth (do not overmix).
Transfer the batter into a piping bag and pipe evenly into each donut cavity, filling each about ¾ full.
Bake for 10–11 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Make the spiced sugar coating:

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together white sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves until evenly combined.
Once donuts are cool enough to handle, brush with melted butter using a pastry brush. Immediately toss in the spiced sugar mixture until coated, then return to the cooling rack. Repeat with remaining donuts.

Notes

How to store: Keep cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

How to reheat: Warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh softness. Roll in extra sugar if needed.

How to freeze: Freeze cooled, uncoated donuts in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, brush with butter, and roll in spiced sugar just before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Dessert
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American