Wonderfully spiced, moist, and fluffy, these Vegan Apple Cider Donuts are a quintessential taste of fall. Baked instead of fried, they offer a lighter, healthier twist on a classic treat while bursting with warm, inviting autumnal flavors. Perfect for a cozy morning or an afternoon pick-me-up, they are surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to delight friends and family alike!

stack of donuts, one with a bite taken out

Baked Vegan Apple Cider Donuts: Your Ultimate Fall Treat

As the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of red and gold, and the crisp autumn air carries the scent of woodsmoke and spices, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a batch of homemade apple cider donuts. These sweet, fall-flavored delights are an absolute dream come true for anyone seeking a plant-based treat that captures the essence of autumn. Baked to golden perfection, they boast a soft, fluffy texture and are brimming with the warm, comforting taste of fresh apples and aromatic spices. Imagine biting into a donut that feels like a cozy hug – that’s exactly what these offer. They evoke the nostalgic joy of classic apple pie or a comforting apple crisp, all neatly packed into a delightful donut shape.

What makes these donuts truly special is that they are baked, not fried. This means less mess, less oil, and a lighter indulgence without compromising on flavor or texture. You get all the incredible taste and satisfying chewiness of a traditional donut, but with a more wholesome feel. Preparing these vegan apple cider donuts is a straightforward process, making them accessible even for novice bakers. The ingredients are simple and readily available, with just one special piece of equipment needed: a donut pan. This handy tool ensures beautifully shaped, uniform donuts every single time, giving your homemade creations a professional touch.

Whether you’re hosting a fall brunch, looking for a sweet addition to your holiday spread, or simply craving a delightful treat on a chilly afternoon, these vegan apple cider donuts are an unbeatable choice. While they are a staple for autumn, their inviting flavors make them enjoyable any time of year. If you’re a fan of classic comfort, don’t miss our cinnamon sugar vegan donuts for another delectable option.

Why Choose Baked Over Fried? The Healthier, Easier Donut Option

While the allure of a freshly fried donut is undeniable, baking offers a fantastic alternative with numerous benefits, especially when it comes to homemade treats. Our vegan apple cider donuts are a testament to how baking can achieve incredible texture and flavor. By choosing to bake, you significantly reduce the amount of oil needed, resulting in a lighter donut that’s easier on the digestive system and generally considered a healthier option. This method also eliminates the need for large quantities of hot oil, making the entire cooking process much safer and less messy. No more splattering oil, no lingering fried food smell in your kitchen, and significantly easier cleanup!

Baked donuts often boast a cake-like crumb, which perfectly complements the moist, apple-infused batter. They rise beautifully in the oven, becoming wonderfully fluffy and tender. Many people find the rich, full flavor of baked goods to be more pronounced, as the ingredients aren’t competing with the heavy taste of frying oil. This method allows the natural sweetness of the apple cider and the warmth of the spices to truly shine through. Plus, the ease of simply spooning batter into a pan and letting the oven do the work is a huge time-saver compared to the multi-step process of frying, which often involves temperature control and flipping. So, for a delicious, lighter, and hassle-free donut experience, baking is definitely the way to go!

The Essence of Autumn: Celebrating Apple Cider in Baking

Apple cider isn’t just a delightful beverage; it’s a magical ingredient that brings a unique depth of flavor and moistness to baked goods, especially in these vegan apple cider donuts. Unlike apple juice, apple cider is typically unfiltered and unsweetened, retaining more of the apple’s natural tartness and complex fruity notes. This unfiltered quality contributes to a richer, more authentic apple taste in your donuts, making them far more flavorful than if you were to simply use apple juice.

When apple cider is incorporated into the donut batter, its natural acidity reacts with the leavening agents, helping the donuts rise beautifully and achieve that coveted light and airy texture. As the donuts bake, the cider’s moisture infuses every crumb, ensuring a wonderfully tender and moist result. Beyond flavor and texture, apple cider also adds an aromatic quality to your kitchen, filling your home with the warm, inviting scent of fall as these treats bake. For the best possible flavor, we highly recommend using a good quality, organic apple cider. The subtle differences in cider can elevate your donuts from merely good to truly extraordinary, capturing the very essence of autumn in every single bite. It’s the secret ingredient that truly transforms these from simple donuts into an iconic fall indulgence.

Essential Equipment for Homemade Donuts

Creating perfect homemade donuts is simpler than you might think, especially with the right tools. For this baked vegan apple cider donut recipe, the most crucial piece of equipment you’ll need is a **donut pan**. These pans typically have six cavities designed specifically to give your donuts their classic ring shape. They are widely available online and in most kitchen supply stores. Using a donut pan ensures that each donut bakes evenly and maintains its shape, resulting in consistent, aesthetically pleasing treats every time.

While a donut pan is ideal, don’t let its absence deter you from making these delicious treats! If you don’t own a donut pan, a **standard muffin pan** can be easily used as a substitute. You’ll simply fill the muffin cavities about three-quarters of the way full, and while they won’t have the traditional donut hole, they will still yield incredibly moist and flavorful apple cider muffins. The baking time will be slightly longer for muffins, but the taste will be just as comforting. Another useful tool is a **large mixing bowl** for combining ingredients, a **whisk** for dry ingredients, and a **rubber spatula or large spoon** for folding in wet ingredients without overmixing. For a neater way to fill the donut cavities, a **piping bag with a large round tip** can be incredibly helpful, though a spoon works perfectly fine too. With just a few basic kitchen items, you’ll be whipping up these delightful fall donuts in no time!

Decoding the Ingredients: What You Need and Why

Making delicious vegan apple cider donuts relies on a thoughtful combination of pantry staples and a few key plant-based alternatives. Here’s a closer look at each ingredient and its role in creating these moist and flavorful treats:

Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: This flour is key for achieving a tender crumb. It has a lower protein content than regular whole wheat flour, resulting in a lighter texture that’s perfect for baked goods like donuts. If you don’t have it, all-purpose flour works wonderfully as a direct substitute, producing a slightly chewier result. For a gluten-free option, a good quality 1:1 gluten-free baking mix can be used.
Granulated Sugar: Provides essential sweetness and contributes to the golden-brown crust. You can also experiment with coconut sugar for a less refined option with a subtle caramel note, or even light brown sugar for added moisture and a deeper flavor profile.
Baking Powder: Our primary leavening agent. Baking powder is crucial for giving the donuts their fluffy, airy texture, ensuring they rise beautifully in the oven. Always make sure your baking powder is fresh for the best results.
Salt: A small but mighty ingredient, salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and making the apple and spice notes truly pop. Don’t skip it!
Ground Cinnamon: The star spice that provides that classic warm, comforting fall flavor. Feel free to amplify the autumnal vibes by adding a pinch of other ground spices like nutmeg, ginger, allspice, or cardamom. A combination of these can create a truly complex and inviting aroma.
Apple Cider: This is where the signature flavor comes from. Using quality organic apple cider will yield the most authentic and robust apple taste, infusing the donuts with its tangy and sweet notes. Avoid apple juice, which is often sweeter and lacks the same depth of flavor.
Soy Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients together, creating a cohesive batter. Unsweetened soy milk is recommended, but other non-dairy milks like almond, oat, or hemp milk can be used interchangeably. Ensure it’s at room temperature or slightly warmed to prevent hardening the melted fat.
Applesauce: This ingredient is a triple threat – it adds moisture, natural sweetness, and can help reduce the amount of added fat. Unsweetened applesauce is best to control the sugar content. As a delicious alternative, you can use apple butter for an even richer apple flavor. In a pinch, 3 tablespoons of additional melted vegan butter can replace the applesauce, though it will change the donut’s texture slightly.
Vegan Butter (melted) or Coconut Oil (melted): Provides essential fat for richness, tenderness, and a delicate crumb. If you don’t have store-bought vegan butter, you can easily make your own, or simply opt for melted coconut oil, which works just as effectively and adds a subtle tropical hint.

How to Make Baked Vegan Apple Cider Donuts: A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting these delectable vegan apple cider donuts is a simple and rewarding process. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly moist, fluffy, and spiced donuts every time:

Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your donut pan (or two, if you have them for a larger batch) with non-stick spray or a thin layer of vegan butter. This step is crucial to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of your baked donuts.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour (or your chosen substitute), granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. Whisking thoroughly ensures that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which is vital for uniform rising and consistent flavor.
Add Wet Ingredients: To the dry mixture, pour in the apple cider, soy milk (ensure it’s at room temperature or slightly warmed), unsweetened applesauce, and the melted vegan butter or coconut oil.
Mix Gently to Combine: Using a large spoon or spatula, mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Stir until just combined and no dry streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as overworking the gluten can result in tough, dense donuts. A few small lumps are perfectly fine!
Fill the Donut Pan: Spoon the batter into each cavity of the prepared donut pan, filling them approximately three-quarters of the way full. For a neater and more even distribution, you can transfer the batter to a piping bag with a large round tip and pipe it into the molds. This technique ensures consistent donut shapes.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the donut pan in your preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. The donuts are ready when their edges are lightly golden brown and they spring back gently when lightly pressed with a fingertip. Overbaking can dry them out, so keep a close eye on them.
Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Topping: While your donuts are baking, prepare the irresistible cinnamon sugar topping. In a small bowl, stir together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until well combined. In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, melt the vegan butter or coconut oil until completely liquid.
Cool and Coat: Once baked, remove the donuts from the oven and let them cool in the pan for just 2 minutes. This brief cooling period helps them firm up before handling. Then, carefully invert them onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, brush each donut liberally with the melted coconut oil or vegan butter on all sides. Immediately after brushing, dip them into the cinnamon sugar mixture, turning to coat evenly. For a slightly less sweet option, you can simply brush the top and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Serve and Enjoy: These vegan apple cider donuts are best served fresh, ideally on the same day they are made, to enjoy their optimal texture and flavor.

collage of how to make donuts, step by step

Common Questions & Troubleshooting for Perfect Donuts

Even with a straightforward recipe, you might have a few questions or encounter common baking scenarios. Here are some helpful answers and tips to ensure your vegan apple cider donuts turn out perfectly every time:

Can I make these into muffins if I don’t have a donut pan?

Absolutely! If a donut pan isn’t available, you can easily transform this recipe into delicious apple cider muffins. Prepare the batter exactly as instructed. Instead of a donut pan, spoon the batter about three-quarters of the way full into a greased muffin tin. Bake the muffins for a slightly longer duration, typically 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You can still brush them with melted butter or oil and dip them in cinnamon sugar for that signature donut-like topping.

Can these donuts be made gluten-free?

Yes, they certainly can! To make these vegan apple cider donuts gluten-free, simply swap the whole wheat pastry flour with a good quality 1:1 gluten-free baking mix. Ensure the mix contains xanthan gum or add a small amount (about ½ teaspoon per cup of flour) if it doesn’t, as this helps with structure and prevents crumbling. While oat flour *might* work, I haven’t specifically tested it, and it could yield a denser texture. Stick with a reliable gluten-free blend for the best results, as different flours absorb liquid differently.

Is it possible to make these donuts without oil?

For an oil-free version, you can make a few simple adjustments. In the donut batter, substitute the 2 tablespoons of melted vegan butter or coconut oil with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce (or a similar fruit puree like mashed banana). For the topping, skip brushing the baked donuts with melted butter or oil. Instead, immediately after they come out of the oven, while still warm, dip them directly into the cinnamon sugar mixture. The residual warmth and moisture on the donut’s surface will help the sugar stick surprisingly well, still providing a delightful sweet and spiced crust.

a donut being dipped and sprinkled in cinnamon sugar

Helpful Recipe Tips for the Best Vegan Apple Cider Donuts

Achieving bakery-quality vegan apple cider donuts at home is easier with a few expert tips. These suggestions will help you fine-tune your baking process and elevate your final product:

Mind the Temperature of Your Liquids: If your soy milk (or other non-dairy milk) is cold from the refrigerator, gently warm it in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute until it’s lukewarm. This is particularly important when using coconut oil in your batter, as cold liquids can cause the melted coconut oil to harden and clump, leading to an uneven texture in your donuts. Room temperature or slightly warm liquids ensure everything mixes smoothly.
Evenly Fill Your Donut Pan: For uniformly shaped donuts, a piping bag fitted with a large round tip is your best friend. It allows for precise and even distribution of the batter into each donut cavity. If you don’t have a piping bag, don’t worry! A simple spoon works just as well; just take care to fill each cavity consistently about three-quarters of the way full.
Explore Topping Variations: While the cinnamon sugar coating is classic and absolutely delicious, feel free to get creative with your toppings! Instead of cinnamon sugar, you could make a simple vanilla sugar glaze. This involves whisking powdered sugar with a splash of non-dairy milk and a drop of vanilla extract until smooth. You could even drizzle them with a maple glaze for extra fall flavor or sprinkle them with chopped toasted pecans for added crunch. For inspiration, check out the glaze recipe in my Glazed Chocolate Donut recipe.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: This is a golden rule in baking, especially for cakes and donuts. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, which can result in tough, dense donuts instead of light and fluffy ones. Mix until the ingredients are just combined and no streaks of dry flour remain. A few small lumps are perfectly acceptable.

How to Store Leftover Vegan Apple Cider Donuts

While these vegan apple cider donuts are undeniably best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, or at least on the same day they are baked, proper storage can help extend their deliciousness. The buttery or oily coating tends to soak into the pastry over time, slightly softening the crisp exterior, but they remain wonderfully moist and flavorful.

For any leftovers, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep well for up to 2 days. To refresh them slightly, you can warm them briefly in a microwave or a toaster oven for a few minutes before serving. This can help bring back some of their original warmth and softness.

If you’ve made a larger batch or want to prepare them in advance, the plain baked donuts (before coating with cinnamon sugar) freeze beautifully. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe plastic bag or an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply transfer the frozen donuts to the refrigerator to defrost for a few hours, or let them come to room temperature on the counter. Once defrosted, you can then apply the melted vegan butter or coconut oil and cinnamon sugar coating for a freshly finished treat.

More Sweet & Savory Vegan Recipes for Fall

When the chilly weather arrives and you’re craving comforting, warm flavors, these additional plant-based recipes are perfect for celebrating the abundance of fall ingredients. Dive into these delightful treats and discover new seasonal favorites:

Vegan Apple Crisp: A classic dessert featuring tender baked apples crowned with a crispy, spiced oat topping.
Vegan Apple Cake: A moist and tender cake packed with chunks of fresh apple and warm spices, perfect for any occasion.
Vegan Pumpkin Cake Bars: Delightful, spiced pumpkin bars with a creamy frosting, ideal for gatherings or a simple dessert.
Vegan Pecan Bars: Rich, buttery, and incredibly nutty, these bars offer a taste of Southern comfort, perfect for the holidays.
Vegan Pumpkin Muffins: Fluffy, moist muffins bursting with pumpkin flavor and warm spices, a great start to any fall morning.

horizontal stack of sugar glazed donuts, apples in background

Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

square image of stack of donuts, cider in background

Wonderfully spiced, moist, and fluffy, these Vegan Apple Cider Donuts are baked instead of fried and infused with warm fall flavors. A perfect Fall treat and easy enough to make any day of the week. Friends and family will love them!

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Servings: 12 donuts
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Nora Taylor

Ingredients

Donuts

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or white all-purpose flour)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup apple cider
1/4 cup soy milk (or other non-dairy milk)
3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons melted vegan butter or coconut oil

Topping

3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons melted vegan butter or coconut oil

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175°C) and spray a donut pan (or two) with non-stick spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Pour in the apple cider, soy milk, applesauce, and melted vegan butter or coconut oil. Mix well with a large spoon to combine, but do not overmix.
Spoon the batter into the donut pan, or use a piping bag with a large tip to pipe it evenly into each donut cavity, filling about 3/4 of the way full.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden brown and they spring back when lightly pressed.
Cool in the pan for about 2 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Continue with all of the remaining batter.
While they are baking, make the topping: Stir together the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, then melt the vegan butter or coconut oil in a separate bowl.
Brush each donut with a little vegan butter or coconut oil on all sides, then dip into the sugar-cinnamon mixture to coat well. You could also just brush the top and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar instead of coating the entire donut.
Enjoy! They are best served right away but can be kept in an airtight container for 2 days.

Notes

Gluten-Free Option: A good quality 1:1 gluten-free flour mix should work well. Oat flour or spelt flour may also be possible but haven’t been thoroughly tested.
Oil-Free Option: For the batter, substitute more applesauce for the oil. For the coating, skip brushing with butter/oil; instead, coat warm donuts directly in cinnamon sugar for it to stick.
Sugar Substitution: Coconut sugar can be used as a substitute for granulated sugar if desired.
Applesauce Alternative: If you don’t have applesauce, you may substitute with apple butter, plain non-dairy yogurt, or simply use an additional 3 tablespoons of vegan butter/coconut oil for richness.

Nutrition (per 1 donut serving)