Apple Donuts Recipe – Soft, Baked, and Full of Apple Flavor

Apple donuts recipe has been one of my go-to weekend treats ever since I tried baking them in my home kitchen. I still remember the moment when the warm aroma of apples and cinnamon filled the room and the first bite was so soft, moist and full of flavour that I knew I had to share this with you. This is no ordinary dessert; it’s a fun, easy-to-make recipe that anyone from children to seasoned home bakers can enjoy.

What makes this recipe special is how friendly it is: you don’t need fancy equipment, you don’t need to fry them (so less mess!), and you can involve kids too. Whether you’re looking for a cosy breakfast treat, an after-school snack, or a dessert that’s a little bit special, these apple donuts hit the spot.

Background & Origin of Apple Donuts Recipe

The idea of combining apples and doughnut-style treats goes back to seasonal harvests and home kitchens where families wanted to make something comforting with apples. While this exact version isn’t tied to a specific country, using apples, warm spices and baking rather than deep-frying has become popular in autumn traditions in many places. Some older recipes for baked apple-donut-style treats use applesauce or grated apples to bring in the fruit flavour in a gentle way.

What is Apple Donuts Recipe?

This recipe is for baked apple donuts ring-shaped treats made with an apple-infused batter, baked in a donut pan (or adapted if you don’t have one), then coated with cinnamon-sugar to give a lovely crisp, sweet exterior and a soft, fruit-rich interior. It’s not a fried donut, so it’s a little gentler on the kitchen, and the apple flavour brings something fresh and delightful to each bite.

Why Try Apple Donuts Recipe?

You’ll want to try this recipe because it:

• Brings the sweet, comforting taste of apples and warm spices into a donut shape that feels both fun and homey.
• Is approachable for beginners and children (with supervision) yet satisfies even the experienced home baker thanks to the texture and flavour.
• Can be adapted for different dietary preferences (for example, switching oils or milk) and still delivers great results.
• Doesn’t require overly complicated steps or obscure ingredients—just good apples, common baking staples, and a bit of love.

Equipment You’ll Need

To make these apple donuts smoothly, you’ll want to gather the following equipment:

• Donut pan (ring-shaped moulds) this gives the classic donut shape. If you don’t have one, a mini muffin pan or standard muffin pan can be used with small adjustments.
• Mixing bowls one for dry ingredients, one for wet ingredients.
• Whisk and/or spatula for blending batter.
• Measuring cups and spoons to ensure correct ratios of flour, sugar, spices etc.
• Cooling rack after baking, to let the donuts cool slightly before topping.
• Small shallow bowl or plate for the cinnamon-sugar coating.
• Optional piping bag (or zip-lock bag with corner cut off) to pipe batter into the donut pan neatly (especially helpful for kids).
   Gathering the right tools helps make the process smoother and keeps things fun rather than frustrating.

Ingredients (for approximately 12 donuts)

• 2 cups (about 240 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon apple-pie spice (or a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (about 120 ml) unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ cup (60 ml) neutral-flavour oil (vegetable, canola or similar)
• ¾ cup (180 ml) milk (dairy or a plant-based milk)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• For the topping:
  
  
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (or applesauce for a lighter option)
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
     You can adjust spice levels to suit your preference (kids often like milder spices). If using applesauce for topping instead of butter, you’ll get a slightly softer set but still delicious.

How to Make Apple Donuts Recipe (Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Pre-heat & prepare: Pre-heat your oven to 190 °C (375 °F). Grease your donut pan lightly with non-stick spray or butter.
   
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, apple-pie spice and salt until evenly combined.
   
3. Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, stir together applesauce, oil, milk, vanilla extract until smooth.
   
4. Combine batter: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients bowl. Gently stir with a spatula until just combined avoid over-mixing. The batter should be thick but smooth.
   
5. Fill the pan: Transfer the batter into a piping bag or a zip-lock bag with a corner cut off (this is optional but makes it neater). Pipe or spoon batter into each donut cavity, filling about ¾ full.
   
6. Bake: Place the pan in the pre-heated oven. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Timing may vary with your oven.
   
7. Cool slightly & remove: Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then carefully remove them and place on a cooling rack.
   
8. Prepare topping: Meanwhile, mix the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Melt the butter (or have applesauce ready) in another bowl.
   
9. Coat the donuts: Once donuts are cool enough to handle (but still warm), brush or lightly dip each donut in melted butter (or applesauce), then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated. For extra crunch, you can dip again.
   
10. Serve & enjoy: Serve warm for the best texture and taste. These are at their best fresh, though they can be stored (see tips below).

Nutrition Information (approximate per donut)

While exact values depend on your ingredient choices (milk type, oil, size of donut), a rough estimate per donut might be:

• Calories: ~180-200 kcal
• Carbohydrates: ~25-30 g
• Sugar: ~10-12 g
• Fat: ~7-9 g
• Protein: ~3-4 g
   If you reduce sugar, use applesauce for the topping, or choose lower-fat milk, you can make a slightly lighter version.

How to Serve This Recipe

These donuts are best served warm, right after topping, when the exterior crisp is fresh and the inside is soft and moist. You can serve them:

• As a fun breakfast treat with a glass of milk or a hot mug of tea/coffee.
• As an after-school snack for children, perhaps with vanilla yoghurt or fruit on the side.
• For dessert, maybe alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
• At brunch gatherings: arrange them on a tray, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar, and let guests help themselves.
   For a variation, you might add a drizzle of maple syrup or a light glaze instead of cinnamon sugar, or top with chopped nuts or apple slices for decoration.

Tips & Tricks (Recipe Notes)

• Donut pan alternative: If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin pan instead just adjust baking time slightly (mixture will be thicker).
• Spice level: For younger children or milder taste, reduce the apple-pie spice or cinnamon slightly. You can always sprinkle extra if you like stronger flavour.
• Apple flavour boost: Use applesauce that is natural and unsweetened to let the apple flavour shine. You can also stir in a small amount of finely grated fresh apple for texture.
• Oil substitute: If you prefer, you can use melted butter or a plant-based oil, but stick with a neutral flavour so it doesn’t overpower the apple spice.
• Storage & reheating: These are best eaten the same day. If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. To refresh the texture, you can warm in the oven at low heat (~150 °C) for a few minutes before serving.
• Involving kids: Kids can help mix batter, pipe or spoon into pan, and roll the donuts in the topping. Just supervise the baking and topping steps carefully.
• Make-ahead tip: Batter can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to an hour; when ready, pipe into pan and bake as directed.
   These practical tips make the recipe smoother and more adaptable to your kitchen and schedule.

Benefits of This Recipe

• Fruit-rich twist: Because the recipe uses applesauce (and optionally fresh apple), you get some of the benefits of fruit (fibre, natural flavour) along with the comfort of a donut treat.
• Less frying: Being baked instead of fried means less oil absorption, making this a slightly lighter alternative to traditional fried donuts.
• Family friendly: Easily involves children and beginners in the kitchen, which builds confidence and makes cooking fun.
• Comfort food with a wholesome edge: You still get the pleasure of a donut (shape, topping, sweet bite) but with a little more home-baked goodness and fruit flavour.

FAQs

Q1: Can I make these apple donuts gluten-free?

Yes you can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. You may need to adjust liquid slightly, but the batter should hold similarly.

 Q2: Can I freeze them?

 You can freeze the baked donuts (without topping) in a freezer bag, then thaw and re-coat with fresh cinnamon sugar when ready to eat. The texture may soften slightly but will still be tasty.

 Q3: What if I don’t have a donut pan?

 Use a muffin pan (fill about ⅔ full) and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Baking time will likely be a few minutes longer.

 Q4: Can I use fresh grated apple instead of applesauce?

Yes finely grate one medium apple, gently fold into the batter after mixing wet and dry ingredients. The batter will be slightly thicker; bake accordingly.

 Q5: How do I make them vegan?

Use plant-based milk, replace oil with a neutral plant oil, and for the topping use applesauce or melted vegan butter. Also ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly. The result will still work well.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a treat that feels special but is genuinely easy to make, the apple donuts recipe is an excellent choice. This delicious blend of apple-infused batter, warm spices and a crisp cinnamon-sugar coating will delight kids, families and anyone who loves a sweet baked good with character. Try it this weekend, and watch how fast they disappear!