Baked Apple Donuts 🍎🍩 – A Cozy Fall Treat You’ll Love!

🍩 Introduction: Why You’ll Love These Baked Apple Donuts

If you’re craving a cozy fall breakfast or a sweet snack that’s light, flavorful, and easy to make, Baked Apple Donuts are your answer. They combine the rich flavor of apples, warm cinnamon spices, and a tender, cake-like texture—all without the guilt of frying. Whether you’re baking for a weekend brunch, prepping for back-to-school mornings, or simply satisfying a seasonal sweet tooth, this homemade apple donut recipe checks all the boxes.

Unlike store-bought donuts that often come packed with preservatives or fried in heavy oils, these homemade baked apple donuts are made with fresh ingredients, are lower in fat, and can be customized to your liking. Plus, your kitchen will smell like a fall wonderland while they bake!

---

📝 Ingredients for Baked Apple Donuts

Here’s everything you need to whip up these delightful baked apple donuts from scratch:

🍎 Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar

• 1 ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)

• ¼ tsp salt

🍏 Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup peeled and finely grated apple (about 1 large apple)

• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

• 2 large eggs

• ⅓ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)

• ¼ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

🍯 Cinnamon Sugar Topping (Optional but Recommended):

• ¼ cup melted butter

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

---

🥣 How to Make Baked Apple Donuts

Follow these simple steps for the fluffiest, most flavorful baked apple donuts.

🔪 Step 1: Preheat & Prep

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Lightly grease a donut pan or spray with nonstick spray. If you don’t have a donut pan, see the “Tips & Variations” section for an easy workaround.

🧂 Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• Flour

• Sugar

• Baking powder

• Baking soda

• Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)

• Salt

This ensures even distribution and prevents clumping.

🍏 Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, combine:

• Grated apple

• Applesauce

• Eggs

• Oil

• Milk

• Vanilla extract

Stir well until fully combined.

🥄 Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

• Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients.

• Gently stir using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Do not overmix — a few small lumps are okay.

🧁 Step 5: Fill Donut Pan

• Spoon or pipe the batter into your prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.

Pro Tip: Using a piping bag (or ziplock with the tip cut off) makes filling the pan easier and neater.

🔥 Step 6: Bake

• Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until the tops spring back lightly when touched and a toothpick comes out clean.

❄️ Step 7: Cool & Add Topping

• Let the donuts cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.

• While still warm, brush each donut with melted butter, then dip in cinnamon sugar.

---

🍽️ Serving Ideas

• Enjoy with hot apple cider or pumpkin spice latte

• Serve with a drizzle of maple glaze

• Add chopped toasted pecans for crunch

• Pair with vanilla Greek yogurt for breakfast

---

✅ Nutritional Information

Note: Values are approximate and depend on specific ingredients used.

---

💡 Tips & Variations

🍂 Pro Baking Tips:

• Use a sweet-tart apple like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for a balanced flavor.

• Don’t overmix the batter — overmixing leads to dense donuts.

• Grease the donut pan well to ensure easy removal.

🌟 Recipe Variations:

• Gluten-Free: Substitute flour with 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

• Vegan: Use flax eggs (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water per egg), almond milk, and coconut oil.

• Add-ins: Mix in mini chocolate chips or chopped walnuts.

• Glazed Version: Make a simple glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar + 1–2 tbsp milk + ½ tsp vanilla.

---

🧊 Storage & Reheating

🥶 How to Store:

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

• Refrigerate: Up to 5 days in a sealed container.

• Freeze: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze up to 2 months.

🔥 How to Reheat:

• Microwave: Heat for 10–15 seconds to refresh softness.

• Oven/Toaster Oven: Warm at 300°F (150°C) for 5–7 minutes for a crisp edge.

Avoid reheating glazed or sugared donuts too long to prevent melting.

---

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the applesauce – It adds moisture and enhances apple flavor.

• Overbaking – These donuts bake quickly. Dry texture comes from even 2 minutes too long.

• Overfilling the pan – Filling over ¾ full can cause donuts to rise over the pan and lose shape.

• Grating the apple too coarsely – Fine grating ensures even moisture and distribution.

---

❓ FAQs

1. Can I make these baked apple donuts ahead of time?

Yes! They store beautifully and can even be frozen. Reheat before serving for fresh-from-the-oven taste.

---

2. What if I don’t have a donut pan?

Use a muffin tin and place rolled-up foil in the center of each cavity to mimic a donut shape, or bake as muffins and adjust baking time by a few extra minutes.

---

3. Can I use canned apple pie filling instead of fresh apples?

For the best texture, fresh grated apple is ideal. But finely chopped canned filling can work in a pinch — just reduce added sugar slightly.

---

4. How can I make them less sweet?

Cut sugar to ½ cup in the batter and skip the cinnamon sugar topping for a less sweet, more breakfast-friendly version.

---

💬 Final Thoughts: Save This Baked Apple Donut Recipe!

Whether you’re baking for brunch, meal prepping breakfast, or simply embracing cozy fall flavors, these easy homemade baked apple donuts are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They’re soft, perfectly spiced, and full of real apple goodness—without frying.

If you love this recipe, don’t forget to save it on Pinterest, share it with friends, or bookmark it for the next chilly morning when you crave something sweet and satisfying. 🍎🍩