Soft fluffy vegan donuts covered in sweet and crunchy cinnamon sugar is the PERFECT Fall treat! This vegan apple cider donuts recipe is the best way to start your day.
Is there anything that screams Fall more than apple cider donuts?!
They are quintessential to my Fall diet and the best part is they are vegan!
Apple is one of my favorite Fall ingredients for desserts. From baked apples to even apple spice granola, it’s a for sure winner.
What makes this vegan apple cider donut recipe so good:
- They are incredibly soft and fluffy
- Contain no dairy or eggs
- Adorned with a crunchy and sweet cinnamon sugar topping
- Made with natural ingredients
- Baked (so healthier and less messy than fried)
- Taste incredible!
Ingredients for vegan apple cider donuts
- Flour
- Brown sugar and cane sugar
- Baking powder
- Spices
- Salt
- Coconut oil
- Vanilla
- Apple sauce
- Apple cider
With most of the ingredients being pantry essentials, it is rather easy to whip up a batch of these vegan donuts!
How to make vegan apple cider donuts
Start by reducing the apple cider. I tested to see if this step is crucial and I’m here to say it is. Cooking down the apple cider enhances the flavors and carries it through the donuts. Without it, the donuts don’t have much of an apple flavor.
Reduce apple cider by cooking it down on low heat until it reduces by half. Let cool in a separate container before using for the donut recipe.
While the apple cider is cooling down, whisk together all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Flour, sugars, spices, salt, and baking powder are combined.
Add apple sauce, coconut oil, and vanilla to apple cider and mix well.
Tip: Apple sauce acts as an oil replacement in vegan baking. You can substitute with more coconut oil if desired.
Mix the wet with the dry and mix using a rubber spatula until just combined. The batter will be thick, lumpy, and have “bubbles”. This is due to the chemical reaction between the apple cider and baking powder!
Transfer to a greased donut pan and fill almost to the top. Bake for 10 minutes.
After the donuts are slightly cooled, brush with melted vegan butter or coconut oil and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
How do you heat up apple cider donuts?
Keep leftovers in the fridge and when ready to eat, microwave for about 15 seconds. they will be nice and warm and ready to be devoured!
Can you freeze apple cider donuts?
Yes, this recipe will freeze beautifully! Simply microwave when ready to eat. I recommend microwaving for 30 seconds and testing warmness from there.
If you tried this vegan pear galette let me know in the comments below and share a photo using #mindfulavocado. I’d love to hear from you! Want to see more recipes? Let’s get social! CONNECT WITH ME on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest to see what I’m currently cooking up!
If you like this Fall recipe, you’ll LOVE:
Apple Spice Granola
Healthy Apple Pie Smoothie
Vegan Baked Apples
Vegan Pumpkin Bread with Maple Cashew Frosting
Vegan and GF Pumpkin Oatmeal
Vegan Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider cooked down to 1/2 cup
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons cane sugar
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar can substitute with coconut sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 Tablespoons apple sauce
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted (can substitute with vegan butter)
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 1/4 cup cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted (can substitute with vegan butter)
Tools:
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Reduce apple cider: In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, cook down apple cider. Stir frequently (about 30 minutes). Once reduced by half, transfer to a container and let cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cane sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and spices.
- Add vanilla, apple sauce, and coconut oil to cooled apple cider and mix well.
- Pour wet ingredients into mixing bowl with dry ingredients and use a rubber spatula to mix until just combined.
- Spoon donut batter into greased donut pan and fill almost to top. You should be able to get 6-7 donuts.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Mix together sugar and cinnamon for topping on a plate.
- Use a pastry brush to brush melted coconut oil or butter on top and sides of donuts.
- Place donut facedown on cinnamon sugar plate and coat well.
Video
Notes
- Apple sauce is used as a substitute for oil. You can always omit the applesauce and replace it will more coconut oil.
- Donut batter should be thick, lumpy, and have "bubbles". These bubbles are a reaction to the apple cider and baking powder combining.
- I recommend not skipping the step to reduce the apple cider. This enhances the apple flavor in the donuts. Without the step, the donuts will not be as flavorful.
- Leftovers keep in the fridge. To heat, simply microwave for about 15 seconds.
Nutrition
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Amazing recipe!
Thank you!