Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes Recipe

Imagine cozy autumn mornings with the aroma of cinnamon and apple filling your kitchen. That’s exactly what you’ll experience with these Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes. They’re blissfully tender, warmly spiced, naturally gluten free, and coated in the dreamiest cinnamon sugar. Whether you’re baking for a fall get-together, a brunch treat, or simply indulging in your favorite flavors, these little donut holes capture all the charm of the season—without any frying mess. Let’s dive into creating these delightful Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes together!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes comes from a handful of simple, well-chosen ingredients. Each element works its own kind of magic, building the signature taste, texture, and those gorgeous golden “donut” edges we all love.

• Apple cider: Simmered and reduced for the boldest apple punch and rich autumn flavor.
• Creamy SunButter: This sunflower seed butter keeps the donut holes moist and offers nutty undertones without any nuts.
• Coconut sugar: Adds caramel notes and gentle sweetness with a lower glycemic index than regular sugar.
• Flax eggs: These make the recipe egg-free, adding structure and healthy fats, but real eggs can be swapped in if you prefer.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and brings warmth to the batter.
• Gluten free flour: The backbone for a tender crumb and perfect texture in every bite.
• Almond flour: Introduces richness and helps create that unmistakable, plush donut interior.
• Baking powder: Gives your donut holes their lift and fluffy texture.
• Salt: Just a touch to highlight all the sweet, spicy flavors.
• Apple pie spice: A dreamy blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice for true fall coziness.
• Coconut oil or dairy-free butter (melted): Essential for making the cinnamon sugar stick and bringing buttery goodness.
• Cane sugar: For the sparkling, sweet cinnamon sugar coating.
• Cinnamon: For rolling—because you can never have too much!

How to Make Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Start by preheating your oven to a toasty 425°F. Spray your mini muffin or donut hole pan with a good nonstick spray—this ensures those donut holes pop out without sticking and keeps clean-up easy.

Step 2: Reduce the Apple Cider

Pour your apple cider into a small saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it bubble away for about 20 to 25 minutes, reducing until only half a cup remains. This reduction intensifies the apple flavor, making every bite taste like fall. Once done, set it aside for at least 10 minutes to cool down.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a big mixing bowl, combine the reduced apple cider, SunButter, coconut sugar, flax eggs (or regular eggs), and vanilla extract. Velvety, spiced, and oh-so-inviting! Use a hand mixer for a smooth, creamy batter base that promises the perfect donut hole texture.

Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients

Gently add the gluten free flour, almond flour, baking powder, salt, and that all-important apple pie spice to your wet mixture. Mix everything together until you have a thick, smooth batter—don’t overmix, just enough to combine.

Step 5: Fill and Bake

Spoon the batter into each muffin or donut hole cavity, filling each about halfway. This lets the dough puff up beautifully. Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then drop the oven temperature to 350°F and bake another 5 to 7 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when edges are golden and a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool and Coat

Let your Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes cool in the pan for 10 minutes; this helps them firm up and makes removal easy. Carefully transfer to a cooling rack. Meanwhile, stir together the cinnamon and cane sugar in a bowl. Brush each donut hole with melted coconut oil or butter, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar until fully coated. Now, try not to eat them all at once!

How to Serve Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes

Garnishes

A classic cinnamon sugar coating is perfection on its own, but you can take these Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes to another level by dusting them with powdered sugar, adding a drizzle of maple glaze, or a tiny dot of apple butter on top just before serving.

Side Dishes

Pair your donut holes with steaming hot apple cider, a mug of spiced chai, or even a scoop of tangy dairy-free vanilla yogurt on the side. They also make a fantastic accent for a larger fall brunch spread with roasted squash, fresh fruit, or hearty egg casseroles.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack your Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes on a tiered cake stand, pile them high in a rustic basket lined with parchment, or skewer them onto wooden picks for a fun, party-ready treat. For gifting, tuck them into a pretty tin with some cinnamon sticks and dried apple slices for a thoughtful, homemade touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll remain soft and delicious for up to three days—if they last that long! Just make sure they’ve fully cooled before storing to prevent any condensation.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these donut holes! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to two months. For best results, freeze them before adding the cinnamon sugar coating; roll them in fresh sugar after reheating.

Reheating

Bring frozen or stored Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes back to irresistible softness by giving them a quick zap in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or a gentle warm-up in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. If you’ve frozen them, allow to thaw first if you have time. Don’t forget to roll in a fresh coat of cinnamon sugar right after warming!

FAQs

Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of gluten free flour?

Yes, if you don’t need to keep things gluten free, regular all-purpose flour works just fine. The texture will be just as soft and cake-like—just sub in equal amounts.

What can I use if I don’t have SunButter?

If you’re not avoiding nuts, almond or peanut butter are both great substitutes! Just keep in mind the nutty taste may come through a bit more strongly than with SunButter.

Is there a way to make these vegan?

Absolutely! This recipe is already dairy-free and can be made vegan by sticking with flax eggs and coconut oil or another plant-based butter. Double-check your sugar is vegan, and you’re all set.

Can I make these in a regular muffin tin?

Yes, you can! The texture and flavor will be the same, just adjust the baking time, adding a few extra minutes because larger muffins take longer to set in the middle. Check for doneness with a toothpick.

Do I really need to reduce the apple cider?

Reducing the cider is what gives these donut holes their signature apple punch. It’s worth the effort for the best flavor, but in a pinch, you can use apple juice concentrate—just keep in mind the flavor isn’t quite as deep.

Final Thoughts

Don’t wait for fall to roll around—every season is the right season for Baked Apple Cider Donut Holes! Whether you’re sharing them with friends or savoring a quiet moment with a cup of tea, baking up a batch is the perfect way to add a little warm, spiced comfort to your day. Give them a try and let your kitchen become the coziest spot in the house!

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