Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide

Apple cider donuts are a beloved fall treat that perfectly capture the essence of the season with their warm spices and the subtle tang of fresh apple cider. For those who follow a vegan lifestyle or simply want to enjoy a plant-based version of this classic, this vegan apple cider donuts recipe is an absolute must-try.

These donuts are soft, fluffy, and packed with cozy flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg, all without any animal products. Whether you’re baking for a festive autumn gathering or a weekend breakfast indulgence, these donuts offer a sweet, comforting bite that everyone can enjoy.

What makes these donuts even better is how easy they are to make at home, without complicated ingredients or equipment. Plus, they’re baked instead of fried, making them a lighter, healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste.

So grab your favorite mug of hot cider, and let’s dive into creating the perfect batch of vegan apple cider donuts that will have your kitchen smelling amazing and your taste buds singing!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is a winner for many reasons. First, it uses simple, wholesome ingredients that you likely already have on hand.

The star of the show, fresh apple cider, adds a natural sweetness and depth of flavor that makes these donuts uniquely delicious.

Second, these donuts are vegan and baked, so they’re healthier than traditional fried donuts without sacrificing texture or taste. They come out tender on the inside with a lightly crisp cinnamon sugar coating on the outside.

Lastly, this recipe is incredibly flexible. You can easily adjust the spices or swap ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs.

This makes it perfect for holiday celebrations, brunches, or just a cozy autumn afternoon treat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider (fresh or store-bought, unsweetened)
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves (optional)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant milk)
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted (plus extra for greasing)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Whisk and spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Donut pan (standard 6 or 12-cavity)
• Cooling rack
• Small bowl for cinnamon sugar coating
• Brush or pastry brush (optional, for oil)

Instructions

1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Let it simmer until reduced by half, about 10-15 minutes. This concentrates the flavor and prevents excess liquid in the batter. Set aside to cool.
2. Preheat your oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your donut pan with coconut oil or use a non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves if using).
4. Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the applesauce, almond milk, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and cooled reduced apple cider until well combined.
5. Create the donut batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or the donuts may become dense.
6. Fill the donut pan: Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. You can also use a piping bag or zip-top bag with the tip cut off for easier filling.
7. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
8. Cool and remove: Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
9. Prepare cinnamon sugar coating: In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon.
10. Coat the donuts: Lightly brush or spray the warm donuts with melted coconut oil. Immediately toss or brush them with the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.
11. Enjoy: Serve these delicious vegan apple cider donuts fresh for the best texture and flavor. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Tips & Variations

Tip: Reducing the apple cider is key to avoid overly wet batter. Don’t skip this step!

You can customize this recipe in many ways. For a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Adding a tablespoon of ground flaxseed can boost nutrition and add a nice texture.

For extra apple flavor, toss small diced apples into the batter before baking. Or, try a maple glaze instead of cinnamon sugar by mixing powdered sugar with pure maple syrup and a splash of plant milk.

To deepen the spice profile, experiment with cardamom or ginger. And if you prefer a fried donut, feel free to heat oil and fry the batter spoonfuls for a crispier texture.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

These vegan apple cider donuts are perfect enjoyed warm with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or your favorite plant-based latte. For a festive brunch, serve alongside a bowl of fresh fruit or a vegan yogurt parfait with granola.

They also make an excellent dessert when paired with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. For a fall-themed party, arrange them on a platter with pumpkin muffins and spiced nut mixes for a cozy seasonal spread.

If you love exploring plant-based baking, be sure to check out more delicious recipes like our Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious, the soft and fluffy Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves, or the creamy and versatile Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes.

Conclusion

This vegan apple cider donuts recipe is a delightful way to celebrate the flavors of fall while keeping your treats plant-based and wholesome. With its tender crumb, warm spices, and a perfectly sweet cinnamon sugar coating, these donuts will quickly become a staple in your baking repertoire.

They’re easy enough for a weekday breakfast yet special enough for holiday gatherings or weekend indulgences.

With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you don’t need to be an expert baker to create these delicious donuts. Plus, the recipe’s flexibility allows you to customize it to suit your tastes and dietary needs.

Try this recipe today and enjoy a cozy bite that brings the comforting essence of autumn right to your kitchen table.

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegan Apple Cider Donuts”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “These vegan apple cider donuts are soft, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. Made without eggs or dairy, they\u2019re a delicious fall treat everyone can enjoy.”, “prepTime”: “PT20M”, “cookTime”: “PT15M”, “totalTime”: “PT35M”, “recipeYield”: “12 donuts”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup apple cider”, “2 cups all-purpose flour”, “3/4 cup granulated sugar”, “1 tsp baking powder”, “1/2 tsp baking soda”, “1/2 tsp salt”, “1 tsp ground cinnamon”, “1/2 tsp ground nutmeg”, “1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce”, “1/4 cup almond milk”, “1 tsp vanilla extract”, “2 tbsp coconut oil, melted”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Reduce apple cider in a saucepan over medium heat until thickened to 1/4 cup, then let cool.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C) and grease a donut pan.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In another bowl, combine applesauce, almond milk, vanilla, melted coconut oil, and reduced apple cider.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until just combined.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Spoon batter into donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “180 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “2 g”, “fatContent”: “6 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “29 g”}}