Name: Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or white flour); 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup apple cider; 1/4 cup soy milk (or other non-dairy milk); 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce; 2 tablespoons melted vegan butter or coconut oil; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 4 tablespoons melted vegan butter or coconut oil

Jump to Recipe· 4.1 from 74 reviews

If there’s one treat that perfectly captures the essence of cozy autumn mornings, it’s this Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe. Wonderfully spiced, moist, and fluffy, these baked donuts are infused with warm fall flavors that feel like a comforting hug in every bite. Unlike traditional fried versions, these donuts are lighter but just as indulgent, making them a perfect snack or dessert to share with friends and family any day of the week.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows several golden-brown donuts with a hole in the middle, all covered in a layer of cinnamon sugar that gives a slightly grainy texture. The donuts are placed on a metal cooling rack over a white marbled surface. The donuts appear soft and round with a light crispy outside and a slightly uneven surface, showing a fresh baked look. Behind the donuts, there is a blurred glass with orange liquid adding a warm tone to the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of this Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe really lies in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each component plays an essential role: the whole wheat pastry flour adds a tender crumb and hearty texture, apple cider brings natural sweetness and moisture, and warm spices like cinnamon create that classic fall flavor we crave. Trust me, gathering these few essentials is all it takes to create a batch of donuts that feel both familiar and exciting.

Whole wheat pastry flour (1 1/2 cups): Provides a light, tender texture while keeping the donuts wholesome.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness that balances the spices perfectly.
Baking powder (1 1/2 teaspoons): Gives the donuts a lovely rise, making them fluffy and airy.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances all the other flavors without overpowering.
Ground cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon): The star spice that warms every bite with comforting notes.
Apple cider (1/2 cup): Brings moisture plus that signature apple flavor essential for this recipe.
Soy milk or other non-dairy milk (1/4 cup): Keeps the batter vegan and ensures softness.
Unsweetened applesauce (3 tablespoons): Adds natural sweetness and moisture, plus it replaces eggs perfectly.
Melted vegan butter or coconut oil (2 tablespoons): Adds richness and helps keep the donuts tender.
For the topping – granulated sugar (3/4 cup) and ground cinnamon (2 teaspoons): Combined to coat the donuts with a sweet, crunchy cinnamon sugar finish.
Melted vegan butter or coconut oil for brush coating (4 tablespoons): Helps the cinnamon sugar stick and adds an irresistible buttery flavor.

How to Make Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Donut Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking. Lightly spray your donut pan with non-stick spray so the donuts release easily after baking. If you have two donut pans, that’s even better for baking all the batter evenly and quickly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. This combination makes the flavorful base of the donuts and ensures the spices are evenly distributed for that warm aroma as they bake.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

Pour in the apple cider, soy milk, unsweetened applesauce, and melted vegan butter or coconut oil into the dry ingredients. Stir everything gently with a large spoon until the batter comes together. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps here and there will keep the donuts nice and tender.

Step 4: Fill the Donut Pan

Spoon the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about three-quarters full. Alternatively, you can use a piping bag fitted with a large tip for a neater, more even distribution. This will help your donuts bake uniformly and look picture-perfect.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Bake the donuts for 8 to 10 minutes, watching for the edges to turn lightly golden and a gentle spring-back when you press the surface. This indicates that the donuts are baked through but still moist on the inside—pure perfection.

Step 6: Cool and Prepare the Topping

Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 2 minutes before inverting them onto a cooling rack. While the donuts are baking or cooling, mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl for the coating. Melt the vegan butter or coconut oil separately to brush onto each donut, helping the cinnamon sugar stick beautifully.

Step 7: Coat and Enjoy

Brush each cooled donut all over with melted vegan butter or coconut oil, then dip them into the cinnamon-sugar mixture until fully coated. You can brush just the tops and sprinkle cinnamon sugar for a lighter touch if you prefer. These donuts are best enjoyed fresh but trust me, you’ll want to share them before they’re gone!

How to Serve Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

The image shows three round cinnamon sugar-coated donuts placed on a light wooden surface with a white marbled texture underneath. One donut is in the front and center, slightly cut open to reveal the soft, fluffy, and light yellow inside with a spongy texture. The other two donuts are positioned behind it, one fully visible and the other partially, all covered evenly with granulated sugar and cinnamon. A clear glass of orange juice is visible to the right of the donuts, adding a refreshing color contrast to the warm tones of the donuts. The photo is taken very close to the donuts, highlighting their texture and sugar coating. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate your Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe, consider adding a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for an extra crunch and nutty flavor. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple glaze also pairs beautifully with the warm cider spices and gives your donuts a festive finish.

Side Dishes

These donuts shine as a warm breakfast treat alongside a steaming mug of chai tea or freshly brewed coffee. For a more substantial brunch, serve them with a fresh fruit salad or a bowl of vanilla soy yogurt topped with cinnamon. The balance of sweet and savory sides complements the donuts perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, arrange the donuts on a rustic wooden board decorated with small jars of apple butter, vegan cream cheese, or cinnamon-honey syrup. You could also stack them into a donut tower centerpiece or thread them on a festive ribbon for a fun, interactive dessert display everyone will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any donuts left over (which might be tough!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This helps preserve their fresh, soft texture without letting the cinnamon sugar coating become soggy or stale.

Freezing

Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe freezes wonderfully. Wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them at room temperature for about an hour—like picking up where you left off with fall flavors.

Reheating

To bring your donuts back to life, warm them gently in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. This restores their moist, tender texture and revives that delightful cinnamon sugar crunch. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them a bit chewy.

FAQs

Can I use gluten-free flour for this Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe?

Absolutely! While I haven’t tested it extensively, many gluten-free flour blends should work well here. Oat flour or a gluten-free all-purpose mix might give you similar results, but the texture will vary slightly depending on the blend.

Is it possible to make these donuts oil-free?

Yes, you can substitute extra unsweetened applesauce in place of the melted vegan butter or coconut oil in the batter, and skip brushing the donuts with butter or oil before the cinnamon sugar coating. They’ll be a little less rich but still delicious and moist.

Can I substitute coconut sugar for regular sugar?

Definitely! Coconut sugar adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness that complements the spices nicely. You can swap it one-to-one with granulated sugar in both the batter and the topping for an equally tasty donut.

Are these donuts better fresh or can I make them ahead?

While they’re best fresh out of the oven with the cinnamon sugar coating at its crunchiest, these donuts keep well stored for a couple of days and can also be frozen to enjoy later. Just reheat gently for the best experience.

What’s the texture like compared to traditional fried apple cider donuts?

Because these donuts are baked, they have a lighter, fluffier texture compared to the denser fried versions. They’re moist and tender inside with a sweet, slightly crisp cinnamon sugar coating—comforting, but lighter on the palate.

Final Thoughts

I truly hope you give this Vegan Apple Cider Donuts Recipe a try because it’s one of those treats that brings joy with every bite. It’s simple enough for a weekday morning but special enough to share with loved ones on the weekend. There’s something so heartwarming about the blend of apple cider and cinnamon flavors, and the fact that it’s baked and vegan makes this recipe a modern fall favorite. Get your pans ready, and enjoy the deliciousness of these donuts in your kitchen soon!