Baked Apple Cider Donuts (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

These Baked Apple Cider Donuts are perfectly soft, moist, and fluffy. Made in one bowl with oat flour, apple cider and spiced with fall flavors, they are vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free.

Apple cider donuts are the epitome of fall. As a kid, I always looked forward to getting warm apple cider donuts from our local pumpkin patch. Living in New England, we cherish this autumnal season, and baking apple cider donuts is one of the best ways to do that.

This healthier baked version tastes exactly how I remember, bringing back all the nostalgia!

These donuts are baked instead of fried and perfectly spiced with warm fall flavors. They have a soft and fluffy texture and are perfectly moist without being gummy (despite the use of oat flour).

Why I Love These Baked Apple Cider Donuts

• Made with wholesome ingredients – compared to traditional donuts, these are much healthier and taste just as good as the ones from the pumpkin patch.
• Baked instead of fried – but still light and fluffy.
• Easy to make – all you need is one bowl and a donut pan. I like to bake them in a mini donut pan so they’re the perfect size treat.

Ingredients Needed

• Oat flour – this recipe uses nutrient-dense oat flour instead of regular flour. You can buy oat flour or make your own oat flour by blending rolled oats or quick oats in a blender until a fine flour forms. If you have a serious gluten allergy, be sure to use certified gluten free oats.
• Apple cider – what’s an apple cider donut without it?
• Applesauce – use unsweetened applesauce. This adds moisture to the donuts and extra apple flavor.
• Coconut sugar – the natural sweetener. We’ll also use coconut sugar to coat the donuts in.
• Coconut oil – melted coconut oil adds the perfect amount of moisture. Be sure to use refined coconut oil as it doesn’t have any flavor. We’ll also use coconut oil to help the cinnamon-sugar coating stick to the donuts after baking.
• Apple cider vinegar – reacts with the leavening agents to help the donuts rise and get fluffy.
• Baking powder and baking soda – to help the donuts rise. It can be tricky to get vegan and gluten-free baked goods to rise, so we have to use a bit more leavening agent to assist.
• Vanilla extract – an essential.
• Spices – pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt.

How To Make Baked Apple Cider Donuts (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

1. Preheat the oven and grease a mini donut pan with melted coconut oil (a regular sized donut pan should also work. It should make 6 regular sized donuts).
2. Add all the wet ingredients to a bowl and whisk until combined. Then, mix in the dry ingredients.
3. Add the batter to a piping bag (or a zip lock bag with a slit cut in the corner) and pipe the batter into each donut cavity until ¾ full.
4. Bake the donuts for about 18 minutes. Once done baking, let the donuts cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then, place the donuts on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
5. Make the cinnamon-sugar coating by mixing the coconut sugar and cinnamon together in a shallow dish. Brush each donut with melted coconut oil, then dip into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating all sides. Finally, dig in!

This recipe is easy to make and the perfect fall treat. Friends and family will never be able to tell that they’re vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ★★★★★ star rating below letting me know how you liked it! This helps others find my recipes. I appreciate your support, as always. xo, Megan