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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast » Vegan + Gluten-Free Baked Apple Cider Donuts

    Vegan + Gluten-Free Baked Apple Cider Donuts

    Published: Sep 29, 2023 by Chelsea Peachtree · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    DIET: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian

    Skip the trip to the farm stand and make these vegan and gluten free baked apple cider donuts at home. These cake-like donuts are delightfully moist, perfectly spiced, and taste like a warm hug with every bite. Ready in under 45 minutes, these will be your new favorite fall treat.

    gluten free and vegan apple cider donuts on a newspaper on top of a cutting board with a linen napkin

    Fall is my favorite time of year, and I absolutely love all things apple. Whether it is my apple fries, my blueberry apple crisp or apple pie margarita, I love it all! My hometown even has a local apple harvest festival each year, so let's just say, apples are in my blood and soul. 

    I knew I had to make my own apple cider donut recipe that worked for my diet + lifestyle. These vegan and gluten free apple cider donuts taste just like the traditional ones I would get from the farmstands near my house. In fact, my husband said they are better! So, happy baking, I hope you enjoy them just as much as I do.

    WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

    -Easy. Making homemade donuts does not need to be hard. Grab your favorite mixing bowls and donut pan and have these donuts ready in under 45 minutes. They are a quick and great way to celebrate your favorite season.

    -No Frying. While traditional donuts require frying, these vegan apple cider donuts are baked in the oven meaning there is a not less mess and no special equipment needed. This also helps cut down on the fat content in the donuts. 

    -Great For Sharing. Hosting a fall brunch, going apple picking or looking for the perfect treat to bring to a potluck? These homemade vegan apple cider donuts are great for sharing due to their small size and big taste! You can even use a mini donut pan to make them even smaller so they are one or two bites.

    -Texture Perfection. The tender, cake-like texture is a delightful contrast to the slight crunch of cinnamon sugar coating, making each bite perfection. They will taste and feel just like the ones you get from your local apple orchard.

    INGREDIENT NOTES

    ingredients for apple cider donuts
    • Gluten Free Flour. To make these donuts, I used gluten-free flour blend, specifically Bob's Red Mill 1-1. You can also use regular all purpose flour. I have not tried these donuts with oat flour or almond flour. 
    • Apple Cider. To make this apple cider donut recipe, you will need fresh apple cider to give them an apple flavor. I do not recommend using frozen apple cider because it can be too watery. I also do not recommend using regular apple juice because it will change the taste completely. 
    • Vegan buttermilk. Vegan buttermilk is the secret to make these donuts fluffy and moist. To make vegan buttermilk, simply combine almond milk or apple cider vinegar until the milk slightly curdles. You can also use lemon in place of the apple cider vinegar. Don't worry, you will not taste the vinegar!
    • Vegan Melted Butter. Vegan block butter is the best to use for baking. I recommend Trader Joe's brand, Country Crock or Miyoko's. Any block butter will work though. Liquid or melted coconut oil will also work well in its place. I have not tested this recipe with apple sauce.
    • Brown and White Sugar. Both sugars provide a warming, sweet taste to these donuts. Dark coconut sugar and blonde coconut sugar can also be used in its place. I do not recommend using maple syrup due to it changing the liquid to dry ratio.
    • Flax Eggs. Flax eggs bind this recipe and take place of regular eggs. Chia egg will also work in its place, but will change the texture slightly (it will still be delicious!). 

    STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

    Step 1. Simmer the apple cider. Begin by simmering on low to medium heat the apple cider in a sauce pan until it reduces slightly, to ⅓ cup. This usually takes about 15 minutes. To be certain it has simmered enough, measure periodically. If you reduce the cider too much, simply add more apple cider to the sauce pan and simmer again until it yields ⅓ cup. If you burn the cider, do not use it and start over.

    flax egg being made and vegan buttermilk being made

    Step 2. Make the flax egg and vegan buttermilk. When the apple cider only had 10 minutes left of simmering, begin making your flax egg and buttermilk. To make the flax egg, combine 1 tbsp of flax with 3 tbsp of water in a small bowl. Mix and let sit until it becomes a jelly like texture. To make the buttermilk, combine ½ cup of vegan buttermilk with ½ tbsp of apple cider vinegar and mix. Let sit until it begins to curdle.

    apple cider reduced in sauce pan

    Step 3. Mix. Once the apple cider is reduced, add it to a large bowl. Add in the brown and white sugar, vanilla extract, buttermilk, melted vegan butter and flax egg. Mix until combined. It will be very gritty.

    the white ingredients mixed together in a clear mixing bowl on a wood surface

    Step 4. Add the dry ingredients. Add in the baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and flour into the mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix or the donuts can become dense.

    all ingredients mixed in a clear mixing bowl

    Step 5. Fill the donut pan. Add the mixture into greased donut pans. You can do this by adding the dough into a piping bag or ziplock bag and cutting a hole in the corner to make it resemble a piping bag. Then squeeze the mixture into the donut cavities, filling them to the top. Another way to do this is by greasing a spoon and spooning the mixture into the donut cavities. This is a little bit of a messier method but still works. To smooth out the tops, grease the back of the spoon and smooth it over the top.

    the vegan apple cider donuts batter inside the donut molds before bakin

    Step 6. Bake. Bake the donuts until they are golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. For best results and to ensure they are fully baked, insert a toothpick into the middle of the donut and remove it. If it is clean when removed, they are baked. If it is not, bake them for 1-2 more minutes, then repeat the toothpick test.

    the vegan apple cider donuts inside the donut molds after baking

    Step 7. Make the coating. Make the cinnamon sugar coating by mixing together cinnamon and sugar into a medium sized shallow plate or bowl. The bowl should be large enough to fit one of your donuts in it at a time.

    Step 8. Coat the donuts. Once the donuts are done baking, let them cool for 5-10 minutes. I usually allow them to cool in their donut pan. Once they are cooled, brush melted vegan butter or liquid coconut oil onto their surface then toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they are fully coated. 

    showing the vegan apple cider donut in a shallow bowl with cinnamon and sugar

    You can also skip coating them if you prefer, use powdered sugar or use a vegan glaze (combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tbsp of almond milk + ½ tsp vanilla then mix). 

    STORAGE

    Store these gluten free apple cider donuts in an airtight container or plastic bag in a cool, dry place for up to 3 days. They will still be safe to eat for up to 5 days, but the texture will change slightly, and they can become harder. For best results, eat the donuts in 2-3 days.

    You can also freeze the donuts in an air tight container or bag for up to 30 days. Allow them to thaw thoroughly before consuming.

    I have not tried freezing the dough.

    TIME SAVING HACKS

    To save on time, reduce the apple cider beforehand and store the apple cider reduction in the fridge for up to 24 hours. By making the apple cider reduction beforehand, these vegan donuts will take less than 30 minutes to make and bake.

    FAQ

    How do I ensure my vegan apple cider donuts are not overly dense?

     To avoid dense donuts, avoid overmixing the batter. Mix until just combined. i like to use a spatula to scrap the butter of the mixing bowl to check to see if I combined all of the ingredients or if any are still separated.

    Can I make mini donuts with this recipe? 

    Yes. Use a mini donut pan and adjust the baking time accordingly. It will likely be less time, so I would start checking in on the donuts around 7 minutes. 

    What makes vegan donuts different than regular donuts?

    Regular donuts use dairy products, such as milk and butter, as well as eggs. These donuts use plant based ingredients (vegan butter and vegan milk) and flax egg in place of real egg.

    Can I use regular flour?

    These donuts will not be gluten free if you use regular flour. If you are not gluten intolerant, however, use all purpose baking flour at 1-1 ratio.

    upclose photo of gluten free and vegan apple cider donuts on a newspaper

    EXPERT TIPS

    Make the vegan buttermilk. While it may seem like a taunting extra step, it is critical to these vegan donuts. The vegan buttermilk makes them soft, moist and have a cakey texture. Use apple cider vinegar or lemon  juice with your choice of plant milk for this. I promise, it does not take long to do.

    Brush donuts with melted butter. The cinnamon sugar coating will not stick well to the donuts without this coating. 

    MORE APPLE RECIPES

    • Healthy Baked Apple Fries
    • Kale Apple Slaw plated on two plates with a fork and apple next to it
      5 Minute Kale Apple Slaw Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing
    • Fall Margarita Pitcher (Apple Pie)
    • Vegan Apple Fritters
    gluten free and vegan apple cider donuts on a newspaper on top of a cutting board with a linen napkin

    Vegan + Gluten-Free Baked Apple Cider Donuts

    Chelsea Peachtree
    Skip the trip to the farm stand and make these vegan and gluten free baked apple cider donuts at home. These cake-like donuts are delightfully moist, perfectly spiced, and taste like a warm hug with every bite. Ready in under 45 minutes, these will be your new favorite fall treat.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Cooling Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings 9 donuts

    Equipment

    • 1 Mixing bowl
    • 1 donut pan

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cups apple cider
    • 1 flax egg 1 tbsp of ground flax + 3 tbsp water
    • ½ cup vegan buttermilk ½ cup plant mix + ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
    • 1 ¾ GF flour
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp baking powder
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 2 tsp cinnamon
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
    • 3 tbsp melted vegan butter

    Sugar Coating

    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 tbsp cinnamon
    • 1 tbsp melted vegan butter

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f. Begin by simmering on low to medium heat the apple cider in a sauce pan until it reduces slightly, to ⅓ cup. This usually takes about 15 minutes. To be certain it has simmered enough, measure periodically.
    •  When the apple cider only had 10 minutes left of simmering, begin making your flax egg and buttermilk.
      To make the flax egg, combine 1 tbsp of flax with 3 tbsp of water in a small bowl. Mix and let sit until it becomes a jelly like texture.
      To make the buttermilk, combine ½ cup of vegan buttermilk with ½ tbsp of apple cider vinegar and mix. Let sit until it begins to curdle.
    •  Once the apple cider is reduced, add it to a large bowl. Add in the brown and white sugar, vanilla extract, buttermilk, melted vegan butter and flax egg. Mix until combined. It will be very gritty.
    • Add in the baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and flour into the mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix or the donuts can become dense.
    • Add the mixture into greased donut pans.
      You can do this by adding the dough into a piping bag or ziplock bag and cutting a hole in the corner to make it resemble a piping bag. Then squeeze the mixture into the donut cavities, filling them to the top.
      Another way to do this is by greasing a spoon and spooning the mixture into the donut cavities. To smooth out the tops, grease the back of the spoon and smooth it over the top.
    • Bake the donuts until they are golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
      For best results and to ensure they are fully baked, insert a toothpick into the middle of the donut and remove it. If it is clean when removed, they are baked. If it is not, bake them for 1-2 more minutes, then repeat the toothpick test.
    • Make the cinnamon sugar coating by mixing together cinnamon and sugar into a medium sized shallow plate or bowl. The bowl should be large enough to fit on of your donuts in it.
    • Once the donuts are done baking, let them cool for 5-10 minutes. Once they are cooled, brush melted vegan butter onto their surface then toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until they are fully coated. 

    Notes

    Store these gluten free apple cider donuts in an airtight container or plastic bag in a cool, dry place for up to 3 days. They will still be safe to eat for up to 5 days, but the texture will change slightly, and they can become harder. For best results, eat the donuts in 2-3 days.
    You can also freeze the donuts in an air tight container or bag for up to 30 days. Allow them to thaw thoroughly before consuming.
    I have not tried freezing the dough.
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