Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts (Dairy-Free)

These baked gluten-free apple cider donuts have a tender cake-like texture and a subtle tangy flavor, and are coated with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture. The perfect sweet snack for the fall season! Totally dairy-free too. Go bake a batch today!

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Apple Season is Here!

If you’re a fan of apples, then the apple season during the fall is possibly your favorite season!

We like making all sorts of apple recipes, from basics like apple cider, apple butter, and applesauce; to baked goods such as apple cake, apple muffins; to desserts such as apple crisp, apple crumble, and apple fritters.

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients you’ll need for these gf apple cider donuts are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required)!
• Easy to Make: Preparing the apple cider batter is just a matter of mixing the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, then baking the donuts before coating them in an easy cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this apple cider donut recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them without issues!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s an overview of the ingredients required for making these gluten-free apple cider donuts.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch, or potato starch) to ensure a lighter and fluffier final texture. I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free blend that is made up of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour) as that will result in a denser final texture.
• Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the replacement for gluten in gluten-free flours and helps to bind the ingredients together. If your gluten-free flour blend does not already include xanthan gum, make sure to add it in.
• Baking Powder: Baking powder is the only leavening agent in this recipe, and helps the donut batter to rise. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use gluten-free baking powder.
• Spices: I used ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to add a beautiful fall flavor to these apple cider donuts. Alternatively, you may also replace the spices for the batter with 1 1/4 teaspoon of apple pie spice.
• Sugar: I used white sugar, but you may also use cane sugar, light brown sugar or dark brown sugar instead. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
• Butter: I used unsalted dairy-free butter (vegan butter) to keep this recipe dairy-free. You may also use coconut oil if you prefer. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use regular unsalted butter instead.
• Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and help the batter rise, so make sure to add them in. If you are allergic to eggs, you may use acquafaba or an egg-replacer instead.
• Apple Cider: Since this is a recipe for apple cider donuts, apple cider is a key ingredient. You may either use store-bought apple cider or make your own homemade apple cider instead! Alternatively, you may also use apple juice if you prefer for the same tart apple taste.

How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts (Step by Step):

1. Preheat and Grease

Preheat the oven to 325F and spray two standard 6-cavity donut pans with non-stick baking spray.

2. Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, xanthan gum (if using), baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and sugar. Whisk well to combine.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, beat the butter, eggs, and apple cider together to get a homogeneous mixture.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients to Form Donut Batter

Create a well in the bowl with the dry ingredients, and add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, then mix well until you get a smooth and homogeneous donut batter (note that the batter will be thick, wet and sticky).

7. Bake Until Golden

Bake the batter for 12 minutes (rotating the pans halfway through) until the donuts are golden brown on the bottom and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let donuts cool for a few minutes in the pans.

8. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While the donuts are cooling, combine the ground cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl to make the cinnamon-sugar coating.

9. Coat Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar

Remove the donuts while they are still warm from the pans, and coat them in the cinnamon sugar until they are fully coated, and then place them on a cooling rack.

(TIP: If you find that the cinnamon-sugar coating is not sticking, use a pastry brush to brush the donuts with melted butter before coating).

10. Enjoy

Serve the gluten-free apple cider donuts and enjoy this perfect fall treat (preferably with a mug of warm apple cider)!

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Apple Cider: You may either use store-bought apple cider or make your own homemade apple cider instead! Alternatively, you may also use apple juice if you prefer for the same tart apple taste.
• Use Donut Pan: Since this involves a donut batter which is wet and sticky (as opposed to typical donut dough that can be shaped with the hands), it’s best to use a donut pan to get the donut shape. Note that these gf baked apple cider donuts will have more a cake-like texture.
• No Donut Pan? If you don’t have a donut pan, you can make apple cider donut muffins by using a mini muffin pan instead.

Gluten-Free Apple Desserts:

• Crispy Apple Fritters (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Easy Apple Crumble (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Moist Apple Cake (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Delicious Apple Galette (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Gluten-Free Desserts to Indulge In:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts (Dairy-Free)

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• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 donuts 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These gluten-free apple cider donuts are tender on the inside and coated with a sweet cinnnamon-sugar mixture. The perfect sweet snack for the fall! Totally dairy-free too. Go bake a batch today!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

For the gluten-free apple cider donuts:

• 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your gluten-free blend already contains it)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted dairy-free butter, room temperature
• 2 eggs, room temperature, beaten
• 3/4 cup apple cider

For the cinnamon-sugar coating:

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Grease: Preheat the oven to 325F and spray two standard 6-cavity donut pans with non-stick baking spray.
2. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, xanthan gum (if using), baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and sugar. Whisk well to combine.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, beat the butter, eggs, and apple cider together to get a homogeneous mixture.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients to form Batter: Create a well in the bowl with the dry ingredients, and add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, then mix well until you get a smooth and homogeneous donut batter (note that the batter will be thick, wet and stick).
5. Transfer Batter to Piping Bag: Transfer the batter to a piping bag or ziplock bag or squeeze bottle (this will make it easier to transfer pipe the batter into the pans).
6. Pipe Batter into Pans: Pipe the donut batter evenly into the 12 donut cavities of the two previously greased pans (make sure the batter fills the cavities till ¾-way full). The use wet fingertips to spread out the batter until it is an even layer. Alternatively, if you don’t have anything to pipe the batter into the pan, you can also spoon the batter into the pan (it will be a little more inconvenient and slightly messier, but that will work too).
7. Bake Until Golden: Bake the batter for 12 minutes (rotating the pans halfway through) until the donuts are golden brown on the bottom and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let donuts cool for a few minutes in the pan.
8. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: While the donuts are cooling, combine the ground cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl to make the cinnamon sugar coating.
9. Coat Donuts with Cinnamon Sugar: Remove the donuts while they are still warm from the pan, and coat them in the cinnamon sugar until they are fully coated. Place coated donuts on a parchment-lined plate, baking sheet or cooling rack.
10. Enjoy: Serve the gf apple cider donuts and enjoy!

Notes

Gluten-Free Flour: I recommend using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that is made up of lighter flours/starches (such as rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch, or potato starch) to ensure a lighter and fluffier final texture. I do NOT recommend using a gluten-free blend that is made up of heavier flours (such as garbanzo bean flour) as that will result in a denser final texture.

Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is the replacement for gluten in gluten-free flours and helps to bind the ingredients together. If your gluten-free flour blend does not already include xanthan gum, make sure to add it in.

Baking Powder: Baking powder is the only leavening agent in this recipe, and helps the donut batter to rise. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use gluten-free baking powder.

Spices: I used ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to add a beautiful fall flavor to these apple cider donuts. Alternatively, you may also replace the spices for the batter with 1 1/4 teaspoon of apple pie spice.

Sugar: I used white sugar, but you may also use cane sugar or light brown sugar instead. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).

Butter: I used unsalted dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free. You may also use coconut oil if you prefer. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use regular unsalted butter instead.

Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together and help the batter rise, so make sure to add them in. If you are allergic to eggs, you may use acquafaba or an egg-replacer instead.

Apple Cider: Since this is a recipe for apple cider donuts, apple cider is a key ingredient. You may either use store-bought apple cider or make your own homemade apple cider instead!

Storing: To store, place the gf apple cider donuts in an airtight container and store for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before eating.

Adapted from: Gluten-Free on a Shoestring

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Category: Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American