Introduction
Fall mornings call for warm kitchens, cozy sweaters, and the comforting smell of apples and cinnamon. Apple donuts are the season’s sweetest reward — soft, spiced, and glazed to perfection. Whether you bake or fry them, each bite tastes like a crisp autumn day. Here are 21 apple donut recipes that make fall mornings feel extra special.
1. Classic Apple Cider Donuts
Soft, fragrant, and full of apple flavor — these are the classic donuts that define fall mornings.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup apple cider
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 4 tbsp melted butter
Instructions:
- Simmer apple cider until reduced by half; cool.
- Whisk dry ingredients.
- In another bowl, mix sugars, eggs, butter, and cider.
- Combine and form a soft dough.
- Roll out, cut rings, and fry at 350°F until golden (about 2 minutes per side).
How to Serve It:
Toss warm donuts in cinnamon sugar and serve with hot cider.
2. Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts
All the comfort of fried donuts without the mess — these are light, soft, and bursting with apple goodness.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ⅓ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a donut pan.
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet in another.
- Combine until smooth.
- Fill each mold ¾ full and bake for 10–12 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Dip in cinnamon glaze and sprinkle with apple bits for extra texture.
3. Caramel Apple Donuts
These donuts are soft inside with a sticky, sweet caramel coating — like a caramel apple in donut form.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup applesauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 4 tbsp butter
Caramel Glaze:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp cream
Instructions:
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Blend wet ingredients and combine.
- Bake in greased donut pan at 350°F for 12 minutes.
- For glaze, heat brown sugar, butter, and cream until thick. Dip warm donuts to coat.
How to Serve It:
Top with thin apple slices or chopped pecans.
4. Apple Fritter Donuts
Chunky, crisp edges with tender apple pieces — the perfect mix of donut and fritter.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups chopped apples
- Oil for frying
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions:
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and spices.
- Stir in eggs and milk until combined.
- Fold in apples.
- Drop spoonfuls into 350°F oil and fry until golden.
- Drizzle with glaze while warm.
How to Serve It:
Best enjoyed warm with a cup of coffee.
5. Apple Spice Cake Donuts
Soft like cake, spiced like cider — these donuts melt in your mouth.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp cloves
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup apple puree
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Combine dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Mix wet ingredients and add to dry.
- Fill donut molds and bake 10–12 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Dust with cinnamon sugar and serve with warm cider.
6. Maple Glazed Apple Donuts
Sweet maple glaze and tender apple crumbs make these donuts irresistible.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 egg
Maple Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions:
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Add wet and stir gently until combined.
- Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.
- Mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled donuts.
How to Serve It:
Top with crushed pecans or toasted walnuts.
7. Brown Butter Apple Donuts
Brown butter adds a rich, nutty depth to these tender apple donuts.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup apple butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup butter, browned
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Add browned butter, apple butter, egg, and milk.
- Pour into donut pan; bake 10–11 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Brush with brown butter glaze and sprinkle with sugar.
8. Apple Cider Donut Holes
Bite-sized, cozy, and perfect for sharing — a fall favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup apple cider
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions:
- Heat oil to 350°F.
- Mix ingredients to form a thick batter.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls into oil.
- Fry until golden and roll in cinnamon sugar.
How to Serve It:
Serve warm in paper cones for a festive touch.
9. Apple Crumble Donuts
Soft donuts meet buttery crumble topping — pure autumn comfort.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup butter
Crumble:
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
- Mix donut batter and pour into pan.
- Sprinkle crumble over tops.
- Bake 12–14 minutes at 350°F.
How to Serve It:
Add vanilla glaze for a bakery-style finish.
10. Glazed Apple Donuts with Spiced Sugar
A perfect blend of glaze and crunch, with cinnamon spice in every bite.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup applesauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
Instructions:
- Combine ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
- Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
- Dip half in glaze, toss the rest in spiced sugar.
How to Serve It:
Mix both versions on a tray for contrast in texture and taste.
11. Apple Pie Donuts
These taste like mini apple pies — soft dough, gooey filling, and a sprinkle of nostalgia.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup apple pie filling, chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar, then add egg and milk.
- Spoon half the batter into the donut pan, add filling, and top with remaining batter.
- Bake 12–14 minutes until golden.
How to Serve It:
Drizzle with caramel sauce or dust with powdered sugar.
12. Apple Donuts with Vanilla Glaze
Soft and moist, these donuts are finished with a smooth, creamy vanilla glaze.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until springy.
- Dip cooled donuts in vanilla glaze.
How to Serve It:
Top with apple bits or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
13. Spiced Apple Donuts with Brown Sugar Glaze
The glaze adds a toffee-like flavor that pairs perfectly with apple spice.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup applesauce
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 egg
Brown Sugar Glaze:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions:
- Mix donut batter and bake 12 minutes at 350°F.
- For glaze, simmer brown sugar and cream; remove from heat and stir in powdered sugar.
- Dip warm donuts in glaze.
How to Serve It:
Serve warm while the glaze is still shiny.
14. Apple Oat Donuts
Hearty, wholesome, and spiced — a fall breakfast favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup applesauce
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Blend oats slightly for texture.
- Mix all ingredients until combined.
- Bake in greased donut pan for 12–14 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Top with a light drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
15. Apple Cider Crumb Donuts
Crumb-topped donuts with a tangy apple glaze — crunchy outside, soft inside.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup apple cider
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup melted butter
Crumb Topping:
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
- Mix batter and pour into donut pan.
- Combine crumb topping and sprinkle over each donut.
- Bake 14 minutes at 350°F.
How to Serve It:
Add a drizzle of cider glaze before serving.
16. Apple Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting
Rich, tangy frosting turns these apple donuts into bakery-worthy treats.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup butter
Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Bake donuts at 350°F for 12 minutes.
- Mix frosting ingredients until smooth.
- Frost cooled donuts generously.
How to Serve It:
Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or chopped walnuts.
17. Apple Butter Donuts
Deep, caramelized apple butter flavor makes these a fall essential.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup apple butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Mix wet ingredients.
- Add dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
- Bake in donut pan at 350°F for 12 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Brush warm donuts with extra apple butter.
18. Apple Cider Sour Cream Donuts
Sour cream gives these donuts extra tenderness and richness.
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup apple cider
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
Instructions:
- Mix wet and dry ingredients separately, then combine.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes.
- Cut rings and fry at 350°F until golden.
How to Serve It:
Dust with cinnamon sugar while still warm.
19. Apple Crumb Baked Donuts
These donuts combine the soft sweetness of cake with a crunchy cinnamon crumb.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
Crumble:
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Fill donut pan and top with crumble.
- Bake for 12 minutes until golden.
How to Serve It:
Finish with a drizzle of vanilla glaze.
20. Apple Cider Cake Donuts
A bakery classic that captures all the flavors of fall.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup apple cider
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Combine wet ingredients and stir into dry.
- Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes or fry until golden.
How to Serve It:
Roll warm donuts in cinnamon sugar.
21. Glazed Apple Ring Donuts
Whole apple rings encased in fluffy donut batter — a fun, fruity twist.
Ingredients:
- 3 apples, cored and sliced into rings
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup milk
- Oil for frying
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions:
- Mix batter until smooth.
- Dip apple rings and fry at 350°F until golden.
- Drain on paper towels and glaze while warm.
How to Serve It:
Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve immediately.
Conclusion
Each of these apple donut recipes brings the taste of fall right to your kitchen. From caramel drizzles to crumb toppings, they’re made to be shared on chilly mornings or cozy evenings. Try a few, share them with family, and let the scent of warm apples and cinnamon fill your home all season long.
