Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts are fluffy, vegan treats bursting with cozy fall flavors! Perfect for breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack!
Cozy, spiced, and perfectly glazed—these Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts are everything we love about fall in one bite!
Made with fresh apple chunks, warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom, and a rich maple glaze, they’re soft, lightly sweet, and baked instead of fried—making them an easy, healthier twist on a classic donut.
Why make them?
Because they’re quick, and easy, and bring all the cozy fall flavors into one perfect bite! These donuts are ideal for breakfast, a snack, or even a light dessert, and they store well, so you can enjoy a fresh batch all week long.
Perfect for sharing or savoring solo with your favorite hot drink!
Plus, they come together in minutes and are a super quick dessert idea for unexpected guests.
Ready to bake? Let’s gather the ingredients!
Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts Ingredients
Here’s everything you will need to make these Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts:
Flour: The base of our donuts, all-purpose flour provides the structure. It keeps these donuts tender and fluffy while baking.
Brown sugar: adds sweetness with a hint of molasses flavor, which complements the spices and apple. It also brings extra moisture, making the donuts soft and moist.
Baking powder: This leavening agent is key for making the donuts rise, giving them that light, airy texture that we love.
Cinnamon: is the star spice, infusing these donuts with a classic, cozy warmth that’s perfect with apples.
Cardamom: This spice adds a subtle hint of floral and citrus notes, elevating the cinnamon and apple flavors and adding complexity to the donuts. If you don’t have cardamom at hand, you can skip it, or simply add a little more cinnamon.
Ginger: Just a hint provides a touch of warmth and depth to the spice mix without overpowering the other flavors.
Salt: A bit of salt balances out the sweetness and enhances the spices, giving the donuts a more rounded and rich flavor.
Applesauce: is our secret to moistness without adding extra fat. Plus, it adds natural sweetness and enhances the apple flavor in the donuts.
Vegetable oil: adds richness and helps keep the donuts soft even after they’re baked, giving them a lovely, tender crumb. Make sure to use neutral-flavored vegetable oil, like canola oil, or sunflower seed oil.
Plant milk: keeps these donuts moist while adding a slight creaminess. Almond or soy milk works well for an extra nutty note.
Vanilla extract: Vanilla rounds out the flavors with a sweet aroma and enhances the other ingredients without stealing the spotlight.
Apple: Peeled, cored, and finely diced, fresh apple adds texture and bursts of flavor, giving the donuts a fresh, fruity element that pairs perfectly with the spices. Sprinkle some cinnamon and sugar on top and mix well to combine before adding them to the batter.
Ground almonds: add a slightly nutty flavor and subtle texture to the donuts, making each bite more interesting.
After you have your base for the donuts you will also want to make a delicious glaze. You will need:
Vegan butter: gives the glaze a creamy richness, helping it to coat the donuts smoothly. Its slight saltiness contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the glaze.
Maple syrup: brings a rich, earthy sweetness that complements the apple and spices. It also makes the glaze glossy and pourable.
Ground coffee: deepens the flavor of the glaze, adding a subtle bitterness that balances out the sweetness.
Cinnamon: Adding cinnamon to the glaze ties the flavors together with the spiced donuts.
Powdered sugar: (icing sugar) is the base of the glaze, giving it sweetness and a smooth, glossy finish. It creates a beautiful contrast against the warm, spiced donuts.
Now that you have gathered all your ingredients, let’s get baking!
How to make Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts
Making these donuts is simple and fun! First, gather all your ingredients to have them ready to go.
Next, preheat your oven to 180°C / 356°F (160°C / 320°F for fan ovens) and get your donut pan ready!
Grease the donut pan well with a neutral oil or vegan butter to ensure easy release and prevent any sticking. For best results, you can also lightly dust the pan with sugar after greasing, which creates a barrier and keeps the donuts from absorbing too much oil.
Tip: if you don’t have a donut baking pan, you can bake the batter in a muffin tin! See tips in the recipe below.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
Get a large mixing bowl, and whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and salt.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients – the applesauce, vegetable oil, plant milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Make sure the wet ingredients are well combined to avoid clumps of oil or applesauce. This will help the batter come together more smoothly when you mix in the dry ingredients.
Cut the apple in half, core it, and dice it into small cubes (around ¼-inch pieces). Smaller cubes will cook more evenly and distribute better in the batter. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon for added sweetness and flavor.
Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and gently fold together until just combined.
Add the diced apple and ground almonds at this stage. Avoid over-mixing, as this can cause the donuts to become dense. Fold until no dry flour is visible; some small lumps in the batter are fine.
Pipe and Bake the Donuts:
Transfer the batter into a piping bag (or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off). Pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each mold nearly to the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes. Keep an eye on the donuts in the last few minutes, as baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven.
To check when your donuts are done and baked, insert a toothpick into the center of a donut – it should come out clean and dry.
Cool the Donuts:
Once done, remove the donuts from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Cooling in the pan helps the donuts set, making them less likely to break when you take them out.
After 5 minutes, gently invert the pan over a cooling rack and tap lightly to release the donuts. Let them cool on the rack while you prepare the glaze.
Prepare the Glaze:
In a small saucepan, melt the vegan butter over medium heat. Allow it to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until it begins to turn golden brown and releases a nutty aroma—this browning adds a rich depth to the glaze. Be sure to watch it closely to avoid burning.
Remove the browned butter from the heat, and stir in the maple syrup, ground coffee, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. Whisk until smooth, making sure the powdered sugar fully dissolves for a silky, pourable glaze.
Carefully dip each donut halfway into the glaze and place it back on the cooling rack, glaze side up. Let the donuts rest on the rack for at least 30 minutes to allow the glaze to fully set.
Once set, serve the donuts slightly warm for the best texture and flavor, and enjoy them with a cozy cup of tea or coffee!
See serving ideas down below for more fun ways to enjoy these donuts!
Serving ideas
These baked donuts are perfect to enjoy on their own, as part of your breakfast, or as a snack to tide you over to your meal.
Serve them slightly warmed alongside a hot cup of coffee, chai, or spiced tea. The cozy flavors of apple and cinnamon are perfect with warm drinks, especially on a chilly day.
If you want to enjoy them as part of a balanced breakfast, pair them with a Greek yogurt dip on the side—try mixing a bit of cinnamon, honey, or maple syrup into the yogurt for extra flavor. It’s a light, high-protein way to enjoy them for breakfast.
For a dessert vibe, add a dollop of coconut whipped cream on top and sprinkle with extra cinnamon or nutmeg. A sprig of mint or a cinnamon stick on the side makes it look elegant!
Feeling adventurous? Make a Donut Sundae! Slice the donut in half and layer with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream, then add a drizzle of caramel sauce on top. This is a fantastic way to turn these donuts into a fun fall-inspired dessert.
Or crumble a donut over a bowl of Greek yogurt, fresh apples, and granola for a quick apple-cinnamon parfait. It makes for a fun, donut-inspired twist on a fruit parfait.
Having a party?
Arrange the donuts on a serving tray with mini caramel apples, pecan or almond clusters, and spiced nuts. This makes for a beautiful fall dessert platter that’s perfect for gatherings!
Enjoy exploring these serving ideas, and don’t forget to pair them with cozy autumn flavors for an even more satisfying treat!
Storage tips
These baked donuts are stored very well, and you can enjoy them all week long.
Room Temperature
Simply place the donuts in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture and keep them from getting soggy. Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 2 days.
Refrigeration
Transfer the donuts to an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. For best flavor and texture, let them come to room temperature or warm them slightly in the microwave or oven before serving. They will keep for up to 5 days refrigerated.
Freezing
Place the donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. If the donuts are glazed, make sure the glaze is fully set before freezing to avoid sticking. They will keep frozen for up to 2 months.
Serving
Before serving from frozen, let them thaw at room temperature, then warm them briefly in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 5-7 minutes to refresh their texture.
If the donuts become slightly dry after storage, a few seconds in the microwave or a few minutes in a warm oven can restore their soft, moist texture.
These tips will help keep your donuts fresh and delicious whenever you’re ready to enjoy them!
More similar recipes:
Vegan Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts
Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts are fluffy, vegan treats bursting with cozy fall flavors like apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, and a hint of coffee! Perfect for breakfast or a sweet afternoon snack! We recommend using a donut pan, but you can also try making them as muffins.
Ingredients
Donuts:
- 260 grams of flour (2 cups)
- 80 grams of brown sugar (½ cup)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- Pinch of ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 120 mililiters applesauce (½ cup)
- 60 mililiters oil (¼ cup)
- 180 mililiters plant milk (¾ cup)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 apple
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground almonds
Glaze:
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground coffee
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 356°F (160°C / 320°F for fan ovens) and grease the donut pan.
- In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients: applesauce, oil, plant milk, and vanilla extract.
- Cut the apple in half, remove the seeds, and dice it into small cubes. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
- Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, then fold in the diced apple and ground almonds. Mix just until no dry flour remains visible; do not over-mix.
- Fill a piping bag with the batter, pipe it into the prepared donut pan (fill to the top), and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for about 12-14 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick into the center of a donut; it should come out clean and dry.
- Remove the baked donuts from the oven, let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then invert the pan to release the donuts onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare the glaze:
melt the vegan butter and cook it until it starts to brown, then remove it from the heat and add the maple syrup, ground coffee, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. Stir well until smooth and liquid. Dip the donuts into the glaze and return them to the rack for at least half an hour to let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake the batter in a muffin tin. In this case, extend the baking time to about 18-20 minutes and check with a toothpick.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 257Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 188mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 2gSugar: 23gProtein: 3g
Nutrition data is automatically calculated using Nutritionix and may not be accurate.