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Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts

The gluten free apple cider donuts are fluffy, soft and coated in cinnamon sugar. They are so easy to make and packed full of apple flavor.

GF Apple Cider Donuts

Easy Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts

I know I just posted a donut recipe last week. But DONUTS. Fall just seems like the perfect time of year to eat a donut. Especially gluten free apple cider donuts. They’re absolutely a must-have fall-food.

Adam and I used to get them from our favorite orchard when we would go apple orchard to go picking our favorite apples. They were a fried donut, not baked and they were fabulous. So good. But now that Adam doesn’t eat gluten, we haven’t had any apple cider donuts in a long time. We missed them.

Kitchen equipment needed to make Baked Apple Cider Donuts Gluten Free

Ingredients for this recipe

For the donuts:

  • 1 1/4 C apple cider
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 C gluten-free all-purpose flour*
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 2 Tbsp butter melted
  • 1/2 C light brown sugar
  • 1/2 C granulated sugar
  • 1/2 C whole milk room temperature
  • 2 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the cinnamon/sugar-coating:

  • 3/4 C granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 4 Tbsp butter melted
Stack of gluten free apple cider donuts

How to make Simple GF Apple Cider Donuts

  1. Firstly, add cinnamon sticks and apple cider to a small pot. Bring to a boil and simmer on low until reduced, about 15-20 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks and measure out 1/2 cup of the apple cider. Refrigerate to cool.
  2. Then, Combine milk and vinegar, stir and let sit 5 minutes.
  3. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spray donut pan with non-stick spray.
  4. In the meantime, while the cider is cooling, sift flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter and the vanilla extract in a large bowl. Also, whisk in milk/vinegar and the cooled 1/2 cup of apple cider.
  6. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. DO NOT over mix. Batter will be slightly lumpy.
  7. Pour batter into donut pan and fill about 3/4 of the way full. Don’t over fill! Bake (in batches if necessary) for 10 minutes. Remove donuts from donut pan and cool slightly on a wire rack.
  8. While the donuts are baking/cooling, combine sugar and cinnamon for the topping in a shallow bowl wide enough to dip the donuts in and melt the 4 tablespoons butter.
  9. Lightly dip slightly cooled donuts in the butter and then immediately dip them in the cinnamon/sugar. Turn in sugar until completely coated and place on a wire rack. Repeat with each donut. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
simple gf apple cider donuts

Ingredient Substitutions for Simple Homemade Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts

Sugar substitution

You could try using coconut sugar instead of brown sugar and also the granulated in a 1:1 ratio. I haven’t yet tested it in my recipe, but let me know in the comments if you have!

Gluten Free Dairy Free Apple Cider Donuts

Instead of dairy milk, you could try unsweetened coconut milk or almond milk. To replace the butter, you can try using your favorite brand of vegan butter as well.

Using apple juice in place of apple cider.

You can try swapping out apple juice for the apple cider. It probably won’t be as flavorful but you could add spices such as cinnamon to make it stand out!

The Best Gluten Free Apple Cider Donut Recipe

You will not be missing out any longer! Get yourself some fresh apple cider, make these fab gluten free baked apple cider donuts and enjoy. You’re welcome, Adam! And since September is my apple month, I wanted to make sure I got another apple recipe in before my pumpkin season starts in a few days. Can you believe it’s almost October?! What the what?

Delicious homemade gluten free apple cider donut recipe

Other delicious Gluten Free Donut Recipes to try

Mouth watering Apple recipes you’ll love

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Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts

4.85 from 13 ratings
Baked apple cider donuts with a cinnamon sugar-coating. You can enjoy these with your coffee or with a cup of warm apple cider. It’s the perfect fall breakfast.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 14
Print Rate Pin

Ingredients

For the donuts:

  • 1 1/4 C apple cider
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 C gluten-free all-purpose flour*
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 2 Tbsp butter melted
  • 1/2 C light brown sugar
  • 1/2 C granulated sugar
  • 1/2 C whole milk room temperature
  • 2 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the cinnamon/sugar-coating:

  • 3/4 C granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 4 Tbsp butter melted

Instructions

  • Add cinnamon sticks and apple cider to a small pot. Bring to a boil and simmer on low until reduced, about 15-20 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks and measure out 1/2 cup of the apple cider. Refrigerate to cool.
  • Combine milk and vinegar, stir and let sit 5 minutes.
  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spray donut pan with non-stick spray.
  • While the cider is cooling, sift flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter and the vanilla extract in a large bowl. Whisk in milk/vinegar and the cooled 1/2 cup of apple cider.
  • Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. DO NOT over mix. Batter will be slightly lumpy.
  • Pour batter into donut pan and fill about 3/4 of the way full. Don’t over fill! Bake (in batches if necessary) for 10 minutes. Remove donuts from donut pan and cool slightly on a wire rack.
  • While the donuts are baking/cooling, combine sugar and cinnamon for the topping in a shallow bowl wide enough to dip the donuts in and melt the 4 tablespoons butter.
  • Lightly dip slightly cooled donuts in the butter and then immediately dip them in the cinnamon/sugar. Turn in sugar until completely coated and place on a wire rack. Repeat with each donut. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Notes

*Regular flour can be used in place of the gluten-free flour. Just be sure to omit the xanthan gum.When following a gluten-free diet, be sure to use gluten-free ingredients.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 194mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg

Disclaimers

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Facts are estimated and aren’t always accurate. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist if you have special dietary needs.

Did you make this?Mention @whattheforkfoodblog or leave a comment rating below!

 

Recipe adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction.

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Sincerely,
Shay

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Recipe Rating




  1. Sandra Erdman says:

    These are out of this world. I put some in the freezer as its just hubby and I and they are great COLD. my question is what do you do with the approx 1/2 c. Apple cider that us left over. Seems wasteful to heat 1 1/4 cups to just use 1/2 cup. Thanks a bunch. I made another batch today.

  2. Yum, these look super yummy. I’d be a veryhappy lady right now if I had one of your chocolate hazelnut brownies is one hand and one of these in the other. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!

  3. Karly says:

    Totally craving these right now! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!

  4. Gorgeous recipe and photos. Pinned. Thanks for bringing it by Weekend Bites.

  5. Thanks for coming and linking up at #TheWeekend Social. Please be sure to come back next week starting Thursdays at 9PM EST on KitchenDreaming.com ! I hope to see you there!

    http://www.kitchendreaming.com/

  6. Heidy @TheMccallumsShamrockPatch says:

    Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful blog post on #PureBlogLove Recipe and DIY craft party! We have added it to our Pin Board . I simply adore all your wonderful blog posts and look forward to seeing what you have cooking up for next week! Thank you again for attending, I hope to see you this week over at “The Patch” party always begins Thursdays at 8 pm EST and we run through the entire weekend!
    XoXo
    Heidy

    http://www.themccallumsshamrockpatch.com

  7. These donuts look delicious! Love all the sugar coating! Pinned!

  8. These sound amazing…a perfect fall breakfast or snack! You photographphotography is fantastic too. I want to reach in and grab one of the donuts! Thanks so much for sharing this at our party this week!

  9. Stephanie says:

    Looks so good! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!

  10. Oh my goodness, these donuts look absolutely GORGEOUS and all kinds of perfect for a crisp fall morning! I haven’t experimented much with GF baking in my kitchen, but I have a feeling that these would be worth it… and I cannot wait to try ’em!

    Visiting from the Weekend Recipe Link Party! Nice to meet ya, and thanks for the great recipe!

    • Sharon says:

      Thanks Erin! These are a good recipe to practice with, they’re not difficult to make especially since all you need is a good gluten-free all-purpose flour.

  11. Sharon, these look so good!! There’s a farm near us that sells fresh apple cider donuts in the fall and they’re by far my favorite donuts. I’d love to try making my own!

    • Sharon says:

      There’s nothing like a fresh apple cider donut from the orchard. I wish they made gf ones! So we ‘settle’ for these. They’re a great stand in 🙂

  12. Mila says:

    Those donuts look sooooo good and tasty! I wish I could eat some right now! 😀
    Thanks for sharing!
    Cheers, Mila

  13. Miz Helen says:

    5 stars
    All the wonderful flavor of fall, we will just love your Apple Cider Donuts. Hope you are having a fantastic weekend and thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

  14. Aras Androck says:

    Now I’m craving for some donuts.

  15. Tammi says:

    I can taste the cinnamon sugar sweetness of these just looking at the photos! Yum!!

  16. Nicky says:

    I’d love to have these for breakfast. I found this recipe at the Kitchen Dreaming party. I’ve pinned them to try my hand at them later.

  17. Danielle says:

    Yummy… those look so good! Thanks so much for sharing!

  18. Elaine says:

    Wow……these look so good. Definitely making these soon…..
    ….now I just need to order that donut pan I’ve been eyeing on Amazon!

  19. These look great and totally worth the calories!!

  20. These look soooo delicious! I love it 😉 flavor combo is perfection!

  21. These donuts look delicious! I have seen some amazing donuts this fall, and can’t wait to add yours to the must haves!

  22. Helen- Life in Random Bits says:

    I have got to get a donut pan. These look delicious!

  23. Jessie says:

    I’m speechless. These donuts look incredible. I was literally just telling someone how I needed to find a good apple cider donut recipe. You saved the day. Thanks!

  24. Michelle says:

    These look delicious Sharon. Thanks for sharing!

  25. Stopping by from SITS Link Party. Wish I has these this morning with my coffee.

  26. suzy says:

    I wish I had these for breakfast this morning! It would make getting up at 6 much more worth it 🙂 These look so good. Thanks for sharing.