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Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 112 reviews

These Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts are light, fluffy, and bursting with warm spices. Made with gluten free flour and naturally sweetened with coconut sugar and reduced apple cider, they offer a delightful fall-inspired treat that’s perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Coated in a cinnamon sugar mixture, these donuts are baked to perfection, making them a healthier alternative to traditional fried donuts without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups gluten free 1-to-1 flour (186g)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda

Wet Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups fresh apple cider (to be reduced)
  • 1 large egg (at room temperature)
  • ⅔ cup coconut sugar (or cane sugar) (110g)
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce (at room temperature)
  • ¼ cup avocado oil (or melted & cooled refined coconut oil) (55ml)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping

  • ½ cup monkfruit sweetener (or cane sugar) (100g)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Reduce the apple cider: Pour 1.5 cups of fresh apple cider into a large pan and heat over medium. Once it begins to bubble, let it simmer for 5-8 minutes until reduced to ¾ cup. Transfer the reduced cider to a measuring cup to ensure accuracy; add more cider if slightly short. Allow it to cool completely, speeding the process by refrigerating if desired.
  2. Prepare donut pans and preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two donut pans (total 12 cavities) with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, kosher salt, baking powder, and baking soda until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
  4. Combine wet ingredients: In another large bowl, whisk the egg, coconut sugar, applesauce, avocado oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. While whisking, slowly pour in the cooled reduced apple cider to incorporate evenly.
  5. Form batter: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Gently fold them together using a spatula until mostly smooth, allowing for a few small lumps but no large clumps.
  6. Fill donut pans: Spoon or pipe the batter into the greased donut pan cavities, filling each about ¾ full to allow room for rising.
  7. Bake the donuts: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the donuts are set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  8. Prepare cinnamon sugar coating: While the donuts bake, combine monkfruit sweetener (or cane sugar) and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Stir well to evenly mix.
  9. Cool and remove donuts: Allow baked donuts to cool in the pans for about 3 minutes. Then, carefully use a butter knife to loosen and transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly.
  10. Coat donuts in cinnamon sugar: While still slightly warm, immediately dunk each side of the donuts into the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring an even coating. The warmth helps the sugar adhere without the need for butter.
  11. Final cooling and storage: Donuts are best after cooling for about an hour when they become more sturdy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Note the cinnamon sugar topping may absorb into the donuts over time.

Notes

  • Use gluten free 1-to-1 flour blend to ensure proper texture and rise.
  • Coconut sugar or cane sugar can be swapped depending on sweetness preference.
  • Reducing the apple cider concentrates the flavor and helps provide moisture.
  • Allow donuts to cool a bit before coating to help the cinnamon sugar stick without butter.
  • Donuts are delicate when fresh but firm up as they cool; handle with care.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Can substitute avocado oil with melted refined coconut oil for a subtle coconut flavor.

Keywords: gluten free apple cider donuts, baked gluten free donuts, apple cider desserts, fall recipes, healthy donuts, cinnamon sugar donuts

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/gluten-free-apple-cider-donuts-recipe/