Gluten Free Apple Cider Doughnuts

Published: Oct 12, 2022 Modified: Apr 18, 2023 by Karen Kelly This post may contain affiliate links.

Make these Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts for the perfect sweet treat made with cinnamon, apple cider, and pure maple syrup. They are easily made with gluten free flour in about thirty minutes and baked in the oven.

These Apple Cider Donuts are loaded with all the fall flavors your body craves this time of year. It's the perfect fall treat for after school or packed into lunches.

If you are gluten free like me, then you will love all the delicious and easy-to-make gluten-free doughnut recipes I have. Try out my Gluten Free Doughnuts (Krispy Kreme Copycat) and my Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts.

These are surprisingly easy to make because I use Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour. No need to mix your own gluten free flour mixture. I am a massive fan of this flour and like to use King Arthur. I have tested this recipe with both flour blends. Make sure whatever all-purpose gluten free flour blend you choose has xanthan gum.

These Apple Cider Donuts have a delicious maple glaze, but you could dip them into a cinnamon sugar mixture. I would use ½ cup of white sugar and one tablespoon of cinnamon.

Ingredients for Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts

Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Baking Flour - As I said before, this is my go-to. I buy it on Amazon with the subscribe and save feature. I love that all my essentials just show up at my door!
Baking Soda and Baking Powder - Make sure they are not stale.
Cream of Tartar
Cinnamon - All that warm fall flavor!
Salt - I use Kosher salt.
Sugar - I use granulated sugar, but you can substitute coconut or brown sugar if preferred, and it will give these gluten free doughnuts more of a deep caramel flavor.
Butter - I use unsalted butter. I have readers who have substituted vegan butter with no problem, but we have not tried coconut oil.
Pure Vanilla Extract
Eggs - Room temperature eggs work best when baking. For vegan donuts, you can substitute flax eggs.
Apple Cider - Fresh, unfiltered is best for incredible apple flavor. Maybe you've hit the apple orchard and have some fresh apple cider.
Powdered Sugar
Pure Maple Syrup - This adds so much flavor to the glaze.
Milk - You only need a little for the glaze. You can use any type of dairy or non-dairy milk, and I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk.

Instructions for Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray your donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl: flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and sugar.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and apple cider.
Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour in the wet ingredients. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
Transfer the mixture into a ziplock or piping bag and cut a small hole in the corner. This will help you pipe the donut batter into the donut pan. This is optional; you can just carefully spoon it into the donut pan.
Fill each well about half full. If you fill it to the top, it will bake as a circle, and you will not have a hole in the middle of your donut.
Cook for about 8-10 minutes, then cool completely before topping with icing.
Mix all icing ingredients in a small bowl. Once the donuts are completely cool, you can drizzle with glaze or turn them upside down and dip them in the glaze. Turn them onto a wire rack with parchment paper underneath to catch drips.

I used Wilton Donut Pans for these, but you can also make mini donuts with the Babycakes Mini Donut Maker, and I also really like the silicone donut pans. Either way, your kids will love you for it.

Can I Use Apple Juice Instead of Apple Cider?

Apple cider is fresh, unfiltered, unpasteurized, and does not last as long, while apple juice is filtered and will last longer. I always prefer the flavor of apple cider when you can get it, and it's usually available at local grocery stores in the fall. If you cannot find it, apple juice will work, but the flavor will be milder. Please do not use apple cider vinegar as a substitute.

How Do I Store Leftover Donuts, and Can I Freeze Them?

These donuts are best eaten on the first day. If you have leftovers, I would store them in an airtight container for up to two days or up to four in the refrigerator. If needed, you can warm them for 10-15 seconds in the microwave. To freeze them, I wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and then put them into an airtight plastic freezer bag for two to three months.

Can I Fry These Donuts?

I don't think so. I have not tried them, but these are baked donuts, and the batter is not a yeast dough; it's a thin batter. If you want fried donuts, you'll need a yeast dough.

Can I Make These Donuts Vegan?

Yes, you can easily substitute flax or replacement eggs and vegan butter. I have readers who have done this, and they turn out great. You will want to make sure you use non-dairy milk as well.

More Doughnuts Recipes

Now that you are a pro at baking delicious gluten free donuts, try these: