I love baking with fall flavors pretty much year round and I love putting leftover applesauce to good use in these Easy Baked Apple Donuts. They’re a less sweet treat to share with the kids.
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Easy Baked Apple Donuts
First things first: These aren’t donut shop donuts. By which I mean that they are much less sweet and have more of a cake-donut-meets-muffin texture. I’m all for special occasion donuts, but I also like to have ones with a bit more nutrition to make at home. These have the same fun shape and delicious apple cinnamon flavor.
How do I make homemade donuts?
The easiest way to make homemade donuts, and the way that we do it often, is to use a donut pan. This eliminates the need for messy frying and it ensures that classic shape the kids expect. With toddlers and little kids, they often don’t have solid expectations of what a donut has to be, so they will likely just be excited to be getting a treat! (I love making these whenever the urge for a cider donut hits.)
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Ingredients In Healthy Apple Donuts
The baked donut recipe batter mixes up in one bowl in just a few minutes and they take about 15 minutes to bake, so you can have these ready to serve in under 30 minutes. You’ll need whole-wheat flour, applesauce, melted butter, milk, an egg, vanilla extract, maple syrup, baking powder, and cinnamon. You can make these dairy-free by using a neutral oil like canola and nondairy plain unsweetened milk.
How to Make Baked Apple Donuts Step-by-Step Process
Here’s a look at the easy method involved in making this donut recipe.
- Preheat the oven and grease a standard donut pan with nonstick spray. Gently stir all ingredients together.
- Divide batter among the donut pan.
- Fill each donut hole to the brim.
- Bake until lightly golden brown around the edges and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out cleanly. Let cool in pan for about 2 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Serve warm.
Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
I’ve made these two ways so you can adjust for your family’s needs:
- Rolled Oats: Grinding rolled oats in the food processor or blender (the Vitamix does a great job with this!) is an easy way to make an inexpensive yet gluten free flour. And the whole grains add B vitamins, fiber, and complex carbohydrates that provide long lasting energy.
- Whole-Wheat Flour: You can use whole-wheat flour, which creates a slightly more uniform, smooth cake-like texture.
Can I make these baked apple donuts without a donut pan?
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake these in a mini muffin tin, filling to the edge, and baking at the same temperature and timing.
Tips for Making the Best Apple Donuts Recipe
- These baked donuts are really yummy served warm out of the oven.
- You can store them in an airtight container, once cooled, and reheat for about 10 seconds before serving for up to 3 days after.
- We love them a “frosting” of nut butter mixed with honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar.
They boast a bit of Vitamin C from the applesauce and just a smidge of added sweetener. The apple flavor really comes through!
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PinDescription
Made with minimal added sweeteners and fresh apple flavor, these baked donuts are a nutritious breakfast or snack to share.
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour or
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and grease a standard donut pan with nonstick spray.
- Add the egg, milk, butter, applesauce, vanilla, and maple syrup to a medium bowl. Stir well to combine. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and spoon into prepared donut pan, filling each full.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes or until lightly golden brown around the edges and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out cleanly. Let cool in pan for about 2 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Serve warm with a mixture of cinnamon and granulated sugar or drizzle peanut or Sunbutter over top.
- These are best eaten on the day they are made, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat briefly before serving after the first day if desired.
Notes
If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake these in a mini muffin tin, filling to the edge, and baking at the same temperature and timing.
To make these gluten-free, use rolled oats, ground finely in the food processor or blender. Add 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed. You can also try this recipe with a cup for cup gluten free flour.
This is probably obvious, but I’m a newb, lol – sweetened or unsweetened applesauce?
I use unsweetened but either will work!
Thank you!
Can you freeze them?
Yes. Let them cool fully and freeze in airtight freezer bags with as much air removed as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp or in the fridge or very briefly in the microwave.