Apple Cinnamon Donuts

The tastes of apple pie and apple streusel come together to form the perfect Apple Cinnamon Donut for fall. Filled with apple chunks, applesauce, and tossed in cinnamon-sugar; we can’t think of a better way to welcome fall.

A close up of apple cinnamon donuts broken in half to show apple chunks. A stack of donuts with cinnamon-sugar, a red apple, green apple, cinnamon sticks and green cloth in the background.
Fresh chunks of real apples makes this Apple Cinnamon Donut a fall favorite!
An overhead image of freshly baked apple cinnamon donuts on a cookie sheet.
Baked to perfection in just 15 minutes and easy to double or triple for year-round enjoyment!

The Best Fall Donut Recipes

While we’re obviously partial to the apple and cinnamon flavor in these donuts, you’ll find a few others on our site that scream fall!

And who could forget pumpkin? If you’re all about the pumpkin spice lattes, these Pumpkin Muffins with Bacon Streusel are just what you need! And here’s a trick, nearly any muffin batter can be baked in a donut pan to create homemade donuts!

A close up stack of cinnamon apple donuts with cinnamon sugar topping.
Few donuts will win when stacked against our homemade apple cinnamon donuts!

Is it Donuts or Doughnuts?

I’m sure you’ve noticed a couple times now the switch. And chances are you are not a 100% sure on the correct spelling. So here’s a fun piece of trivia for you! “Doughnuts” is considered the official spelling of the word, much like your given name.

However, the spelling “donuts” has been around since the late 19th century, mostly in America, and is considered a widely accepted nick-name. My theory is they don’t last long enough on the table to be given such a long name. Keep it short and sweet. Less talking, more eating!

How to make Apple Cinnamon Donuts

This quick and easy donut recipe will have you pumping out batches of donuts like you’re Krispy Kreme itself! The only thing that could possibly slow you down is the number of donut pans you have.

This recipe yields 18 donuts total. So having two pans on hand makes quick work and lends the possibility of doubling or tripling batches with ease!

Apple Cinnamon Donuts Easy as 1 2 3….
  1. Start by creating the apple filling. One apple is all it takes. You’ll want to peel, core, and dice the apple as finely as you can. Granny Smith or Pink Lady apples are my go-to when it comes to baking. Add the butter, spices, and apple to a pot or pan and cook down until the apple pieces have started to soften and butter is melted.
  2. Combine the butter, sugars, eggs, and applesauce to make your wet ingredients. Then add your apples, until just incorporated.
  3. Combine the remaining spices, flour, baking powder and baking soda. Give a whisk to make sure all is combined.
  4. Add your dry ingredients half at a time to the bowl of wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. Be sure there are no pockets of dry ingredients but be careful not to overmix so the batter doesn’t deflate.
  5. Spray your pan with non-stick spray, or rub with lard, and spoon the batter into the wells until just about full. Bake for 15-minutes. They should be plumpy, soft, and squishy without being undercooked.
  6. Allow the donuts to rest in the pan for a few minutes until you can handle the pan. Then using a rubber spatula, frosting knife, or spoon – run along the circumference and bottom of the donut to loosen and pop them out. Place on a cookie sheet to fully cool or roll immediately in a mixture of cinnamon-sugar for added flare.

Chef Tip: if your cinnamon-sugar will not stick to the donut, brush the donuts with a little melted butter and try again.

An overhead image of a stack of Apple cinnamon donuts with green and red apples, green napkin and cinnamon sticks in the background.
Roll in cinnamon-sugar or top with a homemade frosting for a sweeter treat!

How to store and reheat donuts

How to store donuts

If storing donuts in the refrigerator, allow them to cool completely. Then add them to a gallon sized Ziploc bag, removing as much air as possible without squishing them. These will last up to five days. Store on the counter in the same way.

To freeze donuts, allow to cool completely and wrap in plastic wrap, stacked with a layer of parchment paper between each donut. These will keep 2-3 months.

How to reheat donuts in the microwave

  1. Whether you’re grabbing day-old donuts from the counter or the refrigerator, you’ll want to wrap each single donut in a paper towel.
  2. Place on a plate in the microwave and heat on high for 15-30 seconds. Out pops soft, moist, seemingly fresh from the oven donuts. If they are feeling rather hard from being on the counter, try dampening your paper towel first.
A side view of a stack of five cinnamon sugar coated apple cinnamon donuts.
Reheat individual donuts in the microwave with a paper towel.
Other breakfast dishes you’ll love!
A close up of apple cinnamon donuts broken in half to show apple chunks. A stack of donuts with cinnamon-sugar, a red apple and green cloth in the background.

Apple Cinnamon Donuts

The tastes of apple pie and apple streusel come together to form the perfect fall donut. Filled with apple chunks, applesauce, and tossed in cinnamon-sugar; we can't think of a better way to welcome fall than with these baked apple cinnamon donuts!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 18 servings (2 doughnuts each)
Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

  • donut pan
  • whisk
  • mixing bowls
  • rubber spatula
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • apple peeler
  • knife
  • cutting board

Ingredients
  

For the apple filling

  • 1 medium apple cored, peeled, and finely diced
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

For the doughnut batter

  • â…“ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

Make the apple filling

  • Melt butter in a small saute pan over medium heat.
    An overhead view of diced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter.
  • Add the diced apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Saute for 3-5 minutes, until the apples have softened slightly but still have a little bite to them.
    An overhead view of sautéed diced apples in a silver stove pot.

Make the doughnut batter

  • Cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add the applesauce and sauteed apples and stir to combine.
    Two bowls on a table. One with dry ingredients and one with wet ingredients for apple cinnamon donuts.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture and blend well.
    A large bowl with a white spatula and batter for apple cinnamon donuts.
  • Fill each donut reservoir of the donut pan with about 2 Tablespoons of batter, or until just the top of the pan.*
    An overhead photo of a donut pan with apple cinnamon batter.
  • Bake at 350F for 15 minutes. Remove from the pan and roll in cinnamon-sugar while warm. Place on a cookie sheet to cool completely.**
    An overhead image of freshly baked apple cinnamon donuts on a cookie sheet.

Notes

*Alternatively, you can fill lined muffin tins 2/3rds full with batter. If making muffins, bake at 350 F for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
**If cinnamon-sugar will not stick to the donuts, try brushing with a bit of melted butter then rolling in cinnamon-sugar.
Be sure to check out the full post for more tips and tricks on making these quickly, easily, and with the best results!

Nutrition

Serving: 2doughnutsCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 124mgPotassium: 114mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 0.7mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Mention @itsyummi or tag #itsyummirecipe!
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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