These fluffy, tender Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts are bursting with warm fall flavor in every bite. Made with cozy spices and real apple cider—no need to reduce it first—this easy baked donut recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a fall treat or weekend breakfast! There is also a dairy-free option!
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❤️ Sandi’s Recipe Summary
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Guys, this is my new favorite recipe. These easy gluten-free cider donuts are so fluffy and full of apple cider flavor—like your favorite fall flavors in a fluffy doughnut! I have been working on this recipe for a few weeks on and off, and I am really glad I have finally nailed it! Let me know what you think!!
You may also want to try my Gluten-Free Apple Cider Cake. It is the perfect snack cake for fall! If you love donuts, check out all of my delicious Gluten-Free Donuts Recipes.
Allergen Information:
I know many of my readers have a lot of other food allergens they need to avoid. These homemade apple cider donuts are:
- gluten-free
- oat-free
- nut-free
- soy-free
- Make them dairy-free using plant-based butter.
- Make them gum-free using my gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe using King Arthur Measure For Measure. If you use a different brand of gluten-free flour, start by checking whether it includes xanthan gum. You may need to adjust the moisture slightly based on the blend.
- Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 3/4 teaspoon.
- Baking Powder and soda – I highly recommend using aluminum-free baking powder.
- Apple Cider – Use a good apple cider. It will bring a lot of flavor to these gluten free apple cider donuts. You can use apple juice, but the flavor will not be quite the same. Avoid sparkling cider or spiced cider with added preservatives—plain, fresh apple cider gives the best flavor.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter. Butter adds softness and helps keep the donuts moist.
- Milk – I used almond milk, but any non-dairy or regular milk will work.
How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Cider Donuts (Step-By-Step)
Note From The Kitchen: Every gluten-free flour blend behaves differently depending on its starch-to-grain ratio. If your batter looks too thin or runny, don’t worry, just add a little more flour. If it feels too thick, add a splash more milk. This small adjustment makes a big difference in texture.
Step 1: Add the dry ingredients to a large
Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to a medium-sized bowl. Whisk the wet ingredients.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix the wet and dry ingredients gently. Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing = dense donuts!
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Step 3: If you use a silicone donut mold, fill it with the apple cider donut batter. If you use a metal donut pan, spray it with gluten free baking spray to prevent sticking. Fill each cavity with donut batter.
Step 4: Bake the donuts for 20-22 minutes. When they are finished baking, place the donuts on a wire rack to cool.
Step 5: Mix the coating
Step 6: Melt butter in a microwave-safe dish.
Step 7: Brush a donut lightly with the melted butter. Next, dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Be sure to coat the whole donut. Once cooled and coated in cinnamon sugar, the donuts have a light, cake-like texture, a tender crumb, and just the right amount of chew.
If you love baking with apples, check out all of my incredible Gluten Free Apple Recipes. I have so many favorites like these Gluten Free Apple Fritters.
Storage and Freezing Tips:
- Store leftover donuts in an airtight container. If it is summer and warm in your house, you will want to store them in the refrigerator. They will keep fresh for up to 3 days.
- These donuts can be frozen. Place cooled donuts into a freezer bag and squeeze the excess air out. They will keep fresh for up to 4 months. Warm the donuts in the microwave for 10–12 seconds or in a 300ºF oven for 5–7 minutes to bring back their fluffy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Not without adjustments. This batter is too soft for frying as written. If you want to try frying, you’ll need to add more flour to make a thicker, pipeable dough.
I haven’t tested this recipe without eggs, but a flax egg or egg replacer may work. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
More Gluten-Free Donut Recipes:
- Fried Gluten-Free Donuts. Coat them in powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate.
- These Gluten-Free Vanilla Donuts are extra good from the pudding in the mix.
- Easy Gluten-Free Lemon Donuts are one of the best ways to enjoy lemons.
- Gluten-Free Jelly Donuts (aka Sufganiyot)
- Gluten-Free Caramel Apple Donuts
Love This Recipe?
💬 Did you make this recipe? Drop a comment below, and let me know how it turned out! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
The Best Gluten Free Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350º F. If you are using a donut maker, preheat the donut maker according to the manufacturer's directions.
- In a large bowl, add 2 cups gluten free flour blend, ½ cup cane sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg. Whisk to blend them.
- In a medium bowl, 1 cup apple cider, 6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and ½ cup milk or non-dairy milk. Whisk to blend.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently. Do not over-mix the batter, or your donuts will turn out dense.
- Add the gluten free donut batter to a prepared donut pan or your donut maker. If baking the donuts, bake them for 15-20 minutes. The actual baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the donuts. Note, this recipe makes about 12 donuts using a standard-sized donut pan.
- Remove the donuts from the pan to a cooling rack and let them cool. Let the donuts cool for 5–10 minutes before brushing with butter and dipping in the cinnamon sugar. If they’re too hot, the butter can melt off too quickly.
- Melt 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter and use a pastry brush to lightly coat the donuts with butter.
- In a small bowl, combine the 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and ⅓ cup cane sugar and coat each donut with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Nutrition
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF Blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work. I just have not tested other flours.
- If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 3/4 teaspoon.
- Store the donuts in an airtight container in your refrigerator. They will keep fresh for up to 3 days. Freeze them in a freezer bag for up to 4 months.
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
This recipe is wonderful! The donuts are light and fluffy. They are delicious! You can’t even tell they’re gluten free. I’ve already shared it with several friends! Thank you!
I am so glad everyone loved them, Lisa. Thank you so much.
Thank you for sharing your recipe, it looks delicious. I can’t wait to make this for my granddaughter. But I have a question, is apple cider gluten free??
Hi Bedelia, Natural apple cider should be gluten free. It is probably brand dependent and I would avoid any highly processed ones. Also, you will want to read the label carefully. I have used 365 Organic at Whole Foods, Martinelli, and O Organics apple cider brands without any issues.
Hi, thanks for the recipe, I love fall flavors, and these sound so easy! Do you think I could use this recipe for a Belgian waffle?
Hi Kathy, Yes, I think would be very easy to do, but you will probably need more apple cider to thin the batter a little more.
I made these today with King Arthur measure for measure gf flour. I don’t have a donut pan so made 12 muffins in my cupcake pan plus 3 mini loaves. The muffins baked 18 min and the mini loaves 21 min. These were so moist, fluffy and absolutely delicious!! Thank you!
I love you made these as mini loaves. I am going to have to try this firsts.
Incredible! Everyone couldn’t believe they were gluten free!
I love hearing that! Thank you so much, Cyndi. I appreciate your coming back to tell me everyone loved them.
Made these, delicious and so easy to make.
I am thrilled everyone loved the donuts. Thank you!
Just made these donuts and they are so light and fluffy and delicious!!
I am so glad you loved the recipe. This is my new favorite!
These were great! Even the gluten people liked them. They are best served warm I thought. Thank you!!!
I am so glad you all loved them. I love them warm too!
I only had 1 donut pan. So I made 6 donuts and 2 mini loaves.
I used King Arthur GF flour and spiced cider, deeelicious!!!and so easy!
Will definitely be making again!Next I want to experiment with a cinnamon glaze
I am so glad you loved these donuts! Thank you so much!
These are delicious!!
I am so glad you loved these donuts. Your photos on Facebook looked so much better than mine!
Has anyone tried cooking these in an air fryer?
The recipe is brand new today, so I am not sure anyone has tried it. This dough is probably not firm enough for an air fryer unless it is cooked on parchment paper so it doesn’t run down the holes.
I don’t have a donut pan, would these work as muffins – rolling the tops in the sugar coating? Or what else would you suggest?
You can easily make these into muffins! Great idea.
Will the gluten free, apple cider donuts work with Monk-fruit instead of sugar?
Hi Shari, I have never baked with monk-fruit sweetener so I am unable to answer your question.
Wow – just made these and I might be excited for fall now! Fantastic!
I am really glad you loved them! Thank you for letting me know.
I bet these would work great with monk fruit sweetener. I am going to try these this weekend with the Monk fruit and I will get back to you.
Please do let me know, others ask me this all of the time.