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    Home » Recipes » Donut Recipes

    The Best Gluten Free Caramel Apple Donuts

    Published: Sep 13, 2021 · Modified: Sep 9, 2021 by Sandi Gaertner · 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    a pinterest pin image of the caramel apple donuts

    Get all of that yummy caramel apple flavor in a donut! These homemade gluten free caramel apple donuts are full of fall flavors! With tart apple chunks and a thick caramel glaze, everyone will love these donuts!

    a caramel apple donut on a  plate next to a rack of donuts
    Jump to:
    • Why these donuts are so good:
    • Ingredient notes:
    • Recipe step by step directions:
    • Variations:
    • Tips and Recipe FAQ:
    • More delicious gluten free donut recipes:
    • Recipe
    • Community

    My kids were so excited for me to make this recipe. It isn't often that I drench something in caramel! Dipping these baked apple gluten free donuts in caramel has taken them to a whole new level of yumminess!

    If you have been looking for a dessert that celebrates all of the flavors of fall, you need to try this donut recipe. I baked my donuts in the oven, but you can also use a donut maker!

    I also want to note, if you omit the If you are a donut fanatic like me, you will want to check out all of my gluten free donut recipes!

    Why these donuts are so good:

    I think the reason we love these gluten free caramel apple donuts so much is because of the memories they bring. When I was a kid, we used to melt caramel in a pan and dip apples into it. It was almost a tradition the week before Halloween.

    Now you can have those flavors in a baked donut. It only takes about 30 minutes to make these donuts! We are big caramel apple lovers. If you are looking for more caramel apple flavor, you will want to make my Gluten Free Caramel Apple Cake too!

    a caramel apple donut on a plate with a bite taken out

    Ingredient notes:

    caramel apple donut ingredients
    • Gluten free flour blend - I tested this recipe using Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend and King Arthur's Measure for Measure Gluten Free Blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
    • Xanthan gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
    • Butter - To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter. See my notes about a vegan caramel in the FAQ section below.
    • Non-dairy milk - I used almond milk but other dairy-free kinds of milk will work but I do not recommend canned coconut milk.
    • Applesauce - I recommend using unsweetened.
    • Caramel - You can use those round caramel sheets or melt caramels in a microwave safe dish.
    • Apples - Use any flavor. My favorites are the more tart apples like Granny Smith and Pink Lady.

    Recipe step by step directions:

    making caramel apple donuts steps 1 and 2 photos

    Step 1: Add your dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend them together.

    Step 2: In a microwave-safe dish, melt your butter until it is warm, but not hot. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix it well.

    making caramel apple donuts steps 3 and 4 photos

    Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and add your chopped apple bits. (I peeled my apples but you can easily leave the peels on.)

    Step 4: Mix the apple donut batter.

    HINT: Mix the batter until it is just barely mixed. Overmixing will make your donuts turn out denser.

    making caramel apple donuts steps 5 and 6 photos

    Step 5: Add the batter to a piping bag or a plastic bag. (If using the plastic bag, snip the corner off before piping into the donut pan.)

    Step 6: Pipe your batter into a donut pan.(I like this silicone donut pan because the donuts are so easy to get out and they shape perfectly!

    If you love using a donut maker, I can't say enough good about the Babycakes Donut Maker. I have had mine for years and it still works great!

    making caramel apple donuts steps 7 and 8 photos

    Step 7: Bake the donuts at 350º F for 20-22 minutes, depending on how large and deep your donut pan is. Allow the donuts to cool on a rack.

    Step 8: Melt your caramel in a microwave-safe dish. Dip each donut into the caramel. You can also drizzle the caramel on if you prefer less caramel. Be careful, the caramel is HOT!

    a rack with four caramel apple donuts drying

    Variations:

    • Sprinkle the caramel with coarse salt to make these salted caramel donuts!
    • Add your favorite sprinkles. Make sure you use gluten free sprinkles by checking my gluten free sprinkles list.
    • Add mini white chocolate chips to the donut batter.

    Tips and Recipe FAQ:

    Are donuts healthy?

    Most donuts are not really that healthy because of the sugar. These donuts have a lot of sugar from the caramel. If you are looking for a healthy apple donut, try these Paleo Apple Donuts made with almond flour. They are made without processed sugar.

    Can you make these donuts dairy-free

    Caramel has dairy so you can make the donuts as apple donuts, but you could try making this vegan caramel. It isn't as thick as the caramel squares but it will add that yummy caramel flavor.

    How do you store apple donuts?

    You can store these donuts in an air-tight container in your refrigerator. You can also freeze them in a zip-style freezer bag in the freezer.

    How long will these donuts keep fresh?

    These donuts will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.

    a stack of three caramel apple donuts

    More delicious gluten free donut recipes:

    • Gluten Free Fried Jelly Donuts
    • Chunky Monkey Gluten Free Banana Donuts
    • Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Donuts
    • Gluten Free Lemon Donuts

    Recipe

    a caramel apple donut on a plate next to a rack of donuts

    gluten free caramel apple donuts

    Sandi Gaertner
    These delicious gluten free caramel apple donuts are easy to make in a donut pan, baked in the oven, or a donut maker. Topped with a thick creamy caramel!
    5 from 3 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Course Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 donuts
    Calories 198 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups gluten free flour blend * see note
    • ½ cup sugar (white or brown both work well)
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder * see note
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¼ cup butter melted
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup applesauce unsweetened
    • ¾ cup non-dairy milk
    • ¾ cup apple * see note
    • ⅔ cup caramel * see note

    Instructions
     

    • Add your dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend them together.
    • In a microwave-safe dish, melt your butter until it is warm, but not hot. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix it well.
    • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and add your chopped apple bits. (I peeled my apples but you can easily leave the peels on.)
    • Mix the apple donut batter. Mix the batter until it is just barely mixed. Overmixing will make your donuts turn out denser.
    • Add the batter to a piping bag or a plastic bag. (If using the plastic bag, snip the corner off before piping into the donut pan.) Pipe the batter into the donut pan.
    • Bake the donuts at 350º F for 20-22 minutes, depending on how large and deep your donut pan is. Allow the donuts to cool on a rack.
    • Melt your caramel in a microwave-safe dish. Dip each donut into the caramel. You can also drizzle the caramel on if you prefer less caramel. Be careful, the caramel is HOT!

    Notes

    1. I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
    2. Xanthan gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
    3. Baking powder - I use aluminum-free. It leaves less of an aftertaste.
    4. To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter.
    5. These donuts will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
    6. I used Kraft caramel squares (like the ones used for caramel apples). You can also make your own caramel sauce. I included a recipe in my post.
    7. It is optional if you want to peel your apples.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1donutCalories: 198kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 97mgPotassium: 119mgFiber: 3gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 152IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

    Nutrition 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.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joseph F Man Sr

      September 30, 2021 at 1:09 pm

      5 stars
      They are in the oven now and they smell scrumptious

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        September 30, 2021 at 3:57 pm

        I am so glad!! I hope your daughter and granddaughters enjoy them. It is so sweet of you to make these for them.

        Reply
      • Alisha C Nguyen

        February 25, 2022 at 6:47 pm

        5 stars
        Delicious, but I wish the sugar was listed at the beginning of the ingredient list....I forgot the sugar the 2nd time making these. 🙁

        Reply
        • Sandi Gaertner

          February 25, 2022 at 7:28 pm

          I am so glad you loved these donuts, Alisha. Your request is simple and I moved the sugar up under the flour to make it easier. :-).

    2. Joseph F Man Sr

      September 30, 2021 at 1:08 pm

      This recipe was very easy to throw together and following your directions on piping the batter into the donut molds was very easy as well,I can’t wait to try these as my daughter and granddaughters are celiacs so I’m hoping they will love them as well, thanks for sharing your delicious recipe with everyone.

      Reply

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