Wholesome Vegan Apple Cider Donuts: Your Perfect Gluten-Free Fall Treat

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Delight in these vegan apple cider donuts, crafted with wholesome oats, creamy almond butter, and authentic apple cider. Each donut is lovingly finished with a refined-sugar-free dusting of cinnamon and crushed apple chips, creating a truly irresistible fall flavor!

Have you picked up any new skills or revisited old hobbies during recent times? This year, for me, has been an unexpected journey back to German. While it feels like a fresh start, it’s truly a rekindling of a language I studied diligently for three years in high school. It’s funny how some knowledge sticks, buried deep, waiting for the right moment to resurface.

Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Languages have always presented a unique challenge for me. I once failed Italian in college and vaguely recall two semesters of French, though most of it has long vanished, down to the very last amour. But German, surprisingly, seems to have a different memory lane. Words and phrases are slowly but surely making their way back into my active vocabulary, making the learning process both familiar and exciting.

It helps tremendously to have an app that gamifies the experience, motivating me with impressive winning streaks. Every evening, around 9 PM, my DuoLingo app pings me with a friendly reminder: “Time to practice German!” I find myself hooked, playing until my “hearts” run out, addicted to the satisfying “briiiiiing” of a correct answer and the adorable wiggly dance of the owl mascot when I achieve a new goal. It’s a small, consistent victory in my daily routine.

Just as I’m re-learning German, I’ve also found myself re-learning the art of making donuts. It’s been far too long – years, in fact – since my last donut recipe graced this blog. But with the crisp air of autumn settling in, the timing felt perfect to bring back a beloved fall classic, reinvented to be even better.

These Vegan Apple Cider Donuts are not just delicious; they’re crafted with wholesome ingredients to be entirely vegan and gluten-free. We achieve this by using a blend of oat flour and almond flour for a tender crumb, rich almond butter for moisture, and, of course, the star ingredient: real apple cider for that iconic autumnal flavor. To make them truly special, they’re finished with a sweet, refined-sugar-free dusting made from coconut sugar and a delightful crumble of cinnamon-spiced apple chips!

Sehr gut! Indeed!

Make Donuts Your Healthy Fall Tradition

There’s an undeniable magic that happens when fall arrives, and for me, donuts are inextricably linked to this season. It’s a connection deeply rooted in childhood memories, particularly our annual Halloween tradition. Every October 31st, my family would gather to enjoy a festive box of Dunkin’ Donuts paired with crisp, fresh apple cider.

Chocolate frosted, chocolate glazed, and pumpkin glazed were among our cherished favorites. I remember eagerly devouring my chosen circular delight and gulping down the sweet cider before the evening parade of trick-or-treaters began ringing our doorbell. It was a simple, joyful ritual that marked the changing leaves and the start of holiday festivities.

While this specific tradition faded after I moved out of my childhood home, the sentiment remains. The combination of warm, spiced donuts and the tangy sweetness of apple cider truly embodies the essence of autumn. But what if we could elevate this tradition, making it not only nostalgic but also nourishing?

This year, I propose a delightful twist: rather than just pairing donuts with apple cider, let’s infuse the very essence of fall into our donuts! These vegan apple cider donuts offer a wonderful opportunity to revive and reinvent a beloved seasonal custom. They provide all the comfort and flavor you crave from a classic fall donut, but with wholesome ingredients that make them a treat you can feel good about enjoying.

The Essential Ingredient: Apple Cider for Authentic Fall Flavor

Prepare to fall in love with these donuts, which are deeply infused with the vibrant taste of apple cider! Each bite offers a perfect balance of lightness, sweetness, and distinct apple notes, all while being completely gluten-free and refined-sugar-free. What’s more, they are also entirely oil-free, if you only consider the minimal amount of non-stick cooking spray used to prepare the donut pans, making them an even healthier indulgence.

For the best and most authentic flavor, I highly recommend using fresh apple cider for this recipe. Opt for a variety that has no added sugars, allowing the natural sweetness and tartness of the apples to shine through. The rich, complex flavor of fresh cider truly elevates these donuts, giving them that unmistakable taste of autumn.

However, if fresh apple cider isn’t readily available, don’t worry! You can certainly use unsweetened apple juice as a substitute. While the flavor profile might be slightly less robust than with true cider, you’ll still achieve wonderfully moist and apple-flavored donuts. The key is to ensure it’s unsweetened to maintain the refined-sugar-free nature of the recipe and allow you to control the overall sweetness. Either way, these donuts are guaranteed to bring a burst of fall goodness to your table!

What You Need to Make These Wholesome Apple Cider Donuts

Crafting these delectable vegan apple cider donuts requires a thoughtful selection of plant-based and gluten-free ingredients that come together to create a harmonious blend of flavor and texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:

• Apple Cider or Apple Juice: As the name suggests, this is the core flavor. Apple cider provides a more robust, spiced apple flavor, while unsweetened apple juice offers a sweeter, milder apple essence. Both work beautifully to infuse moisture and an authentic fall taste.
• Ground Flaxseed: This magical ingredient creates our “flax egg,” acting as a powerful binder and emulsifier, replacing traditional eggs in this vegan recipe. It also adds a boost of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: Used for moisture and to create the perfect batter consistency without adding unnecessary sugars. Any plant-based milk can be used, but almond milk is light and neutral in flavor.
• Gluten-Free Oat Flour: A fantastic whole-grain flour that provides a tender, slightly chewy texture and a wholesome, nutty flavor. Ensure it’s certified gluten-free if necessary.
• Almond Flour: Adds richness, moisture, and a finer texture to the donuts, complementing the oat flour beautifully. It’s also high in protein and healthy fats.
• Ground Cinnamon: The quintessential fall spice, bringing warmth, aroma, and that classic apple pie flavor to the donuts.
• Ground Ginger: A touch of ginger adds a subtle, spicy kick that enhances the overall spice profile and pairs wonderfully with the apple cider.
• Baking Powder: Our primary leavening agent, ensuring the donuts rise properly and achieve a light, airy texture.
• Creamy Almond Butter: This provides healthy fats, a wonderfully moist crumb, and a subtle nutty flavor. It also helps bind the ingredients and makes the donuts incredibly satisfying. Ensure it’s a natural, drippy almond butter for best results.
• Pure Maple Syrup: The natural sweetener for these donuts, offering a distinct caramel-like flavor that complements the apple and spices without using refined sugars.

That’s it! With these simple, wholesome ingredients, you’re ready to create a batch of irresistible fall treats.

How to Effortlessly Bake These Delicious Apple Cider Donuts

Creating these vegan apple cider donuts is a straightforward and rewarding process. Let’s walk through the steps to ensure you achieve perfect results every time:

To begin this delightful recipe, grab a large mixing bowl. First, prepare your flax egg by whisking together the ground flaxseed meal with filtered water. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes; it will thicken into a gel-like consistency, ready to act as your binder.

Once your flax egg is ready, add the wet ingredients to the bowl: the unsweetened almond milk, creamy almond butter, apple cider, and pure maple syrup. Mix these thoroughly until well combined and smooth. Then, gradually incorporate the dry ingredients: gluten-free oat flour, almond flour, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and baking powder. Using a spatula, mix everything together until you have a thick, consistent batter. The batter should be substantial enough to hold its shape, making it easy to spoon into your donut molds.

Next, lightly grease your donut pan with non-stick spray. Using a spoon or a small ladle, carefully divide the batter among the donut molds. Fill each mold until the batter is almost flush with the top, ensuring you don’t overfill, which could cause them to lose their shape. For a neater process, you can also transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off) and pipe it into the molds.

Place the filled donut pan into your preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes. You’ll know your donuts are perfectly baked when they begin to pull away slightly from the edges of the pan and feel lightly firm to the touch when gently pressed. Their tops should also be a beautiful golden brown.

Once baked, remove the donuts from the oven and let them rest in the tray for 5-10 minutes. This crucial cooling time allows them to firm up slightly, making them easier to handle. Then, use a small knife or offset spatula to carefully wiggle each donut out of its mold and transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This step is essential before dusting to ensure the coating adheres properly.

What You Need to Create the Unique Cinnamon Apple Dusting

While your delicious apple cider donuts are baking and cooling, you can prepare the exquisite cinnamon apple dusting that gives these treats their signature finish. This refined-sugar-free topping adds an extra layer of flavor and delightful texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Unrefined Coconut Sugar: A natural sweetener that provides a warm, caramel-like flavor, complementing the apple and cinnamon without using highly processed sugars.
• Ground Cinnamon: Essential for enhancing the autumnal spice profile, adding fragrant warmth to the dusting.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: Used in minimal amounts to create a light coating that helps the dusting adhere to the donuts.
• Bare Snacks Cinnamon Apple Chips: This is the secret ingredient for an unparalleled apple flavor and a delightful crunch! Crushing these natural apple chips creates a unique, flavorful crumble.

That’s truly it for the dusting! These simple ingredients combine to create a topping that’s both flavorful and healthier than traditional powdered sugar glazes.

How to Achieve the Perfect Cinnamon Apple Dusting

The cinnamon apple dusting is what truly sets these vegan donuts apart, adding a unique texture and an extra burst of fall flavor. Here’s how to prepare and apply it for maximum deliciousness:

To create the dusting, combine the unrefined coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, and the Bare Snacks Cinnamon Apple Chips in a high-speed blender. Process these ingredients until you achieve a fine, powdery dust. The beauty of using Bare Snacks Cinnamon Apple Chips is that they provide an incredible one-ingredient crumble coating, infusing the donuts with even more natural cinnamon and apple sweetness.

During the blending process, you might need to stop once or twice to redistribute the apple chips in the blender jar, ensuring they are all finely crushed. Continue blending until the mixture is uniformly fine and smooth, with most of the apple chip chunks completely pulverized into a delicate dust.

Once your aromatic cinnamon apple “dust” is ready, transfer it into a large, shallow bowl. Make sure the bowl is wide enough to comfortably fit the circumference of your donuts, allowing for easy coating. In a separate, smaller bowl, pour the unsweetened almond milk. Place this bowl right next to your cinnamon apple dust bowl on your workspace.

Now, for the coating process: take a cooled donut and quickly dip it into the almond milk. Just a brief dip is enough to moisten the surface. Immediately after dipping, transfer the donut to the bowl of cinnamon apple dust and gently swirl it around to roughly coat all sides. Don’t worry about perfection; a rustic, flavorful coating is what we’re aiming for!

Once coated, place the donut back onto the cooling rack. Repeat this delightful process with the remaining donuts until each one is beautifully covered in the sweet, fragrant cinnamon apple mixture. The combination of the moist donut and the textured dusting creates an incredible sensory experience – yum!

How to Serve and Enjoy Your Vegan Apple Cider Donuts

These Vegan Apple Cider Donuts are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways, making them perfect for any occasion during the fall season. Serve them as a delightful fall dessert, a satisfying snack, or even a wholesome breakfast treat. While they boast the indulgent look and taste of a dessert, they are actually packed with beneficial fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates, making them a much healthier alternative to traditional donuts.

Imagine starting your day with one of these alongside a steaming cup of coffee or a comforting mug of herbal tea – it’s a perfect way to infuse your morning with autumnal cheer. They also make an excellent pick-me-up during the afternoon, or a light yet satisfying evening dessert without the guilt. Try baking a batch at the beginning of the week and enjoying them as an easy, wholesome treat throughout your busy workdays!

For optimal enjoyment, you can serve them immediately after dusting while they are still slightly warm, enhancing their tender texture and fragrant spices. If you have any leftover donuts (a rare occurrence!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, you can serve them cool straight from the fridge or warm them up slightly in the microwave for about 30 seconds to revive their freshly baked goodness.

Pairing them with a glass of crisp apple cider is, of course, optional but highly recommended to complete the full fall experience. Enjoy every single wholesome, flavorful bite!

More Wholesome Vegan Donut Recipes to Explore

• Decadent Chocolate Donuts with Rich Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache

I Want to Hear From You!

If you get a chance to make this delicious Vegan Apple Cider Donuts recipe, please let me know your thoughts! Your feedback helps me create more wonderful recipes.

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XO Lauren

 

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Photography by Hot Pan Kitchen