Soft, fluffy, and covered in cinnamon sugar, these easy apple cider donut bites are everything you love about fall baking, with a few healthier swaps! Made with real apple cider, applesauce, oat flour, and maple syrup, they’re baked instead of fried and come together without any complicated steps.
And the best part? No reducing apple cider required!
A Healthier Twist on Apple Cider Donuts
Apple cider donuts are one of my favorite fall treats, but I don’t always want to go through the effort of making traditional donuts at home.
These little bites are my easier, healthy-ish version. They have that classic cinnamon-sugar finish, but the batter includes ingredients I love baking with, like oats, applesauce, and maple syrup.
I blend rolled oats into flour to add a little extra fiber and nutrition to baked goods. The applesauce keeps these moist, and real apple cider adds that seasonal flavor.
They’re baked in a mini muffin pan, so there’s no frying, rolling dough, or special donut pan involved.
And while the ingredients are a little lighter than traditional donuts, we’re absolutely keeping the buttery cinnamon-sugar coating. That’s the best part!
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cider Donut Bites
- No cider reduction: Pour the apple cider straight from the jug into the batter.
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep.
- Healthier ingredients: Oat flour, applesauce, and maple syrup give these a little nutritional boost.
- Baked, not fried: No messy oil or special equipment.
- Perfect for little hands: Mini muffin-sized bites make a fun snack for kids and adults.
- Great for fall: All the cinnamon-sugar goodness of apple cider donuts in an easy homemade treat.
Easy Apple Cider Donut Bites Recipe
Tips for the Best Apple Cider Donut Bites
Use real apple cider. Look for fresh, unfiltered apple cider rather than apple juice. It has a richer apple flavor that works beautifully with the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Blend your oats finely. I love using rolled oats in my baked goods, but blending them into a fine flour helps keep the texture soft and tender.
Don’t overmix the batter. Stir just until everything is combined to keep the bites fluffy.
Let them cool slightly before coating. Warm donut bites are perfect for cinnamon sugar, but allowing them to firm up for a few minutes makes them easier to handle.
Don’t skip the cinnamon sugar! The batter is lightly sweetened with maple syrup, so that buttery cinnamon-sugar coating is what really gives these their classic donut flavor.
A Fun Fall Treat for the Whole Family
Whether you’re heading out for a fall adventure, packing a little afternoon snack, or just looking for something fun to bake with the kids, these apple cider donut bites are an easy way to bring a little fall flavor into your kitchen.
They’re simple, made with everyday ingredients, and have just enough cinnamon sugar to feel like a special treat.
And honestly, anything that tastes like an apple cider donut without having to fry donuts or reduce apple cider is a win in my book!
If you like these, try some other fall favorites
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins another perfect snack to make in your mini muffin tin!
Frozen Peanut Butter Ice Cream Bites are a delicious treat for all!
Print
Easy Apple Cider Donut Bites (Healthy-ish!)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini donut bites 1x
Description
Easy baked apple cider donut bites made with oat flour, applesauce, and maple syrup. A healthy-ish fall treat for the whole family.
Ingredients
- ½ cup apple cider
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup rolled oats, blended into flour
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the cinnamon-sugar coating
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat to 350°F and lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
- Make the oat flour. Add the rolled oats to a blender and blend until they reach a fine, flour-like consistency.
- Combine the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the apple cider, applesauce, maple syrup, eggs, and melted butter.
- Add the dry ingredients. Stir in the oat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Fill the muffin pan. Spoon the batter into the prepared mini muffin pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
- Bake. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the tops spring back lightly and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the topping. While the donut bites bake, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Melt the remaining butter separately.
- Coat the donut bites. Allow the bites to cool for a few minutes, then remove them from the pan. Lightly brush with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated.
- Enjoy! Serve slightly warm for the best apple cider donut experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Snack
I couldn’t get enough of these! They stayed so moist and delicious
They are so soft!