Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts

Easy and quick air fryer apple cider donuts are one of the best desserts of fall! These donut holes are an old fashioned favorite while also being gluten free and made with simple ingredients. You can make these homemade in under 20 minutes with no yeast and without a donut pan!

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• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How to Make This Recipe
• Expert Tips
• Recipe FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts

One of my absolute favorite fall desserts are old fashioned apple cider donuts. This recipe originally had the donuts baked in the oven.

But, since I'm a huge fan of air fryer recipes, I figured air fryer apple cider donuts were a must! These are super fun to make in mini hole form also.

If you love this recipe and are looking for more healthy apple desserts, be sure to try this healthy apple pie, apple crisp and apple nachos! And if donuts are you thing give these Krispie Kreme copycat donuts or these chocolate cake donuts a try!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Even better than Trader Joe's version and you can easily make them homemade with apple cider and a few ingredients you likely have on hand in your pantry.
• Delicious texture and sweet flavor - just like the old-fashioned version from the farmer's market!
• Can be made into mini donut holes or into full sized donuts using a donut pan.
• Gluten-free and can be made vegan and without egg.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.

• Maple Syrup: Naturally sweetened with maple syrup, this donut holes have such a delicious fall flavor. Alternatively, you can use coconut sugar, raw honey or sugar.
• Pumpkin Spice: You can also make these with cinnamon sugar if you do not have pumpkin spice.
• Flour: Gluten free baking flour like this measure for measure flour works well in this recipe. I have not tested it with almond flour, whole wheat, coconut or oat flour.

How to Make This Recipe

This is a step by step walkthrough of how to cook this recipe. Exact cook time and temperatures are available in the recipe card at the bottom.

1. Whisk together gluten free flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt and pumpkin spice. In another bowl combine melted butter, egg, maple syrup, apple cider and applesauce.
2. Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet. Stir until just combined, do not over mix.
3. Using a plastic bag, place donut mixture into bag and snip one bottom corner. Fill egg mold ¾ full of donut batter. Smooth tops out with a spoon. Air fry for 10-12 minutes. Donuts will be done when a toothpick comes out clean.
4. In a shallow dish, combine 4 tablespoon of sugar with 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice. Pour 1-2 tablespoon of melted butter over donuts and shake gently to coat. Place donut into sugar mixture and gently roll until coated.

Expert Tips

• Vegan: To make these vegan and eggless, use ¼ cup applesauce in place of an egg. Also use vegan butter in place of butter.
• Storage: Stored in an air-tight container on your countertop for 2-3 days. 
• Freezer: Donuts can be placed in a freezer-proof container and frozen for up to 3 months. 
• Reheat: Defrost and warm in oven, air fryer or microwave.

Recipe FAQs

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