Easy Apple Pie Donuts – Baked in 30 Minutes

This Apple Pie Donut is a love letter to fall mornings. It captures the warm, spiced comfort of a classic apple pie but in a lighter, bake-and-go form.

Instead of deep-frying, we bake the donuts until golden, then toss them in a fragrant cinnamon-sugar. The result is a tender crumb with pockets of soft, caramelized apple.

I've designed this recipe to be simple and forgiving—no special equipment beyond a donut pan, and you can even use store-bought apple pie filling if you're short on time.

About the Ingredients

1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour

Provides structure. Substitute with whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier flavor.

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Leavening agent that helps the donuts rise. Ensure it's fresh for best results.

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Works with the buttermilk to create a tender crumb. If you lack buttermilk, use 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice.

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

The star spice. Try Ceylon cinnamon for a sweeter, more delicate flavor.

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Adds warmth. Freshly grated nutmeg is more aromatic.

1/4 teaspoon salt

Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.

1 large egg, at room temperature

Binds ingredients. Room temperature egg blends more evenly.

1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

Sweetens the batter. You can reduce to 1/3 cup if you prefer less sweet.

1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk, at room temperature

Adds tang and moisture. Substitute with regular milk in a pinch.

1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

Adds richness. Coconut oil works for a dairy-free version.

1 cup (150g) finely diced apple (about 1 medium apple, peeled)

Use a firm, tart variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture.

For coating: 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon

The classic coating that gives these donuts their signature crunch.

Tips & Tricks

• Use a standard 6-cavity donut pan. If you only have a mini pan, adjust baking time to 8-10 minutes.
• Don't overmix the batter—stir until just combined to keep the donuts tender.
• For even baking, rotate the pan halfway through the baking time.
• If you don't have a donut pan, you can bake the batter in a muffin tin and call them 'apple pie muffins'.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 6-cavity donut pan with nonstick spray or butter.

2. Mix dry ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.

3. Whisk wet ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the buttermilk and melted butter, and whisk until smooth.

4. Combine wet and dry

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just moistened—lumps are okay. Gently fold in the diced apple.

5. Fill the donut pan

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped for cleaner filling.

6. Bake the donuts

Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed and the edges are golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the thickest part should come out clean.

7. Cool and coat

Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. While still warm, dip each donut into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating both sides.

Delicious Variations

Caramel Apple

Drizzle with warm caramel sauce after coating.

Glazed

Skip the cinnamon-sugar and dip in a simple powdered sugar glaze (1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp milk).

Whole Wheat

Replace half the flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.

How to Store Apple Pie Donut

Frequently Asked Questions

I hope these Apple Pie Donuts bring a little warmth to your kitchen. Share your creations with me—tag #applepiedonuts and let's celebrate the season together.

Apple Pie Donut

Apple Pie Donut: a tender, baked donut with spiced apple filling and a cinnamon-sugar coating—easy, wholesome, and ready in 30 minutes.

★★★★½ 4.8 (127 ratings)

15 minPrep time15 minCook time6Servings285 kcalCalories

Print RecipePin Recipe

🧂 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 cup (150g) finely diced apple (about 1 medium apple, peeled)
• For coating: 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon

📋 Instructions

1. 1Preheat and prepare — Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 6-cavity donut pan with nonstick spray or butter.
2. 2Mix dry ingredients — In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
3. 3Whisk wet ingredients — In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the buttermilk and melted butter, and whisk until smooth.
4. 4Combine wet and dry — Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just moistened—lumps are okay. Gently fold in the diced apple.
5. 5Fill the donut pan — Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full. Use a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped for cleaner filling.
6. 6Bake the donuts — Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the donuts spring back when lightly pressed and the edges are golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the thickest part should come out clean.
7. 7Cool and coat — Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. While still warm, dip each donut into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating both sides.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Note: For an extra apple punch, add 1/2 teaspoon of apple pie spice to the dry mix.

Servings: 6

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

Nutrition (per serving): 285 kcal · 12g protein · 22g carbs · 9g fat

Written by Kenji Tanaka
Kenji explores technology and digital minimalism, helping readers declutter their digital lives and focus on what matters. He writes about app selection, notification management, and creating healthy tech habits, based on his own experiments with unplugging.