These Fried Apple Cider Donuts are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with real apple flavor. Making them from scratch is easier than you think and tastes so much better than store-bought!
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
🍩 The combination of cinnamon and allspice creates a flavor profile that perfectly complements the apple cider base!
My 2 Best Tips For Making Fried Apple Cider Donuts
Dough Handling: Work with well-floured surfaces and tools to prevent the sticky dough from sticking during rolling and cutting. Use plenty of flour for dusting and roll to exactly ½-inch thickness for optimal cooking. Keep unused dough covered while working to prevent drying out.
Coating Technique: Roll donuts in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm for the best coating and flavor absorption. The residual heat helps the coating stick better than coating cold donuts. Prepare your coating mixture before you start frying so it’s ready when needed.
I always fry one donut hole first to test my oil temperature and dough consistency before committing to the full batch. This quick test (1 minute per side) reveals if adjustments are needed, preventing me from ruining all my donuts.
Frying at the right temperature gives you that crispy outside and soft, cake-like inside that makes these donuts so good. The contrast between the crunchy crust and tender center is what makes each bite special. Keep your oil at the proper temperature, and you’ll get even browning without greasy or soggy donuts.
These golden beauties are delicious enough to steal the spotlight at any meal or gathering! I serve them as brunch centerpieces, pack them for picnic desserts, and even crumble them over vanilla yogurt for a delicious morning treat.
🩷 Melissa
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below and we will send it straight to your inbox. Plus you will get great new recipes from us every week!
Fried Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 3 cups apple cider
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- ⅔ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 6 tablespoons butter melted and cooled
- Oil for frying vegetable or canola oil recommended
- Cinnamon sugar for coating
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of apple cider to a boil.
- Continue boiling until the cider is reduced to about 1 cup. This concentrates the flavor.
- Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the cooled cider, eggs, and melted butter together until well combined.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon.
- Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Use a spatula or your hands to mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to make it easier to handle.
- Turn the chilled dough out onto a well-floured surface.
- Roll it out to a ½-inch thickness.
- Use a floured donut cutter or round cookie cutters to cut out donuts and holes.
- Fill a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer with 3 inches of oil.
- Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), monitoring the temperature with a cooking thermometer.
- Carefully lower the donuts into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the donuts to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- While the donuts are still warm, roll them in cinnamon sugar to coat them evenly.
- Enjoy the apple cider donuts warm, savoring the rich apple flavor and spices.
Notes
Nutrition
How To Make Fried Apple Cider Donuts
Step 1: Boil the apple cider in a saucepan until it reduces to 1 cup, then let it cool.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the cooled apple cider, eggs, and melted butter. Gradually add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, forming a sticky dough.
Step 4: Over the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to a ½-inch thickness, then cut out donuts and holes using round cookie cutters.
Step 5: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C), fry the donuts in batches until golden (about 2-3 minutes per side), then roll them in cinnamon sugar while still warm. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Use fresh, unfiltered apple cider for the most intense flavor, avoiding apple juice or cider vinegar. Fresh cider from orchards or farmer’s markets typically has the best flavor profile for this recipe. The natural sugars and apple solids in unfiltered cider contribute significantly to the final taste.
Yes, you can bake apple cider donuts for a healthier version. Use a donut pan and bake at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Make sure you have chilled the dough for at least one hour and use plenty of flour for dusting all surfaces and tools. The dough should be sticky but manageable after proper chilling and with adequate flour. If still too sticky, chill for another 30 minutes before attempting to roll and cut.
More Delicious Donuts Recipes to Consider
Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram.
Leave a Reply