Few desserts capture the warmth of fall quite like apple pie. Now imagine that same comforting flavor tucked inside a fluffy, sugar-coated donut. These Apple Pie Donuts combine the best of both worlds—a light, yeasted donut filled with spiced apple pie filling and coated in buttery cinnamon sugar.
Perfect for autumn gatherings, cozy weekend baking, or holiday dessert tables, these donuts deliver everything you love about apple pie in handheld form. They take a little patience with the rise time, but the end result is worth every minute. Warm, tender, and bursting with apple-cinnamon flavor, they’re the ultimate seasonal indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines the flavors of apple pie with fluffy donuts
- Perfect fall baking project with cozy spices
- Serves 12, great for sharing with family or guests
- Can be prepped ahead and enjoyed fresh or slightly warmed
- The cinnamon-sugar coating adds irresistible sweetness and crunch
Ingredients
For the Donuts:
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 2 packages (¼ oz each) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm apple cider (110°F)
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and divided
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅓ cup apple pie filling, mashed if necessary (no large fruit pieces)
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine yeast and warm cider. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. - Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 6 tablespoons melted butter and granulated sugar until combined. Add egg yolks, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, yeast mixture, and 3 cups of flour. Mix on medium-low speed with a dough hook until smooth. - Form Dough
Add remaining flour and mix until a ball of dough forms. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until tripled in size, about 1 hour. - Shape Donuts
Punch down dough and knead 7–8 times on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a ½-inch thick rectangle. Cut out circles with a 2½-inch cookie cutter, re-rolling scraps until you have 12 donuts. - Second Rise
Place donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely, and let rise until puffy, about 45 minutes. - Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake donuts 10–12 minutes until golden and puffed. - Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar. Brush warm donuts with remaining melted butter and roll in the mixture until coated. - Fill Donuts
If apple pie filling has large pieces, mash with a fork or blender. Place filling in a piping bag. Cut a slit in each donut and pipe filling inside. Serve warm and enjoy!
Storage Tips
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate up to 4 days, though donuts are best fresh.
- Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to restore softness.
- Freeze unfilled donuts up to 2 months. Thaw and fill before serving.
Pro Tips for the Best Apple Pie Donuts
- Use warm (not hot) cider to activate yeast without killing it.
- Don’t skip the second rise—this gives donuts their light texture.
- For extra indulgence, drizzle with caramel sauce before serving.
- Fill donuts while still slightly warm so the filling spreads evenly inside.
Variations
- Substitute pear filling for a twist on fall flavors.
- Add a caramel drizzle for caramel apple pie donuts.
- Try pumpkin pie filling for a seasonal alternative.
- Make mini versions for bite-sized party treats.
FAQ
Can I fry these instead of baking? Yes! Fry at 350°F for 1–2 minutes per side until golden. Drain on paper towels before coating in cinnamon sugar.
Do I need to use apple cider? It enhances flavor, but warm milk works as a substitute.
Can I use store-bought apple pie filling? Absolutely—just mash large pieces so it pipes smoothly.
Can I make them ahead of time? Yes, prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before shaping.
Can I skip the filling? Of course—they’ll still taste amazing as cinnamon sugar donuts.
Wrapping It Up
These Apple Pie Donuts are everything you love about fall in one bite—warm spices, sweet apple filling, and a golden cinnamon-sugar coating. They’re perfect for special breakfasts, cozy weekends, or festive gatherings. With their pillowy texture and comforting flavor, they’ll quickly become a seasonal favorite in your kitchen.
The Goods
Apple Pie Donuts
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Recipes
For the Donuts:
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour divided
- 2 packages ¼ oz each active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm apple cider 110°F
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and divided
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅓ cup apple pie filling mashed if necessary (no large fruit pieces)
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
Activate the Yeast
- In a small bowl, combine yeast and warm cider. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
Prepare the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 6 tablespoons melted butter and granulated sugar until combined. Add egg yolks, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, yeast mixture, and 3 cups of flour. Mix on medium-low speed with a dough hook until smooth.
Form Dough
- Add remaining flour and mix until a ball of dough forms. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until tripled in size, about 1 hour.
Shape Donuts
- Punch down dough and knead 7–8 times on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a ½-inch thick rectangle. Cut out circles with a 2½-inch cookie cutter, re-rolling scraps until you have 12 donuts.
Second Rise
- Place donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely, and let rise until puffy, about 45 minutes.
Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake donuts 10–12 minutes until golden and puffed.
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
- In a small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar. Brush warm donuts with remaining melted butter and roll in the mixture until coated.
Fill Donuts
- If apple pie filling has large pieces, mash with a fork or blender. Place filling in a piping bag. Cut a slit in each donut and pipe filling inside. Serve warm and enjoy!
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