This is an easy apple cinnamon baked donut holes recipe that will give you your fall fix without a donut pan! These little guys are a mix of a baked donut and a mini muffin, making them a treat that simply melts-in-your-mouth.

With a hint of homemade apple cider flavor, these apple infused donut holes are simply delicious. They are perfect for fall and beyond!

A small glass of apple cider surrounded by apple cinnamon donut holes.
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Each fall I look forward to going to apple orchards and pumpkin patches for lots of fall fun and of course, apple cider donuts! I tweaked one of my favorite recipes (meltaway mini muffins) to recreate this fall favorite without the fuss.

These little donut holes are quick, easy, bite-sized goodness and eliminate the need for a donut pan! For the ultimate fall experience, dip them in caramel sauce!

I love baking with apples in the fall! In fact, I have a complete Apple Recipe Guide filled to the brim with the most incredible apple recipes. It’s totally free – don’t skip it!

Apple Cinnamon Donut Holes

Why You’ll Love It

  • Easy to Make – No donut pan required.
  • Seasonal Treat – Perfect for fall.
  • Simple Ingredients – Pantry ingredients (+ milk, butter, egg).

If you love these cute little donut holes for fall, don’t miss these adorable Christmas Donuts!

Apple cinnamon donut holes on a white plate

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Flour – Use all-purpose flour. My favorite brands are Pillsbury or Gold’s Medal.
  • Sugar – Granulated white sugar is both for the dough and the sweet cinnamon-sugar coating.
  • Baking Powder – Use a double-acting baking powder. This is what gives these baked donut muffins their lift.
  • Cinnamon – A sweet, warming spice that sings all things fall.
  • Apple Spice – Referred to as Apple Pie Spice in the grocery store, you can purchase a small container or make your own! If you can’t find Apple Pie spice, simply replace it with Pumpkin Pie spice for the sweet, warm flavors of Fall.
  • Egg – One egg is all you need to help bind the dough together.
  • Milk – I prefer whole milk for all of my baking recipes, but you can substitute 2%, 1%, or even almond milk, if that is all you have on hand.
  • Butter – Salted is best here since there’s no additional salt in this recipe. For the dough, you want softened, room temperature butter. For the topping, you’ll need melted butter. Learn how to soften butter quickly right here.
  • Vanilla Extract –  A luxurious, sweet flavor you just can’t get from sugar. Pure vanilla extract is the good stuff.

Apple Pie Spice

It’s so much fun to make your own homemade spice blend if you have all the ingredients on hand. Simply combine:

  • 4 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp Allspice
  • 1/2 tsp Ginger

How to Make

An overview, visit the printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.

  1. Preheat the oven.
  2. Combine the dry ingredients.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat wet ingredients as directed, and then gradually mix in dry ingredients until moist.
  4. Grease mini muffin pan (don’t use liners) and fill each just over 2/3 full.
  5. Bake as directed and allow to cool. Remove from pan.
  6. Roll mini donut holes in butter, followed by the sugar mixture, serve warm, and enjoy!
A small glass of apple cider surrounded by apple cinnamon donut holes.

Tips

  • Don’t overfill the muffin tins. Smaller muffins tend to bake better and offer the best sugar-topping-to-muffin ratio. Fill with muffin batter to 2/3 to compensate for rise.
  • Don’t over bake your apple cider donut holes. This will keep them melt-in-your-mouth tender!
  • Serve warm or warm them to enjoy.
  • Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in an apple cider donut hole?

The beauty of making mini apple cider donut hole muffins makes them lower in calories. A single apple cider donut hole is only 92 calories. So go ahead and eat two, ehem, or more!

Are apple cider donuts baked or fried?

They can be made both ways! It depends on the local resource where you’re buying them. Our favorite local apple orchard bakes them, and they are so delicious!

How to Store

Cinnamon Muffins are best served warm, right out of the oven after being dipped in cinnamon sugar. However, you can still enjoy them a day or two later.

  • Room temperature – Store these apple cider donut holes at room temperature for up to two days, in an airtight container.
  • Refrigerator – Store these in the refrigerator for up to three days, and warm through before serving.
  • Freezer – If you are going to freeze, don’t coat them in sugar. Bake and cool completely. Simply place them in a plastic-freezer storage bag, seal tight, label, date, and store in your freezer for up to one month.

When ready to serve after freezing, place in a baking dish and reheat in 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. Prepare the melted butter and cinnamon sugar topping. When completely warmed through, roll in butter and sugar coating.

A small glass of apple cider surrounded by apple cinnamon donut holes.

Nutritional Considerations

  • Gluten – To make gluten free, simply swap for a 1:1 gluten free flour
  • Vegetarian
  • Nut Free

More Apple Inspiration

Apple cider donut holes with a small glass of apple cider next to them.
5 from 9 votes

Apple Cinnamon Donut Holes

This is an easy recipe for apple cinnamon donut holes that will give you your fall fix without a donut pan! These little guys are a mix of a baked donut and a mini muffin, creating a treat that simply melts-in-your-mouth.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 14 minutes
Total: 24 minutes
Servings: 24 donut holes
Pin Rate Print

Ingredients  

Donut Mix:

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup white granulated sugar
  • teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup milk
  • cup butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ½ cup white granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and apple pie spice together until well combined. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add egg, milk, butter and vanila. Beat until combined. Switch to the flat beater and gradually beat in dry mixture until just combined.
  • Grease mini muffin pan (don’t use liners) and fill each cavity just over ⅔ full.
  • Bake 14 minutes or until set and slightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool 5 minutes. Using a butter knife, gently circle around each muffin to release.

Topping

  • Add melted butter to a bowl. In a separate, small bowl, combine sugar, apple pie spice and cinnamon.
  • Roll muffins in melted butter, the the apple cinnamon mixture to coat. Serve warm.

Julie’s Tips

  • If you can’t find apple spice, use pumpkin pie spice instead.
  • Don’t overfill the muffin tins. Smaller muffins tend to bake better and offer the best sugar-topping-to-muffin ratio. Fill with muffin batter to 2/3 to compensate for rise.
  • Don’t over bake your apple cider donut holes. This will keep them melt-in-your-mouth tender!
  • Serve warm or warm them to enjoy.
Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 29mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

Explore More

If you want more fall flavor, you’ll love these Fall Cookies!

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10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hi, I was wondering if I could use the powder from the hot spiced cider drink. I think it would make a great flavor.