Amazing Apple Cider Donuts
These baked vegan apple cider donuts have amazing flavor from a potent cider reduction, and perfect vegan donut recipe texture from aquafaba.

Are you ready to fall in love with the perfect autumn treat? Look no further than these amazing vegan apple cider donuts! Made with plenty of apple flavor and a secret ingredient for the perfect texture, these donuts are sure to become a new favorite in your household. Plus, they’re completely vegan, making them a guilt-free indulgence for everyone to enjoy. So grab your apron and get ready to whip up the most delicious batch of apple cider donuts you’ve ever tasted!
Why Vegan Donuts Are a Healthy Alternative
Indulging in a delicious treat doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your health. These vegan apple cider donuts not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but they also offer a range of health benefits.
One of the main advantages of these donuts is that they are completely plant-based, making them suitable for vegans and those looking for healthier alternatives. By eliminating dairy and eggs, these donuts are lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and promoting better cardiovascular health.

Additionally, these vegan donuts are made with natural ingredients, such as apple cider, which is rich in antioxidants and can help boost your immune system. They also contain cinnamon, which has been linked to reducing inflammation and improving blood sugar control.
Furthermore, this vegan donuts recipe includes xanthan gum, which acts as a binding agent without adding extra calories or fat. This helps give the donuts a perfect texture without compromising on health.
So, whether you follow a vegan lifestyle or simply want to enjoy a guilt-free treat, these vegan apple cider donuts are the perfect option. You can indulge in the delightful flavors and reap the numerous health benefits they offer.
The Secret Ingredients: Aquafaba and Xanthan Gum
Have you ever wondered how vegan donuts can have that perfect texture without using eggs? Well, the secret lies in two key ingredients: aquafaba and xanthan gum. Let’s dive into what these ingredients are and how they work their magic in our vegan apple cider donuts.
Aquafaba is the liquid found in canned chickpeas. Yes, you read that right! It may seem unusual, but aquafaba is an excellent substitute for eggs in baking recipes. It mimics the binding properties of eggs, giving our donuts structure and moisture. So, the next time you’re cooking chickpeas, don’t throw away that liquid gold – save it to use in your vegan donuts recipe!
Xanthan gum, on the other hand, is a plant-based thickening and stabilizing agent. It’s commonly used in gluten-free baking to improve the texture of baked goods. In our vegan apple cider donuts, xanthan gum acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the ingredients together and give the donuts that perfect, fluffy texture.
By understanding and incorporating these secret ingredients into our vegan donuts recipe, we can enjoy the same delicious and satisfying treats without the need for eggs or dairy. If you have some unflavored pea protein to use, it helps mimics the protein in egg, it gets even better. So, go ahead and experiment with aquafaba and xanthan gum – your taste buds will thank you!
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Ingredients

- all-purpose flour
- apple cider reduction
- organic white sugar
- unsweetened plant milk
- melted plant butter
- aquafaba (the liquid in a can of chickpeas)
- baking powder
- apple pie spice
- cinnamon
- pea protein powder
- vanilla
- xanthan gum
- salt
What sets this recipe apart from other vegan apple cider donuts is the strength of the apple cider reduction. Recipes are usually written for ease, or on the hope that no-one actually bothers to make it. Most recipes promise to get flavor from reducing the cider briefly, or lying about the amount of time it will take.
To get the apple cider flavor that you’re craving in these vegan donuts, you’ll have to reduce about a liter or a bit over 4 cups. To make it go quicker, I used two saucepans and divided the cider and cooked over medium to medium-high heat. It still took almost an hour to reduce this much liquid to a half cup. Once cooled the mixture was gelatinous and sticky.
Instructions
- Reduce the apple cider to 1/2 cup volume and allow to cool


- Whisk the protein and xanthan gum (if using) into the aquafaba, use a bullet if it clumps
- Assemble all of the remaining dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk together


- Add all of the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined


- Mixed batter can be filled into a plastic bag with the corner snipped off


- Grease the donut form and slowly squeeze a line of batter into the donut forms and bake in the preheated oven

- Bake at 350F for 14-16 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the donut
Creative Toppings
Once you’ve mastered the art of making these delicious vegan apple cider donuts, it’s time to take your creations to the next level with some creative toppings! Get ready to elevate the flavors and make your taste buds sing with joy.
One classic topping option is a simple dusting of cinnamon sugar. Just mix together some cinnamon and sugar in a bowl, and while the donuts are still warm, dip them in the mixture until coated. This will give your donuts a sweet and aromatic touch that pairs perfectly with the apple cider flavor.

For a more decadent option, try a maple glaze. Mix together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and a splash of plant-based milk until you achieve a smooth consistency. Dip the cooled donuts into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off, and let them sit until the glaze sets. The combination of the sweet glaze and the apple cider donuts will create a symphony of flavors in your mouth.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some chopped nuts or dried fruit to the glaze for an extra crunch or burst of sweetness. You can also experiment with drizzling melted dark chocolate over the donuts or adding a sprinkle of sea salt for a delicious salty-sweet contrast.
The options for creative toppings are endless, so let your imagination run wild and create a donut masterpiece that will impress your friends and family. Enjoy the process of experimenting with different flavors and textures, and most importantly, savor every bite of your amazing vegan apple cider donuts!
Storage Tips
For short-term storage, you can leave the donuts at room temperature for up to two days. However, if you want to enjoy them for a longer period, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator. The donuts will stay fresh for up to five days when refrigerated.
To reheat the donuts, simply place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave them for a few seconds, but be careful not to overheat them as they may become dry.
FAQs
You can make these without the xanthan gum, they just won’t have as perfect of a texture. Xanthan gum helps vegan baked goods without eggs hold together with a more pleasing texture.
Other Vegan Baked Goods Recipes You’ll Love:
If you enjoyed this amazing apple cider donut recipe, here are more vegan baked treats to try:
- Good Eats Copycat Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies – Make the best vegan chocolate chip cookies with this chewy, soft, and delicious twist on Alton Brown’s classic!
- Gingerbread Scones with Vanilla Glaze – Warm spiced flavored vegan gingerbread scones with perfect crumb texture, this vegan scone recipe has the perfect swaps for vegan baked goods!
- Pumpkin Donuts with Cranberry Compote – Bite into these mouth-watering vegan pumpkin donuts bursting with fall flavors. You won’t even know these baked pumpkin donuts are vegan.
- Double Chocolate Chip Muffins – These Big Bakery Style Muffins have the fluffiest raised muffin tops you can get from your home oven.
Each of these is a perfect follow-up if you’re building your vegan baking repertoire or just looking for something sweet and comforting.

Get the Recipe Amazing Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 liter apple cider, reduced to ½ cup
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup organic white sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened plant milk
- 3 tbsp aquafaba
- 2 tbsp plant based butter
- 1 tsp pea protein powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp apple pie spice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp xanthan gum
Equipment
- 1 Baked donut pan
Instructions
- Reduce the apple cider to 1/2 cup volume and allow to coolNote: Reducing cider is more time consuming than most recipes admit. Equally divide the cider in two non-stick saucepans on medium, stirred every two minutes, will make it simpler.
- Whisk the protein and xanthan gum (if using) into the aquafaba, use a bullet if it clumps
- Assemble all of the remaining dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk together
- Add all of the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined
- Mixed batter can be filled into a plastic bag with the corner snipped off
- Grease the donut form and slowly squeeze a line of batter into the donut forms and bake in the preheated oven
- Bake at 350F for 14-16 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the donut


Hi, my name is Benjamin Moots and I’m glad you found my vegan food blog A Bee Made It. I hope that you’re ready for some great plant-based recipes, because that’s all I Bee doing lately. I was originally focusing on improving common vegan recipes to make them more craveable. However, a recent heart attack has shifted my focus to losing weight with a plant-based GLP-1 diet. Whatever you’re looking for, I’ll be writing a little bit of everything plant-based or vegan that’s appropriate for any dietary needs.
