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Apple cider donuts with apple and cider.

Fresh Apple Cider Donuts

Cara
These apple cider donut holes are the ultimate fall treat! Made with reduced apple cider for a deep apple flavor, then fried to a golden crisp and coated in spiced sugar. Perfectly fluffy, warmly spiced, and irresistibly sweet—enjoy them fresh or freeze leftovers to savor later!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Cider Reducing 30 minutes
Course Baking, Breakfast, Brunch, Coffee, Dessert, Snacks
Cuisine American
Servings 16 donuts
Calories 102 kcal

Equipment

  • Deep-trying or candy thermometer

Ingredients
  

  • 2 C apple cider
  • 4-6 C vegetable oil for deep fat frying
  • 1½ C flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 egg
  • ½ C granulated sugar
  • ¼ C reduced apple cider
  • 2 tablespoon melted butter
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ C milk

Instructions
 

  • Reduce the Cider: In a saucepan, simmer 2 cups of cider until it reduces to ½ cup. This will take about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  • Prep Your Oil: Heat oil in a heavy pot to 340°F (see notes).
  • Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
  • Combine Wet Ingredients: Beat egg and sugar together. Stir in reduced cider, melted butter, almond extract, and milk.
  • Make the Batter: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
  • Fry in Small Batches: Use a 2-tablespoon scoop to drop batter into hot oil, frying until golden brown. This will take about 4 minutes if you fry at 340°F.
  • Remove From Oil: Remove the donuts from the oil, and place the on a cooling rack set inside a baking sheet.
  • Coat with Sugar: While warm (after they have been out of the oil for about 30 seconds), roll each donut hole in a sugar and pumpkin pie spice mix.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

For the oil temperature: This is an important step of the recipe. I've tested these donuts at various oil temperatures (including 350F, 360F, 375F, etc) and the one that works perfectly is 340F. Any higher than that,  you definitely get the outsides way to dark, and the insides raw. I HIGHLY recommend a candy thermometer to keep track of the oil temperature. 
Check Doneness with a Skewer: Insert a skewer or toothpick into a donut hole—if it comes out clean, they’re done!
Customize the Coating: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to the sugar and pumpkin spice mixture for a unique flavor twist.
Test a Single Donut Hole First: Fry one donut hole first to check the batter consistency, frying time, and flavor. This lets you make adjustments before frying the rest.

Nutrition

Serving: 1donutCalories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 145mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 72IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 1mg
Keyword apple cider donut holes, apple cider donuts, easy apple cider donuts
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