Fall is the perfect time to indulge in sweet, cinnamon-y baked goods. When the air turns crisp and the leaves start to change color, nothing satisfies a craving quite like warm donuts with a hint of apple.
These air fryer apple cider donuts are the ideal treat for cozying up on the couch with a mug of hot cider Fluffy, cake-like donuts get doubly dunked – first in a sweet apple cider concentrate, then rolled in a cinnamon sugar mixture that ensures each bite will transport you right into the heart of autumn.
In a short time, you’ll have a batch of cider-soaked donuts ready to enjoy with your favorite people. Keep reading to get the simple recipe and instructions to make these irresistibly delicious apple cider donuts right at home.
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick and Delicious- These donuts come together in just minutes right in your air fryer. No need to wait while oil heats up or deal with the mess of frying. You’ll have a batch of hot, fresh donuts in under 15 minutes.
Cinnamon Sugar Goodness– Rolling the just-cooked donuts in cinnamon sugar gives them a deliciously sweet coating with a hint of spice. Every bite bursting with flavor.
Perfect Fall Treat- With apple cider and cinnamon, these donuts scream fall. Making a batch is the perfect way to get into the autumn spirit. Or enjoy them any time you need a seasonal treat.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
To make these delicious apple cider air fryer donuts you will need:
- 1 can Buttermilk Biscuit Dough
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 3 tablespoons Cinnamon
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Concentrate
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this recipe and make the best air fryer cider donuts:
Step 1
Start by preheating the air fryer to 360F (180C). Meanwhile, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
Step 2
Pour the apple cider concentrate into another small bowl.
Step 3
Remove the biscuit dough from the can. Press donut holes in the center (I used a bottle). Roll the donut holes into small balls. Shape the donuts and cut the hole in the center.
Step 4
Pour cinnamon sugar over the donuts. Place them in the air fryer and bake for 8-10 minutes. Cook in 2 batches if your air fryer is small.
Step 5
Remove the donuts from the air fryer, dip them into the apple cider concentrate, and then coat them with the cinnamon sugar mixture (I prefer not to coat them in the mixture again, but you sure can if you want to).
That’s it! Enjoy these delicious air fryer apple cider donuts!
💡Tips
1. Try Different Coatings
One way to make your air fryer apple cider donuts even more unique and flavorful is to experiment with different coatings. While the classic cinnamon sugar coating is delicious, you can also try coating the donuts with powdered sugar, maple glaze, or even a chocolate drizzle.
You can even add spices like nutmeg or ginger to the coating for an extra kick of flavor. Be creative and try different combinations to find your favorite!
To make a simple maple glaze, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a bowl. Mix until smooth and then dip the warm donuts into the glaze, allowing the excess to drip off before serving.
2. Add Some Crunch With Toppings
If you want to add some texture and crunch to your air fryer apple cider donut bites, you can add toppings like chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even cereal. You can dip the warm donuts into a glaze or frosting and then sprinkle your favorite toppings on top.
For example, you can use chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a nutty flavor or add a colorful touch with rainbow sprinkles.
You can also crush up your favorite cereal, like cinnamon toast crunch or fruity pebbles, and sprinkle it on top for a fun and crunchy twist.
3. Make Mini Donut Bites
If you want to make bite-sized treats, you can use a mini muffin tin to create mini air fryer apple cider donut bites.
Instead of shaping the dough into traditional donuts, you can roll them into small balls and place them in the muffin tin. Bake them in the air fryer for about 6-8 minutes and then dip them in the apple cider concentrate and cinnamon sugar coating.
These mini donuts are perfect for snacking or for serving at a party. They taste so good!
4. Chill the Dough Before Shaping
Letting the biscuit dough chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes makes it much easier to handle and shape. The cold dough won’t be as sticky, allowing you to form smooth, round donut shapes without the dough sticking to your fingers excessively.
Variations
Here are some of my favorite variations fo this delicious apple cider donuts air fryer recipe:
1. Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider Donuts: Add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the cinnamon sugar mixture and sprinkle some chopped pecans on top of the glazed donuts.
2. Caramel Apple Cider Donuts: Drizzle caramel sauce on top of the glazed donuts and sprinkle some sea salt on top. This variation is perfect for those who love sweet and salty flavors.
3. Maple Bacon Apple Cider Donuts: Crumble crispy bacon on top of the glazed donuts and drizzle some maple syrup on top. This variation is perfect for breakfast or brunch.
4. Chocolate Covered Apple Cider Donuts: Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and dip the cooled donuts into the melted chocolate.
Sprinkle some crushed Oreos on top of the chocolate before it hardens. This variation is perfect for chocolate lovers – it tastes amazing!
5. Chai Spice Apple Cider Donuts: Add 1 teaspoon of chai spice (a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves) to the cinnamon sugar mixture and sprinkle some chopped pistachios on top of the glazed donuts.
6. Apple Pie Spice Apple Cider Donuts: Add 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice (a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger) to the cinnamon sugar mixture and sprinkle crushed graham crackers on top of the glazed donuts.
7. Lemon Glazed Apple Cider Donuts: Skip the cinnamon sugar coating and dip the warm donuts into a glaze made with powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. This variation is perfect for those who love citrus flavors.
↩️ Ingredient Substitutions
Granulated Sugar: You can substitute granulated sugar with brown sugar or powdered sugar, but the texture and sweetness of the donuts may vary slightly.
Cinnamon: You can substitute cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or nutmeg.
Apple Cider Concentrate: You can substitute apple cider concentrate with Mulling Spices Syrup.
Keto / Low Carb Version
To make a keto and low carb version of this recipe, there are a few simple substitutions you can make:
Instead of the canned biscuit dough, use a keto-friendly donut batter made with almond flour, coconut flour, eggs, and sugar substitute like erythritol or stevia. This will drastically reduce the carbs.
Rather than regular granulated sugar for the coating, use a zero-carb alternative like powdered erythritol and monk fruit or stevia. This will keep the cinnamon sweetness without spiking blood sugar.
Also, swap the high carb apple cider concentrate for a lower sugar option.
Gluten Free Version
To make a gluten-free version of these apple cider donuts, simply substitute the canned biscuit dough with your favorite gluten-free biscuit dough recipe or pre-made gluten-free biscuit dough.
I recommend using a recipe that includes ingredients like rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, and xanthan gum to help mimic the texture of traditional biscuit dough.
Follow the rest of the instructions as listed, shaping the gluten-free dough into donuts and cutting out the center hole before air frying. The apple cider concentrate and cinnamon-sugar coating will help give you those classic apple cider donut flavors without the gluten.
For best results when working with gluten-free doughs, handle the dough as little as possible when shaping to prevent overworking. And check donuts a few minutes early when air frying as gluten-free items tend to cook faster.
Enjoy your warm, crispy gluten-free apple cider donuts! Tweak the biscuit dough recipe as needed to achieve your ideal texture.
Storage
These air fryer apple cider donuts taste best when fresh. You can store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To revive stale donuts, heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until warm.
For longer storage, place the cooled donuts in a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or heat in the microwave before serving.
You’ll Love These Recipes Too
If you liked my apple cider donuts air fryer recipe, make sure to check out these delicious air fryer recipes as well:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the apple cider concentrate matter? Can I use apple cider instead?
The concentrate provides an intense apple flavor without the added liquid that regular cider might bring. Using cider might require reducing the cooking time or adding more flour to avoid soggy donuts. However, if you prefer a lighter apple taste, go for cider and adjust accordingly.
2. What is a good drink to pair with these apple cider donuts?
Warm apple cider or hot coffee make the perfect partners for these fall-flavored donuts. Cold milk is also a tasty pairing if you prefer a cool beverage.
3. Is It Possible to Prepare These Donuts in Advance?
You can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to cook, let the dough come to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.
Apple Cider Donuts: Air Fryer vs. Oven
Apple cider donuts are a beloved fall treat, with their cinnamon sugar coating and soft, cakey interior. Traditionally, these donuts are fried and then coated, resulting in a sweet indulgence that’s crispy on the outside.
However, frying can be time-consuming and messy. Many home bakers are starting to use air fryers instead to achieve similar results with less hassle.
Air fryers circulate hot air around food to mimic deep frying. With apple cider donuts, air frying cuts down on prep time significantly compared to heating up oil and frying. It also requires less oil for coating the donuts, as only a small amount of oil is lightly brushed on before air frying.
These air fryer apple cider donuts are the perfect fall treat! Crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, they have a delicious cinnamon sugar coating with a hint of apple flavor.
Be sure to check out more easy air fryer recipes on the blog, and let me know in the comments if you give these donuts a try or if you have any other questions! I hope you love them as much as I do. Happy baking!
Air Fryer Apple Cider Donuts
- 1 can Buttermilk Biscuit Dough
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 3 tablespoons Cinnamon
- 1/2 cup Apple Cider Concentrate
- Start by preheating the air fryer to 360F (180C). Meanwhile, mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
- Pour the apple cider concentrate into another small bowl.
- Remove the biscuit dough from the can. Press donut holes in the center (I used a bottle). Roll the donut holes into small balls. Shape the donuts and cut the hole in the center.
- Pour cinnamon sugar over the donuts. Place them in the air fryer and bake for 8-10 minutes. Cook in 2 batches if your air fryer is small.
- Remove the donuts from the air fryer, dip them into the apple cider concentrate, and then coat them with the cinnamon sugar mixture (I prefer not to coat them in the mixture again, but you sure can if you want to).
Great recipe!! Tastes amazing.