These Cinnamon Sugar Apple Donut Holes are soft inside and have a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating. Make a few batches of this baked donut recipe for breakfast this fall and watch them disappear.
Our kids really could care less about all the sweets and treats that come out of our kitchen. Oh, they eat them…eventually. Some things sit in boxes for a few days before they slowly start to eat them though.
I guess having a mom who bakes all the time for work has them “over” all the goodies. I wish I could say the same, but I don’t think I will ever be able to resist chocolate chip cookies and homemade brownies.
My jeans keep begging me to give up sweets like that, but since I can’t won’t do it, the workouts must continue each week.
One thing that does get eaten in record time around here are donuts or muffins. So, I guess it’s time to start making breakfast recipes every week. Not that I mind that. Breakfast treats are one of my favorites to bake too.
For the moment I have moved on from my pumpkin baking madness to apple goodness! I always forget how much I love baked apple treats, until I start baking them again.
I was dreaming of cooler days last week, so I bought some apples and apple cider and got to work in the kitchen giving these Glazed Cinnamon Apple Donuts a twist. Our kids love the Munchkin’s from Dunkin Donuts, so I knew mini donuts would be a hit!
Three times the apple goodness makes these donut hole muffins the perfect thing to enjoy on fall mornings. Just add a pitcher of Caramel Apple Cider Iced Tea and you will be all set.
Our kids absolutely adore the cinnamon sugar bread from Costco, so I dipped the donut muffins in melted butter and rolled them in some Cinnamon Sugar to give them that same crunchy coating.
Holy cow! I’m pretty sure this batch of cinnamon sugar donut holes disappeared in less than 24 hours. That’s 48 mini donuts, people! Gone. Vanished. Devoured!
It’s safe to say that the kids are in love with these soft donut bites! My daughter saw me editing these photos the other day and starting telling me how much she LOVED these baked apple cider donuts, and that we should make another batch right away.
These homemade apple donuts definitely stole our hearts this fall. They will be on repeat every week. Well, maybe just until I get an itch to bake something else.
What apples can be used for baking?
The best apples for baking hold their shape in different baked goods. Some of our favorites that hold up to heat and that taste great are Gala, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn.
How to make Cinnamon Sugar Apple Donut Holes:
- Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. (full recipe below)
- Add the sour cream, applesauce, and vanilla and beat the mixture again.
- Stir together the dry ingredients and add them with the apple cider to the batter.
- Shred the apples in a food processor and stir into the donut batter. PRO TIP: You do not need to peel the apples before shredding them.
- Spoon the batter into mini muffin tins that were sprayed with nonstick spray. Do not fill them more than half full.
- Bake and cool for a few minutes in the pan; remove and let cool completely.
- Roll each donut hole in melted butter and then in homemade cinnamon sugar. Let set.
These baked donut holes are best served the day they are made. You can also use a mini donut pan to bake these sweet little apple bites in.
Now just in case you were wondering, baked donuts do not taste the same as fried doughnuts. But the melted butter and cinnamon sugar coating definitely add a sweet flavor that you will fall in love with.
If you have extra apples after baking mini apple donuts, go ahead and make these Apple Nachos for a fun after school snack! Your kids will go crazy for them!!!
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!
More apple breakfast recipes:
- Cinnamon Apple Baked Oatmeal
- Spiced Apple Waffles
- Apple Praline Donuts
- Caramel Apple Scones
- Maple Bacon Apple Cinnamon Roll Bake
- Toffee Apple Bread
- Apple Cranberry Coffee Cake
- Butterscotch Apple Cake Donuts
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Cinnamon Sugar Apple Donut Holes
These Cinnamon Sugar Apple Donut Holes are soft inside and have a crunchy cinnamon sugar coating. Make a few batches of this baked donut recipe for breakfast this fall and watch them disappear.
Ingredients
For the Donut Holes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground star anise
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1 cup shredded apples
For the Cinnamon Sugar coating
- 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a few mini muffin tins with non-stick baking spray.
- Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the sour cream, applesauce, and vanilla and beat again.
- Stir together the salt, baking powder, baking soda, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and star anise. Slowly add the dry ingredients and the apple cider to the butter mixture.
- Stir in the shredded apples gently.
- Spoon the batter into 48 sprayed mini muffin cavities. Do not fill more than half full. Bake for 9-10 minutes.
- Remove and let cool in the pan for 1-2 minutes, and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Stir together the sugar and cinnamon. Roll each donut hole in butter and then in the sugar mixture. Let set. Store in a sealed container.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 48 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 103Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 71mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 9gProtein: 1g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Cinnamon Sugar Apple Donut Holes was first published on October 17, 2016. The photos and post were updated and republished August 25, 2020.
these were really good — hubs-approved lol. no star anise and subbed apple cider vinegar for apple cider. they still tasted great — very soft and not too sweet. i used muffin silicone cups but next time may just free form it with a melon baller. thank you!
thanks for sharing such a yummy recipe with all of us
They came out awesome
Delicious!!!! I made them as instructed! The only change I made was I used Anise Extract (this is what I had at home) vs ground star anise. It was soooo good! Thank you so much !
I am so excited to hear that you enjoyed the donuts!!!
I just made these for my kids they turned out great .
They came out awesome. I did not use the star anise and they tasted great.
Would I be able to use apple juice instead of the apple cider?
That should work just fine too. I hope you enjoy the donut holes.
They came out delicious! I baked them for 4-5 minutes on one side, and then flipped them and another 2-3 minutes! And they were round just like donut holes!
Question – Would I be able to cook these using a cake pop maker?
I think that would work just fine. But since I haven’t made this recipe in a cake pop maker, I’m unsure of the time to tell you for baking! Keep me posted if you try this recipe that way.
Ok – I have a question – if you are spooning the batter into mini muffin pans how are they getting to be round instead of the shape of the muffin pan?
When you first pull them out of the muffin pan, they are going to look slightly like a muffin, but after rolling them in the butter and sugar they take on the look of a donut hole. It’s actually quite fun how that works!
Made these last night; they were incredible! I left out the star anise since I didn’t have any and it didn’t matter. I made them way too big as I also don’t have mini muffin tins, just scooped them onto a baking sheet. Most people would eat 3-4 of the donut holes anyway, so mine was just combined into one big one! They held their shape without the muffin tins, and were so soft!
Just a quick question about the star anise and sour cream. I have neither, the sour cream I can get but I am not sure about star anise. I have never even had it. Is it a must in the recipe or could I maybe sub in a bit of fall flavor with nutmeg?
Most grocery stores carry the ground star anise with all the other spices. You could substitute ground cloves if you want though…or leave it out all together.
Thank you for the information! I will look for some.
Love these recipes super easy and taste please continue to share my email is freespirit3038@gmail.com
Like using the can biscuits please share any others you may have like this very cool
Amazing. Excited to try it.
Question: star anise – is that the same as anise seeds? apple cider – is that just apple cider or is it apple cider vinegar?
You will want to use the ground star anise, not the seeds for this recipe. And that is apple cider, not vinegar! I hope you enjoy the donuts.
Now these look dangerous! As in one for breakfast could turn into one dozen for breakfast reallll quick. 😉 Still, cannot WAIT to try them!
missing fall in New England now since i’m in FL now. I this is bringing it back to me now
Doughnut holes mean I can eat a lot more right? These sound perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast!
these would vanish in my house too, we cannot ever pass up a doughnut. LOVE that cinnamon and sugar topping
Oh my word I LOVE THESE!! My kids would devour these little donut holes.
I have a TON of apples waiting to be used and my family would forever love me if I made them a big batch of these!
I made these for my kids after school snack today!!! They loved them!!! I made them with homemade apple sauce, homemade apple cider and apples we picked at the orchard!!! We will be making these again for sure!!!
Just love apple anything but these will be on my to-bakes short list. I especially love that they are baked-not fried!!!!! Thank you!!!!
These donut holes look incredible! I love the cinnamon sugar on these- apple donuts are just the epitome of fall 🙂