Apple Cider Donuts Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free

Apple cider donuts aren’t just for the pumpkin patch. 

They also aren’t just for the autumn season!

Enjoy these delicious donuts anytime of year, right at home.

Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free and even a gluten-free note below.

Nothing says fall like apple cider donuts,

and I was done with my allergy son missing out on these for so long.

Year after year, I would take my sons to the pumpkin patch.

And year after year, I would say no to donuts and apple cider slushies.

Food and drink made by others just wasn’t safe for our severe food allergies.

Food allergies stink. 

Finally, I decided it was time to treat my boys to these apple cider treats.

But I had to make them myself.

Buckling down, I figured out how to make donuts and slushies at home, dairy-free, egg-free.

This is what I came up with for the donuts. And they are easy!

EASY APPLE CIDER DONUTS

• doesn’t call for a lot of apple cider
• uses applesauce as an easy egg replacer
• the only spice needed is cinnamon

So many apple cider donut recipes require nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, etc.

But these are so good using just cinnamon, why make them harder?

And yes, if you only have apple juice instead of apple cider, go for it.

Apple cider is just ideal for a deeper flavor. 

The real verdict was my husband giving them a taste test, and he was im-pressed.

As good as the pumpkin patch, he said.

And then my teenaged son declared them BETTER than pumpkin patch donuts!

Now that’s the win I’m looking for.

It’s why we’ve gotta share this one!

No more missing out on pumpkin patch donuts. 

READER REVIEWS

“I usually don’t write comments but had to on this one. This was the first donut my 6 1/2 year has ever eaten (allergies to dairy, soy, eggs & nuts) and he was in heaven. I used rice milk and Earth Balance spread and they turned out wonderful. Thank you so much!” Blog Reader

“My brave boy is enjoying Jamie’s apple cider donut recipe. He loves them without the cinnamon sugar topping, even! Both kids helped measure and mix. Starting this week off with a positive food experience.” MAM Member

“Once again adding you guys to my thankful prayer list! Apple cider donuts success. Trial run before kindy field trip to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch where all the other kids will be served the farms donuts. Now Gianna and I can have a yummy treat.” MAM Member

BEST DONUT PAN

I’ve been through quite a few donut pans over the years.

And most are very frustrating. The donuts stick and rip as I pry them out of the pan. Plus, clean up is a nightmare, I really don’t like scrubbing baking pans. 

So I was super happy to finally find the perfect donut pan! 

Now the donuts pop right out and don’t tear.

Clean up is a breeze, just a quick wipe and they are spotless!

And these pans are made in the USA. What’s not to love?

I’ve gotten so many allergy moms onto these pans.

Here is the best donut pan (affiliate) if you need one for yourself.

Make donut-making easy peasy with this little tool.

See our quick video in this post to watch the donut pan in action. 

APPLE CIDER DONUT HOLES OR MUFFINS

This recipe can be baked in a variety of pans.

Use a donut pan, a muffin tin, or a mini muffin tin for adorable donut holes.

As long as they get lathered in dairy-free butter, cinnamon, and sugar…

nobody is going to care what shape they are.

In addition to donuts, this recipe is also delicious as donut holes or muffins.

These are great options for those without a donut pan.

Although after making this recipe, you’ll definitely want to invest in the donut pan, ha!

The easiest way to make donut holes is to use a mini muffin pan (affiliate).

If you want to try actual muffins, those will be tasty, too!

Here’s an amazing muffin pan (affiliate), no grease needed. Non-stick, easy clean-up, and made in the USA. Excellent all the way around!

Again, if you want an actual donut pan, we have that linked above for you. 

GLUTEN-FREE REVIEW

“We made MAM’s Apple Cider Donut recipe with Domata GF flour today! I increased baking time to 20 minutes and used a ziplock bag to pipe in the batter. Worked amazing! Now (my child) will have an apple treat for the apple orchard that we have a season pass to!” MAM Member

Thank you for sharing, Shannon! So happy these worked so well for you. xo

Now onto the recipe.

APPLE CIDER DONUTS DAIRY & EGG FREE

Makes 12 Donuts

See our quick donut video in this post, too!

Here are dairy-free butter ideas.

This is our favorite vanilla. 

DONUT INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce
2 tablespoons melted dairy-free butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk = 1/2 cup dairy-free milk + 1/2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup apple cider

CINNAMON SUGAR TOPPING

5 tablespoons melted dairy-free butter
1 and 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
2/3 cup sugar

HOW TO MAKE APPLE CIDER DONUTS

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine 1/2 cup dairy-free milk and 1/2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes…to make your dairy-free buttermilk.

In a large bowl stir together:

2 c. flour
1.5 tsp. baking powder
1.5 tsp. baking soda
1.5 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt.

In a separate bowl whisk together:

5 Tbs. applesauce
2 Tbs. dairy-free melted butter
2/3 c. brown sugar

Then add to the wet ingredients:

1/2 c. buttermilk (1/2 cup dairy-free milk + 1/2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. apple cider to the applesauce mixture

Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Don’t over mix.

Pour the batter into a baking pan, filling 1/2 full. Grease pans beforehand, if needed.

Bake for 10-13 minutes, depending on the tin you use. Donuts are done when they bounce back to the touch. 

While the donuts are baking, melt the 5 Tbs. dairy-free butter.

In a separate bowl, combine the 2/3 c. sugar and 1.5 Tbs. cinnamon together.

When the donuts are done, dip the top of each donut into the melted butter, then dip into the cinnamon & sugar mixture.

These are best eaten hot and fresh but can be stored in an airtight container.

Hope you enjoy these milk-free and egg-free apple cider donuts!

You can pin these donuts on Pinterest for later, if you’d like. 

Then see more dairy-free and egg-free donut recipes below. Enjoy!

MORE DONUT RECIPES

Pumpkin Maple Donuts

Chocolate Donuts

Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Powdered Sugar Donuts Vanilla

Birthday Cake Donuts