The first day of fall was a few days ago. The days are getting shorter, the leaves are falling, and the air is … well, it’s still pretty hot outside (where I live, anyway). So, in an effort to woo fall into existence, I’ll be showing you how to make homemade apple cider donuts.
These gluten-free donuts are pretty simple to make, and by the time you pop them into the oven, your entire house will smell like mulled apple cider.
Recipe Qualities
- Fresh
- Warm
- Sweet
- Coated
Ingredients Used
- Cinnamon
- Coconut oil
- Egg
The Health Benefits of These Homemade Apple Cider Donuts
1. Great source of energy
Coconut oil has so many benefits and uses that it can be hard to keep up with them all. It helps to cool inflammation, promotes mental clarity, fights infections and bacteria, and even has multiple uses for women and babies postpartum, to name a few.
I keep a few containers in random parts of my house, besides my kitchen. I like to use it as a carrier oil when applying lavender oil, and as an oil-pulling agent to keep my oral microbiome in check.
Another incredible benefit of coconut oil is its ability to be instantly used as a fuel source for the body. Coconut oil houses three amazing medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs): lauric, capric, and caprylic acid. When consumed, these MCFAs travel directly to your liver where they’re instantly used for energy or turned into ketones and stored for later energy. [1]
2. Supports heart health
When it comes to heart health, it’s important to keep inflammation and oxidative stress levels as low as possible. By doing so, you help to regulate your cholesterol, which helps mitigate the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Eggs contain two phytonutrients called zeaxanthin and lutein. Lutein may help protect your heart by protecting low-density lipoproteins (LDL or bad cholesterol) from oxidation. It does so by regulating high-density lipoproteins (HDL, or good cholesterol). Studies suggest that a diet rich in lutein is associated with better cardiometabolic health. [2]
Eggs also contain phospholipids. Phospholipids are molecules that comprise cellular membranes and regulate cellular processes, among other things. [3]
These molecules have been tested in pre-clinical trials, and the results show they may regulate cholesterol by calming inflammation and reducing oxidative stress, which reduces the risk of developing heart disease. [4]
3. Contains antioxidants
Cinnamon is a fantastic superfood full of beneficial ingredients and antioxidants. It’s potent in polyphenols, lignans, and flavonoids.
These antioxidants contain anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, which are especially beneficial considering that inflammation has been shown to be the root cause of many illnesses.
Specifically, studies have shown that these antioxidants may have a positive effect on cardiovascular health markers, especially blood lipids. [5, 6]
Homemade Apple Cider Donuts Recipe
Unlike yeast donuts or fried donuts, these are baked. But don’t worry: I’ll show you how to make homemade apple cider donuts that are just as good as, if not better than, your typical deep-fried donuts.
I love making these homemade apple cider donuts on the weekends with my boys, and they enjoy eating them! We’ve even made a few batches and put a few in the freezer to eat later on. As long as they’re wrapped tightly, they should be good for up to two weeks.
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yields: 8 donuts
Ingredients
1 cup organic apple cider
1 cinnamon stick
1½ cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour
¾ cup coconut sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 egg
¼ cup nut milk of choice
1 teaspoon non-alcoholic vanilla flavoring
2 tablespoons coconut oil (or butter), melted and brought to room temperature
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a small pot over medium heat, bring the cider and cinnamon stick to a simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, grease a donut pan and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, put the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, stirring to combine.
5. In a medium bowl, put the egg, nut milk, vanilla, and melted coconut oil, stirring until well-combined.
6. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and pour into the apple cider reduction.
7. Stir the mixture until combined and evenly distribute into the greased donut pan.
8. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes
9. Coat with more coconut sugar and cinnamon, if desired, and enjoy.
Homemade Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic apple cider
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 1/2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup nut milk of choice
- 1 tsp non-alcoholic vanilla flavoring
- 2 tbsp coconut oil (or butter), melted and brought to room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a small pot over medium heat, bring the cider and cinnamon stick to a simmer for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, grease a donut pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, put the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, stirring to combine.
- In a medium bowl, put the egg, nut milk, vanilla, and melted coconut oil, stirring until well-combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and pour into the apple cider reduction.
- Stir the mixture until combined and evenly distribute into the greased donut pan.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Coat with more coconut sugar and cinnamon, if desired, and enjoy.
