These easy baked gluten-free apple cinnamon donuts with maple cinnamon glaze will be your family’s favorite fall breakfast treat. Naturally dairy-free too.
Gluten-Free Donuts
I finally broke down and ordered a full sized donut pan. I am so glad that I did! Donuts are my new favorite baked goodie to make. Baked donuts are so easy to make, I can’t believe that I did not try and make them sooner. My trick for making donuts easy is to put the batter into a large plastic storage bag, then snip the end off and use it to pipe the batter into my donut pan.
My husband’s favorite treat is donuts and he misses them terribly. I was so excited when these beauties came out of the oven and I dipped them in the maple cinnamon glaze. They smelled so good and I could not wait for my family to try them. I promise these baked gluten-free apple cinnamon donuts will make you smile.
Looking for other gluten-free apple recipes? Try these!
- Easy Gluten-Free Apple Muffins {Dairy-Free Option}
- Cinnamon Apple Fries {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free}
- Gluten-Free Apple Dapple Cake {Dairy-Free Option}
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Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free}
Ingredients
Donuts
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free flour I like Pillsbury gluten-free
- ½ tsp of xanthan gum leave out if your flour already has it
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 cup applesauce
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray full sized donut pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl combine the sugar, eggs, applesauce, vegetable oil and pure vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
- Add gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (leave out if your flour already has it), cinnamon, salt and baking powder and mix until fully combined.
- The batter will be thick and sticky.
- Add batter to a large plastic storage bag (or piping bag). I like to take a tall cup and put the bag inside of the cup so it's easier to fill the bag with the batter. Close the seal of the bag.
- Cut the tip off of the bag.
- Squeeze the bag carefully filling the donut pan.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes. They will be golden brown and set.
- In a small bowl whisk together the ingredients for the glaze.
- Dip each warm donut into the glaze and place on a plate or wire rack.
- Serve warm.
- Enjoy!
Lisa says
These donuts are perfection!!!! My gluten eating family members had no idea they were GF and begged for seconds! This is definitely a keeper. Having a child with food allergies, I make everything from scratch. I bake so she can take treats to school and birthday parties. This is a treat her friends would be envious of! Thank you, thank you!!!
Lori Rains says
MamaKnowsGlutenFree, you’ve done it again!❤ My favorite gluten-free donut shop is 329 miles away so I was SO delighted to find your recipe. They’re easy, DE-licious, & much closer than 329 miles!
(Side note: The recipe says it makes 16 donuts but actually made 8 perfect donuts with the perfect quantity of glaze.)
I’m not a cookbook kind of person but yours might be the exception! Keep up the great work!😘
Leslie says
Made these as mini donuts. 8 min at 425 & they were perfect. Yum!
Jacquelyn says
I used King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour and EnerG Egg Replacer. They turned out perfect! My kids loved them! We have many allergies here and try to stay clear of sugar as well. I made these with the following substitutions: Replaced 3/4 c sugar with 1/4 brown sugar & 1/4 pyure (granulated erythritol sweetener), used avocado oil as the vegetable oil, and two EnerG “eggs”. The kids had two and didn’t even want the glaze. My six year old son said, “I don’t even care about sprinkles. These are the best donuts ever!” (He’s seen pictures of sprinkle donuts but never actually had a donut at all.) It’s hard to bake when avoiding gluten, dairy, eggs and nuts. Thank you for creating this recipe!
Michelle says
Just made these – extremely easy and quick! Taste great.
Luciana says
I really liked this recipe.
Lina says
I have made your chocolate donuts a few times and branched out for a Fall donut today! These were amazing! The applesauce cinnamon taste is beautiful. I only had about 30 minutes to measure, mix and bake and I was easily able to make them that fast. Which was awesome! 🙂 I didn’t do the glaze this time & everyone still raved over them. We didn’t have any leftovers between my mom’s group and sharing some with our neighbors!
Cassie Bowers says
We bought a donut pan just so that we could try this recipe. My husband baked them for me on my birthday and we loved them! They smelled so good in the oven and they tasted even better! The recipe was easy to make and if I didn’t know they were gluten free, I would have never guessed.
Lori Curlee says
Hi Audrey!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I actually did use coconut sugar and extra light olive oil in my ingredients. They were fabulous!! My husband loved them!!
Te says
I am so impressed with these donuts! Just made them for tomorrow for my daughter sixth birthday. So easy, and delicious! Just sampled one and they are soft, sweet, and melt in your mouth! I will try to save some for tomorrow but no promises! Thank you!
Jennifer Davis says
These are amazing! I just whipped up the recipe today with one of my boys and we LOVE them!
So very good! There’s hope for this momma’ in switching to gluten free. 🙂
Thank you!!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Jennifer for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you and your boys loved the apple cinnamon donuts. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thanks again!
Cynthia says
Usually I’m bad at making stuff but this turned out so GOOD. It was simple and I didn’t have to worry about the baking. 15 minutes was perfect for my oven. Will make these again for sure!
Dawn Kleiman says
I have purchased – the everything gluten free and dairy free cook book! I absolutely love it!
Thank you very very much!!
I love new recipes!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Dawn for your support and for buying my cookbook! It really makes my heart happy to hear that you love it. You are so welcome, I love sharing the recipes I make for my family and helping others. Thank you again for blessing me!
Amanda Rochette says
These are awesome! I liked your pumpkin donuts as well which had a slightly different texture but these are also very soft, fluffy, and delicious! I used unsweetened granny smith applesauce which gave it a nice tart apple flavor. I didn’t have cinnamon so I used pumpkin pie spice instead which really made these taste like fall. LOVE!
Audrey says
Thank you so much for the 5-star recipe review Amanda! I am so happy that you enjoyed the apple donuts. I love that you used granny smith apple sauce and pumpkin pie spice. I am going to try that the next time I make them. Than you for sharing and thanks again!
Mel says
To start, I didn’t have applesauce so I used frozen pumpkin puree. I used pumpkin pie spice instead of the cinnamon. My 7 year old helped me and the recipe was easy enough for him to follow. These donuts turned out amazing! The recipe is great. Can’t wait to get applesauce and make these again.
Audrey says
Thank you so much Mel for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you and your son enjoyed the donuts. I am glad that you were able to modify them and use pumpkin puree, instead of the apple sauce. I have a pumpkin donut recipe too. I hope you enjoy them with the apple sauce next time, these are one of my family’s favorites. Thank you again!
Paula says
Can I use almond flour instead of an all purpose gf flour?
Audrey says
Hi Paula! I have not tried this recipe with almond flour, but I do not think it will work the same as the rice flour in this recipe. I do have recipes for Paleo muffins that uses almond flour. Thank you for asking!
Brooke says
Made these for a friend who is gluten and dairy free. So easy to make and delicious! I only had a mini donut pan, so I halved the recipe and baked for 10 minutes. Can’t wait to take them to her. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Brooke for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that these were easy to make and delicious. Thank you for sharing your modifications for using a mini donut pan. I know that it will help others. I hope your friend enjoys them! You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!
Teri says
Awesome recipes.
Audrey says
Thank you so much Teri!
Teri says
Can I use coconut sugar in place of regular? That’s all I have on hand and is it the same amount. This is for the donuts.
Audrey says
Hi Teri! I have not tried this recipe with coconut sugar. If you try it, will you please let me know how they turn out?
Lanette Dykman says
These are so decadent and amazing!!! They are so much better than the frozen gluten-free donuts. I made a batch and shoved them in the freezer so I can “ration” them. YUMMMMMMMMM
Audrey says
Thank you so much Lanette for the fantastic recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the donuts and that they are better than the frozen gluten-free donuts. You just made my day! Thank you again!
Jamie says
How have you served these the next day or two? I made them today and need them for a party in two days? Also for those who asked about applesauce for egg replacer I just did a pinch over 1 1/3cups applesauce
Audrey says
Hi Jamie thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! Honestly, my family eats all the donuts in one morning. Gluten-free baked goods are always best when fresh. If you were to make them ahead of time I would do them the night before. Thank you for letting me know that the extra applesauce worked for egg-free. I hope everyone enjoys the donuts. Thanks again!
Sandi Ramirez says
is there anything to replace the gluten free flour? I am celiac and must eat truly gluten free which means no grains at all (also no dairy or refined sugars). The recipe looks great other than that. I use Cassava flour a lot but not sure if i can use it in this recipe??? thanks
Guess I will try it
Audrey says
Hi Sandy! I have never tried this recipe grain-free or with Cassava flour. The flour that I use is a gluten-free rice flour blend. I do have several Paleo muffin recipes that are grain-free, dairy-free and have no refined sugar. They are made with almond flour. https://www.mamaknowsglutenfree.com/paleo-chocolate-muffins and https://www.mamaknowsglutenfree.com/paleo-banana-blueberry-muffins/
Lizze says
Donuts are one of the things my family misses being GF/DF. I finally invested in some donut pans and these were the first ones I made. So quick to whip up and seriously so delicious. I loved the maple glaze.
Janelle says
Delicious!!!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Janelle for the wonderful 5-star recipe rating review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the apple cinnamon donuts.
Becky says
I made these today but I was out of applesauce so I mashed bananas and used those instead. Still very good. One thing though, the glaze was too thick so I added some milk to it to make it thin enough to dip my donuts in.
Audrey says
Thank you Becky for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy to hear that the bananas worked well in the recipe and you enjoyed them. Thanks again!
Mary K. says
Wanted to ring in the Fall with an apple donut. Found your recipe and started making them. Too bad I only had a half cup of applesauce. I subbed a can of pears, drained and pureed in the blender, added a bit of allspice, in case they needed a bit more flavor. Yummy! Great recipe! Even without icing!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Mary for the wonderful 5-star recipe rating! I love that you used pears with the applesauce. I bet that was a lovely flavor combination. I am so happy that you enjoyed the donuts! My family loves them.
Gina says
Have you tried a baked donut recipe that is egg free? I can use flax egg or chia egg.
Audrey says
Hi Gina! I have not tried to make these donuts egg-free. If you try them can you please let me know how they turn out?
Janette says
Gina, have you tried making it egg free? I’m curious how it turned out. I use Ener-g egg replacer or flax eggs.
Allison says
Yes they still work out great with flax egg my family is egg free it is a great substitute ????????????
Audrey says
Thank you so much Allison for sharing that the flax eggs worked well in the donut recipe! I need to try it. Tanks again!
Tiffany says
WOW!!! These are the best GF donuts I have ever made. My kids couldn’t stop eating them. The consistency is perfect and the glaze is out of this world! THanks for sharing this recipe!!!
Audrey says
Hi Tiffany! I am so happy that everyone enjoyed the donuts! My whole family loves these too. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. It really makes my heart happy to hear your kids enjoyed them. Thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star review!
Lorna says
The applesauce added – unsweetened?? Thanks
Audrey says
Hi Lorna! You could use either regular applesauce or unsweetened applesauce. I hope you enjoy them!
Carol says
How many full sized doughnuts does this recipe make? I want to try them with the silicon doughnut molds I bought. My molds make 18 doughnuts.
Audrey says
Hi Carol! The recipe makes 16 donuts (baker’s dozen) with my donut pan. I hope you enjoy them!
Cat says
Hi!
Can these donut be fried? Will I be able to work the dough in donut shape?
Audrey says
Hi Cat! I have never tried to fry them. I have only made baked donuts. Thanks for asking!
Anyonita says
Oh my goodness!!! I am making these ASAP! Thanks for linking to your doughnut pan, too! I need a full size one as I’ve only got one for mini doughnuts!
Audrey says
Thanks friend! I’m so glad that I broke down and bought a full-sized donut pan too! I only had one for mini donuts too. We are loving the big donuts.
Nichole says
Could you make the batter the night before and cook in the morning? I am not a morning person lol
Audrey says
Hi Nichole! You could make the batter up the night before and store covered in the refrigerator. I hope you enjoy the donuts!
Cheryl Riffin says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. Wow it is so yummy. I love baking but i find its hard now that i have to bake gluten free. Ive been unsuccessful until now. I truly appreciate it and youve got a customer for your cookbook. Regards Cheryl