Easy Apple Doughnuts (no yeast)

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Apple Doughnutsa delicious treat for apple and doughnut lovers. They are perfect as an autumn dessert, as apples are in season. Kids and parents alike will love them, as they are a healthier replacement for all those nasty sugars out there.

A bowl of golden brown apple doughnuts generously coated with a delightful mix of cinnamon and sugar.

On top of that, this easy apple dessert recipe uses simple ingredients found easily in your cupboard. Give them a try and enjoy a bite of autumn in every doughnut!

With fall in full swing and apples in season, it’s the perfect time for baking! You can whip up treats like an apple and raisin bundt cake with caramel drizzle or my fresh apple cake, a soaked sponge topped with Nutella cream. And it doesn’t get much easier than my super simple one-egg lemon milk cake or my mocha cake recipe topped with coffee icing and dusted to perfection with dark cocoa powdered. 


These Tasty Apple Doughnuts are a tasty fall dessert! A quick and easy delicious recipe, family-friendly and perfect for any occasion!

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Why you’ll love these apple doughnuts

These Apple Doughnuts offer comforting cinnamon flavours and the natural sweetness of apples in one bite. It’s a seasonal treat that the whole family will enjoy! It uses simple ingredients that can be easily found at your local supermarket and it takes minutes to make. It will become a favourite once you make it! Plus, kids will enjoy being part of the baking process as well.

Ingredients to make Apple Doughnuts

You probably have most of the ingredients needed to make this family-friendly dessert. Here are the ingredients necessary to make these warm and spiced homemade doughnuts:

A collection of ingredients for apple doughnuts, including an egg, salt, sugar, yogurt, grated orange zest, vegetable oil, apples, all-purpose flour, baking powder, oil for frying, and cinnamon sugar for garnish.
  • Eggs – is the ingredient that holds everything together and acts as a binding agent.
  • Salt – Enhances the taste of the doughnuts and adds a touch of flavour.
  • Sugar – Provides sweetness against the tartness of the apples- any type of sugar is as good.
  • Yoghurt – Contributes to the texture of the doughnuts and brings moisture to the recipe.
  • Orange zest – This adds a citrus aroma to the overall taste.
  • Vegetable oil – Contributes to the moisture of the doughnuts, making them soft and tender.
  • Apples – These are the recipe’s star ingredient, adding natural sweetness and fruity flavour.
  • Flour – Gives structure to the batter and helps in the rising process during frying or baking.
  • Baking powder – It is a raising agent, helping the doughnuts to puff up and become light and airy.

Substitutions

I often find myself wanting to make a certain recipe, but I soon realise that I don’t even have the necessary ingredients! It’s important to know which ones can be adapted to your pantry availability. So here are a few suggestions:

  • Sugar – If you don’t have white sugar, any sugar would work: coconut, brown, etc.
  • Yoghurt – I used Greek yoghurt, but any type of yoghurt is fine, even fat-free plain yoghurt or kefir.
  • Orange zest – Due to their similarities, you could substitute the orange zest with lemon zest, or you can even skip it as it is optional.
  • Vegetable oil – I used sunflower oil, but it can be replaced with melted butter or coconut oil.
  • Flour – Plain flour is good but you can substitute with gluten-free if you’d like.

How to make apple doughnuts

You’ll love these homemade apple doughnuts! This easy recipe requires just a few simple ingredients, making it perfect for any occasion. In no time, your kitchen will fill with the delicious aroma of apples and cinnamon.

Check out our quick guide for handy tips to make baking these apple doughnuts a breeze!

Preparation steps for How to make Apple Doughnuts
Preparation steps for How to make Apple Doughnuts

Step 1 Combine the wet ingredients: Start by adding all wet ingredients to a bowl with the sugar, salt and orange zest (if used). Mix everything using a hand mixer or a balloon whisk, for about 2-3 minutes. Then, set it aside.

Step 2Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, add the flour and the baking powder and stir them so the baking powder is well combined with the flour. This helps the doughnuts become more fluffy and airy. Set aside.

Step 3Prepare the apples: Chop the apples into small pieces and add these apple bits to your batter. Incorporate to the mix of flour and baking powder, until a smooth dough forms.

Preparation steps for How to make autumn fritters
Preparation steps for How to make Apple Doughnuts

Step 4Fry or bake: Fry or bake the apple doughnuts, give them a nice coating of cinnamon sugar and serve.

Baked fritters

I baked these apple doughnuts, and while they’re a bit denser, they’re still really tasty!

Preparation steps for How to make fritters

Golden fried apple doughnuts, crisp outside and soft inside, dusted with cinnamon sugar.

A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Leftovers and storage

These homemade Apple Doughnuts will stay fresh very well in a bowl covered with cling film for up to 2 days at room temperature or you can refrigerate them, this way you’ll add more days to their lifespan.

Room temperature: You can keep them in your pantry, in a cool and dry place, or on the counter away from direct sunlight. They will stay fresh for up to two days.

In the Refrigerator: Store the remaining doughnuts in an airtight container and enjoy within a week. You can warm them up for a few seconds in the oven or microwave to revive them.

Recipe FAQs

Yes, you can use any variety of apples, although some are better than others. Choose from Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala or Golden Delicious to have the best results with your apple recipes.

Usually, doughnuts are fried most of the time but these days, the baked version is a much healthier option, so the choice is yours.

The type of oil most used for frying is vegetable oil, because of its neutral flavour. However, my go-to frying oil is sunflower oil.


Have you given this Apple Doughnuts recipe a try? Share your experience by rating it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and dropping a comment below. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and fuels my passion for creating recipes!

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A bowl of golden brown apple doughnuts generously coated with a delightful mix of cinnamon and sugar.

Easy Apple Doughnuts

Claudia
Enjoy tasty apple doughnuts – a yummy fall dessert! These kid-friendly treats are simple to make with few ingredients.
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 265 kcal

Equipment

  • 2 bowls
  • 1 hand mixer or balloon whisk
  • 1 deep pan frying or baking pan for baking

Ingredients
  

  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 125 g yogurt ½ cup
  • Grated orange zest optional
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 or 2 apples chopped in small cubes
  • 250 g all-purpose flour 2 cups
  • 5 g baking powder 1 teaspoon
  • Vegetable oil for frying I used sunflower oil
  • Cinnamon sugar for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the apples: Peel and core the apples, then dice or grate them. If grated, squeeze out the excess juice before adding them to the batter. Set aside.
    1 or 2 apples
  • Make the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, salt, sugar, yoghurt, orange zest (if using), and vegetable oil until smooth.
    1 egg, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons sugar, 125 g yogurt, Grated orange zest, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Add dry ingredients: Gradually sift in the flour and baking powder, stirring until the batter is smooth and lump-free. Add the apples to the batter and mix well. Shape the dough into small rounds or oval shapes by scooping small amounts with a spoon and dusting them in flour.
    250 g all-purpose flour, 5 g baking powder
  • Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or pot, enough to submerge the apple doughnuts. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
    Vegetable oil for frying
  • Fry the doughnuts: Carefully place the doughnuts into the hot oil. Fry in batches, turning once, until golden brown on both sides (about 2-3 minutes per side).
  • Remove the fried apple doughnuts from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. While still warm, toss them in cinnamon sugar to coat.
    Cinnamon sugar for garnish
  • Alternatively, you can drop scoops of batter onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some space between each scoop for even baking. Pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-18 minutes, or until they're golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Enjoy your warm apple doughnuts as a cozy fall treat!

Notes

Step-by-Step Guide: You’ll find a helpful step-by-step guide to make this recipe on my blog. 
 
Substitutions & Twists: I’ve listed some great substitutions and variations in the post above, so you can customize the dish to your liking.
 
Storage: These apple doughnuts will stay fresh in a bowl covered with cling film or in an airtight container, for up to 2 days at room temperature. Prolong the lifespan of these treats by placing them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 
Tip 1: Use vegetable oil when frying, preferably sunflower oil as this has a neutral flavour. 
Tip 2: Sprinkle flour on your workspace when shaping the doughnuts so they don’t stick to your hands. 
Tip 3Evenly Space on Baking Sheet – Arrange the doughnuts on a baking sheet with enough space between them to ensure they bake up evenly during baking. This tip is for the baking option instead of frying. 
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