Looking forward to fall? So are we! Sweater weather, trees in glorious autumn colors, and a kitchen smelling of heavenly home-made treats. Hold that last thought and imagine freshly baked donuts served with mugs of hot apple cider. Yum!
You read that right: baked donuts. You can indulge that fall donut dream with a little less guilt—with these10 healthier donut recipes meant for baking, not frying. Many of these are made with fresh fruits and berries, and some are vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free. Then, while you’re at it, why not treat the family to an apple cider and donut station for those at-home autumn days ahead?
10 Baked Donut Recipes to Try This Fall
These recipe recommendations are so irresistible, you’ll probably be serving them for breakfast, dessert, movie-time treats, and midnight snacks!
1 – Baked Maple Bacon Donuts – from The Speckled Palate
Yes, these donuts have bacon, but even that is baked not fried! The finished goodies are dipped in a sweet maple glaze, then topped with bacon crumbles.
2 – Gingerbread Baked Donuts – from I Heart Eating
Gingerbread is such a fall-to-winter fave. So bake up a batch of these donuts. Then while still warm, dip the tops and bottoms in a spiced sugar mixture with ground ginger and cinnamon.
3 – Banana Bread Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting – from Baker by Nature
An easy family choice since you probably have all the ingredients right in your pantry and can be ready in about 20 minutes! And for the yummy frosting, just add cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, cinnamon, and chopped walnuts (optional in case of allergies).
4 – Cranberry Cornmeal Donuts – from Dessert for Two
The basic batter for these donuts is a hearty mix of stone-ground cornmeal, buttermilk, and nutmeg. Then, there’s that pretty pink glaze made with fresh cranberries mashed into a mixture of fresh orange juice and powdered sugar.
5 – Baked Pumpkin Pie Donuts – from Ritzy Mom
The light flavor of pumpkin gets a boost with the addition of wheat flour, brown sugar, and spices. Then, each baked donut is brushed with melted butter and given a good shake in a bag of cinnamon and sugar.
6 – Eggless and Dairy-free Caramel Apple Doughnuts – from Nerdy Mamma
This vegan recipe features batter made with coconut oil, Granny Smith apple sauce, and coconut milk. Then, a vibrant apple green glaze, also made with coconut oil and coconut milk, coats each donut top along with a white icing drizzle.
7 – Cinnamon Roll Donuts – from Buns in My Oven
Just like your favorite cinnamon roll, these baked goodies have a sweet cinnamon and sugar topping and a powdered sugar glaze. Perfect for fall!
8 – Vegan Sweet Potato Pecan Pie Donuts – from Dishing Out Health
Another dairy-free and gluten-free treat, these donuts are packed with nutrients and fiber from ground flax, old-fashioned oats, roasted sweet potato, coconut oil, turmeric, and pecans. Even the sweetness on top is a "date glaze" with a final sprinkle of crushed pecans.
9 – Vegan Baked Ginger Pear Donuts – from Namely Marly
Abundant in autumn, pears add healthy fiber to this recipe, as the skin is included, then their mild flavor gets spiced up with ground ginger. Healthier coconut sugar is also used in place of refined sugar, and the vanilla drizzle on top is made with plant-based milk vanilla.
10 – Salted Caramel Baked Donuts – from Mr. Breakfast
This recipe features the basic donut batter. But it’s the warm caramel icing made with butter, brown sugar, cream, and corn syrup, then sprinkled with kosher or sea salt, that really spells the difference!
Boy, you’re surely in donut dreamland now. Pass the apple cider, please!
