Baked Apple-Cinnamon Donuts

Ok, I know what you’re thinking. Another donut recipe? Really? I’ve got a good excuse though – I bought this awesome donut pan and I’ve only used it once, so…

My first recipe was for the Maple Bacon Donuts – they probably bend the paleo rules a little, but they’re so darn good. That recipe alone was worth the price of the new donut pan!

But let’s face it, we can’t eat like that every day on the paleo plan. I really made the maple bacon donut as a challenge to myself to re-create something I loved – without the grains, gluten, and white sugar.

This donut is a little different. You can feel a lot less guilty indulging in this one, so go ahead and dip it in some coffee and enjoy!

easy paleo recipe for a baked apple donut
Sprinkle these donuts with a mix of coconut sugar and cinnamon. Apply while the donuts are still slightly warm to help the granules stick. Feel free to skip this optional topping – these paleo and gluten-free donuts are delicious plain too!

However, if you’re in your first month or so of going paleo, it might be a good idea to skip over this recipe since there is raw honey and pure maple syrup in it. You can come back to this one after you’ve mastered the diet and you’re ready to reward yourself with a little treat.

This donut’s ingredients are about on par with a healthy paleo apple muffin. No grains, gluten, or refined sugar. It just tastes more sinful and gratifying when you can call it a donut. Right?

I made this one up last weekend per my husband’s request. He wanted light and flavorful and his big smile confirmed that’s exactly what I delivered.

And just a little FYI…if you decide to top with the optional sprinkles, just be aware the coconut sugar and cinnamon will likely be absorbed into the donut if you store these overnight. Just remember to set aside some of the sprinkles so you can dust these again the next day.

Dunk these puppies and enjoy! :)

 


Apple-Cinnamon Baked Donuts Recipe

by Trina
Simple paleo and gluten-free recipe for baked donuts featuring fresh apples, paleo flours, and unsweetened apple sauce.
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9 donuts

Equipment

  • donut baking pan – aluminum, steel or silicone

Ingredients
  

Donut Batter

  • 4 eggs whisked
  • 1 3/4 cup almond flour
  • 2 Tbsp coconut flour
  • 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup raw unfiltered honey
  • 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup Grade B preferred
  • 1 apple diced small (we used a Fuji apple)
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Sprinkles Topping (Optional)

  • 2 Tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350º F
  • Grease your donut baking pan if needed
  • In a medium bowl, mix dry ingredients – almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg and salt
  • In another bowl mix the wet ingredients – eggs, honey, apple sauce, maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla
  • Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl and mix together thoroughly
  • Fold in the diced apple
  • Get a large, Ziplock-type plastic bag and pour the batter into it. Release the air and seal.
  • Cut a corner off the bag and pipe the batter into the donut pan.
  • Fill each well only about two-thirds full – don't overfill!
  • Once all wells are filled, tap the pan on the counter a few times to get the tops smooth and even
  • Bake about 16-20 min. Oven cooking times vary. Check doneness with a toothpick to make sure it comes out clean
  • Allow donuts to cool slightly, remove from pan, and place on cooling rack
  • Mix coconut sugar and cinnamon together to sprinkle on the top (optional). Sprinkle when donuts are slightly warm to help the topping stick
Keyword donut, doughnut, apple donut, baked, apples

Join the Conversation

  1. I’m having problems with almond/almond flour. Do you think I could substitute tigernut flour in its place? Please let me know as I would love to try this recipe. Thank you.

    1. Actually Louise, I have never used Tigernut flour before, but a reader sent me a message recently and said they use it and it works great! :)

  2. Chuck Christianson says:

    Delicious!!!! Mrs. Chuck approved! Thank you yet again.Trina.

    1. Yay! Mrs Chuck approved makes it even better! :)

  3. All excited to make these and I discover I have almond meal instead of almond flour. Are they the same and can I use the almond meal?

    1. Yes chuck, The are pretty much the same. It will work fine. :)

  4. Anonymous says:

    Is the almond flour 1 3/4 measured in cups?

    1. Yes! :) We’ll fix that in the recipe.

  5. I’m looking forward to making these soon, but I have one question: is the measurement of 1 3/4 almond flour in cups?

  6. I’m pretty sure you could. Try it and let me know how it turns out!

  7. What can I use in lieu of a donut pan?

    1. You could use a muffin pan as well. Check out my harvest muffins if the apple donuts look good to you. They’re yummy as well! :)

  8. Oooooh that’s #aholelottasexy… ;)

  9. Come see your mamma and she will make up a batch just for you! :)

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