Easy Baked Apple Crumb Donuts are the perfect cozy treat for fall mornings—or really any time I’m craving a soft, spiced donut with sweet apple flavor and a buttery crumb topping. I love how these donuts come together without frying, using simple ingredients and just a few steps. They’re tender, full of cinnamon, and topped with a golden streusel that melts in my mouth.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it brings together the comfort of apple pie and the fun of donuts, all baked in one pan. These donuts are soft, warm, and filled with apple goodness without being overly sweet. The crumb topping gives them bakery-style texture, while the baked method keeps them light and easy to make at home. Plus, I can enjoy them fresh out of the oven without any greasy mess.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the donuts:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Nutmeg (optional)
  • Salt
  • Brown sugar
  • Applesauce or finely grated apple
  • Egg
  • Milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • Unsalted butter, melted
  • Vanilla extract

For the crumb topping:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Brown sugar
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Directions

  1. I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
  2. In a bowl, I whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, I mix the brown sugar, applesauce or grated apple, egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla.
  4. I combine the wet and dry ingredients until just mixed—being careful not to overmix.
  5. I spoon the batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
  6. To make the crumb topping, I mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  7. I sprinkle the crumb topping generously over the donut batter.
  8. I bake the donuts for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and the tops are lightly golden.
  9. I let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes about 6–8 donuts and takes approximately 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to bake—ready in under 30 minutes.

Variations

  • Glazed: I drizzle a simple vanilla glaze over the cooled donuts for extra sweetness.
  • Apple chunks: I fold in small bits of fresh apple for more texture and flavor.
  • Vegan: I use plant-based milk, a flax egg, and vegan butter to make them dairy-free and egg-free.
  • Gluten-free: I substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.
  • Maple Spice: I replace vanilla with maple extract and add a pinch of clove for a deeper fall flavor.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5. To reheat, I warm them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low oven for 5–6 minutes to restore their softness and bring out the flavor.

FAQs

Can I use apple pie filling instead of applesauce?

Yes, I chop it finely before mixing it into the batter. It adds great flavor, but I adjust the sugar slightly since it’s already sweetened.

Do I need a donut pan?

It helps get the classic shape, but I’ve also used a muffin tin in a pinch—just watch the baking time.

Can I freeze these donuts?

Yes, I wrap them individually and freeze for up to 2 months. I thaw and warm them before serving.

How do I keep the crumb topping from sinking?

I gently press the crumbs into the batter before baking so they stay on top while rising.

What kind of apples work best?

I like using sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala for a nice balance of flavor.

Conclusion

These Easy Baked Apple Crumb Donuts are everything I want in a fall treat—warm, soft, spiced, and full of apple flavor. I love how easy they are to whip up in under 30 minutes, and the crumb topping takes them to the next level. Whether I’m baking them for brunch, dessert, or a cozy afternoon snack, they always bring the perfect touch of homemade comfort.

Print

Easy Baked Apple Crumb Donuts

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

These Easy Baked Apple Crumb Donuts are soft, spiced, and topped with a buttery streusel for the ultimate cozy fall treat. Made with applesauce or fresh grated apple, warm cinnamon, and a tender baked texture, these donuts come together in under 30 minutes—no frying required. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a seasonal snack.

  • Author: Mayaa
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6–8 donuts
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • For the donuts:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup applesauce or 1/2 cup finely grated apple
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • For the crumb topping:
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, mix brown sugar, applesauce or grated apple, egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla.
  4. Gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Spoon the batter into a donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
  6. In a separate bowl, prepare crumb topping by mixing flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
  7. Sprinkle crumb topping over batter and press down lightly so it adheres.
  8. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  9. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Press crumb topping into batter to help it stick during baking.
  • Chopped apple pie filling can replace applesauce—reduce added sugar slightly.
  • Use a muffin tin if a donut pan is unavailable.
  • Best apple varieties: Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala.
  • Freeze donuts individually up to 2 months for later enjoyment.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 donut
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 140mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star