Apple Pie Doughnuts Recipe is one of those treats that feels like a cozy hug on a chilly day. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when classic apple pie meets the irresistible charm of doughnuts, you’re about to find out. These doughnuts pack all the warm, cinnamon-spiced goodness of apple pie but in a fun, handheld form.
Why You Should Try Apple Pie Doughnuts Recipe
I’m not exaggerating when I say these doughnuts might just become your new favorite fall snack. They combine tender doughnut dough with a sweet apple filling and a cinnamon sugar coating. The best part? You don’t need to be a baking wizard to pull this off. Plus, they smell like heaven while baking, which is a bonus for anyone who loves their kitchen smelling like a bakery.
Expert Tips for Apple Pie Doughnuts Recipe
- Don’t rush sealing the doughnuts. If the edges aren’t sealed well, the filling can leak out during frying.
- Keep the oil temperature steady. Too hot, and the doughnuts burn outside but stay raw inside. Too cool, and they soak up oil.
- If you don’t have a doughnut cutter, a round cookie cutter and a smaller one for the hole work just fine.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove doughnuts from the oil to avoid excess oil dripping.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- In a saucepan, heat milk until warm but not boiling.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine yeast mixture, warm milk, sugar, salt, egg, and half of the flour. Mix gently.
- Add the softened butter and the remaining flour gradually, mixing to form a soft dough.
- Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Add diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, cooking until apples are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness on a floured surface.
- Cut dough into rounds using a doughnut cutter or two round cutters of different sizes.
- Place a spoonful of apple filling on half of the rounds; top with a plain round and press edges to seal.
- Let assembled doughnuts rise for 30 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry doughnuts in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon for topping in a shallow bowl.
- While doughnuts are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Variations I’ve Tried
Over the years, I’ve played around with a few tweaks to this recipe. Sometimes, I swap out the Granny Smith apples for Fuji or Honeycrisp to change the sweetness and tartness balance. Adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the filling gives a little extra depth. On one adventurous day, I even drizzled caramel sauce on top instead of just cinnamon sugar because why not?
Nutrition Information
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Fat: 17 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 14 g
Leftovers
If you have any doughnuts left (which is rare in my house), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re best eaten within a day or two. For a quick refresh, pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds or warm them in a low oven to bring back that fresh-baked vibe.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t overmix the dough. It should be just combined to keep the doughnuts tender.
- Avoid frying at too low a temperature; greasy doughnuts are nobody’s friend.
- Don’t skip the cinnamon sugar coating it’s what gives the doughnuts that classic apple pie finish.
- Be gentle when handling filled doughnuts before frying to prevent filling spills.
There you have it apple pie in doughnut form, perfect for sharing or savoring solo with a cup of coffee. Who knew that a little dough and apples could bring so much joy?