Easy Baked Apple Crumb Donuts
These baked Apple Crumb Donuts combine the warm flavors of apple and cinnamon with a sweet, crumbly topping. They use simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Plus, since they’re baked instead of fried, you can feel a little better about indulging in one (or two).
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I’ve been making these apple crumb donuts every fall for years now, and my family loves them. They’re super easy to whip up, thanks to a clever shortcut – using pancake mix as the base. Don’t let that fool you though, pancake mix donuts are anything but ordinary.
What really makes these donuts special is the fresh apple in the batter. It gives them this amazing, subtle apple flavor that just screams fall. And let’s not forget the crumble topping – it’s honestly my favorite part. There’s something about that sweet, crunchy layer that takes these donuts to the next level.
They’re great any time of year, but these delicious donuts really shine when the weather starts to cool down. There’s something about the smell of apples and cinnamon that just feels right on a crisp autumn morning. I like to enjoy my baked donut with a cup of hot coffee while watching the leaves change color outside.
But here’s a little secret: they’re not just for breakfast. Try warming up an apple crumble donut and topping it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. The contrast of the warm, spiced donut with the cold, creamy ice cream is seriously incredible. They’re also great for fall parties or as a special treat after school for the kids. Basically, there’s no wrong time to eat these donuts!
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What goes into this Recipe
- Pancake Mix: This is our shortcut to quick and easy donuts without the need to measure out too many dry ingredients. Any brand will work for these cake donuts, so use your favorite. It is also wonderful in this coffee cake.
- Fresh Apples: Gives the donuts that authentic apple flavor. I like to dice them small but you can also shred them.
- Nutmeg and cinnamon: These warm spices bring out the apple flavor. Feel free to adjust to your taste.
- Butter: You’ll need melted butter for the batter and softened butter for the topping.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make Apple Crumb Donuts
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pancake mix, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Add the egg, melted butter and stir until the donut batter is well combined. Add the apple chunks and stir until evenly distributed.
- Transfer the batter to a large piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe the batter into the donut pans, filling each cavity about 2/3 full.
- In a small bowl, combine the crumb ingredients: softened butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Use a fork to work the mixture into small crumbs. Be careful not to overwork it, or you’ll end up with a paste instead of crumbs.
- Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly and thickly over each donut.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. To check if they’re done, lightly press on a donut – it should bounce back. You can also insert a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean. Let the donuts cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, turn them out onto a wire cooling rack, crumb side up. If any parts stick, use an offset spatula to gently release them. Sprinkle the tops with powdered sugar and enjoy your homemade apple crumb donuts.
Expert Tips
- Spray the donut pan liberally with nonstick spray. This will make removing the donuts much easier and prevent sticking.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Stir just until ingredients are combined to keep the donuts tender and avoid tough texture.
- Use a piping bag or zip-top bag to fill the pan. This gives you more control and creates less mess than spooning the batter. Be sure to cut a hole large enough for the apple pieces to pass through.
- When making the crumb topping, use a fork and don’t overwork it. This ensures you get a crumbly texture rather than a paste.
- Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing. This helps them set up and makes them easier to remove without breaking.
Storage and Freezing
Store: These apple crumb donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored for a few days. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage or if you live in a warm climate, you can refrigerate the donuts for up to 4 days, but bring them to room temperature before eating for the best texture and flavor.
Freeze: For longer storage, you can freeze these delicious apple donuts for up to 3 months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. To prevent the crumb topping from getting crushed, you might want to wrap each donut individually in plastic wrap before placing it in the bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature. You can warm them briefly in the microwave or oven to refresh the texture if desired.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use a regular muffin pan to bake these Apple Cider Donuts. I would use muffin liners and only fill them 2/3 full. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Apple cider will give you a deeper apple flavor than apple juice but both can be used as a substitute for half of the milk if desired.
If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a large zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. Alternatively, you can carefully spoon the batter into the doughnut pan, but this might be a bit messier.
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Easy Apple Crumb Donuts
Ingredients
Apple Donut
- 2 cups pancake mix
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar {packed}
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup milk {I used 1%}
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tablespoons butter {melted}
- 1 cup apple {finely diced}
Crumb Topping
- ¼ cup butter {softened}
- ½ cup brown sugar {packed}
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar {for sprinkling on baked donuts}
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray donut pans liberally with nonstick cooking spray.
Apple Donuts
- In a medium bowl combine the pancake mix, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Whisk or sift dry ingredients to get rid of any lumps in the dry mix.
- Add the milk, egg and melted butter to the dry mixture and mix to combine. Then add the diced apple and stir until it is evenly distributed.
- Spoon dough into a zipper bag {or piping bag} and cut a triangle from the end of the bag {being sure it is large enough for the apples to pass through}. Pipe enough dough to fill each donut mold about 3/4 full because it will rise while baking. **You can also spoon the batter into each donut mold.
Crumb Topping
- In a small bowl combine all of the crumb mixture ingredients. Work the mixture together into small crumbs using a fork. Don't overwork the mixture or you will get a paste and it will change the texture of the crumbs. Sprinkle the crumbs in an even and thick layer over the top of each donut.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before using an off-set spatula to remove the donuts from the pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar {if desired}. Serve your apple crumb donuts warm or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.