These apple cinnamon donuts are made with just 5 ingredients and taste like a warm apple fritter. Apple rings get wrapped in puff pastry, brushed with egg, and dusted with cinnamon sugar, then baked until golden and flaky. They are the easiest fall treat and your whole house will smell amazing.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cinnamon Donuts
Just 5 ingredients. Apple, puff pastry, egg, cinnamon, and sugar, that is it.
Easy and quick. No frying, no donut pan, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Taste like apple fritters. Warm, flaky, cinnamon-sugary, and totally addictive.
Perfect for apple season. A fun way to use up all those orchard apples.
Your house will smell amazing. Cinnamon and baked apples, need I say more.
These are the kind of treat that feels special but takes almost no effort. They are wonderful for a cozy weekend breakfast, an after-school snack, or a last-minute dessert when you want something warm and comforting.
What You Need to Make Apple Cinnamon Donuts
Here is everything you need. Full measurements are in the recipe card above.
Apple. One large or two medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into rings.
Puff pastry. One sheet, thawed, cut into strips to wrap around the apple rings.
Egg. Whisked and brushed on for a golden, shiny finish.
Cinnamon. For that classic warm, cozy flavor.
Sugar. I use coconut sugar for a subtle caramel note, but regular works too.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Donuts
Here is the quick walk-through, and the full recipe is in the card above.
Prep the apple. Peel and core the apple, then slice it into 8 rounds.
Cut the pastry. Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into 1-inch strips.
Wrap. Wrap a strip of pastry around and through the center of each apple ring.
Brush and sprinkle. Brush each with whisked egg, then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
Bake. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes, until golden and puffed. Enjoy warm.
What Do They Taste Like?
These little donuts taste just like an apple fritter, but so much easier to make. The puff pastry bakes up buttery, flaky, and golden, the apple softens into a tender, juicy center, and the cinnamon sugar forms a slightly crisp, sweet coating on the outside. You get that perfect contrast of shatteringly crisp pastry and warm, soft apple in every bite. Served fresh from the oven, they are absolutely irresistible, and they scratch that fall-treat itch without any deep frying or complicated dough.
The Best Apples to Use
A crisp, sweet-tart apple is best here since it holds its shape and balances the buttery pastry. Honeycrisp is my top pick, but Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady are all great sweet options. If you like a little tartness, Granny Smith is excellent and classic for anything apple and cinnamon. Slice the apples into even rounds, about a quarter-inch thick, so they cook through in the same time it takes the pastry to turn golden.
Tips for the Best Apple Donuts
Thaw the pastry. Work with cold but pliable puff pastry so it wraps easily without tearing.
Slice apples evenly. Even rings bake at the same rate and look prettiest.
Do not skip the egg wash. It gives the pastry that gorgeous golden shine.
Be generous with cinnamon sugar. It is what makes them taste like a fritter.
Serve warm. They are at their absolute best fresh out of the oven.
Why Puff Pastry Is the Best Shortcut
Traditional apple fritters and donuts involve making a dough, letting it rise, and deep frying, which is delicious but a lot of work. Store-bought puff pastry gives you all that flaky, buttery, golden magic with none of the fuss. It bakes up impossibly light and crisp in the oven, so you get a fritter-like treat without a pot of hot oil or any special equipment. Keeping a box of puff pastry in the freezer means you are always minutes away from an impressive treat, and this recipe is proof that a few simple shortcuts can taste completely homemade.
Add a Glaze
These are delicious as is, but if you want to make them feel extra special, a simple glaze takes them over the top. Whisk together about half a cup of powdered sugar with a splash of milk and a drop of vanilla until smooth, then drizzle it over the donuts once they have cooled slightly. For a maple version, use maple syrup in place of some of the milk. A dusting of extra cinnamon sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns them into a proper dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
These apple cinnamon donuts are truly best warm and fresh from the oven, when the pastry is at its flakiest. That said, you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To bring back the crispness, reheat them in a 350 degree F oven or the air fryer for a few minutes rather than the microwave, which softens the pastry. You can also assemble them ahead and keep them in the fridge, then bake fresh when you are ready to serve.
Perfect for Fall Gatherings
These apple cinnamon donuts are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, which makes them perfect for fall. Bring a tray to a brunch, a playdate, or a cozy weekend with friends and watch them disappear. They come together quickly enough to make on a whim, and because they look so cute and taste like something from a bakery, they always get rave reviews. They are also a fun one to make with kids, who love helping wrap the pastry around the apple rings and sprinkling on the cinnamon sugar. However you serve them, they capture everything wonderful about apple season in one easy bite.
More Easy Apple and Fall Treats
If you love a cozy apple recipe, here are more favorites to try:
Can I make apple cinnamon donuts ahead of time?
They are best fresh, but you can assemble them ahead and refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
Do I have to peel the apples?
Peeling gives the softest texture, but you can leave the peel on for a little more chew and fiber.
What sugar is best?
Coconut sugar adds a subtle caramel flavor, but regular granulated or brown sugar work great too.
Can I use store-bought crescent dough?
Yes, crescent roll dough works in place of puff pastry for a slightly softer, bread-like donut.
How do I keep them crispy?
Serve warm, and reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer rather than the microwave.
How many donuts does this make?
One large apple makes about 8 donuts. Use two medium apples and a second sheet of pastry to make more for a crowd.
Can I air fry them?
Yes. Air fry at 350 degrees F for about 8 to 10 minutes, until golden and puffed, working in batches.
Can I freeze apple cinnamon donuts?
They are best fresh, but you can freeze baked donuts for up to a month and reheat them in the oven or air fryer straight from frozen until warm and crisp again.
How To Make Apple Cinnamon Donuts
The Ingredients
Ingredients and Substitutions
Apple – Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Granny Smith; use one large or two medium.
Puff pastry – or crescent roll dough for a softer, bread-like version.
Egg – for the egg wash; a splash of milk or cream works in a pinch.
Cinnamon – or apple pie spice for extra warmth.
Sugar – coconut, granulated, or brown sugar all work for the cinnamon sugar coating.
What You Need
The Steps
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Peel and core the apple.
Slice the apple into 8 rounds.
Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into 1-inch strips.
Wrap a strip of puff pastry around and through the center of each apple slice.
Whisk the egg and brush it over each one.
Sprinkle generously with cinnamon and sugar.
Bake for 15 minutes, until golden and puffed. Enjoy warm.
Recipe Tips
These taste just like an apple fritter but only need 5 ingredients.
Use a crisp apple, and coconut sugar for a slightly caramel flavor (regular works too).
They are best fresh and warm. Fair warning: they are highly addictive.
These apple cinnamon donuts are the easiest fall treat, and they taste just like a warm apple fritter. If you recently visited an apple orchard and have no idea what to do with all those apples, this is the recipe for you. Apple rings get wrapped in flaky puff pastry, brushed with egg, and dusted in cinnamon sugar, then baked until golden.
They only require 5 simple ingredients and come together so quickly. Fair warning: they are highly addictive and you might end up eating the entire tray, and your whole house will smell absolutely amazing.
Recipe creator, toddler mama & wellness enthusiast. Happy&Full is a blog all about quick and easy recipes for every day living! Eating well (and feeling well) doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
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