Apple Cider Donut Holes No Eggs Baked 5 Ingredients

I’m a huge fan of making donut holes and my kids are even bigger fans of eating my Pumpkin Donut Holes, 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes, or Sweet Potato Donuts. But when the fall season starts, and apples are everywhere, I love to make apple-flavored recipes. While adding apples makes great Baked Apple Fritters, they can make donut holes too dense. So to get the same flavor while keeping the signature fluffiness of donuts, I opted for apple cider! Using alcohol-free apple cider (or regular one) makes these donuts super soft and very tasty!

Ingredients and Substitutions

You need 5 ingredients to make the dough for these donut holes.

Self-Rising Flour – This provides the structure and helps the donut holes rise. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can substitute it with all-purpose flour and add 4 teaspoons of baking powder. For a gluten-free option, you could try a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend with a leavening agent included. Apple Cider – Cider brings a sweet, sour apple flavor and a touch of acidity that balances the sweetness. It can be sparkling or non-sparkling. You can replace it with sparkling apple juice for a non-alcoholic version or pear cider. Do not use apple cider vinegar, as it would change the flavor drastically and it wouldn’t rise as much. Brown Sugar – This adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness and moisture to the donut holes. You can substitute it with coconut sugar or a monk fruit blend for a lower-carb option, but brown sugar adds a unique depth that enhances the fall flavors. Cinnamon – Cinnamon pairs beautifully with the apple flavors. You can substitute it with pumpkin spice, nutmeg, or a mix of both for a variation on the fall flavor profile. Light Olive Oil – Olive oil adds moisture and richness to the dough while keeping it light. You can substitute it with canola oil, grapeseed oil, or almond oil for a more neutral flavor. Avoid coconut oil unless the cider is at room temperature, as melted coconut oil will solidify if mixed with cold ingredients.