By You don't need any protein powder or a doughnut pan to have high-protein baked apple cider donut holes at home! All you need is a mini muffin tin and some Skyr or Greek yogurt. Each serving is just 190 calories and has 5 grams of protein and 2g of fiber.
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Growing up in California, apple picking was not something I ever did. It wasn't until I moved out east that I discovered the wonderful world of apple cider donuts.
And in my quest not to buy too many appliances and kitchen gadgets, I wanted to figure out how to make them without a doughnut pan. Lo and behold, a mini muffin tin works perfectly with ones baked in the oven! And using my staple high protein and high fiber batter that I use in most of my protein baking recipes, these little bites pack in protein and fiber.
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dip these one by one
When I tried to coat these in cinnamon and sugar (as you'll see in the video), the first few times, I did a handful at a time. This just doesn't work. It results in the butter only absorbing into one muffin/doughnut, and then the sugar, thus only coating that donut hole. Dip them quickly and lightly in butter one by one, and then toss them in cinnamon sugar for the full apple cider effect.
key ingredients & swaps
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See the recipe card for quantities.
- Flour mixture: I always like to use a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat to pump up the fiber. Oat flour works well, too.
- Spices: This is where these little nuggets really shine! Cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cardamom are the basics we'll use. You can also use 2 teaspoons of apple pie spice in place of the warm spices. If you use pumpkin pie spice, though, you need to add cardamom.
- Apple stuff: Don't forget the cup of cider (spiced, of course!!) and apple sauce for extra apple flavor. Have more apple sauce? Use it to make protein apple fritters!
- Protein: For added protein, we're using Skyr yogurt (less tangy and more protein than Greek) and an egg. Greek yogurt, blended cottage cheese, or even blended silken tofu can also work. If you like using Greek yogurt in baked goods, be sure to check out our Greek yogurt donuts!
- Coating and dip: For the coating, it's just butter, cinnamon, and sugar. But I highly recommend using my mixture because it's less sugary and more cinnamon-forward, unlike the bland store-bought versions. For dipping, I just grab a single serve of a vanilla Greek or Skyr yogurt - it's the best!
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
step by step: tips to nail these easy baked apple cider donuts every time
- Use one bowl, but mix separately. I whisk together the dry ingredients first, then add in my wet and fold those together. A little lumpy is ok!
- A silicon pan is the best! If you don't have one, use foil liners and spray with oil to prevent sticking.
- Coat one by one. Quickly and gently dip each muffin into the melted butter so it doesn't soak it all up. I toss it in the butter for 2-3 seconds. Then coat generously in cinnamon and sugar.
- Store at room temperature with parchment paper and a paper towel. These get very dry when stored in the fridge. You can store them in the freezer, but don't coat them. Coat them after they've thawed.
quick recipe video
Can I make these in a donut pan?
Most definitely! I just don't like to add kitchen gear unless I use it regularly. The bake time should be about the same since they are thinner but wider.
how to store & meal prep it
These are best stored with a layer of paper towels and on the counter at room temperature. If they are stored in an airtight container while still warm, the sugar coating melts and makes a bit of a sticky mess. So, wait until they are totally cool.
- Fridge: Don't do this!! They get hard and dry.
- Freezer: The best option for long-term storage. Just wait to coat them until you're ready to eat, and you thaw them.
- Reheating: If they aren't coated, reheat in the air fryer or microwave then coat. If they are coated, enjoy at room temperature or just heated for 10 seconds or so.
more apple recipes to try!
Recipe
baked apple cider donut holes (high protein)
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or oat flour or 1:1 gluten free flour)
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour (or oat flour or 1:1 gluten free flour)
- 1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- .5 teaspoon nutmeg
- .25 teaspoon cardamom (see notes for using apple pie spice)
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
- ½ cup skyr yogurt (plain or Greek yogurt, blended cottage cheese, or blended silken tofu)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup (or agave or honey)
- ¼ cup spiced apple cider
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil or melted butter)
Coating
- 3 tablespoon butter (melted)
- 1.5 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup white sugar
Dip
- 5.3 oz vanilla Skyr or Greek yogurt
Before you start!
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare your silicon mini muffin tin or line a metal muffin tin with foil liners and spray well with oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup all-purpose flour, ¾ cup whole wheat flour, 1.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon, .5 teaspoon nutmeg, .25 teaspoon cardamom, and 2 teaspoon baking powder. Then add the ⅓ cup apple sauce, ¼ cup pure maple syrup, ¼ cup spiced apple cider, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and ½ cup skyr yogurt. Mix until just combined. Some lumps are ok.
- Transfer to the prepared mini muffin tin to make 24 donut holes. They should be filled ⅔rds full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean.
- While the donut holes cool off a bit, melt your 3 tablespoon butter in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, mix together the 1.5 tablespoon ground cinnamon and ½ cup white sugar. I also like to prepare a plate lined with a paper towel to let them cool on after coating.
- Take each donut hole and quickly dip and toss it in the melted butter (for 2-3 seconds max because there is just enough butter for each one). Then toss liberally in the cinnamon and sugar. Place each one on the prepared plate with the paper towel. Repeat until you have 24 adorable apple cider donut holes!Enjoy dipped in 5.3 oz vanilla Skyr or Greek yogurt (intended to be a dip for all 24), or on their own. Without the dip, they have 4g of protein for 2 donut holes.
Video
Notes
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
Made them! Very tasty. I accidentally put 1/3 cup cider in and it still seemed to work okay. Will definitely make again!
oo yum!!