Craving something warm, flaky, and filled with cozy fall flavors? These Cinnamon Apple Donuts are your answer. Made with puff pastry and thinly sliced apples, each ring is delicately wrapped, brushed with plant-based butter, and sprinkled with a cinnamon-sugar blend before baking to golden perfection.
This simple dessert comes together quickly and is naturally dairy-free—perfect for an effortless sweet treat that’s both beautiful and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal ingredients and effort.
✔️ Seasonal Flavor – Apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg bring classic fall comfort in every bite.
✔️ Naturally Dairy-Free – Just use plant-based butter and ice cream to keep it fully vegan.
✔️ Perfect for Entertaining – These mini donuts look impressive but are incredibly easy to make.
✔️ Versatile Treat – Enjoy them plain or elevate them with your favorite toppings!
Cinnamon Apple Donuts Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Servings: 6–8 mini donuts
Course: Dessert or Snack
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 2–3 medium apples, cored and thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work well)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 Tbsp melted plant-based butter
- Vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2️⃣ Prepare the puff pastry
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry and cut it into ½-inch wide strips.
3️⃣ Wrap the apples
Wrap each apple slice with a strip of puff pastry, spiraling around the ring to form a donut shape. Leave a bit of the apple exposed in the center.
4️⃣ Add butter and spice
Brush the pastry with melted butter, then mix the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Sprinkle generously over the wrapped apple slices.
5️⃣ Bake until golden
Place the donuts on the lined baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
6️⃣ Serve warm
Let cool slightly and serve warm—plain, or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent finish.
Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Apple Donuts
🍏 Use Firm Apples – Firmer varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape well when baked.
🥄 Don’t Overwrap – Leave some of the apple slice showing for a pretty presentation and even baking.
🧈 Brush Generously – Butter adds flavor and helps the sugar-spice coating stick.
❄️ Serve Warm or Cold – These taste amazing fresh from the oven but can also be enjoyed chilled.
Ways to Enjoy This Dish
🍦 With Ice Cream – A scoop of dairy-free vanilla ice cream makes these feel like mini apple pies.
🍯 Drizzled with Glaze – Mix powdered sugar and almond milk for a quick glaze drizzle.
🌰 Topped with Crunch – Add chopped nuts or granola for extra texture.
🍎 Apple Variety Twist – Try different apple types for flavor variations.
Variations and Substitutions
- Pastry Options – Use crescent dough or homemade pie dough if puff pastry isn’t available.
- Spice It Up – Add cardamom or ginger for a more complex spice profile.
- Sugar Swap – Try coconut sugar or maple sugar instead of white sugar.
- Gluten-Free Version – Use gluten-free puff pastry to make it fully gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can wrap the apples in pastry ahead of time and store them covered in the fridge for up to 6 hours. Bake just before serving.
2. What’s the best way to core the apples?
A round cookie cutter or apple corer works well to get that perfect donut shape.
3. Can I use other fruits?
Pears work beautifully as a substitute—just slice thinly and adjust baking time slightly.
Final Thoughts
These Cinnamon Apple Donuts bring together the best of fall in every bite—crisp pastry, warm apples, and fragrant spices. They’re so easy to make, yet feel like something special straight from a bakery. Whether you enjoy them as a snack, dessert, or even a sweet brunch side, they’re guaranteed to be a cozy favorite.
Have you tried wrapping fruit in puff pastry before? Let me know in the comments how it turned out or tag me @CookingMyPoundsOff to share your version!
Equipment
- 1 sheet baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 2-3 medium apples, cored and thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work well)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 Tbsp melted plant-based butter
- Vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Roll and Cut the Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry and cut into ½-inch wide strips.
- Wrap the Apples: Core and slice apples into rings. Wrap each slice with a pastry strip, spiraling around the ring and leaving the center visible.
- Add Butter and Spices: Brush the pastry-wrapped apples with melted plant-based butter. In a small bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then sprinkle generously over each ring.
- Bake to Perfection: Arrange the wrapped apples on the baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let cool slightly. Serve warm on their own or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent finish.
