These Sourdough Apple Cider Donuts are a delicious treat! Made with tangy sourdough and sweet apple cider, they’re fluffy and packed with flavor.
Perfect for fall mornings, these donuts will make your kitchen smell amazing. I love enjoying them warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar—they are simply irresistible!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Sourdough Starter: An active sourdough starter is crucial for the flavor and texture. If you don’t have one, you can use a store-bought version, but adjust for its tanginess. A thick substitute could be a bit of yogurt or buttermilk with a pinch of baking soda.
Apple Cider: Choose pure apple cider for the best sweet and tart flavor, but you can use apple juice if that’s what you have. You might want to add a splash of lemon juice to mimic the acidity.
All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose is standard, but if you want a healthier option, try whole wheat flour in a 1:1 ratio. Just be ready for a denser donut.
Butter: Unsalted butter gives a rich flavor. If you’re dairy-free, you can substitute with coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative without changing much.
Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These spices add warmth and depth. Feel free to adjust based on your taste. Pumpkin spice or apple pie spice can also be good alternatives.
How Do I Get Light and Fluffy Donuts?
The key to light and fluffy donuts lies in the resting period and handling of the dough. Allowing the dough to rise helps develop flavor and texture. When mixing, combine just until ingredients are incorporated—don’t overmix, as this can make the donuts dense.
- Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly for the best results.
- Let the dough rest for 1 to 2 hours to ferment and rise; be patient!
- When rolling out the dough, keep it slightly thick (½ inch), which keeps the donuts airy.
- Monitor oil temperature closely. If too hot, the outside cooks too quickly; if too cool, they absorb too much oil.
Lastly, roll the warm donuts in cinnamon sugar immediately after frying to ensure a perfect sweet crust.
Sourdough Apple Cider Donuts
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Donuts:
- 1 cup active sourdough starter (100% hydration)
- 1 cup apple cider, warmed
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe requires about 15 minutes of prep time plus 1 to 2 hours for the dough to rise and ferment. After that, you’ll be frying the donuts for about 10-15 minutes total. In total, you should plan for approximately 2 to 3 hours from start to finish, including cooking time, but most of that is active resting time!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mixing the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the active sourdough starter with the warmed apple cider. Mix them together well to form a smooth batter.
2. Preparing the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until evenly combined.
3. Combining Ingredients:
Add the dry ingredient mixture into the bowl with the sourdough and apple cider mixture. Stir until the ingredients start to come together but don’t overmix!
4. Adding Eggs and Butter:
In a small bowl, beat the eggs and then stir in the melted butter. Pour this mixture into your donut batter and gently mix until fully incorporated. The dough should be slightly sticky but hold its shape.
5. Letting the Dough Rise:
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let the dough rest at room temperature for about 1 to 2 hours. This will allow the dough to rise and develop flavor.
6. Rolling Out the Dough:
Flour a clean surface and roll out your dough to about ½ inch thickness. Make sure to sprinkle some flour on top to prevent sticking!
7. Cutting the Donuts:
Using a donut cutter or two round cutters (one large for the outer shape and one smaller for the inner hole), cut out the donuts and holes carefully.
8. Resting Before Frying:
Place the cut donuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them rest for another 20-30 minutes so they can puff up slightly.
9. Heating the Oil:
In a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer, heat enough vegetable oil to fry the donuts—around 350°F (175°C) is perfect. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
10. Frying the Donuts:
Fry the donuts in batches, turning them gently until they’re golden brown—about 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Make sure not to crowd the pot!
11. Draining the Oil:
Once golden brown, use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried donuts to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain any excess oil.
12. Coating in Cinnamon Sugar:
In a shallow dish, mix together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the coating. While the donuts are still warm, roll them in this mixture until well-coated.
13. Serve and Enjoy:
These delicious donuts can be served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy them with your favorite hot beverage for a delightful treat!
This recipe takes full advantage of the rich tanginess of the sourdough starter and the sweetness of the apple cider, so get ready for moist, flavorful donuts with a delightful cinnamon-sugar crust!
Can I Use a Different Type of Starter?
You can use a different type of sourdough starter, but if it’s not 100% hydration, you might need to adjust the liquid in the recipe. A thicker starter may require added apple cider, while a more liquid starter might need less.
What Can I Substitute for Apple Cider?
If you don’t have apple cider, you can use apple juice or unsweetened applesauce. Adding a splash of lemon juice can help mimic the tanginess of cider, enhancing the flavor of the donuts.
Can I Make These Donuts Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Just allow it to come to room temperature and rise a bit before rolling and cutting the donuts on the day you plan to fry them.
How Should I Store Leftover Donuts?
Store any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh, you can also freeze donuts for up to a month; just ensure they are well-wrapped to avoid freezer burn.