If you love apple cider donuts but don’t want to fuss with frying, these apple cider donut muffins are the perfect solution. Packed with warm fall flavors, this easy muffin recipe is made with apple cider and apple butter, resulting in a rich, spiced apple taste in every bite. Once baked, the muffins are dipped in melted butter and rolled in a thick layer of cinnamon sugar, giving them that nostalgic donut shop finish without ever turning on the fryer.

How to Make These Cozy Fall Donut Muffins

Baking apple cider donut muffins is easier than you might think, and the results are absolutely irresistible. These cozy muffins come together with simple pantry ingredients plus an apple cider reduction and apple butter for that signature fall flavor. No need for special equipment or complicated steps—just mix, bake, dip in butter, and roll in cinnamon sugar. The result is a bakery-worthy treat that’s perfect for breakfast, snack time, or any occasion that calls for a little homemade sweetness.

BAKED APPLE CIDER DONUTS INGREDIENTS LIST – full printable recipe below in recipe card

Making these muffins is simple, but the flavor payoff is huge. Here’s a step-by-step overview:

• 1 ½ cups apple cider (not juice)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¼ cup neutral oil
• ¼ cup apple butter (preferably no added sugar)⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ but unsalted butter, melted

APPLE CIDER MUFFINS RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan, bring apple cider to a simmer. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer until reduced to about ½ cup ( about 20 minutes).
2. Preheat oven to 425℉. Line muffin tin with cupcake wrappers.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon until combined.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, egg, and oil by hand until well combined.
5. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until combined.
6. Add the apple cider reduction and apple butter, and fold until just combined.
7. LET BATTER REST 15 MINUTES.
8. Scoop one heaping ice cream scoop of batter into each prepared cup (cups will be nearly full).
9. Bake for 7 minutes, reduce the temperature to 350℉, and bake an additional 12 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Transfer the baked muffins to a cooling rack. As soon as the muffins are cool enough to touch, remove them from the muffin pan to cool completely.
11. While the muffins are cooling, make the cinnamon sugar coating.
12. In a wide-mouth bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon, then stir them together.
13. Add the butter to a medium microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the butter is melted.
14. Remove the cupcake wrappers from the muffins.
15. Roll the entire muffin in the melted butter and then in the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Covering the whole muffin, including the bottom.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Cider Donut Muffins

• All the flavor of a cider donut, none of the frying – You’ll get that same cozy, cake-like texture in muffin form.
• Double apple flavor – The combination of reduced apple cider and apple butter makes every bite sweet, tangy, and full of fall goodness.
• Cinnamon sugar perfection – The buttery cinnamon sugar coating adds the best crunchy-sweet finish that tastes just like a classic cake donut.
• Perfect for any fall gathering – These muffins are a hit at breakfast, brunch, or even served as a dessert alongside a warm mug of cider.

Tips for the Best Apple Cider Donut Muffins

• Use real apple cider, not apple juice, for the richest flavor.
• Don’t skip the apple butter; it deepens the apple flavor and adds moisture.
• Generously coat the muffins in butter so the cinnamon sugar sticks perfectly.
• For an extra cozy touch, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the sugar coating.

SERVING IDEAS

These muffins are best enjoyed fresh with a cup of coffee or hot apple cider. They also make a wonderful treat to serve at fall festivals, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving breakfast, or to bring along for a cozy weekend brunch.

How to Store Easy Apple Cider Muffins

Apple cider donut muffins taste best the day they’re made, but with the right storage, you can keep them fresh and delicious for several days.

• Room Temperature: Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To prevent the cinnamon sugar coating from becoming soggy, place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers.
• Refrigerator: While refrigeration isn’t necessary, storing muffins in the refrigerator can extend their freshness for up to 4–5 days. Just warm them briefly in the microwave or oven before serving.
• Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the muffins (without the cinnamon sugar coating) in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature, rewarm slightly, then dip in melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar for that fresh-baked flavor.

Tip: If you know you’ll be freezing some, leave them plain and add the butter + cinnamon sugar coating after thawing. This keeps them tasting bakery-fresh every time.

MORE MUFFIN RECIPES

• GLAZED DONUT MUFFINS
• BOURBON PUMPKIN MUFFINS
• APPLE CRUNCH COFFEE CAKE MUFFINS
• PERSIMMON MUFFINS
• BANANA NUT SALTED CARAMEL CRUNCH MUFFINS
• GOLDEN HARVEST MUFFINS

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These apple cider donut muffins are everything you love about the classic fall treat, baked into a soft, fluffy muffin and rolled in buttery cinnamon sugar. They’re easy to make, full of warm apple spice, and guaranteed to disappear fast. If you’re looking for a cozy, crowd-pleasing recipe this season, this one is sure to become a new fall favorite. Sheryl