Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These donuts are light, flavorful, and made with real fruit—no artificial flavors here. The combination of apples and blueberries provides a naturally sweet and juicy bite without being overly sugary. They’re easy to make in a donut pan, require no deep frying, and are a great way to enjoy seasonal fruits in a fun, bakery-style treat.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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All-purpose flour
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Baking powder
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Baking soda
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Salt
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Ground cinnamon
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Ground nutmeg
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Eggs
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Brown sugar
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Applesauce or grated apple
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Milk
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Vanilla extract
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Butter or oil
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Fresh or frozen blueberries
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Optional glaze: powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract
Directions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a donut pan.
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In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
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In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, brown sugar, applesauce (or grated apple), milk, vanilla, and melted butter until well combined.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
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Gently fold in the blueberries, being careful not to crush them.
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Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
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Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
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Let the donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
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If glazing, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth, then dip the tops of cooled donuts. Let set before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 12 standard-size donuts.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Cooling and optional glazing: 15 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Variations
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Mini Donuts: Use a mini donut pan and reduce baking time to 8–10 minutes.
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No Blueberries?: Substitute with raspberries, chopped strawberries, or dried cranberries.
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Add Crunch: Stir in chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.
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Lemon Glaze: Add lemon juice and zest to the glaze for a citrus twist.
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Spiced Up: Increase cinnamon and add a dash of ginger or cloves for extra warmth.
Storage/Reheating
Store donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To reheat, microwave for 10–15 seconds to soften.
Freeze unglazed donuts for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and glaze before serving if desired.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes, just don’t thaw them—fold them in straight from the freezer to prevent streaking.
Can I make these without a donut pan?
You can bake them in a muffin tin or use a DIY foil mold, though they won’t have the traditional donut shape.
Is applesauce or grated apple better?
Both work! Applesauce gives a smooth texture, while grated apple adds a bit more moisture and fruit bites.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.
What kind of apples work best?
Sweet varieties like Fuji or Gala work great, but Granny Smith adds a nice tart contrast.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and a heartier texture.
How do I prevent blueberries from sinking?
Toss them in a little flour before folding them into the batter to help suspend them.
Do I need to glaze them?
No, they’re delicious on their own or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Can I fry these instead?
No, the batter is designed for baking. It’s too soft for traditional frying.
Can kids help make this recipe?
Absolutely! Kids can help mix, spoon the batter, and glaze the donuts—just supervise the oven step.
Conclusion
Apple Blueberry Donuts are a fresh, fruity, and flavorful way to enjoy homemade donuts without the hassle of frying. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, they combine the comforting flavor of apples with the juicy burst of blueberries for a treat that’s both satisfying and simple. Make a batch for your next brunch or to brighten up your weekday mornings.
Apple Blueberry Donuts
Apple Blueberry Donuts are soft, baked treats combining the natural sweetness of apples and the tart burst of blueberries in a moist, flavorful donut—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or snacking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce or 1/2 cup grated apple
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup melted butter or oil
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- Optional glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1–2 tablespoons milk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a standard donut pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, applesauce (or grated apple), milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter until well combined.
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Gently fold in the blueberries, taking care not to crush them.
- Spoon or pipe the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling each cavity about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a donut comes out clean.
- Let donuts cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip tops of cooled donuts and let set.
Notes
Use frozen blueberries straight from the freezer to prevent color streaking.Toss blueberries in a little flour before folding into the batter to prevent sinking.Skip the glaze and dust with powdered sugar for a lighter option.Try raspberries, strawberries, or cranberries instead of blueberries for variation.Use half whole wheat flour for a heartier texture and added fiber.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg