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These Keto Apple Cider Donut Bites are easy to make and fun to eat. They have the classic fall treat with a fraction of the carbs.
I have a theory about pick-you-own apple orchards. I used to love going apple-picking with my kids, especially when we lived in Boston. It is classic New England autumn entertainment and my kids always had a ball.
But places like this are the devil for low carb dieters. They are the snake in the Garden of Eden, tempting you not with apples but with apple cider donuts. Every time you step out of the car, it hits you: that warm cinnamon-y smell of apple cider donuts.
I swear they pipe it into the parking lot to lure us all into the farm store. And it can be very hard to resist. But these Keto Apple Cider Donut Bites are the best defense against such chicanery.
These mini keto muffins, warm out of the oven with that sweet apple and cinnamon flavor, have the perfect taste and texture. They certainly keep me from craving the real thing!
Why you will love this recipe
Keto Apple Cider Donut Bites have been one of my most popular recipes since I first created it in 2016. And they are astonishing easy to make. They consist of an apple flavored mini muffin, rolled in butter and dredged in a sugar-free cinnamon coating.
Real apple cider is, of course, not at all low carb. But with a little apple extract, you can get that same great flavor. And the cinnamon “sugar” coating is key to that real apple cider donut experience.
I have played around with this recipe and simplified it a bit. It still has all the same great flavor and texture. And the same low carb profile it has always had, with only 2.6g net carbs. And kids really love these little bite-sized treats. It’s a fun breakfast or after-school snack, or you could tuck a few into their lunchbox!
I know that the apple extract may seem like a purchase you won’t use again, but you will! Because it’s great in recipes like Keto Caramel Apple Scones and my delectable Keto Apple Cheesecake Bars. It’s useful stuff!
Reader Reviews
“Omg! The best tasting keto donuts for autumn season. Another terrific recipe that keeps me on track. Thank you!” — Kerry
“Unbelievable! I tasted a crumb out of the pan and was shocked at how good and how authentic these taste. It was all I could do not to eat way too many. My stepdaughter is a very picky eater, and she liked them a lot. Her boyfriend was shocked that they are keto. So much apple flavor! I thought I’d never taste anything like this again. I’m glad I was wrong ????. This goes on my ever growing list of must make again Carolyn recipes. Carolyn, you are the best!” — Marcy
“These turned out perfectly! They have a great texture; not crumbly and the taste is amazing! 10/10 will make again.” – Nikki
Ingredients you need
- Almond flour: Using good quality almond flour is extremely important for keto muffins. Many brands say that they are finely ground but you can see the grainy texture when you bake with it. I always recommend Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur Baking.
- Sweetener: I like the flavor of brown sugar replacement in the muffins themselves, but prefer allulose for the cinnamon “sugar” coating. See the Tips for Success for more options.
- Protein powder: As always, some protein powder makes keto muffins lighter and fluffier. I don’t recommend skipping it, although you can use egg white protein instead.
- Butter: You will need melted butter for the donut batter as well as a glue for the cinnamon “sugar” coating.
- Apple extract: This is my secret weapon to add apple flavor to these donut bites without adding carbs from using real apples. It’s available online.
- Cinnamon: Rolling the donut bites in a cinnamon and sweetener mixture is part of what gives it that classic donut flavor.
- Pantry staples: Eggs, baking powder, and salt.
Step by Step Directions
1. Combine the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Add the wet ingredients. Whisk in the eggs, butter, and apple extract until well combined. Whisk in the water a little at a time until you have a nice scoopable batter.
3. Add to the pan: Divide the mixture among the wells of a well greased mini muffin pan.
4. Bake the donut bites: Bake at 325ºF for 15 to 20 minutes, until muffins are firm to the touch. Remove and let cool 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Coat the donut bites: In a small bowl, whisk together the sweetener and cinnamon. Dip each donut bite into the melted butter, coating completely and shaking off the excess. Then roll each donut bite into the cinnamon/sweetener mixture.
Tips for Success
When greasing the mini muffin pan, I recommend greasing once with a solid fat like butter, and then lightly spraying with avocado oil spray. You really want it well coated when baking without liners.
Also make sure not to leave the mini muffins in the pan too long. Once they fully cool, they become even harder to get out of the pan. If you need to, use a sharp knife to gently loosen the sides before lifting out the muffin.
Sweetener options: You can really use any sweetener you like best in the mini muffins, but I do think that brown sugar substitute gives them the best flavor. You can also use any granular sweetener for the cinnamon “sugar” coating. I just like allulose because I find that erythritol and cinnamon together have a very sharp flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can bake them in a donut pan to make larger Keto Apple Cider Donuts if you wish. Grease the pan well and bake for about the same amount of time, but keep your eye on them. You will probably get about 8 donuts.
Store these donuts in a covered container on your counter for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze the donuts for several months.
This keto apple cider donut bites recipe has 4.8g of carbs and 2.2g of fiber per serving. That comes to 2.6g net carbs for 2 donut bites.
More delicious fall treats
Keto Apple Cider Donut Bites
These Keto Apple Cider Donut Bites are easy to make and fun to eat. They have the classic fall treat with a fraction of the carbs.
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Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 181kcal
Ingredients
Coating:
- 3 tablespoons allulose (or another granular sweetener)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 325ºF and grease a mini muffin pan (24 cavity pan) very well. You can also use silicon or parchment paper liners.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, sweetener, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk in the eggs, butter, and apple extract until well combined. Whisk in the water a little at a time until you have a nice scoopable batter.
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Divide the mixture evenly among the wells of the prepared mini muffin pan.
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Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until muffins are firm to the touch. Remove and let cool 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the sweetener and cinnamon. Dip each donut bite into the melted butter, coating completely and shaking off the excess. Then roll each donut bite into the cinnamon/sweetener mixture.
Notes
Storage Information: You can store the bites in a covered container on the counter for up to three days or in the fridge for a week. You can also freeze them for several months.
Nutrition Facts
Keto Apple Cider Donut Bites
Amount Per Serving (2 bites)
Calories 181
Calories from Fat 140
% Daily Value*
Fat 15.5g24%
Carbohydrates 4.8g2%
Fiber -32.77g-131%
Protein 7g14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
