Imagine biting into a soft, pillowy brioche donut with the warm, comforting flavors of classic apple pie bursting in every bite—that’s exactly what this Apple Pie Brioche Donuts Recipe delivers. I’ve made these many times, and they never fail to impress, whether it’s for a weekend brunch or a cozy afternoon treat with coffee. The rich brioche dough is tender and buttery, making these donuts a step above your usual fried goodies.

What I love most about this Apple Pie Brioche Donuts Recipe is how the house fills with the intoxicating aroma of cinnamon and apple as you fry and coat each donut. They’re surprisingly straightforward to make, and once you get the hang of the dough, the rest is pure joy. If you’re a fan of baking and love reinventing dessert classics, this recipe is an absolute must-try.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Apple Pie Brioche Donuts Recipe plays a key role in building that rich, tender texture and delicious flavor combo. When you pick your bread flour and unsalted butter, try to use fresh, quality basics for the best results.

Whole Milk: Essential for activating the yeast and adding richness to the dough. Warm (but not hot) milk helps your yeast bloom perfectly.
Active Dry Yeast: The magic behind that light, airy texture. Make sure it’s fresh and bubbly before mixing in!
Granulated Sugar: For both dough sweetness and the cinnamon sugar coating. I recommend pure cane sugar for a cleaner flavor.
Bread Flour: Provides just the right amount of gluten to create the soft-yet-structured brioche dough.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Egg: Adds richness and helps bind the dough. Using room temperature eggs ensures a smooth mixture.
Unsalted Butter: Super important for that buttery brioche flavor. Use softened butter for easy incorporation.
Vegetable Oil: For frying. I prefer neutral oils with a high smoke point like canola or sunflower.
Apple Pie Filling: Homemade or store-bought works beautifully to infuse that classic apple pie taste inside each donut.
Cinnamon Sugar: A simple coating blend that adds crunch and spice to finish these delights.

Variations

I often tweak this recipe depending on the season or mood, and I encourage you to do the same! Making this Apple Pie Brioche Donuts Recipe your own by experimenting with fillings or toppings adds an extra layer of fun to the process.

Vegan Variation: I’ve successfully swapped out the egg for flax egg and used plant-based butter. The texture changes slightly but still delicious!
Spiced Apple Filling: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or clove to the apple pie filling really elevates the cozy autumn vibes.
Glazed Instead of Cinnamon Sugar: For a sweeter finish, I sometimes dip the fried donuts in a vanilla glaze—delicious and less messy!

How to Make Apple Pie Brioche Donuts Recipe

Step 1: Activate Your Yeast

Start by warming your whole milk until it’s just above lukewarm—about 100°F or so. Stir in the sugar and sprinkle your active dry yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it gets foamy. This step is crucial to make sure your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic in the dough.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, combine bread flour and salt. Whisk your room temperature egg into the foamy yeast mixture, then add this liquid to your dry ingredients. Stir until just combined—it’ll be sticky. Now, toss in that beautiful unsalted butter, softened but still cool. Knead the dough either with a stand mixer or by hand for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Don’t rush this part; it’s what gives those donuts the perfect texture.

Step 3: First Rise

Cover your dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. When I make this, I like to preheat my oven to the lowest setting, turn it off, and place the dough inside to rise—it’s a cozy spot for the yeast.

Step 4: Shape and Fill Your Donuts

On a lightly floured surface, roll out your dough to about ½ inch thickness. Use a donut cutter or two round cutters to form rings. Place a spoonful of the apple pie filling on the flat rounds, then cover with donut rings or pinch the dough to seal little pockets. Gently press edges to avoid leaks during frying.

Step 5: Second Rise

Let the shaped donuts rest for another 30 minutes to puff up. This little rest gives you light, airy bites rather than dense fried dough.

Step 6: Fry Your Donuts

Heat your vegetable oil in a heavy pot to around 350°F (175°C). Fry the donuts in batches, flipping once, until golden brown—about 2-3 minutes per side. Don’t overcrowd the pot, or the oil temperature will drop. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Step 7: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

While warm but not hot, toss the donuts gently in the cinnamon sugar mix to coat evenly. This part is my favorite because that sweet, spicy crunch is the perfect finish.

How to Serve Apple Pie Brioche Donuts Recipe

Apple Pie Brioche Donuts Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I usually keep it classic with just cinnamon sugar, but sometimes I sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar or cinnamon to amp up the look. A tiny drizzle of caramel sauce also adds a nice touch if you want to get fancy.

Side Dishes

Pair these donuts with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. For something extra, fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side works wonders to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve made donut towers for birthdays and brunches by stacking these apple pie brioche donuts on a decorative platter with cinnamon sticks and fresh apple slices around. It’s a stunning centerpiece and makes everyone eager to dive in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftover Apple Pie Brioche Donuts Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They stay soft, but if it gets warmer, refrigeration works too—just expect a slight change in texture.

Freezing

These donuts freeze beautifully! I freeze them individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then in a freezer-safe bag. When you want a treat, just thaw at room temp or warm briefly in the oven.

Reheating

To bring your Apple Pie Brioche Donuts Recipe back to life, I usually pop them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This keeps the crust crisp while warming the soft insides without drying them out.

FAQs

Can I use homemade apple pie filling for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade apple pie filling works wonderfully and allows you to customize sweetness and spice levels. Just make sure it’s thick and not too watery, so it doesn’t leak during frying.
What’s the best oil for frying these brioche donuts?

I recommend vegetable oils with a high smoke point such as canola, sunflower, or peanut oil. They fry evenly and won’t impart extra flavors, keeping your donuts tasting pure and delicious.
How do I prevent my donuts from absorbing too much oil?

Make sure your oil is at the right temperature (about 350°F). Too cool, and donuts soak oil; too hot, and they brown too fast outside but stay raw inside. Also, don’t overcrowd your frying pot to keep the temperature stable.
Can I bake these donuts instead of frying?

While this recipe is designed for frying to get that crisp exterior, you can bake them at 375°F for 12-15 minutes for a lighter version. They’ll be less crispy but still flavorful and soft.
How do I store leftovers to keep them fresh?

Store cooled donuts airtight at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, freeze individually wrapped and reheat before serving to preserve freshness.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Pie Brioche Donuts Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort treats, especially when the weather starts to cool and I crave those warm spices and tender dough. There’s something truly special about homemade donuts filled with that familiar apple pie flavor—it’s like getting the best of both worlds. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do, and don’t hesitate to make this recipe your own. You’re going to impress everyone around your kitchen table with this delightful, cozy treat!