5 Store-Bought Apple Cider Donuts, Ranked

Apple cider is like a warm, spiced blanket for the soul; it's rich, comforting, and a blend of sugar and spice. An apple cider donut, however, brings the flavor profile to a new format. In the past, I've had locally made apple cider donuts and was blown away, so I wondered if store-bought could do the trick (or treat) for a taste test.

I found five options to rank for you, offering my insights as a donut enjoyer and longtime food writer. Initially, I was looking for a donut that tasted like apple cider or at least like spiced apple. However, I ended up having to broaden my criteria because none of them exactly hit the mark. Therefore, I ultimately judged these donuts on their overall taste, not on how appley they were. I was seeking the best-tasting donut with fresh flavors and textures. These all appear to be cakey doughnuts, so I kept that consistency in mind, seeking something that was neither too dense nor too airy and had a pleasant crumb. I explain more of my criteria in the methodology section toward the end of the article, as well as how I conducted the taste test and other factors involved. By the end of the ranking, I'll identify the most a-peel-ing apple cider donut.

Favorite Day and I don't exactly see eye to eye. I've tried several bakery items in the past and was beyond disappointed (the glazed donuts were especially unpleasant). Thankfully, while the Target store-brand Apple Cider Glazed Donuts rank last in this taste test, they are still better than other Favorite Day offerings I've had. The general taste is okay; I don't really pick up much apple. There's a tiny smidge detectable, but only if I really try to find it. Simply put, the flavor doesn't make itself known. The donut is pretty lackluster, with little flavor intrigue beyond a vague sweetness and a medium, slightly dense crumb.

As for texture, one major issue is that its glaze ends up feeling really wet and slimy rather than providing a pleasant texture or enhancing the sweet treat. The donut is a bit heavy but not interesting enough to eat more than a bite. I would never recommend these, but at least they are not the worst Favorite Day bakery item out there.

From here on out, the donuts are decent, and which to purchase depends on preference and specific needs, which I'll touch on. Here, Walmart's Freshness Guaranteed Apple Cider Donuts are certainly better than the Favorite Day glazed ones. Thankfully, there's no added frosting or funky things to detract from the taste. Though it advertises a cinnamon sugar coating, it is very minimal, like it fell off sometime after application but before packaging — there's no pile of sugar at the bottom of the plastic container. That would have helped them taste more festive.

Still, they have a surprisingly good foundation and a festive aroma, which could be due to the artificial flavoring used. Flavorwise, it's mostly cinnamon with a hint of sweet apple flavor, thanks to dried apples as an ingredient. It isn't particularly interesting or prominent; I don't taste much beyond sweet cake, but I catch a hint of cinnamon apple after swallowing and really focusing. Thankfully, I can't say that the Freshness Guaranteed Apple Cider Donuts are bad. I think they are an okay option if you're already at Walmart, but I wouldn't make a trip to buy them (and I wouldn't select them over the next three picks). Apparently, Walmart's glazed sour cream donuts are the best donuts you can get from the bakery.

You might think that the Favorite Day Apple Cider Mini Donut Tub coming in third is mediocre, but I can't express how pleasantly surprised I was by the brand. These tiny donuts are soft and among the better items I have tried from the store brand, although the cinnamon coating on the exterior doesn't offer much textural intrigue. I can taste some nice apple notes here, which helps it earn a higher ranking. That's because the fruit comes in multiple forms — apple solids, applesauce, apple cider, and dehydrated apples. There are also some flavorings in the form of apple cider flavor and apple cider vinegar flavor. 

There are some natural and artificial flavorings included in this recipe, but I think the actual use of apple-based ingredients helps keep it from tasting too fake. I find they make a fun, seasonal treat that lasts a few days without feeling stale. That makes them perfect for a work party, for eating a few days in a row in the morning, or as an afternoon snack with hot tea. I can appreciate the small size as well, which makes me more likely to enjoy and finish a donut rather than waste any. This has the most prominent apple flavor of all five donuts I tried, so get these mini Favorite Day donuts if you're seeking the fruit flavors most.

You can find plenty of Entenmann's snack cakes and donuts on store shelves, so it's somewhat expected that the brand has seasonal offerings like an apple cider donut. I found the Classic Apple Cider Donuts, but you might be able to find the donut hole version, too. These are strong contenders and the runner-up in this taste test thanks to their mild, cider-like flavor and medium-density crumb. They are weighty but not too delicate, which means they could survive a thorough dunk in a cup of coffee — whereas the previous Favorite Day one may rapidly absorb the liquid and then fall apart before you can take it out of the mug. 

But the flavor alone helps take the donuts toward the top of this list. The icing adds sweetness and a textural contrast that makes them enticing to eat. This time there are ingredients like apple powder and buttermilk and a lovely blend of cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, which are evident in the spiced flavor. I think these hit a really nice nostalgic note, and they are the best frosted option I tried. They still last for at least a couple of days after purchase and opening, and they're dense and cakey. They'd make a wonderful option to bring to a gathering. This Entenmann's product has the best icing and overall spiced flavor of all the options.

And the top donut to stock up on is none other than Trader Joe's Apple Cider Donuts – a fan favorite for fall. I'll disclaim that the win is for general best flavor, nice crumb, and freshness, not because of their apple cider strength. The donuts are quite soft with a sugary exterior that makes them a little more interesting than Favorite Day or Freshness Guaranteed's cinnamon sugar-coated picks. It definitely delivers there, leaving behind a crunchy dusting of sugar on my fingertips every time I take a bite. 

The doughnut's texture is the best of the five I tried, with a clear, cake-like consistency and base flavor. The texture makes it slightly comparable to a fresh donut from a local bakery, a quality no other cider donut could match. However, I detect very few apple cider notes. I want more apple cider, as it is too subtle, but as it stands, it is the best grocery store donut. The recipe includes apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other natural flavors. I certainly taste the spices affixed to the exterior, but the apple feels incredibly light — more like it has the idea of apple cider rather than the execution.

So, yeah, there you have it. Nothing I tried was particularly delicious — palatable and enjoyable, sure. However, if you want to purchase one based on overall best consistency and general taste, Trader Joe's Apple Cider Donuts are the best.

It took five visits to three grocery stores to pick up these donuts, as stock issues forced me to go back a couple of times. I bought them over the course of multiple days because of limited availability; I tried each one straight away on the day I bought it to ensure the best, freshest results, and I took notes. I tried them all again side by side just to compare general flavors; however, the ranking and my writing were determined by the freshest first taste test. 

The lowest-ranking donut had issues with a lack of flavor or slightly unpleasant textures, whereas the highest-ranking one had the best of all the qualities I was looking for. I have to admit I was a little disappointed that Trader Joe's option wasn't very apple-forward, but it was certainly the best-tasting donut. If you want apple-forward apple cider donuts, however, you might have to make them yourself.