Apple Cider Hawaiian Roll Donuts are soft, fluffy Hawaiian rolls stuffed with sweet, spiced apple pie filling and coated in a delicious apple cider cinnamon sugar for an easy, irresistible fall treat!

If you love how easy and delicious these stuffed Hawaiian rolls are, be sure to check out my other stuffed Hawaiian roll recipes like Boston Cream Hawaiian Rolls, Banana Pudding Hawaiian Rolls, and Cheesecake Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls for even more fun, irresistible ways to turn these soft, fluffy rolls into something amazing!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

These Apple Cider Hawaiian Roll Donuts are basically a leveled-up version of a classic apple cider donut, with one very delicious surprise hiding inside: a sweet, spiced apple pie filling!

Soft, fluffy Hawaiian rolls are stuffed with apple pie filling mixed with apple cider drink mix, brushed with melted butter, and baked until warm and golden. Then they’re brushed with even more melted butter and coated in a delicious mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and apple cider drink mix. The result is a buttery, fluffy, cinnamon-sugar-coated treat that tastes like an apple cider donut and apple pie had the most delicious baby.

And the best part? They’re ridiculously easy to make! No homemade dough, no yeast, no frying, and no complicated steps. Just a package of Hawaiian rolls and a can of store-bought apple pie filling, and you’re well on your way to one of the easiest fall desserts ever.

Ingredients you’ll need:

Kings Hawaiian Rolls
Apple pie filling- chopped
Apple cider powdered drink mix
Butter-melted and divided
Granulated sugar
Cinnamon

I’m always a fan of recipes that take a few simple shortcuts but still taste like something you spent hours making, and these apple cider donuts are exactly that. Using Hawaiian rolls as the base means you get that soft, pillowy texture without having to make donut dough from scratch. Their slightly sweet flavor also pairs perfectly with the warm apple pie filling.

But what really makes these different from traditional apple cider donuts is the filling! Instead of just having apple cider flavor throughout the dough and coating, these are stuffed with actual apple pie filling. Mixing the apple pie filling with apple cider drink mix gives it an extra boost of apple cider flavor and makes the center taste like a little bite of spiced apple pie.

Then there’s the outside. Brushing the baked Hawaiian rolls with melted butter before coating them in apple cider cinnamon sugar gives them that classic apple cider donut finish. They’re buttery, sweet, cinnamon-y, and absolutely delicious!

How to make the best Apple Cider Hawaiian Roll Donuts:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Separate the Hawaiian rolls, then use your finger or the handle of a spoon to punch a hole into the side of each roll. Make sure the opening is large enough to hold about 1 tablespoon filling.
Roughly chop your apple pie filling and add it to a bowl, then stir in 1 packet of the apple cider mix.
Transfer the apple filling into a piping bag or Ziploc bag, cut off one end, and generously fill each Hawaiian roll, placing them on the prepared baking sheet as you go.
Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and brush each roll on all sides with the melted butter.
Bake the filled rolls for 12-14 minutes. In the meantime, stir together sugar, the remaining apple cider packet, and cinnamon in a shallow dish.
In a separate bowl, melt the remaining butter.
Brush the tops of the rolls evenly with the melted butter, then roll each one in the bowl of cinnamon sugar to coat.

Don’t get me wrong, I will never turn down a classic apple cider donut. But these take things to another level!

Traditional apple cider donuts have that wonderful apple cider flavor paired with cinnamon and sugar, but these have an extra layer of deliciousness thanks to the apple pie filling stuffed inside. Every bite gives you soft, fluffy bread, warm spiced apples, and that sweet apple cider cinnamon sugar coating.

It’s almost like eating an apple cider donut filled with apple pie! And honestly, what’s not to love about that?

The Hawaiian rolls also make these a little different from your typical donut. They’re extra soft and fluffy, with a buttery sweetness that works so well with the apple filling. Once they’re baked and coated in cinnamon sugar, they become the perfect little fall treat.

FAQ:

Are Apple Cider Hawaiian Roll Donuts baked or fried?

These Apple Cider Hawaiian Roll Donuts are baked, not fried! Using Hawaiian rolls makes this recipe so easy because there’s no need to make homemade donut dough or deal with frying oil. Brushing the rolls with melted butter before and after baking gives them a delicious buttery exterior that holds onto the apple cider cinnamon sugar coating.

Can I use canned apple pie filling for Hawaiian roll donuts?

Yes! Canned apple pie filling is perfect for this recipe and makes these donuts incredibly easy to prepare. Simply mix the apple pie filling with apple cider drink mix before stuffing the Hawaiian rolls. I recommend chopping any larger apple pieces into smaller chunks so they’re easier to fit inside the rolls.

What kind of apple cider mix should I use?

You can use a powdered apple cider drink mix for this recipe. It’s mixed into both the apple pie filling and the cinnamon sugar coating to give the donuts a concentrated apple cider flavor. Make sure you’re using a powdered drink mix rather than liquid apple cider.

Do Hawaiian roll donuts taste like regular donuts?

They’re a little different from traditional donuts, but that’s part of what makes them so delicious! Hawaiian rolls have a soft, fluffy, slightly sweet texture that works wonderfully as a donut shortcut. Once they’re baked with butter and coated in apple cider cinnamon sugar, they have all those familiar fall donut flavors without the extra work of making dough.

Can I make Apple Cider Hawaiian Roll Donuts ahead of time?

These are best enjoyed fresh and warm, when the Hawaiian rolls are soft, the apple pie filling is gooey, and the cinnamon sugar coating is at its best. You can prepare the apple pie filling mixture and cinnamon sugar coating ahead of time to make assembly quicker when you’re ready to bake.

Can I use homemade apple pie filling instead of canned?

Of course! Homemade apple pie filling will work just as well as store-bought. Just make sure the apples are chopped into small pieces so the filling is easy to stuff inside the Hawaiian rolls. The great thing about this recipe is that you can use whichever option is most convenient.

Why do you brush the Hawaiian rolls with butter twice?

The first coating of melted butter helps the Hawaiian rolls become golden and buttery as they bake. The second coating is added while the rolls are still warm and helps the apple cider cinnamon sugar mixture stick to the outside. It also gives them that delicious buttery finish that makes them taste like a classic apple cider donut!

These Apple Cider Hawaiian Roll Donuts are one of those recipes that work for just about any occasion. They’re delicious served warm for breakfast with a cup of coffee, make a fun addition to a fall brunch, and are sweet enough to serve as an easy dessert after dinner.

I especially love the idea of making these on a chilly fall morning when you’re craving something cozy but don’t feel like spending a ton of time in the kitchen. They’re also perfect for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving morning, fall get-togethers, or anytime you want to bring a little extra fall flavor to the table.

And because they’re made with Hawaiian rolls, they’re easy to serve and share. Just put them on a platter and watch how quickly they disappear!

My top tips:

HAWAIIAN ROLLS: Try to avoid punching holes all the way through the rolls. You want to create a little pocket inside of each roll while keeping the outside intact so the filling stays tucked inside. To do this, gently press into the opening to create a little more space inside the roll for the filling.
APPLE PIE FILLING: If your canned apple pie filling has large apple chunks, chop them into smaller pieces so they’re easier to pipe or spoon into the rolls.
APPLE CIDER MIX: Adding apple cider mix to the filling gives the apple filling a more concentrated apple cider flavor, while mixing it into the sugar coating gives the outside that familiar sweet and tangy apple cider donut taste.
PIPING: Use a piping bag or small spoon: A piping bag, zip-top bag with the corner snipped off, or small spoon makes filling the rolls much easier and less messy.
DON’T OVERFILL: Add enough filling for a delicious apple pie center, but leave a little room so it doesn’t ooze out while baking. I also recommend placing the opening facing up or to the side: This can help keep the filling inside while the rolls bake.
MELTED BUTTER: And don’t skip that second brush of melted butter! It helps the cinnamon sugar mixture stick to the warm Hawaiian rolls and creates that delicious buttery coating that makes these taste just like a fresh apple cider donut.
CINNAMON SUGAR COATING: You want to coat these while they’re warm. The coating sticks best when the rolls are still warm from the oven.
STORING: These Apple Cider Hawaiian Roll Donuts are definitely best enjoyed warm, fresh from the oven, when the rolls are soft and fluffy and the apple filling is warm and gooey. If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator because of the fruit filling. You can warm them up in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy another one. The cinnamon sugar coating may soften a little as they sit, but they’re still delicious!

Looking for more apple desserts? Check these out!

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