These Apple Crescent Donuts are a favorite autumn treat. Thin strips of crescent dough are wrapped around apple rings, brushed with a butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixture, then baked until golden. They have the warm, nostalgic flavor of apple fritters but are much easier to make. My daughters enjoy dusting them with powdered sugar — a simple, fun kitchen project to do together.
These Apple Crescent Donuts are a quick 30-minute dessert made from fresh apple rings wrapped in crescent dough and brushed with cinnamon-brown sugar butter before baking. They’re cozy, budget-friendly, and ideal for fall baking or an easy after-school treat.
Step-by-Step Recipe Video
Watch this short 1–2 minute video to see how the recipe comes together — it’s the fastest way to learn the technique before you start.
Weekly Cooking Videos!
Check Out My Youtube Cooking Channel!
Why you’ll love this recipe…
Apple desserts always feel like fall, and this simple recipe has become a family favorite. You get all the cozy apple-cinnamon flavors without frying or long prep. Use any firm apple you like — Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work especially well. The finished donuts are golden outside and tender inside, and they’re a fun recipe to make with kids.
⏰ Total Time: 30 minutes
🍂 Perfect For: Fall baking, after-school snacks, easy desserts
🛒 Key Ingredients: Apples, crescent roll dough, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon
🍽️ Servings: About 6 donuts
🥄 Skill Level: Easy
🧊 Storage: Best fresh; refrigerate up to 2 days
Made With Love,
What You’ll Need for Apple Crescent Donuts
- Apples – Any firm variety; Honeycrisp or Granny Smith are great choices.
- Crescent dough – Cut into thin strips to wrap around the apple rings.
- Butter – Melted and mixed with brown sugar and cinnamon for brushing.
- Brown sugar + cinnamon – The classic combo that delivers warm fall flavor.
Full Ingredients List
- 3 apples, peeled
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 can (8 oz) crescent roll dough (triangle sheets or unrolled)
The printable recipe card includes exact measurements and step-by-step instructions for easy printing or saving.
How to Make Apple Crescent Donuts
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Peel and slice apples into ½-inch rings. Use a small cutter to remove the cores and create donut-shaped rings.
Step 3: Stir melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl until combined.
Step 4: Unroll the crescent dough and cut it into thin strips.
Step 5: Wrap each apple ring with the dough strips, overlapping slightly so the apple is mostly covered.
Step 6: Place the wrapped rings on the prepared baking sheet and brush the tops with the cinnamon-brown sugar butter.
Step 7: Bake for about 15 minutes until the dough is golden and the apples are tender.
Step 8: Let the donuts cool slightly before serving. Optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and a splash of milk or apple cider.
Apple Crescent Donuts Variations
- Drizzle with caramel sauce after baking for caramel apple flavor.
- Swap pumpkin pie spice for cinnamon to add warm fall notes.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on the buttered top before baking for added crunch.
My Pro Tips
Tips and Tricks
- Slice apples evenly so they bake uniformly.
- Pinch dough seams to prevent them from opening in the oven.
- Let donuts cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar so it adheres better.
- Serve warm for the best apple-pie-like flavor and texture.
Recipe FAQs – Apple Crescent Donuts
Yes. Peeling yields a more tender bite and makes the donuts easier to eat.
Whole rings are best for this recipe so the finished pieces look like donuts.
A simple glaze of powdered sugar mixed with a little milk or apple cider is quick and tasty.
Yes. Warm them in a 325°F oven for 5–7 minutes to refresh and crisp the dough.
Serving Suggestions
- Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze before serving.
- Serve alongside coffee or warm apple cider for an autumn gathering.
- Include with other breakfast pastries for a simple brunch spread.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended — apples release moisture and affect texture.
- Reheat: Warm in a 325°F oven for about 5 minutes to crisp the dough.
Pin this recipe on Pinterest to save it for later!
Apple Crescent Donuts
Ingredients
- 3 apples, peeled
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 can crescent roll dough (8 oz)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice peeled apples into ½-inch rings and remove cores.
- Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth.
- Cut crescent dough into thin strips and wrap each apple ring, overlapping as needed.
- Place rings on the baking sheet and brush the tops with the butter-sugar mixture.
- Bake about 15 minutes until golden and the apples are tender.
- Cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with glaze before serving.
Video
Notes
- Best eaten fresh, but you can refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- Reheat at 325°F for a few minutes to crisp the dough again.
- Peel apples for the best texture and bite.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Let us know how it turned out!