I tried and ranked apple-cider doughnuts from Wegmans, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s. The winner tasted incredible in my air fryer.

• My family and I tried and ranked apple-cider doughnuts from Wegmans, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s.
• Trader Joe’s apple-cider doughnuts tasted like green-apple candy and were our least favorite.
• My kids liked the Wegmans doughnuts the most, but my wife and I preferred the Whole Foods version.

Pumpkin spice is often considered the unofficial flavor of autumn. However, this fall, many Americans have grown tired of pumpkin spice dominating the season.

I’m with them, as I believe there’s nothing better than a freshly made apple-cider doughnut and a cup of hot coffee on a crisp fall day.

I grew up in the Northeast and frequently made trips to upstate New York and New England during foliage season. The leaves were beautiful, but the apple-cider doughnuts were often the highlight of these trips.

Now that I live in New York City, it’s a long drive to my nearest apple orchard. I wanted something to satisfy my favorite autumn craving, so I bought apple-cider doughnuts from Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, and Whole Foods and taste-tested them with my wife and kids.

Here’s my ranking, from worst to first.

Prices may vary by location.