Apple Fritters Recipe
If you’re craving something sweet, cozy, and utterly comforting, let me introduce you to my all-time favorite Apple Fritters Recipe. These golden bites are crispy on the outside, tender and bursting with apple flavor on the inside, and come with a simple glaze that makes them downright irresistible. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll want to make it again and again – perfect for breakfast, dessert, or just a sweet snack any time of day!
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Balance of Crisp and Tender: The frying method creates a golden crust but keeps the apples soft and juicy inside.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Using cinnamon and fresh apples elevates the batter’s flavor without overwhelming it.
- Foolproof Glaze: The easy vanilla glaze adds sweetness and shine without being too sticky or heavy.
- Flexible and Customizable: It’s easy to swap ingredients or add your twists without losing the classic fritter feel.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Apple Fritters Recipe is chosen for a reason. The flour and baking powder create a light, fluffy texture, while the apples add fresh, natural sweetness and moisture. I’ve also replaced dairy milk with soy milk here, but feel free to swap it for what you love!
- All purpose flour: Gives structure and lightness to the fritters; you can’t beat its versatility.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to the batter without overpowering the fresh apples.
- Baking powder: Makes the fritters rise and get fluffy as they fry.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: A warm spice that pairs beautifully with apples.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Moistens the batter and amplifies apple flavor effortlessly.
- Soy milk: Keeps it dairy-free but still keeps the batter tender and rich.
- Apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp): Crisp varieties are key—they hold up well and add nice texture.
- Vegetable oil (for frying): Choose a high smoke point oil like canola or peanut for safe, crispy results.
- Powdered sugar, vanilla extract (for glaze): Sweet glaze ties it all together without making the fritters soggy.
Make It Your Way
I love playing around with this Apple Fritters Recipe. Depending on the season or what I have around, I’ll swap spices or add mix-ins to keep it exciting. Don’t hesitate to make it your own — these fritters are actually quite forgiving!
- Spice it up: Once, I added nutmeg and a dash of cloves for a deeper fall vibe, which was amazing.
- Add nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans folded in add a lovely crunch.
- Use other milk options: Almond or oat milk work great if you want a different dairy alternative.
- Make them gluten-free: I haven’t tested it fully, but a gluten-free flour blend should work with a few tweaks—just watch your batter consistency!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Apple Fritters Recipe
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon in a large bowl. This ensures each fritter is evenly spiced and perfectly sweetened. It also helps prevent clumps later on, so don’t rush this step!
Step 2: Add wet ingredients and fold in apples
Next, stir in the applesauce and soy milk, mixing gently just until combined. Overmixing can make your fritters tough, so stop once you don’t see dry flour. Fold in your diced apples – choose fresh and crisp to avoid mushy bites inside the fritters.
Step 3: Heat oil and fry fritters
Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy skillet to 375°F (a thermometer is your best friend here). Carefully spoon about 1/3 cup of batter into the oil, flattening slightly with the back of your spoon – I find pre-flattening on a floured surface helps shape them evenly. Fry until golden brown on one side (about 2-3 minutes), then flip and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes. Use tongs for best control!
Step 4: Drain and glaze
Transfer cooked fritters to a cooling rack set over parchment or a baking sheet to catch drips. While the fritters cool just a bit, whisk together the powdered sugar, soy milk, and vanilla for your glaze. Dip each fritter in the glaze and return to the rack to let it harden – if you can wait a few minutes before diving in, the glaze sets beautifully without being too sticky.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Use a Thermometer: Maintaining oil at 375°F is crucial for crispy fritters that aren’t greasy or undercooked.
- Don’t Overmix: Overworking the batter will toughen your fritters – mix until just combined, always.
- Choose Crisp Apples: They hold up during frying and keep the fritters from turning mushy.
- Don’t Skip the Cooling Rack: It keeps fritters crisp by letting oil and glaze drip away instead of pooling.
How to Serve Apple Fritters Recipe
Garnishes
I usually go simple with an extra dusting of powdered sugar and sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon for that extra punch. Occasionally, I drizzle a bit of honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetness boost that pairs perfectly with the glaze.
Side Dishes
These fritters are fantastic alongside a hot cup of chai tea or coffee. For brunch, I like pairing them with creamy scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve plated these fritters stacked like mini towers drizzled with extra glaze and topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of chopped nuts—it’s a crowd-pleaser every time. You can even serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a warm/cold dessert combo!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you end up with leftovers (they usually disappear fast!), place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for a few hours. They’re best eaten the same day fried, as they tend to lose their crispness over time.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftover fritters before by flash-freezing them on a tray, then transferring to freezer bags. When ready, just reheat in the oven to restore some crispiness. The glaze may soften, but the warmth brings back that comforting apple aroma beautifully.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the fritters in a preheated 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes. This method crisps them up better than a microwave, which can make them chewy. If reheating frozen fritters, just add a few extra minutes and cover loosely with foil if they brown too fast.
FAQs
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Can I make this Apple Fritters Recipe gluten-free?
While I haven’t tested it extensively, a good-quality gluten-free flour blend should work with this recipe—just keep an eye on the batter thickness and adjust liquids if needed to get the right consistency.
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What’s the best apple variety for apple fritters?
Go for firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. These hold their texture well when fried, preventing your fritters from turning mushy.
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Can I bake apple fritters instead of frying?
You can bake them, but the texture will be quite different—less crispy and more cake-like. If you try baking, bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes and spray with oil before baking to help with browning.
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How do I know when the oil is hot enough for frying?
Using a cooking thermometer is the most reliable way; the oil should reach about 375°F. If you don’t have one, drop a small bit of batter in—if it sizzles and floats to the top quickly, you’re good to go.
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Why did my fritters turn out greasy or soggy?
This usually means the oil wasn’t hot enough, causing the fritters to absorb more oil. Make sure to maintain 375°F and don’t overcrowd the pan, so the temperature stays steady.
Final Thoughts
I’m so glad you stuck with me through this Apple Fritters Recipe—because these fritters are genuinely one of those soul-warming sweets that remind me of lazy weekend mornings with family. They’re simple but packed with flavor and texture, and I hope you find as much joy making and eating them as I do. So, heat up that oil and get ready to make your kitchen smell like fall—it’s going to be amazing!
PrintApple Fritters Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 fritters
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This recipe for Apple Fritters features crispy, golden fried fritters made with fresh diced apples and a hint of cinnamon, finished with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect as a snack or dessert, these apple fritters offer a deliciously crunchy exterior with a tender, flavorful inside.
Ingredients
Fritters
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup soy milk
- 2 large apples (granny smith, honey crisp or other crisp variety), diced
- vegetable oil, for frying
Simple Glaze
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup soy milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon and stir to combine evenly.
- Add wet ingredients and apples: Add the applesauce and soy milk to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful not to over mix. Fold in the diced apples gently.
- Heat oil: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large, heavy skillet or pot to about 375 degrees Fahrenheit using a thermometer to maintain temperature.
- Fry fritters: Scoop 1/3 cup of the apple fritter batter and place into the hot oil, flattening the batter down quite a bit, either directly in the oil or on a floured surface first before transferring carefully. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Drain and cool: Remove fritters and place them on a cooling rack set over a pan or parchment paper to catch excess oil and glaze drippings. Continue frying remaining batter until all fritters are cooked, then turn off the heat.
- Make glaze: In a small to medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, soy milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Glaze fritters: Dunk each cooled fritter into the glaze, then place back on the rack to allow glaze to harden and drip. Wait a few minutes before serving for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use a high smoke point oil such as peanut, vegetable, or canola oil for frying to avoid burning and off-flavors.
- For a gluten free version, a quality gluten free flour mix may work well although this has not been tested.
- You can bake the fritters at 350℉ for about 30 minutes, spraying with oil beforehand, but they will not develop the signature crispy texture of frying.
- Apple fritters taste best when eaten within a few hours of frying as they will soften over time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg