Fluffy Apple Fritters with cinnamon, tart apples, and a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or a treat that feels like a warm hug!
Let me tell you about the first time I made these apple fritters—it was a total mess, but also kind of magical. It was one of those crisp fall mornings, the kind where you can’t decide whether to stay cozy inside or embrace the chilly air with a scarf and a cup of coffee. I was feeling nostalgic for those autumn fairs where you’d walk around with powdered sugar all over your jacket from munching on apple fritters. You know the ones—they’re greasy, sticky, and utterly perfect.
But since no fair was in sight, I decided to try my hand at making them myself. Spoiler: my first batch was not fair-quality. The oil was too hot, the fritters came out a little too crispy, and my kitchen smelled like a fryer for days. But after a few tweaks (and a lot of encouragement from my patient family), I found the sweet spot.
Now? These fritters have become a bit of a Sunday morning tradition. They’re the kind of food that makes everyone linger at the table a little longer. And honestly, there’s something so comforting about sharing warm, cinnamon-scented treats with the people you love.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Fritters Recipe?
- Fast & Fuss-Free: You can go from craving to eating in about 20 minutes.
- Tastes Like Fall: Cinnamon, apples, and a sweet glaze—it’s autumn in a bite.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone, from picky kids to “I don’t do dessert” adults, loves these.
- Breakfast or Dessert: They’re perfect in the morning or after dinner. (Or, let’s be real, any time in between.)
- Homey Vibes: Making these feels like bringing a little bit of the county fair right into your kitchen.
Ingredient Notes:
Every ingredient plays a part in making these fritters a masterpiece. Here’s the lowdown:
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for that soft, fluffy batter. No need to get fancy here—your everyday flour works perfectly.
- Granulated Sugar: Just enough to sweeten the fritters without making them cloying.
- Baking Powder: The magic puff-maker. Don’t skip it unless you want sad, flat fritters.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the cinnamon pop.
- Cinnamon: Honestly, the smell alone is worth it.
- Whole Milk: Adds richness to the batter. You could swap for a milk alternative, but whole milk just hits differently.
- Eggs: Keeps the batter together and fluffy.
- Applesauce: For a little extra moisture and flavor—it’s a sneaky hero ingredient.
- Granny Smith or Honey Crisp Apples: Their tartness balances the glaze perfectly. Go for firm apples so you get that satisfying bite.
- Canola or Vegetable Oil: Neutral oils are best for frying so the fritters don’t taste greasy.
- Powdered Sugar, Milk, and Vanilla: The glaze trio that transforms these from good to can’t-stop-eating-them amazing.
How To Make Apple Fritters?
Step 1. Start with the Dry Ingredients
In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This is your fritter base—it should smell like cinnamon heaven already.
Step 2. Mix in the Wet Ingredients
Add the milk, eggs, and applesauce to the dry mix. Stir until it looks like a lumpy pancake batter. Pro tip: Don’t overmix; a few lumps are totally fine.
Step 3. Fold in the Apples
Now, the star of the show—your diced apples. Stir them in gently, making sure every bite will have some apple goodness.
Step 4. Heat the Oil
Pour your oil into a deep pan and heat it to about 375°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a little batter in—if it sizzles and floats, you’re ready to fry.
Step 5. Fry the Fritters
Scoop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side, flipping when they’re golden brown. Don’t crowd the pan; fritters need space to do their thing.
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Step 6. Drain on Paper Towels
Once golden and crispy, transfer the fritters to a plate lined with paper towels. This step is key for keeping them light and not oily.
Step 7. Glaze Time
Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Dip each fritter in, letting the excess glaze drip off.
Step 8. Let Them Set (or Not)
Place the glazed fritters on a wire rack to set. Or skip this step entirely and eat one warm—it’s impossible to resist.
Storage Options:
If, and I mean if, you have leftovers:
- Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Fridge: Keeps for 3-4 days, but the glaze may get a little sticky.
- Freezer: Freeze unglazed fritters for up to a month. Reheat in the oven and glaze fresh.
Variations and Substitutions:
There’s no wrong way to fritter, but here are some fun twists:
- Switch the Apples: Pears, peaches, or even berries would be amazing.
- Spice Things Up: Add nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom for extra warmth.
- Gluten-Free: A 1:1 gluten-free flour works great here.
- Baked Version: Not the same, but bake spoonfuls of batter at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
What to Serve with Apple Fritters?
You could eat these plain, but why stop there?
- Coffee or Tea: A hot drink and a fritter = instant happiness.
- Ice Cream: Warm fritters with vanilla ice cream? Enough said.
- Caramel Drizzle: If the glaze isn’t indulgent enough, add a little caramel on top.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use other types of apples?
Definitely. Granny Smith is my go-to because it’s tart, but Honey Crisp or Fuji works too. Just steer clear of softer apples—they’ll get mushy.
How do I keep fritters crispy?
Serve them fresh! If you’re making a big batch, keep them warm in a 200°F oven without glazing.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Not really. Fritter batter is best fresh, but you can mix the dry ingredients ahead of time and add the wet ones when you’re ready to fry.
So, are you ready to fritter away your morning? (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) Give these Apple Fritters a try and let me know how they turn out. Bonus points if you share a pic—I love seeing your kitchen masterpieces!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Apple Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp of salt
- 1 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/3 cup of whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tbsp of applesauce
- 2 large Granny Smith or Honey Crisp apples peeled, cored, and diced
- Canola or vegetable oil for frying
GLAZE:
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup of whole milk
- 1/2 tsp of pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Start by combining flour, sugar baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a bowl. Then add milk, eggs and applesauce and mix everything together until blended. Next incorporate the apples into the mixture.
- Now it's time to heat up some oil in a pan to around 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the oil while spreading it out as you go. Cook each side until it turns golden brown.
- Once cooked place the fritters on paper towels to drain any oil.
- To prepare the glaze whisk together the milk, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Dip each fritter into the glaze to ensure both sides are nicely coated.
- Allow the fritters to air dry on a wire rack before indulging in your delicious homemade Apple Fritters!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
2 Responses
OMG! My husband and I were just talking about apple fritters (the place we used to buy them is no longer in business here). I intend to try this recipe this weekend! Yum, coffee and a warm apple fritter! Thanks!
Thank you 🙏🏼 such goodness so easy!🙂