Apple Fritters made with a cakey batter incorporated with juicy apples are the ultimate homemade treat! The sweet glaze sends these fritters over the top and may even remind you of a stuffed funnel cake. But better of course! My favorite part? You can have this fabulous Apple Fritter in front of you in 30 minutes! Be sure to also try my other fritter recipes, including Banana, Peach, and Blueberry!
Apple Fritters
These Apple Fritters use a few basic ingredients and come together really fast! They also happen to use fresh apples, so that’s always a bonus when I am trying to justify donuts for breakfast. 😉 I loved the recipe so much, I made an Apple Fritter Bread!
Tips for Frying Apple Fritters
In the instructions, I suggest starting to heat your oil after the batter has come together. The first few times I made these I would start the oil right away (trying to save time) and I would always forget and the oil would get too hot and burn the batter – Do not do that.
Be sure to give yourself a few minutes to allow the oil to get to 375°F after the batter has come together. Try to also use a pan that is bigger than you would need, as there can be hot oil splattering and that is never a good thing. If you have any leftover oil, don’t throw it out; first, check out How to Clarify Used Cooking Oil so it doesn’t go to waste.
Why is the Batter Thin?
The batter itself appears to be thin and you may wonder, how is this ever going to puff up into a beautiful fritter? But trust me, it will. It should be!
Does the Apple Type Matter?
I prefer to use Granny Smith apples in this recipe as they hold up beautifully when baked or fried. We did try Honeycrisp apples and liked them, but when we tried Red Delicious apples, it wasn’t our favorite. The texture of the apples was almost the same as the donut and there wasn’t as strong of an apple flavor. When possible, opt for a Granny Smith!
Can You Bake These Apple Fritters?
I don’t recommend using this specific recipe for making Baked Apple Fritters. I tried adding the batter to a muffin tin, but they do not rise up as beautifully when baked. But, I do have a Baked Apple Fritters Recipe you could try!
Can I Make Apple Fritters in an Air Fryer?
You can, but they will not be quite as good as frying them in oil. (They won’t really look the same, either.) However, I didn’t mind them after we tested them in the air fryer. To do this, place a parchment round or a piece of parchment paper in the basket of your air fryer. Drop batter onto the parchment paper (do not overcrowd the basket) and air fry for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown, at 375°F. Don’t forget the glaze!
Glaze or Cinnamon Sugar?
I am Team Glaze! You may have noticed that I opted for water instead of cream or milk in the glaze recipe. When coating donuts you want the glaze a little thinner than you would use for cakes or cookies.
Another option instead of glaze? Sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar when cooled. It’s just 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. You could also dust them with confectioner’s sugar. Or simply enjoy plain.
Can I Make a Bigger Batch?
This recipe only yields about 5 fritters, so double it if you have a large family. They are best eaten within 24 hours so if you can eat them all, maybe drop some off for a neighbor or teacher.
How to Store Apple Fritters
I prefer to store at room temperature in an airtight container. They should last 1-2 days at room temperature.
More Fritters Recipes
Apple Fritters
Ingredients
Apple Fritter
- 1 cup (128 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 -3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced into bite-size pieces (about 2-3 apples)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ¼ cup (61 g) whole milk
- vegetable or canola oil, for frying
Glaze
- 1¼ cups (150 g) confectioners sugar, sifted
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- 3-6 teaspoons water
Instructions
Apple Fritter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine the lemon juice and apples. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the sugar and eggs on medium speed until fully combined. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in two additions. Mix until just combined.
- Pour in the milk and continue to stir until incorporated.
- Fold in the apples.
- Fill a frying pan halfway with oil. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 375°F with a candy thermometer.
- Drop ¼ cup of batter into the oil and let fry until golden brown. Flip and fry until the opposite side is golden brown. To test for doneness, insert a small knife into the center. If there’s still uncooked batter in the center, fry for a bit longer. Transfer to a paper towel-lined cooling rack and let cool. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Glaze
- Make the glaze by combining the sugar, vanilla, and 3 teaspoons of water. Add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until a pourable consistency is reached.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled fritters and let dry.
Video
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
Could these be made with almond milk?
I haven’t tested with that substitution Lisa, so can’t speak to its effectiveness.
OMG! these were the best recipe I have ever made. they turned out better than bakery fritters. Husband loved them. They were light, not too sweet, filled with apples and simple to make. Thank you so much for the recipe. I had no idea they were so simple to make.
OMG, Delicious! I made them last night. We ate 2 and saved 3 in the fridge. We warmed them up in the Microwave for breakfast, they we still just as delicious the next morning.
This Recipe is so easy, I actually cooked them in veggie oil a sauce pan one at a time. It was great I used way lest oil.
Would it be possible to make these with a gluten free 1 to 1 flour? My gluten free kiddo has been missing fresh donuts.
One question: Could I substitute sweet cherries for the apple and end up with something I’d like to eat? I found cherry fritters (one time six months ago and none since) and they were great. Been craving them. Wondered about subbing cherries for apples and having a decent result. Thanks. Your apple fritters were great by the way.
I haven’t made that substitution so I am not sure… but it is definitely worth trying! Cherry fritters sound AMAZING.
I love this. I’ve always purchased fritters from local donut shops and now I can make them myself and eat them as often as I wish!!! Thank you, iambaker.net! 👍🏽😋😍🥰
That first post somehow dropped a star, so I’m reposting the ratings! Thanks
Looks great. Can you make them with Almond or Coconut flour. Would you need to add Arrow Root Flour to It for the gluten? Can they be fried in Coconut Oil? questions, questions. LOL
Hi, Micki! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. We have not tried those substitutions with this recipe, so I can’t say how the fritters would turn out. If you give it a try, let us know how they taste! Have a great day!
Your recipes are amazing- I have to watch my sugar intake so I adjust the sugar on some – they are still delicious- keep up the delicious recipes ❤️❤️
Your recipe was wonderful and easy to make thanks