These Apple Fritters are a golden, crispy delight that bring the cozy warmth of autumn to your kitchen. Each bite offers a perfect balance of tender, juicy apple chunks and a light, airy batter, fried to a beautiful golden brown. The subtle sweetness of cinnamon and sugar enhances the natural flavor of the apples, creating a treat that’s both comforting and indulgent. Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re an easy way to satisfy your cravings or impress guests with minimal effort.
With their irresistible crunch on the outside and soft, flavorful center, these fritters are a sensory experience you’ll want to savor. The aroma of warm apples and spices fills your kitchen, making it impossible to resist sneaking one fresh from the pan. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast treat or a dessert, these fritters are a crowd-pleaser that’s as fun to make as they are to eat. Plus, the recipe yields 15 fritters, perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself!
Ingredients for Delicious Apple Fritters
- Vegetable or canola oil (for frying, enough to fill a Dutch oven or saucepan 2-3″ deep)
- 1 ½ cups (215 g) apples (peeled, cored, and cut into ¼” pieces)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (divided)
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (66 g) sugar
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs (room temperature preferred)
- 1 cup (235 ml) milk
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled for several minutes)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Glaze:
- 1 ½ cups (250 g) powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider (may substitute water or milk, plus additional as needed)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the apples: In a bowl, combine the apple pieces with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Toss until the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, remaining ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and salt until well-combined.
- Prepare the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until pale yellow and frothy (about 15 seconds). Add the milk and vanilla extract, and whisk to combine. Slowly pour in the melted butter while whisking until the mixture is well-combined (it may look slightly curdled).
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to fold them together until halfway combined. Add the cinnamon-coated apples and continue folding until just combined.
- Heat the oil: Fill a Dutch oven or large saucepan with 2-3″ of oil. Attach a candy thermometer to the edge (ensure it’s in the oil but not touching the bottom). Heat over medium-low until the oil reaches 360-365°F (175-185°C).
- Make the glaze: While the oil heats, whisk together the powdered sugar, apple cider (or substitute), and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.
- Fry the fritters: Once the oil is at temperature, use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to carefully drop about 3 Tablespoons of batter into the oil. Fry 2-3 fritters at a time for 60-75 seconds per side, or until golden brown.
- Drain and glaze: Use tongs to transfer the fritters to a paper towel-lined plate. Let cool for a few minutes, then dip them in the glaze. Place on a cooling rack to allow the glaze to set. Ensure the oil returns to the correct temperature before frying more fritters.
- Serve warm: Enjoy the apple fritters the same day they are made for the best quality.
Perfect Pairings: Serving Suggestions
Apple fritters are a delightful treat on their own, but they can be even more special with a few thoughtful pairings. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert, or enjoy them alongside a cup of hot coffee or spiced chai tea for a cozy breakfast. For a festive touch, sprinkle a pinch of powdered sugar or drizzle caramel sauce over the fritters before serving.
Keep It Fresh: Storage and Reheating Tips
Apple fritters are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. To reheat, place them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy. For longer storage, freeze the fritters in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Reheat directly from the freezer in the oven.
Mix It Up: Recipe Variations
Get creative with your apple fritters by trying different variations. Swap the apples for pears or peaches for a seasonal twist, or add a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch. For a spiced-up version, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the batter. If you’re feeling adventurous, mix in a handful of chocolate chips or drizzle the fritters with a maple glaze instead of the traditional apple cider glaze.
Fry Like a Pro: Equipment Guidance
Using the right equipment ensures your apple fritters turn out perfectly. A Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed saucepan is ideal for frying, as it maintains a consistent temperature. A candy thermometer is essential for monitoring the oil temperature, which should stay between 360-365°F (175-185°C). For scooping the batter, an ice cream scoop or large spoon works well to create evenly sized fritters. Always use tongs or a slotted spoon to safely remove the fritters from the hot oil.
Quick Tips for Success
To save time, prep your apples and measure out all your ingredients before starting. Use room temperature eggs and milk for a smoother batter. When frying, avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking. Let the oil return to the correct temperature between batches for the best results. Finally, don’t skip the glaze—it adds the perfect sweet finish to these irresistible treats!
Apple Fritters Recipe (with Video!)
Ingredients
- Vegetable or canola oil for frying
- 1 ½ cups apples* peeled, cored, and cut into ¼” pieces
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon divided
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
- 1 cup milk
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled several minutes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider plus additional as needed (may substitute water or milk)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine your apples and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in a bowl and toss until apples are coated with cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a separate, large bowl, combine flour, sugars, baking powder, remaining ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl and whisk until well-combined.
- Crack your eggs in a separate bowl and use a whisk to beat until pale yellow and frothy (about 15 seconds). Add milk and vanilla extract and whisk together.
- Slowly, while whisking, pour melted butter into wet ingredients and whisk until well-combined (mixture may look slightly curdled).
- Pour wet ingredients into dry and use a spatula to fold ingredients together until about halfway combined. Add cinnamon coated apple pieces and continue to fold into batter until all ingredients are just combined.
- Set the batter aside and fill a Dutch oven or large saucepan 2-3″ deep with oil for frying. Fix a candy thermometer to the edge (make sure it is in the oil but not touching the bottom of the pan) and set your heat to medium-low. Oil will need to reach 360-365F (175-185C) before you can continue.
- While oil is heating, prepare your glaze by whisking together sugar, apple cider (or substitute) and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.
- Once oil has reached temperature, use a large spoon or an ice cream scoop (this is my preferred method) to scoop about 3 Tablespoons of batter and *carefully* drop into the oil. Repeat with 2 more scoops of batter and fry each for 60-75 seconds on each side, or until golden brown.
- Use tongs to remove apple fritters to a paper-towel lined plate and allow to cool several minutes before dipping in glaze and transferring to a cooling rack to allow glaze to set. Be sure to allow the oil to return to the correct temperature before frying more fritters.
- Apple fritters are best enjoyed warm the same day they are made for best quality.