Apple Fritters

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I love a crunchy apple fritter. It’s SO much easier to make than a donut since there’s no yeast, no rising, no waiting. Just mix it up, fry away, and enjoy!

My fritters have a touch of lemon inside and in the glaze to wake the flavors up but you can also roll in cinnamon sugar if that’s your jam.

Pro tips for the best Apple fritters

• You really want to stuff the batter with lots of apples. The bowl should look like apples held together with a bit of runny batter. If there’s too much dough you ent up with a muffin-like ball which is still tasty but has less of the crunchy nooks and tendrils that make a fritter so delicious.
• The darker the fritters the crisper the they’ll be. less time frying means the steam from inside the fritters will seep out and soften them.
• If you like nutmeg then go for freshly grated. I use my microplane to grate it and the taste is so much more vibrant.
• Let your fritters rest on a wire rack after a minute on the paper. This will help keep them crisp.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get really crisp apple fritters?

The crispest apple fritters will be fried longer and get a DARK brown color. They might be less photogenic but they are definitely my favorite. 

Letting your fritters sit out will allow steam from the interior to seep out and soften the crisp skin so if you like a lighter golden color it’s best to enjoy immediately.

What apples are best for apple fritters?

I like to use Gala, Fuji, and HoneyCrisp apples and but this recipe is really flexible so if you like a tart apple go ahead and use Granny Smith or whatever else you enjoy. 

Can you make apple fritters ahead of time?

These fritters are best enjoyed when still warm. If they REALLY fry them to a dark brown color they will keep their crisp shell for longer but I would still recommend eating them the same day. 

Fritters that are fried to a lighter golden brown will become softer on the outside more quickly and 

Can you bake apple fritters? 

Yes but then you might as well just whip up a batch of my caramel apple cupcakes! Baked fritters won’t crisp up and the super-forgiving recipe become less so when hot oil isn’t involved.

Overview of steps to make Apple Fritters

1. Add the oil to a Dutch oven fitter with a thermometer and set over medium-high heat. Peel 3 large apples and cut the flesh from core. Cut into half inch pieces and toss in lemon juice. Keep an eye on the oil while prepping the batter It should be around 350F when you start frying.

2. In a large bowl add the dry ingredients including sugar

3. Whisk the dry ingredients together.

4. Mix the eggs, vanilla, and milk well in a medium bowl.

5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and use a spatula to fold together until almost combined. 

6. Dump the apples in and mix until apples are covered.

7. Pour in the melted butter and stir to combine.

8. Use an ice cream scooper, or a large spoon to scoop up the apple-laden batter and transfer to the hot oil. I like to fry about six at a time. Keep an eye on the oil temperature and the color of the fritters. 

9. Mix the glaze up while your fritters fry or make the glaze first and have it at the ready. If the glaze is made ahead of time just cover it because it dry out and form a skin. I have lemon juice in my glaze because I think apples and lemons are a match made in heaven but you can use all water for less zing. 

10. Spoon the glaze over the fritters or dip them in for maximum sweetness. You can wait for the glaze to set or enjoy as soon as they’re cool enough to touch.

You can ALSO roll the still warm fritters in cinnamon sugar instead of making the glaze. I enjoy both but the glaze seems to be a crowd favorite. Just mix 1/2 cup of sugar with a tablespoon of cinnamon; roll the fritters around and enjoy!

If you love apples try these recipes out!

Apple pie cookies

Apple Pie

Caramel Apple cake

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

If you’ve tried this apple fritter recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! 

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Apple Fritters

These crisp perfectly sweet apple fritters are a super-easy homemade treat that comes together in a few minutes.

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American, British

Prep Time 8 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 28 minutes

Servings 16 fritters

Calories 141 kcal

Author John Kanell

Ingredients

For the Fritters

• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 180g
• 3 tbsp sugar 36g
• 2.5 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 2/3 cup milk 180mL
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla 10mL
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 apples about 460g
• 3 tbsp lemon juice about 1/2 lemon

For the Glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar 200g
• 2 tbsp lemon juice fresh
• 1 tbsp water plus more if needed

Instructions

1. Add about a quart of vegetable oil into a heavy pot or Dutch oven. Place over medium high heat with a thermometer attached to the side. The oil needs to be heated to about 350F so keep an eye on the thermometer while you prepare the batter and adjust temperature if needed.
2. Peel the apples and cut flesh from core. Chop into roughly half inch pieces. Transfer to a bowl, squeeze the juice of half a lemon over them, toss and set aside.
3. In a large bowl add the flour sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking powder. Whisk together and set aside.
4. In a medium bowl add the eggs and milk. Whisk together well and pour into the dry mixture. Us a spatula to fold the wet into the dry until ALMOST combined.
5. Add the cubed apples and mix together so all the apples are coated.
6. Pour in the melted butter and mix in.
7. Use an ice cream scoop to transfer batched of batter into the oil. I suggest frying about 6 fritters at a time.

8. Once the fritters are golden brown on the bottom us a turn them over with thongs or a spider skimmer and fry until golden brown on other side.

9. Transfer fritters to a plate lined with a few layers of paper towels and continue frying until better is all used up.

For the Glaze

1. Sift the sugar into a medium bowl then add the lemon juice and water. Whisk together until completely incorporated and add more water if needed. You want a thin consistency for the fritters.

2. Either dip the fritters in the glaze and allow to set on a wire rack or use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over them.

Recipe Notes

• You really want to stuff the batter with lots of apples. The bowl should look like apples held together with a bit of runny batter. If there's too much dough you ent up with a muffin-like ball which is still tasty but has less of the crunchy nooks and tendrils that make a fritter so delicious.
• The darker the fritters the crisper the they'll be. less time frying means the steam from inside the fritters will seep out and soften them.
• If you like nutmeg then go for freshly grated. I use my microplane to grate it and the taste is so much more vibrant.
• Let your fritters rest on a wire rack after a minute on the paper. This will help keep them crisp.

Nutrition Facts

Apple Fritters

Amount Per Serving (1 fritter)

Calories 141 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 25mg8%

Sodium 172mg7%

Potassium 152mg4%

Carbohydrates 25g8%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 109IU2%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 53mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.