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These delightful homemade apple fritters are bursting with fresh apples bathed in a crisp dough. Drizzle them with a simple glaze, or roll them in cinnamon sugar, for a fun breakfast treat! Whip up a batch of this easy apple fritter recipe in under 30 minutes.
Think of apple fritters as being kind of like a doughnut, but packed with plenty of fresh, crisp diced apples and much easier to make! Growing up, we went to the donut shop once a week for a treat, and I got apple fritters basically every time. I just can’t resist apple treats! Now that I know how easy they are to make (seriously, you can have a batch ready in under 30 minutes), I enjoy sharing my love of apples with my family by whipping up a batch on the weekends. I recently retested this recipe to show you how important the oil temperature is for producing crispy, golden fritters. These are the perfect, treat-like breakfast!
“I made these apple fritters yesterday, and they were absolutely delicious. I did both the glaze and the cinnamon sugar toppings. Both were great. John’s directions were perfect.”
Kippy
Key Ingredients
These are the main ingredients you need to make homemade apple fritters. You can find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Vegetable oil — vegetable oil is ideal for frying because it has a high smoke point and won’t burn while you’re frying the fritters. Peanut oil is another great option. Avoid any oils with distinct flavors or low smoke points like olive oil.
Whole milk — if you want to add some richness, reduce the amount of whole milk from ¾ cup to ⅔ cup and add 2 tablespoons melted butter to the wet mixture.
Eggs — ensure the eggs are at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour before you start preparing this dish.
Apples — the apples need to be peeled, cored, and diced. I like using a mixture of tart Granny Smith apples and Honeycrisp apples to balance out the glaze’s sweetness, but you can use any apple you enjoy eating, such as Gala, Fuji, or Golden Delicious.
Glaze — you’ll need powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract for a simple glaze that doesn’t detract from the delicious flavor of fresh apples.
What Are The Best Apples To Use?
Granny Smith apples are probably the most popular choice for this recipe because their tartness complements the sweetness of the glaze or cinnamon sugar topping. Honeycrisp apples also work very well. Since these fritters cook pretty quickly, you don’t need to worry about picking a firm or a soft apple. Feel free to use any kind of apple that you enjoy eating!
The Oil Temperature Is Key To Crispy Fritters
When I updated this recipe, I wanted to show you why the oil temperature matters when you are frying the apple fritters. I’m a big advocate for using a thermometer and adjusting your burner setting to keep the oil temperature at the right point, but some readers have asked me if it really matters— the answer is yes!
As you can see in the image below, if the oil gets too cold, the fritters will spread more and won’t brown much on the outside. They will also soak up oil and become greasy, keeping the centers from cooking properly. If the oil gets too hot, the fritters will turn too dark and risk burning before the centers are cooked, resulting in raw batter in the middle of the fritters. Keeping the oil at 350°F ensures the fritters are crisp and golden brown on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
Pro Tips For Making The Best Apple Fritters
Dice the apples so they are fairly small. Having smaller pieces of apple will ensure they soften nicely when fried.
Use different spices. Cinnamon is the obvious choice, but I also love the combination of apples and nutmeg! (For an explosion of flavor, use a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg rather than the pre-ground kind.) Ground ginger, cardamom, or a spice blend like apple or pumpkin pie spice are all great additions.
Use a candy thermometer or deep fry thermometer. They’re inexpensive tools that tell you exactly how hot the oil is, instead of you having to guess. As previously mentioned, this is key to producing crispy fritters that are properly cooked.
Keep the oil temperature at 350°F. The oil will cool down a bit when you add the batter, so you will need to increase the heat of the stovetop to bring it back up to temperature. Don’t hesitate to continue adjusting your heat as you fry to maintain as close to 350°F as possible.
Try to have the fritters a similar size. Use a measuring cup or scoop so each one is ¼ cup. They’ll cook at an equal pace and be roughly the same size. I like using a large spring-loaded scoop or ice cream scoop that’s about 2 ounces.
For a little extra zing, add lemon juice. Toss the diced apples with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice before adding to the batter. Lemon juice adds just a little something extra, while also waking up the apples a bit. You can also use lemon juice instead of milk in the glaze! I find lemon juice balances the sweetness wonderfully.
How to Make Apple Fritters
Below, I’ve highlighted portions of the recipe in step-by-step process images along with instructions for making apple fritters. You can find the full set of instructions in the recipe card below.
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
2. In another large bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Fold together until not almost combined (a few streaks of flour should remain).
3. Add the diced apples to the batter and fold again so all the apples are coated and the flour is completely incorporated.
4. Fill a large pot or Dutch oven 1 ½ inches deep with vegetable oil. Heat over medium-high heat with a candy thermometer or deep fry thermometer attached. Heat the oil to 350°F. If the oil is too hot or not hot enough, adjust the heat of the stove. Scoop the apple fritter batter about ¼ cup at a time and carefully plop it into the hot oil.
Fry 4 to 6 fritters at a time so as not to overcrowd the pot. Fry the bottom for about 2 minutes or until golden brown, then flip with a slotted spoon and fry for another 2 or so minutes. Transfer the fried apple fritters to a wire rack set over a large rimmed baking sheet lined with paper towels or parchment paper so the excess oil can drip off.
5. Make the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and vanilla extract. If the glaze is not thin enough, add more milk.
6. Drizzle the glaze over the apple fritters. If you prefer more sweetness, dip the fritters into the glaze instead for a thicker coating. Either way, allow the fritters to sit for 10 minutes before you dig in so the glaze can set.
Apple Fritters Recipe
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Mixing Bowls
- Wire rack
Ingredients
For the Fritters:
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (180g)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup whole milk (180mL)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large apples (about 1 pound/450g), peeled cored, and diced (Granny Smith apples, Honeycrisp apples)
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar (240g)
- 3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Fritters:
- Fill a large pot or Dutch oven with vegetable oil 1½ inches deep. Place over medium high heat with a candy or deep fry thermometer attached to the side. Heat the oil to 350°F. Adjust temperature if needed.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and set a wire rack on top of the towels.
- While the oil is heating, make the batter. In a large bowl whisk together the flour sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla until well combined. Pour into the dry mixture. Use a spatula to fold the mixture together until just a few streaks of flour remain.
- Add the apples and mix together so all the apples are coated and the flour is incorporated.
- Once the oil is to temperature, scoop by the batter by about ¼ cup per fritter into the hot oil. I suggest frying about 4 to 6 fritters at a time.
- Fry until golden brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Flip and continue frying until golden brown on the other side, about 2 more minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer fritters to the wire rack and continue frying until better is all used up.
For the Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and vanilla. You want a thin glaze, so add more milk if needed. Either dip the fritters in the glaze and allow to set on a wire rack or use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the hot fritters. Let the fritter sit for 10 minutes to allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- How should I store leftovers? Leftovers will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days at the most. Extend their lifespan to 5 days by refrigerating them instead, but keep in mind that they will lose crispness and the glaze will melt after a few hours.
- To reheat apple fritters: Place them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or in the air fryer at 325°F for 3 to 5 minutes.
Nutrition
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Try The Fritters Coated In Cinnamon Sugar
I wrote this recipe with classic apple fritters in mind and included a simple powdered sugar glaze. If you’re looking for more crunch, swap the glaze for cinnamon sugar! Simply mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Let the fritters drain on the wire rack for a minute or so, then toss in the cinnamon sugar while they’re still hot. Both options are delicious, and you can do half of the batch glazed and half of the batch in cinnamon sugar if you can’t decide!
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple fritters are best enjoyed fresh, and since they’re so quick to make, I recommend whipping up a fresh batch when the mood strikes.
Soggy apple fritters are typically the result of oil that isn’t hot enough. This is why a candy thermometer is so important! The handy little tool will let you know the exact temperature of the oil, so you don’t have to guess and possibly end up with soggy results. Overcrowding the pot can also yield too-soft fritters.
While I understand the urge to find an alternative cooking method for fried foods, this apple fritter recipe only works when fried in oil. The batter is thinner, which creates that delicious, crunchy nonuniform shape and texture, but it is too thin to bake or put in the air fryer. If you’re looking for an alternative to deep frying, try my air fryer apple fritters!
More Apple Recipes To Try
Make the most of apple season with one of these delicious dessert recipes:
My classic apple pie is made easy with a no-cook filling spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Wrap it in a homemade pie crust for a perfect fall dessert!
My easy apple crisp recipe features spiced apples tucked under a butter oat crisp topping. Throw it together in less than 20 minutes and bake until the apples are bubbling and tender.
Apple cobbler is a super-easy dessert to make with fresh apples. My recipe uses a biscuit-like topping for that perfect old-fashioned cobbler taste and texture.
Make a batch of homemade apple turnovers with a few fresh apples and a box of frozen puff pastry! You’ll have flaky, buttery turnovers in no time.
If you’ve tried this apple fritter recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
