These apple fritters are pure comfort food. Juicy apples, warm spices, and a sweet glaze—they’ve got it all!
These delightful apple fritters are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and packed with juicy pieces of Granny Smith apples. Drizzled with a luscious maple glaze, they’re the perfect blend of sweet and spice—like a doughnut’s fall-flavored cousin! Whether you’re looking for a cozy weekend breakfast, a sweet afternoon treat, or a dessert to impress guests, these apple fritters are sure to hit the spot!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Fritters Recipe
- Irresistible flavor. The combination of fresh Granny Smith apples and warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg creates a deliciously spiced treat that’s hard to resist.
- Perfect texture. Frying these fritters gives them a golden brown, crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and filled with juicy apples.
- Versatile treat. Enjoy them for breakfast, dessert, or as a sweet snack anytime you crave something special.
What You’ll Need
Scroll to the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Cooking oil – Use a neutral oil like vegetable oil or canola oil.
- Apples – I like Granny Smith apples here for their flavor and sturdiness. See my tips section below for some other options.
- Lemon juice – This helps prevent the apples from browning and adds a bit of flavor.
- All-purpose flour – Measure by weight or use the spoon and sweep method for accuracy. Learn more: How to Measure Flour
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon – Check all of your spices for freshness by simply giving them a whiff. They should have a strong, fresh aroma.
- Cardamom
- Nutmeg
- Salt – I like kosher salt here, but you can use table salt if that’s what you have. You’ll just need to decrease the amount used. Learn more: Types of Salt for Baking
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Milk – I prefer using whole milk. Another kind may work well enough, but it may affect the texture.
- Vanilla extract
- Confectioners’ sugar – Also labeled as powdered sugar or 10X sugar.
- Maple syrup – Use a good, flavorful maple syrup for the best results.
- Water
How to Make Apple Fritters
- Heat oil. Place in a deep pan on the stovetop, and heat to 375°F.
- Mix the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, all the spices, and salt.
- Prep the apples. After chopping, toss with lemon juice.
- Mix the wet ingredients. Mix the eggs and sugar until frothy, and then add the milk and vanilla.
- Finish mixing. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Fold in the apples.
- Cook. Using a greased 1/3-cup measuring cup, carefully drop the batter into the oil by heaping cupfuls. Work in batches of 2 or 3 fritters at a time, cooking for about 2 minutes on each side.
- Remove from oil. Place the fritters on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
- Make the glaze. Whisk together confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and water. Drizzle over the fritters while still warm but not hot.
Tips for Success
- Choose the right apples. I like Granny Smith apples for their tartness and firmness. They’ll hold up well during frying. If you prefer a sweeter fritter, try using Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji apples.
- Chop the apples evenly. Even-sized pieces ensure consistent cooking and texture.
- Don’t over-mix. Over-mixing can lead to a too thin batter that won’t hold together for frying and can also lead to a dense texture. A few lumps in the batter are okay. Fold in the apples gently to maintain the batter’s texture.
- Use a deep, heavy-bottomed pan. This reduces the risk of oil splatters and maintains temperature better.
- Maintain the correct temperature. Keep the oil at around 375°F. Use a candy thermometer or deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature, ensuring the fritters cook evenly and absorb less oil. If your fritters are soggy or greasy, it’s usually due to the temperature being too low.
- Use a long-handled utensil. This keeps you a safe distance from the hot oil while working with the fritters. A spider strainer or slotted spoon works well for flipping and removing the fritters from the oil.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
- Go nuts. Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts over the glaze for extra crunch.
- Make it zesty. A bit of lemon or orange zest in the glaze can add a refreshing citrus note.
- Pair with ice cream. Serve warm fritters with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Try a different fruit. Substitute pears, peaches, or even berries. Just keep in mind that different fruits may affect the cooking time and texture.
- Change the spices. Don’t hesitate to tweak the spice levels or add new ones like allspice or cloves to suit your taste. A fall spice blend would work well, too.
- Serve with caramel. Indulge in a caramel-apple twist by replacing the glaze with caramel sauce.
How to Store
After your apple fritters have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes to restore some crispiness.
Can Apple Fritters Be Frozen?
Yes! First, let the unglazed fritters cool completely, and then place them in a single layer in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag. For more protection, you can first wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. (You can freeze them with the glaze if necessary, but the texture and appearance will change.) Properly stored, they should keep in the freezer up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature for about an hour or reheat from frozen. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes if thawed or add a few more minutes if frozen.
More Apple Recipes
Apple Fritters
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these homemade apple fritters are packed with juicy Granny Smith apples and warm spices. Drizzled with a sweet maple glaze, they're an irresistible treat perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any time in between.
Ingredients
For the fritters:
- 3 cups oil for frying
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 & 1/2 cups peeled, cored, and diced Granny Smith apples (about 3 apples)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (59ml) whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- 1 & 1/4 cups (138g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons water, as needed
Instructions
To make the fritters:
- Heat the oil in a large pan on the stovetop until it reaches 375°F on a candy thermometer.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, toss the apples in the lemon juice.
- Using a hand mixer with a whisk attachment, combine the eggs and sugar until frothy. Then add the milk and vanilla.
- Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the apples.
- Spray a 1/3 cup measuring cup with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and then use it to carefully scoop and drop a heaping cupful of the batter into the hot oil.
- Working in batches of 2 or 3 fritters at a time, cook for about 2 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer the fritters to a cooling rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet to cool slightly while you make the glaze.
To make the glaze:
- Whisk together all of the glaze ingredients until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the fritters and allow to cool slightly before serving.
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