Apple Fritters
These homemade Apple Fritters have a soft donut center, crispy crunchy outside, and bursting with sweet and tart apples. You can have these easy apple fritters on the table in under 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love These
Fresh homemade apple fritters are super easy to make so there is no need to get dressed and run to the donut shop.
Apple fritters are delicious deep-fried donuts filled with apple chunks and warm spices. How can you go wrong?
They are the perfect cozy fall breakfast treat everyone will love!
Some of our other favorite breakfast recipes to make are Puff Pastry Morning Buns, Fried Grit Cakes, Panettone French Toast, Double Chocolate Muffins, and Maple Bacon French Toast Casserole.
Please see the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
How to Make Apple Fritters
Tips
- I like to use a mix of Granny Smith apples and Honeycrisp apples. But you can use all of either. You can also use Gala or Fuji apples.
- Don’t overmix the dough. It can cause tough fritters.
- Use a candy thermometer to know the temperature of the oil at all times. Carefully monitor the temperature during cooking and adjust the heat accordingly. This will ensure crispy cooked-through apple fritters.
- Don’t overcrowd the frying oil. Only cook 3-4 at a time to better maintain the oil temperature.
- The ground mace is optional but I highly recommend using it in this recipe.
- Use 1 1/2 teaspoons of apple pie spice in place of the spices in the recipe.
- Keep the fritters the same size by using an ice cream scoop or measuring cup. They will be roughly the same size and cook at the same rate
Variations
- Skip the Glaze – Roll them in some cinnamon sugar. Mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Drain the fritters on the paper towels for a minute or so, then toss them while they are still warm in the cinnamon sugar.
- Apple Cider Glaze – Replace the milk with apple cider for a boost in apple flavor.
FAQs
I don’t recommend baking this apple fritters recipe. The batter is thinner and it is designed for frying.
Typically this is the result of the oil not being hot enough. This is why a candy thermometer or deep frying thermometer is so important! This tool will let you know the exact temperature of the oil, so you don’t have to guess.
Although fried apple fritters are best fresh you can store any leftover fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 days.
Reheat the apple fritters in a 350ºF oven for 5 to 6 minutes.
You can but I don’t recommend freezing them. They will not be as crispy and crunchy on the outside.
If you must, freeze them without the glaze. After freezing and thawing the glaze can change texture.
More Delicious Apple Recipes
Apple Fritters Recipe
Ingredients
Apple Fritters
- 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup Dark brown sugar
- 2 tsps Baking powder
- 2 tsps Ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp Ground mace optional
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/3 cup Buttermilk
- 2 large Eggs
- 1/3 cup Applesauce
- 1 1/2 cups Diced apples (peeled cored and diced small)
- Vegetable or Canola oil for frying
Glaze
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup Milk
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towels, and set aside. Line another baking sheet with a wire rack.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, mace, and salt.1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour, 1/4 cup Dark brown sugar, 2 tsps Baking powder, 2 tsps Ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp Ground ginger, 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp Ground mace, 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- In a large bowl whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and applesauce. Stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture just until some dry flour remains, then fold in the diced apples.1/3 cup Buttermilk, 2 large Eggs, 1/3 cup Applesauce, 1 1/2 cups Diced apples
- Heat 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven, deep skillet, or deep fryer to 375ºF. Drop 1/4 cup of batter into the oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove to the prepared baking sheet to drain.Vegetable or Canola oil
- In a medium bowl whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. While the fritters are still warm dunk each fritter in the glaze turning to coat on all sides. Place them on the wire rack to drip and dry.