Warm, sweet, and full of cinnamon-spiced apples, homemade apple fritters are the ultimate comfort food treat. With their crispy golden exterior, soft fluffy center, and a vanilla glaze that drips down every edge, they’re a cozy fall (or anytime!) favorite.
Whether you’re making these for a weekend breakfast, special brunch, or cozy afternoon snack with coffee, these apple fritters are easy to make at home and taste even better than the ones from your favorite bakery!
🛒 What You’ll Need
For the Fritters:
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil, for frying
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
👩🍳 Pro Tips for Bakery-Style Fritters
- Dice apples small so they cook through quickly and evenly.
- Use a thermometer to keep oil between 350–365°F for best frying results.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan—fry 2–3 fritters at a time.
- Let fritters rest on a cooling rack with paper towel underneath to stay crispy.
- Glaze while warm so it soaks into the surface just slightly. 😍
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Dairy-free? Use almond or oat milk.
- Add-ins: Stir in chopped nuts, raisins, or a drizzle of caramel after glazing!
- Gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Want to bake instead of fry? Spoon onto a parchment-lined sheet and bake at 375°F for 15–18 mins (they’ll be cakier, but still delicious!).
🔪 Tools You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk or hand mixer
- Frying pan or Dutch oven
- Slotted spoon or spider strainer
- Thermometer (for oil)
- Cooling rack and parchment/paper towels
- Small bowl for glaze
🕒 Make Ahead Tips
- Fritter batter can be made a few hours ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Glaze can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container.
- Fritters are best fresh, but you can reheat leftovers in an air fryer or oven to crisp them back up!
🔥 How to Make Apple Fritters
1️⃣ Prep the Apples
- Peel and dice apples into small pieces.
- Toss with lemon juice to keep them fresh and flavorful.
2️⃣ Make the Batter
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, mix eggs, milk, and vanilla.
- Add wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the diced apples.
3️⃣ Fry the Fritters
- Heat about 1 ½ inches of oil in a skillet or pot to 350°F.
- Carefully drop spoonfuls (2–3 tbsp each) of batter into the oil.
- Fry 2–3 minutes per side, flipping when golden.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack.
4️⃣ Make the Glaze
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
- Drizzle or dip warm fritters in glaze, letting excess drip off.
5️⃣ Cool Slightly & Serve
Let fritters rest for a few minutes so the glaze sets, then serve warm with coffee or apple cider!
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
- Store cooled fritters in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer for 3–4 minutes to bring back that crisp!
- Freeze unglazed fritters for up to 2 months—just thaw and glaze fresh.
🍏 Make Some Sweet Magic Today!
These homemade apple fritters are a cozy, nostalgic treat that brings all the fall fair feels into your kitchen—no deep fryer required. Once you see how easy and delicious they are, you’ll want to make them all year long!
Tried them? Leave a comment and let me know if you dipped, drizzled, or double-glazed! 🍎💛
Leave a Reply