Whip up the most mouthwatering batch of apple fritters… These fresh donuts turn out absolutely golden brown and irresistible! What’s not to love about fresh apples (diced granny smith apples), in a simple batter, fried in hot oil, drizzled with vanilla glaze, and this amazing aroma filling up your kitchen. This recipe yields approximately 12-16 apple fritters, depending on the size of each fritter. Keep in mind that serving sizes can vary based on personal preferences and how generously you portion out the fritters.
Its apple season again and I love picking up fresh fruit from on of the local farmers markets! Purdums and Henglers are both a local farm in my area that produce the most delicious apples in every variety! My favorite for apple fritters are granny smith and honey crisp for their flavors! For the best of both worlds use one of each… Making fried apple fritters every fall is one of my favorite things to treat my family to! (It’s tru though, apple fritters are my first choice no matter the season at any doughnut shop!)
Simple Apple Fritter Recipe Process
Gather all those dry ingredients – you know, flour, a pinch of cinnamon sugar, a touch of brown sugar, and a dash of nutmeg – in this big ol’ mixing bowl. Then, toss in these juicy chunks of Honeycrisp apples. Trust me, their sweetness and flavor is just perfect for this recipe.
Then you add wet ingredients – room temperature milk, some beaten eggs, and a hint of vanilla extract. It all comes together into this luscious apple fritter batter.
Next up, Heat your oil in a trusty Dutch oven until the oil temperature was just right. Around 375°F (use a candy thermometer, they’re always on point!). Used a slotted spoon to drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, and within about 2-3 minutes, they transform into golden brown beauties. Its like having your own donut shop right at home!
Once they’re perfectly fried, use that slotted spoon again and let the fritters chill on some paper towels on a baking sheet, or a cooling rack. While they’re doing their thing, mix up a simple glaze in a separate bowl. Just some powdered sugar, milk, and a touch of vanilla extract. Then dunk those fritters right into the glaze, and they will look good on that wire rack!
Apple Fritters
(Im thinking, next time, I might try baking them for a healthier twist.) Don’t resist biting into one while they were still warm… It’s like a flavor explosion of cinnamon, apples, inside of the fritter with that subtle sweetness we all love. Seriously, they paired perfectly with my afternoon herbal tea.
And the best part? Stash a few away in an airtight container (for science, you know). Next day? Still delicious… Just as good as the first day! Don’t forget to print a full recipe card below – this one’s a keeper! By the way, if you’re into the whole deep frying thing, you’ll love this recipe. But if you’re looking for a change, you might want to try it out in an air fryer – it’s all about options, right?
So there you have it… An easy homemade apple fritters adventure. I’m thinking of hitting up the local apple orchard this weekend for more fresh apples. I’ve got a feeling these fritters are going to be your new favorite fall dessert.
Easy Homemade Apple Fritters Recipe
Easy Apple Fritters Recipe Simple Ingredients:
For the Apple Fritters:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2/3 cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups diced large apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Avocado oil, Coconut oil, Vegetable oil, or Canola oil for frying oil My favorites are Coconut and Avocado Oil!
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (whole milk, almond milk, or soy milk)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
This recipe uses baking powder instead of yeast which omits the need for rising time!
Easy Apple Fritter Recipe Instructions
Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and dice the fresh apples into small chunks. For the best results in your apple fritters, aim for apple chunks that are roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch in size. This size allows the apple pieces to cook through evenly while the fritters fry, ensuring that you get a balance of tender apples and golden-brown batter.
Toss the diced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
Prepare the Fritter Batter with basic ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
In a separate bowl, combine the milk, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Gently fold in the diced fresh apple chunks until evenly distributed throughout the fritter dough.
Heat the Oil
In a Dutch oven or deep frying pan, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium heat to medium-high heat to 375°F (190°C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the oil temperature.
Fry the Apple Fritters
Using a spoon or an ice cream scooper, carefully drop spoonfuls of the apple fritter batter into the hot oil. Fry 2-3 fritters at a time to avoid crowding the pan.
Fry the fritters for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried fritters to a paper towel-lined baking sheet, or cooling rack, to drain excess oil.
Prepare the Simple Powdered Sugar Glaze
In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
You want a smooth and drizzle-worthy consistency.
Coat the Apple Fritters
While the fritters are still warm, dip each fritter into the sweet powdered sugar glaze, allowing any excess glaze to drip off. For best results coat fritters while donuts are still hot!
Place the glazed fritters on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow the glaze to set.
Serve and Enjoy
Once the glaze has set, your homemade apple fritters are ready to be enjoyed! They are delicious on their own or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
These fritters are best when eaten the same day they are made, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them the next day.
Pro Tips
- For an extra burst of flavor, consider tossing the chunks of apple with a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon before adding them to the batter.
- If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can try baking the fritters instead of frying them. Simply drop spoonfuls of batter onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Experiment with different types of apples for varying levels of sweetness and tartness.
- Feel free to customize the glaze by adding a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for an extra layer of flavor.
Whether you’re enjoying these easy homemade apple fritters with a hot cup of coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, they’re sure to become your new favorite dessert!
Easy Recipe Card
Apple Fritters Recipe - Easy Homemade Old Fashioned Donut
Mouthwatering batch of apple fritters... Fresh donuts turn out golden & irresistible! Fresh apples in simple batter, fried in hot oil, then dunked in vanilla glaze!
Ingredients
- For the Fritters:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2/3 cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups diced large apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Avocado oil, Coconut oil, Vegetable oil, or Canola oil for frying oil My favorites are Coconut and Avocado Oil!
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (whole milk, almond milk, or soy milk)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Peel, core, and dice the fresh apples into small chunks. For the best results in your apple fritters, aim for apple chunks that are roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch in size.
2.Toss the diced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
3.In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Gently fold in the diced fresh apple chunks until evenly distributed throughout the fritter dough.
7. In a Dutch oven or deep frying pan, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium heat to medium-high heat to 375°F (190°C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor the oil temperature.
8. Using a spoon or an ice cream scooper, carefully drop spoonfuls of the apple fritter batter into the hot oil. Fry 2-3 fritters at a time to avoid crowding the pan.
9. Fry the fritters for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
10. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried fritters to a paper towel-lined baking sheet, or cooling rack, to drain excess oil.
11. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. (You want a smooth and drizzle-worthy consistency.)
12. While the fritters are still warm, dip each fritter into the sweet powdered sugar glaze, allowing any excess glaze to drip off. For best results coat fritters while donuts are still hot!
13. Place the glazed fritters on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow the glaze to set.
Serve and Enjoy
These fritters are best when eaten the same day they are made, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy them the next day.
Notes
1. Maintaining the correct oil temperature is key. If the oil is too hot, the fritters might brown too quickly on the outside before cooking through. If it's too cool, they might absorb more oil and become greasy. Use a candy thermometer to keep the oil around 375°F (190°C).
2. Make sure your apple chunks are not too large, as they might affect the cooking time and evenness. Similarly, avoid overmixing the batter to keep the fritters tender. For the best results in your apple fritters, aim for apple chunks that are roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch in size. This size allows the apple pieces to cook through evenly while the fritters fry, ensuring that you get a balance of tender apples and golden-brown batter.
3.Don't overcrowd the pan when frying. Fry 2-3 fritters at a time to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
4. If the glaze is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out. If it's too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. You want a smooth and drizzle-worthy consistency.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – based on 12 servings)
- Calories: Approximately 280 kcal
- Total Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
- Sodium: 260mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 38g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 4g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information may change if you modify the recipe, use different ingredients, or alter portion sizes. If you’re concerned about specific dietary needs or health goals, it’s always a good idea to consult a registered dietitian or use a nutritional calculator based on your precise ingredients and measurements.
More Apple Desserts
Baked Apple Fritters
Sugar Free Apple Sauce Canning Recipe
Old Fashioned Sourdough Apple Fritter Recipe
Apple Fritters Troubleshooting Tips
Having a few hiccups? No worries! Here are some pointers to make your apple fritter-making experience even smoother:
Oil Temperature
Maintaining the correct oil temperature is key. If the oil is too hot, the fritters might brown too quickly on the outside before cooking through. If it’s too cool, they might absorb more oil and become greasy. Use a candy thermometer to keep the oil around 375°F (190°C).
Apples and Batter
Make sure your apple chunks are not too large, as they might affect the cooking time and evenness. Similarly, avoid overmixing the batter to keep the fritters tender. For the best results in your apple fritters, aim for apple chunks that are roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch in size. This size allows the apple pieces to cook through evenly while the fritters fry, ensuring that you get a balance of tender apples and golden-brown batter.
Fry Apple Fritters in Batches
Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Fry 2-3 fritters at a time to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
Glaze Consistency
If the glaze is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. You want a smooth and drizzle-worthy consistency.
Air Fryer Variation
If you’re using an air fryer, adjust the cooking time and temperature according to your model’s recommendations. Check the fritters for doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean.
Cooling and Storage
Allow the fritters to cool slightly before glazing. Glazing while they’re too hot might cause the glaze to become too runny. Once glazed and cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day.
Creative Additions
Feel free to get creative! You can add a sprinkle of chopped nuts to the glaze, a dash of caramel drizzle, or even a dusting of cocoa powder.
Freshness
For the freshest taste, use high-quality and ripe apples. If possible, visit your local farm or apple orchard for the best produce!
Enjoy Apple Fritters With
These apple fritters are best enjoyed fresh, as their texture might change slightly after a day. Serve them warm as a delightful breakfast treat, a cozy dessert, or alongside a hot cup herbal tea.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t hesitate to experiment and find your favorite way of making these delicious apple fritters.
If you try this recipe and love it, I’d love if you give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouse_harvest with your delicious creation!
Apple fritters are my favorite too…. And they’re in season! Thank you for the oil temp and recipe… so good!