Apple Fritters Recipe – Easy Homemade Old Fashioned Donut

Whip up the most mouthwatering batch of apple fritters… These fresh donuts turn out absolutely golden brown and irresistible!

Easy Homemade Apple Fritters Recipe

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 about 12 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.

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 & 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 prefer an alternative to frying, you can try baking the fritters for a different texture and preparation style. 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!

Recipe Card

If you try this recipe and love it, I’d love if you give it 5 stars and let me know how it turned out in the comments or review! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouse_harvest with your delicious creation!

Let me know what you think!

Share your cooking tips and feedback in the comments below. Did you add any twists to these recipes? I’d love to hear!

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

Nutritional information may change if you modify the recipe, use different ingredients, or alter portion sizes.

More Apple Recipes

Apple Pie Filling

Baked Apple Fritters

​Sugar Free Apple Sauce Canning Recipe

​Moist Apple Cake Recipe

Old Fashioned Sourdough Apple Fritter Recipe

Waldorf Apple Salad

Apple Dump Cake

Apple Fritters Troubleshooting

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.

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.

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.