No need to go to the local donut shop when you can make and serve these delicious fresh homemade apple fritters. They are an ideal choice for a simple breakfast or a tasty treat, and a perfect way to use up apples that you have on hand. A fluffy batter filled with chopped apples is simply fried and then topped with a classic powdered sugar glaze for a snack everyone will enjoy!
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Homemade Apple Fritters
My teen son always asks for apple fritters any time we go to our local donut shop, so of course, I knew a homemade recipe would be fun to make. There are tons of options out there to create a fritter, but this is the best recipe we have tried so far.
Each fritter is packed with apples, a crispy on the outside but soft inside donut batter, and tons of that classic cinnamon sugary flavor. They take a bit more work than some recipes, in that you have to hand fry them, but other than a little more cleanup afterward, it's surprisingly simple to prepare.
If you like apple cinnamon, you might also like our apple bundt cake recipe. It's a great choice for dessert or even a sweet breakfast bread.
Ingredients
- 3 apples
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of ginger
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Oil for frying
Ingredients for Optional Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons milk
Handy Kitchen Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Paring knife
- Vegetable peeler - handy for peeling apples
- Apple corer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Slotted spoon
How to Make Homemade Apple Fritters
Start by preparing your apples by peeling them, removing the core, and cutting them into small pieces, around ½" in size.
Add the apple pieces to a bowl with the lemon juice and toss them to prevent browning, then set that aside until ready to include in the dough.
Melt the butter, then set it aside to cool for a few minutes so it will not be overly hot going into the liquid mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cooled melted butter.
Using another clean bowl, whisk your flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. You can also skip the individual spices and add 1 ½ teaspoons of apple pie spice instead.
Once the dry ingredients are combined, add them to the wet ingredients mixing just until a dough has formed. This will be a thick dough but still loose. Thicker than cake batter but not as thick as brownie batter.
Add the chopped apples to the batter and fold until they are combined well.
Now, heat frying oil in a deep skillet or pan for frying. I use a candy thermometer and heat it to 350°F. You can also place the end of a wooden spoon into the hot oil and when it bubbles around the wood it is ready to use.
Scoop the dough into the hot oil in ¼ cup scoops, being careful to not overcrowd the pan. 4 to 5 at a time does well in a larger skillet.
Cook the fritters until they are golden brown on the outside. This is usually 2 to 3 minutes per side, but watch so they do not burn.
Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels, then repeat the process until all of the dough has been fried.
Once the fritters have cooled, you can whip up a simple glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk.
Drizzle the glaze over the fritters before serving these. They are great when hot, but it is nice to serve at room temperature once the glaze has hardened some.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fritters and donuts are both fried dough recipes that are often coated in a sweet glaze or sugar. While both desserts are delicious, there are some key differences between the two. Fritters tend to be made with a fruit or vegetable-based batter, while donuts are typically made with a sweeter, yeast-based, or cake-like dough. Fritters also usually have larger chunks of fruit or vegetables, while donuts tend to be smooth and uniform in texture.
No one wants a soggy apple fritter. The perfection from the crispy outside crust is part of why they are so beloved. Three things can create a soggy fritter.
One possible reason your apple fritters are soggy is that you are not cooking them long enough. Be sure to cook the fritters until they are a nice, golden brown color. A second reason is overcrowding. Make sure you’re not overcrowding the pan when you’re cooking the fritters. If they are too close together, they will steam and become soggy. Lastly, the temperature of the oil is vital to making sure you get the crispy outside. Do not add the dough before the oil is hot, and also be careful to not overcrowd as that will reduce the temperature of the oil.
Apple fritters do not need to be stored in the refrigerator. You can store them at room temperature. When you store the fritters in the refrigerator they won't taste as fresh as they when they are first made. However, if you want them to last longer, refrigerating them will help. Just pop them into the oven or microwave to heat up before serving.
Apple fritters typically last for up to 3 days. By then, they are not tasting fresh and are usually stale even if you have stored them properly. Apple fritters will always taste best when they are first made
To help the apple fritters to last longer, if they go bad before you can finish them, you should place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and place them in the freezer. They are good for up to 3 months frozen. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave when you are ready to eat them.
If you like this easy recipe and want more beginner recipes to try you might also be interested in my latest cookbook release, The Complete Cookbook for Beginners. Tips, skills, and 101 recipes for the beginner cook to learn from!
More Apple Recipes
Apples are always on hand in our house, whether it is the fall apple season or the middle of the summer. So, apple desserts or breakfasts are a big part of our menu. Below are some more of my favorite apple recipes that you can make for your family. Make sure that you bookmark these, print out the recipes, or pin them to your favorite Pinterest board.
- Simple Crustless Apple Pies Recipe
- Apple Slab Pie Recipe with Flaky Homemade Crust
- Easy Apple Caramel Dessert Tortilla Wrap
- Baked Apples with Oatmeal Topping
📖 Recipe
Easy Homemade Apple Fritters
Forget the donut shop! Make your own delicious homemade apple fritters with just a few simple steps and pantry supplies!
Ingredients
For Fritters
- 3 apples, peeled - cored - diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of ginger
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Oil for frying
For Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons milk
Instructions
- Peel and core the apples then cut them into small pieces.
- Place the apple pieces into a bowl with lemon juice and toss them, then set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and the melted butter that has been cooled.
- Using another separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, and salt until combined nicely.
- Add the egg and milk mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients, and mix until a loose dough has formed.
- Then, fold in the chopped apples until nicely distributed.
- In a deep skillet, heat your preferred frying oil until it is at least 350°F.
- Drop scoops around ¼ cup of dough into the hot oil being careful to not overcrowd the pan.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning them over until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.
- While the fritters are cooking, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to create a glaze.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled fritters before serving.
Notes
Add more or less cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to your own preferred tastes.
Recommended Products
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HOTEC Premium Stainless Steel Locking Kitchen Tongs with Silicon Tips, Set of 2-9" and 12" -
Presto 06006 Kitchen Kettle Multi-Cooker/Steamer -
Plastic Measuring Cups and Spoons Set 14 Piece. Includes 11 Colorful Measuring Cups and Spoons Set and 3 Plastic Liquid Measuring Cups. Nesting Measuring Set for Space Saving Storage. Dishwasher-Safe -
Slitzer Germany 7-Piece Chef's Knife Set, Ergonomically Designed, Professional Grade Chef Knives, Great addition to any kitchen -
COOK WITH COLOR Plastic Mixing Bowls with Lids - 12 Piece Nesting Bowls Set includes 6 Prep Bowls and 6 Lids, Microwave Safe Mixing Bowl Set (Blue Ombre) -
OXO Good Grips Apple Corer,1 EA, Silver/Black
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 166Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 180mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 2gSugar: 18gProtein: 3g
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