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 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.
Ingredients
For the Apple Fritters:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅔ 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)
- ½ 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 ¼ to ½ 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'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!
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_harvestwith your delicious creation!
Apple Fritters Recipe - Easy Homemade Old Fashioned Donut
Yield: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
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
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅔ 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)
- ½ 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 ¼ to ½ 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 ¼ to ½ 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.
Did you make this recipe?
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Let me know what you think!
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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 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 ¼ to ½ 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.
