Crispy Cinnamon Apple Fritters

Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

Making these apple fritters is a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. Follow these detailed steps to create your own batch of delightful homemade donuts. For a complete list of ingredients and precise measurements, please refer to the recipe card further down this page.

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together all the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice. Ensure there are no lumps and the spices are evenly distributed.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: applesauce, milk (or cream/half & half), melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined and smooth.
3. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet ingredients bowl. Stir gently with a whisk or wooden spoon until a thick, cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough fritters. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
4. Fold in Apples: Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the diced apples into the batter until they are evenly distributed.

5. Heat Oil: In a sturdy Dutch oven or other large, heavy-bottomed pot, pour about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 325°F (160°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test a small drop of batter; it should sizzle immediately and turn golden brown within 30 seconds. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet near your frying station to catch any excess oil.
6. Fry the Fritters: Using two large tablespoons, carefully scoop generous spoonfuls of the apple fritter batter and gently lower them into the hot oil. You can slightly flatten them into a disc shape with one spoon while holding the batter with the other, or simply drop them in. Fry 3-4 fritters at a time, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, which can lower the oil temperature.
7. Cook Until Golden: Fry the donuts for about 2-4 minutes on each side, or until they achieve a beautiful golden brown and crispy exterior. The precise cooking time will depend on the size of your fritters and the oil temperature.
8. Drain and Cool: Once perfectly golden, use a kitchen spider or a slotted spoon to carefully lift the fritters from the hot oil, allowing any excess oil to drip back into the pot. Transfer the fried donuts to the prepared wire rack over the baking sheet to cool slightly and drain further. Continue this process with the remaining batter.

Making the Cinnamon Glaze

1. Prepare the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and heavy cream (or milk). Continue whisking until the glaze is completely smooth, with no powdered sugar clumps remaining. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk a teaspoon at a time until it reaches a pourable consistency. If it’s too thin, whisk in a tablespoon of powdered sugar until desired thickness is achieved.
2. Glaze the Fritters: While the fritters are still warm (but not piping hot), you have two options for glazing. You can gently dip one side of each fritter into the glaze, or simply use a spoon to generously drizzle the glaze over the tops of the donuts as they rest on the wire rack. The baking sheet below will catch any drips, making cleanup easy.
3. Serve Immediately: For the best experience, serve these glorious apple fritters warm, allowing the glaze to set just slightly.

To ensure your apple fritters turn out perfectly every time, here are some additional cooking tips and answers to frequently asked questions:

• Uniform Apple Dicing: It is essential to dice your apples into small, uniform cubes (approximately ¼ to ½ inch). This ensures that all apple pieces cook through at the same rate and the fritters have a consistent texture throughout. Larger or uneven pieces can lead to undercooked apples or a lumpy batter.
• Applesauce Substitution: If you prefer not to use applesauce, or simply don’t have it on hand, you can substitute it with two large eggs at room temperature. The eggs will provide a similar binding effect for the batter.
• Oil Temperature is Key: Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial for perfectly fried fritters. Use a candy thermometer or deep-fry thermometer to monitor the oil. Aim for a temperature range between 325°F and 350°F (160°C-175°C). Starting the frying process around 325°F is ideal. If the oil is too cool, the fritters will absorb too much oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, they’ll brown too quickly on the outside, leaving the inside raw.
• Safe Frying Practices: Always exercise caution when working with hot oil. Slowly and gently lower spoonfuls of batter into the oil to prevent splashes. Keep a splatter screen nearby and never leave hot oil unattended.
• Consistent Fritter Size: Try to make each apple fritter roughly the same size. This consistency ensures that they all fry evenly and are ready at approximately the same time, giving you a batch of uniformly delicious treats.
• Avoid Crowding the Pan: It’s tempting to try and fry many fritters at once, but resist the urge to overcrowd your Dutch oven or pot. Overcrowding significantly drops the oil temperature, leading to greasy, soggy fritters that don’t brown properly. Fry in batches, allowing ample space around each fritter to ensure even cooking and a beautiful golden crust.
• Alternative Topping: If you’re not a fan of glaze, or simply prefer a lighter option, you can sprinkle powdered sugar generously over the hot fritters immediately after taking them out of the oil. This creates a delicate, sweet coating that melts slightly into the warm donut.

Delightful Serving Ideas

These homemade apple fritter donuts are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed at almost any time of day. Whether you’re planning a morning feast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a sweet ending to a meal, they are guaranteed to be a hit.

For breakfast or brunch, these fritters are a standout. We love serving them as the star of a beautifully arranged brunch board, alongside fresh fruit, cheeses, and charcuterie. Pair them with a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a selection of fine teas for a truly elegant spread.

Elevate your brunch experience further by offering some fun and festive brunch cocktails. Consider vibrant Raspberry Mimosas, refreshing Watermelon Mimosas, sophisticated Raspberry Bellinis, or bubbly Champagne Float Cocktails. The sweet and fruity notes of these drinks perfectly complement the spiced apple fritters.

Beyond being the main attraction, apple fritters are also awesome when served with other sweet and savory breakfast dishes. Imagine them alongside fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a hearty breakfast casserole to create a complete and satisfying meal. Their sweetness provides a wonderful contrast to savory proteins.

Or, why not create an ultimate donut bar? These Apple Fritters can be the cornerstone of a diverse selection, accompanied by unique flavors like Ube Donuts, quick and easy Air Fryer Donuts, and classic Cinnamon Sugar Donuts. This allows guests to sample a variety of textures and tastes, making for a truly memorable culinary event.

Recommended Kitchen Tools and Equipment

To make this easy and delicious apple fritter recipe, you’ll need a few standard kitchen tools. Having the right equipment can make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what we recommend:

• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need three bowls for this recipe: one large bowl for whisking the dry ingredients, another large bowl for combining the wet ingredients, and a medium or small bowl for preparing the cinnamon glaze.
• Whisk and Spatula: A sturdy whisk is essential for thoroughly combining both the dry and wet ingredients separately, and for making a smooth glaze. A silicone spatula or a wooden spoon will be perfect for gently folding in the diced apples without overmixing the batter.
• Dutch Oven or Heavy-Bottomed Pot: For frying, a Dutch oven (such as a 4-quart Staub Cocotte) is ideal due to its heavy construction which helps maintain a consistent oil temperature. If you don’t have one, any large pot with a thick, heavy bottom will work effectively for safely heating the frying oil.
• Cooking Spider or Slotted Spoon: A cooking spider (a round, mesh-like utensil) or a large slotted spoon is perfect for safely lowering the batter into the hot oil and for carefully lifting the cooked fritters out, allowing excess oil to drain.
• Wire Rack and Baking Sheet: You’ll need a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. This setup is crucial for two stages: first, to allow the freshly fried fritters to drain excess oil, and second, for placing the glazed donuts to catch any drips of excess glaze, ensuring a neat and tidy result.
• Deep-Fry Thermometer: While not strictly required if you’re experienced with frying, a candy or deep-fry thermometer is highly recommended to accurately monitor the oil temperature. This helps prevent greasy fritters (oil too cool) or burnt exteriors with raw insides (oil too hot), ensuring perfectly cooked results.

Discover More Delicious Apple Recipes

If you love the warm, comforting flavors of apple, you’ll adore these other delightful recipes perfect for any season!

Did you enjoy making this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below, and if you truly loved it, please share your thoughts in a comment further down on the page. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Classic Apple Fritter Donut Recipe

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars from 8 votes

By Marlynn Schotland

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Servings: 15 donuts

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These spiced apple fritters are full of warm fall flavors and topped with a cinnamon glaze.

Equipment

• 1 Dutch Oven
• 1 cooking spider or slotted spoon

Ingredients

• 2 green apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 1½ cups diced apples)
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ cup applesauce
• ⅔ cup milk (or half & half/heavy cream)
• 3 Tablespoons melted butter (unsalted recommended)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• vegetable oil for frying

Cinnamon Glaze

• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup milk or cream

Instructions

Make the Donut Batter

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until well combined.
2. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until the ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, gently fold in the diced apple pieces.

Fry the Donuts

1. Heat a Dutch oven or other large deep pot with about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 325°F (160°C). Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and set aside to drain cooked fritters.
2. Using two tablespoons, gently scoop heaping spoonfuls of the batter and carefully lower them into the hot oil. You can slightly flatten them into a disc-like shape.
3. Repeat until you have 3-4 fritters frying at a time. Take care not to overcrowd the pan, as this can lower the oil temperature and result in greasy fritters.
4. Once the bottoms of each fritter begin to brown (after about 2-3 minutes), carefully flip them over with a slotted spoon or cooking spider.
5. Fry until both sides are golden brown and crispy, which takes approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
6. Using a slotted spoon or cooking spider, gently lift each cooked fritter out of the hot oil, allowing excess oil to drip back into the Dutch oven. Place the fritters onto the prepared wire rack to cool slightly and drain further.
7. Continue frying the remaining batter in batches. This recipe makes approximately 15 fritters, assuming each fritter is about 3 inches wide.

Glaze the Donuts

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and milk (or cream) to create the glaze. If the glaze is too thick, add more milk one teaspoon at a time until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. If it’s too thin, whisk in about one tablespoon of powdered sugar until the glaze reaches your desired thickness.
2. Carefully dip the slightly cooled fried fritters (one side at a time) into the glaze, then place them back on the wire rack so any excess glaze can drip off into the baking sheet below. Alternatively, you can use a spoon to drizzle the glaze generously over the tops of the donuts.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, sweet, and spiced goodness!

Notes

Yields: Approximately 15 donuts.

Make it Dairy-Free: To make these fritters dairy-free, simply substitute almond milk (or your preferred plant-based milk) for the regular milk in both the batter and the glaze. For the melted butter in the batter, use a high-quality vegan butter substitute.

Storage: Store leftover apple fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For optimal freshness and texture, consume within the first two days.

To Reheat: For the best results, reheat apple fritters in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 1-2 minutes, or until they are heated through and regain some crispness. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but be aware that they may become softer and lose their exterior crunch.

Nutrition

Calories: 167kcal,
Carbohydrates: 33g,
Protein: 3g,
Fat: 3g,
Saturated Fat: 2g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 1g,
Trans Fat: 0.1g,
Cholesterol: 8mg,
Sodium: 159mg,
Potassium: 78mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 17g,
Vitamin A: 111IU,
Vitamin C: 1mg,
Calcium: 58mg,
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. It may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

This beloved family recipe was originally shared on August 28, 2015, and has since been thoughtfully updated and republished on September 22, 2023, to bring you the very best version.