Easy Old-Fashioned Apple Fritters
These Easy Old Fashioned Apple Fritters are full of flavor and made with simple ingredients. They are easy to make and ready in minutes. A simple and sweet dough filled with chunks of apples, cinnamon, and sugar. They are fried to a golden brown with soft and warm insides, and the powdered sugar glaze is the finishing touch. These are sure to be a family favorite.
With fall just around the corner, I long for the crisp air and the breathtaking kaleidoscope of colors. The once-green summer leaves change to red, orange, and gold, and we are given a gentle nudge to embrace the change of the season and the sights and flavors around us.
Apples enter the spotlight, taking center stage and claiming their role as the fall’s shining stars. Apple orchards open and invite families to partake in apple picking, and farmers’ markets overflow with many varieties nature offers. Whether you prefer sweet, tart, crunchy, or tender apples, each bite reminds you to slow down, enjoy the season, and bid farewell to summer.
One of my favorite things to do in the fall is to make and eat apple desserts. Easy Apple Dumplings and Carrot Apple Salad are two apple dishes we enjoy. In my home, apples are transformed and enjoyed mostly in warm desserts, especially apple fritters. Apple fritters are a delightful treat made by deep frying diced apples coated in a slightly sweet batter. They are made with simple ingredients and fried until golden brown and crispy. Then, a sweet powdered sugar glaze is drizzled over the top, creating the perfect bite.
Why This Recipe Works
- This apple fritter recipe is always satisfying; there are never any leftovers. They are often enjoyed as a dessert or snack, bringing the perfect balance of warm apples and deep-fried dough. Fliping apples into fritters brings all the aromas of fall into your kitchen, creating a cozy nostalgia. Plus, they are easy to mix and fry. This recipe perfectly balances fresh apples, cinnamon sugar, and fritter dough.
- This recipe allows for versatility. You can add more warm seasonings, adjust the batter thickness, and use a variety of apples to suit your preferences. Enjoy them in the morning with coffee or a glass of milk in the evening. They are sure to become a new family favorite. You can experiment with different apples, spices, and toppings to give these apple fritters your twist. This recipe is fantastic for their taste and brings warmth and joy to all who enjoy it.
Why Should I Make Apple Fritters
Apple Fritters are delightful and bring a smile to all who indulge. It’s not just about making a delicious treat; it’s about embracing the season. Apples are at their peak of flavor and the perfect time to welcome in fall.
This easy recipe is very versatile. Enjoy as a snack, dessert, or a breakfast treat.
There is something satisfying about creating homemade goodness. When you make a dessert from scratch, you can control the ingredients. Share with loved ones and guests. They make an excellent addition to celebrations and gatherings.
Ingredients Needed for Easy Homemade Apple Fritters
Making homemade apple fritters is easier than you might imagine. With just a few simple ingredients, you, too, can have a fantastic dessert for your family. For the full recipe and list of ingredients, see the printable recipe card below.
Batter Ingredients:
- All-Purpose Flour – Flour serves as the foundation for the batter.
- Sugar – For the batter, I use granulated sugar.
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon gives these fritters a warmth and aromatic notes complimenting the apples.
- Applesauce – I use unsweetened applesauce. If you prefer sweetened, use that instead. It moistens and adds to the apple flavor.
- Milk – I use whole milk, but any kind will work.
- Vanilla – Don’t skimp on the vanilla. It enhances the overall taste.
- Egg – A binding agent that holds the fritters together and adds richness.
- Apples – You will need 2 large apples. I use Fuji and Granny Smith most of the time.
- Vegetable Oil – For frying the batter.
Glaze Ingredients:
This vanilla glaze is versatile and great for other desserts.
- Powdered Sugar – Powdered sugar is also known as confectioner sugar. It is often used in desserts and adds a finishing touch.
- Milk
- Vanilla
How To Make Old-Fashioned Apple Fritters
The batter is thick and full of fresh apple chunks in every bite. I recommend having everything mixed and ready before you begin. This recipe moves quickly and only takes minutes for each batch to fry. Have your batter, paper towel-lined dish, and cooling rack ready. Mix the glaze ingredients.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, stir all dry ingredients until combined.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
Add Diced Apples: Add 2 diced apples to the mix and fold them into the batter.
Fry: Heat oil over medium heat (medium-high heat) to 375 degrees and drop batter into oil. Fry on one side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and then flip. Fry for another minute or two.
Cool and Glaze: Allow the fritters to cool slightly, then dip or drizzle the glaze on top of each fritter. Allow to sit for a few minutes for the glaze to harden slightly.
Can You Bake Apple Fritters
Although there are a lot of great baked apple fritter recipes out there, this recipe needs to be fried. The batter is designed to drop into hot oil and fry up crispy fritters. You will be disappointed with the outcome if you bake them.
The Best Apples for Freshly Made Apple Fritters
Apples are fantastic for dessert recipes, and I have found several that work great for this apple fritter recipe. A few of my favorites are Honeycrisp apples, Granny Smith apples, and Fuji apples. Of course, use your favorites and experiment for the best outcome. They are all delicious apples to me.
Recipe Tips and Variations for Easy Apple Fritters Recipe
Recipe Tips:
Recipe Variations:
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Although you can make these fritters beforehand, they are better if you make them right before serving. After frying, allow them to cool and then refrigerate. Don’t add the glaze if you want to make some beforehand. Wait to add the simple powdered sugar glaze after you have reheated the fritters in the microwave or oven.
How to Store Leftover Apple Fritters?
Allow the fritters to cool to room temperature, place them into an airtight container, and then put them into the refrigerator. To reheat: Place on a microwave-safe plate and heat for about 20 seconds or until warm. To reheat in the oven: Place fritters on a baking sheet and heat at 350 degrees until warm. The glaze will run off the fritters as they heat in the oven. Reglaze after they are warm.
FAQs
Apple fritters are a delightful treat made by mixing diced apples in a thick batter and then frying until golden brown. They are enjoyed year-round, but particularly during the fall. Homemade apple fritters are just as good, if not better, than the ones you might find at a donut shop.
Yes, you can use various types of apples to make apple fritters. Some popular choices might be Granny Smith (tart), Honeycrisp (sweet), and Fuji (balanced flavor).
Cinnamon is a popular spice used in most apple fritter recipes. You can also add some nutmeg or allspice to customize the flavors.
More Delicious Desserts
Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Easy Old Fashioned Apple Fritters
Ingredients
Batter Ingredients:
- 1½ cups all purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon ground
- ½ cup applesauce unsweetened
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 large apples peeled and diced.
- vegetable oil
Glaze Ingredients:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4-5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
- Add applesauce, milk, vanilla, and egg to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Fold in the diced apples.
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a large skillet to about 375 degrees.
- Scoop 1/3 cup of the apple fritter batter and place it in the hot oil, spreading it to flatten slightly.
- Cook on one side for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes.
- Place the cooked fritters on a cooling rack with parchment paper underneath to catch the oil and powdered sugar glaze.
- Continue until you use all of the batter.
Glaze Instructions
- Whisk the glaze ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl until smooth.
- Dip or drizzle each fritter into the powdered sugar.
- Place back on the rack to harden and drip.
I added a drizzle of caramel sauce to these fritters, and it was a game-changer. Irresistible!
These look so delicious!
Hi Tami! Thank you! They are simple and delish!