Description
These baked apple fritters are a delicious and easy treat featuring tender apples spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, enveloped in a light, fluffy batter, then fried to golden perfection and optionally drizzled with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, they bring a comforting and flavorful taste of autumn to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Apple Mixture
- 4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Batter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, cooled slightly
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Frying
- Vegetable oil or canola oil, about 3-4 cups for frying
For the Glaze (Optional)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and lemon juice. Gently toss them until the apples are evenly coated with the spices and sugar. Set this mixture aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Make the Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the large egg, milk, melted butter (cooled slightly), and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and gently stir together just until combined. It’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy; overmixing can make the fritters tough.
- Incorporate Apples: Carefully fold the spiced apple pieces into the batter, ensuring the apples are evenly distributed without breaking them up too much.
- Prepare Oil for Frying: Pour vegetable or canola oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer until it’s deep enough to submerge the fritters (approximately 3-4 cups). Heat the oil over medium heat to 350°F (175°C), using a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature precisely.
- Fry the Fritters: Once the oil reaches the correct temperature, drop spoonfuls of the apple batter carefully into the hot oil, frying in batches of 3-4 fritters to avoid overcrowding. Fry each fritter for about 2-3 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Use a slotted spoon or spider to flip them gently.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the fried fritters from the oil and transfer them to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain and keep the fritters crispy.
- Repeat Frying: Continue frying the remaining batter in batches, maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F to ensure consistent cooking and crispiness.
- Make the Glaze (Optional): In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add milk gradually, one tablespoon at a time, to reach a glaze consistency that is thick enough to coat the fritters but thin enough to drizzle.
- Serve: Drizzle the glaze over warm fritters if desired, and serve immediately for optimal freshness and flavor. Enjoy your delicious apple fritters fresh out of the fryer!
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance with the sweetness of the batter and glaze.
- Maintain the oil temperature carefully to avoid greasy fritters or burnt outsides with undercooked centers.
- Do not overcrowd the frying pot to preserve oil temperature and allow even cooking.
- Let the fritters drain well on a wire rack with paper towels to keep them crispy.
- The glaze is optional but adds a lovely sweet finish to the fritters.
- These fritters are best enjoyed fresh to retain their crispiness and tender interior.
