Soft, tender apple-filled fritters with crisp golden edges and a sweet vanilla glaze. These are oven-baked rather than deep-fried, making them easy to prepare at home.

Ingredients — Makes about 10–12 fritters

Apple Fritter Batter

• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
• 1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) milk
• 2 tbsp (28 g) melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Glaze

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of cinnamon, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and finely dice the apples. Avoid making the pieces too large so they soften properly during baking.
3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Combine: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
6. Add apples: Gently fold the diced apples into the batter. The mixture should be thick and scoopable.
7. Shape: Drop approximately ¼ cup of batter per fritter onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each mound slightly with the back of a spoon.
8. Bake: Bake for 18–24 minutes, or until the fritters are golden brown around the edges and cooked through.
9. Optional extra browning: For a more golden top, place them under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
10. Cool: Let the fritters cool on the baking sheet for about 5–10 minutes.

🍯 Make the Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together until smooth. Add milk ½ teaspoon at a time if necessary until you reach a thick but pourable consistency.

Drizzle the glaze generously over the warm fritters.

For the appearance in the photo: Let the first layer of glaze set for a few minutes, then drizzle a second thin layer over the top.

Nutrition Information

Approximate values for 12 fritters with glaze; actual nutrition varies according to apple size, milk, and amount of glaze used.

Without glaze: approximately 155 calories, 27 g carbohydrates, 5 g fat, and 3 g protein per fritter.

Allergens

Contains:

• Wheat/gluten
• Egg
• Milk/dairy

This recipe contains no nuts, although cross-contact is possible depending on your ingredients and kitchen.

❓ Recipe Q&A

Can I use different apples?

Yes. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady, and Braeburn all work well. Granny Smith gives a more noticeable tart flavor, while sweeter apples produce a sweeter fritter.

Do I have to peel the apples?

No. You can leave the peel on, but peeling gives the fritters a softer, more uniform texture.

Why is my batter so thick?

Apple fritter batter should be thick and scoopable, not runny. If it seems unusually dry, add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time.

Why did my fritters spread?

The batter may be too wet. This can happen if the apples release a lot of juice. Add 1–2 tablespoons of flour to firm it up.

Can I make them without eggs?

Yes. Replace the egg with a suitable egg replacer or approximately ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce. The texture will be somewhat softer.

Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes. Use plant-based milk and dairy-free butter.

Can I use whole-wheat flour?

You can replace about ½ of the all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour. Using 100% whole wheat will make the fritters denser.

Can I add nuts?

Absolutely. Add ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch. If adding nuts, the nutrition information above will change.

Can I make them less sweet?

Yes. Reduce the batter sugar to ¼ cup and use less glaze—or skip the glaze entirely.

How do I store baked apple fritters?

Store cooled fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze them?

Yes. Freeze completely cooled, unglazed fritters in a freezer-safe container for up to about 2–3 months. Thaw and warm them in a 325°F (165°C) oven or air fryer, then glaze.

Can I make these in an air fryer?

Yes. Air-fry at approximately 350°F (175°C) for 10–14 minutes, checking toward the end. Cooking time varies by air fryer and fritter size.

How do I keep them from becoming dry?

Don’t overmix the batter and don’t overbake them. Remove them once the centers are cooked and the edges are golden.

Can I skip the glaze?

Definitely. They’re delicious plain, or you can dust them lightly with powdered sugar or brush them with a little melted butter and cinnamon sugar.

What gives them the best apple flavor?

Use fresh, flavorful apples and plenty of cinnamon, and dice the apples fairly small so every bite contains apple. A combination of one tart apple and one sweet apple is especially good.