These sweet and crispy apple fritter bites are the perfect weekend breakfast treat. They taste just like the ones you’d get at your favorite bakery, but you can make them at home with minimal effort. Honestly, these apple fritters are so good they’ll be gone in seconds.
Because the batter is mixed in only one bowl, they cook up in a flash. You’ll find the cinnamon-spiced apples suspended inside of a light, fluffy dough that puffs up nicely in the pan. This is the perfect cure for those chilly Saturday mornings when you want to make something special for your family.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
I know you’re going to fall in love with the texture of these fritters. When the dough hits the hot oil, it becomes nice and crispy on the outside while remaining soft and pillowy on the inside. You’ll find tender chunks of apple inside, while the sweet powdered sugar glaze gives them a nice crunch on the outside.
I think the best part about this recipe is that it’s so much fun to make on a lazy weekend morning. Since these apple fritters are smaller than typical doughnuts, there is no worrying if they are cooked all the way through. It’s such a comforting baking recipe that will fill your house with the warm scent of fall.
The Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these sweet fritters: fresh apples, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, salt, milk, large eggs, vanilla extract, vegetable oil, and powdered sugar.
Fresh Apples
Fresh apples are the star of this recipe, adding a deliciously tart flavor to each bite. Peel and dice the apples into tiny pieces, so they cook faster as the dough cooks. Granny smith apples work the best because their tanginess offsets the sweetness of the glaze, but honeycrisp or fuji apples also work well.
Ground Cinnamon
Cinnamon adds the nostalgic flavor that makes these fritters taste like they came from your favorite bakery. It adds a warm, spicy flavor to the dough that complements the sweet and tart apples. If you want to take the flavor to the next level, substitute apple pie spice for a more complex flavor.
Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar is the main ingredient in the simple vanilla glaze that you drizzle over the fritters at the end. When it’s whisked with just a splash of milk, it makes a silky smooth, shiny coating that dries into a pretty little crust. Be sure to sift it if there’s any clumps or you’ll have dry sugar lumps in your glaze.
How to Make It
Here is how easy these sugary, caramel-colored apple fritter bites are to put together.
Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla and mix until the wet and dry ingredients are thoroughly incorporated into a thick batter.
Fold in the Apples
Using a rubber spatula, gently mix the finely chopped apples into the batter. Make sure to distribute them evenly so each bite of fritter contains lots of apple pieces.
Heat the Oil
Pour approximately 2 inches of vegetable oil into a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven and bring it to 350°F. Using a thermometer is essential to ensure the oil reaches the correct temperature before adding the fritter bites.
Fry the Bites
Scoop heaping spoonfuls of batter into the oil. Do not add too many at once or they will not cook properly. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes per side until puffed and golden brown.
Glaze and Serve
Remove the cooked bites from the oil and place them on a wire cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain. Mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together and drizzle over the warm fritter bites.
My Best Tips for Success
Make sure your apples are cut into very small pieces (the size of a green pea). If they’re cut too large, the fritters won’t hold together in the oil. And smaller pieces will help them cook more thoroughly during the brief cooking time.
Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the oil throughout the cooking process. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the fritters will absorb way too much oil and be super greasy and heavy. If the oil is too hot, the outside of the fritter bites will burn before the inside has a chance to cook.
Wait just a couple of minutes before adding the glaze to the warm fritters. If you try to glaze them immediately, the glaze will melt right off the fritter bites. Waiting a bit allows the glaze to harden on top and form a nice crunchy crust.
Easy Homemade Apple Fritter Bites Recipe
Equipment
- Heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- Deep fry thermometer
- Large mixing bowl
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredients
For the Fritters:
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups Granny Smith apples peeled and finely diced
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Fill a heavy bottomed pot with about 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat over medium heat until a deep fry thermometer reaches 350°F (175°C).
- While the oil is heating, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the milk, eggs and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and stir until combined to form a thick batter.
- Fold in the finely diced apples using a rubber spatula until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil, frying 4 to 5 bites at a time so as not to overcrowd the pot.
- Fry for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, turning once, until they are puffy and golden brown all over.
- Remove the fritters from the oil with a slotted spoon or spider strainer and place on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Drizzle the sweet glaze generously over the warm fritter bites and let sit for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Storage and Reheating
- To Store: Let the glazed fritters cool completely, then store loosely covered at room temperature for up to two days.
- To Freeze: The unglazed fritter bites can be frozen in an airtight container for up to two months. Glaze after reheating.
- To Reheat: Place the leftover fritters in a 350°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes to re-crisp the outside.
What to Serve with These Fritter Bites
- A giant cup of hot dark roast coffee or a sweet cup of chai latte.
- Thick cut oven baked bacon for a sweet and salty combination.
- A refreshing and colorful bowl of fruit salad.
- A big glass of cold milk for a childhood favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Frying these makes them more like actual donuts, but if you would prefer to bake them, grease a mini muffin tin and bake them at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes. They will be more like muffins, but still tasty!
What kind of oil is best for frying?
The best oil to fry these in is one with a high smoke point and neutral flavor so the sweetness of the apples isn’t overpowered. Vegetable oil, canola oil, or even peanut oil are all great for this recipe.
Why are my fritters raw in the middle?
If your fritters are cooked on the outside but doughy in the center, it means the oil was too hot. Lower the temperature a bit and make sure you aren’t putting too much batter in the pan each time.
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