Homemade Apple Fritters

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If you love apples and if you love lightly fried sweet treats, these gems are for you.

There is just something so comforting about these light and airy treats. They are nothing short of amazing when served warm, but they are addictively delicious even at room temperature. These give our homemade cinnamon rolls a run for the money, and they could not be easier to prepare!

An overhead view of a pile of homemade apple fritters resting on a white circular serving platter.

How To Make Homemade Apple Fritters

 

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The Ingredients You Will Need

The ingredients for these fritters are very straightforward and many you’ll probably already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to grab:

Flour – All-purpose.
Baking powder – Check the date, and make sure it’s not too old.
Cinnamon – Quality ground cinnamon makes a big difference.
Salt – We use recommend Kosher.
Milk – Whole.
Egg – Lightly beaten.
Butter – Unsalted, melted.
Cubed apple – Go with your favorite. We love Honeycrisp and Red delicious. But, really, any variety will work.
Oil – Vegetable is perfect for frying.
Powdered sugar – Also known as ‘confectioners’ sugar.
Cider – Or apple juice, or just water.

EXPERT TIP: Be sure to peel the apple and core it. Then use a sharp knife to cut it into small, bite-sized cubes. It’s okay if they’re a little misshapen, but they should all be similar in size so they cook evenly. One apple typically will give you a cup of cubed apples.

A person transferring cubed chunks of fresh apple into a large glass bowl filled with an apple fritters batter.

Tips for Making Perfect Homemade Apple Fritters

Don’t Over-mix the Batter – The fritters batter will feel thick. This is normal. Stir until just combined. Stirring too much, or over-beating the batter will result in dense fritters.

Fry at the Correct Temperature – Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy skillet to about 350°F (175°C) for frying. This temperature ensures that the fritters cook through without absorbing too much oil, resulting in a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Fry in small batches to prevent overcrowding.

Don’t Forget the Glaze – The apple cider glaze adds a wonderful depth of flavor. If you have the time, you can simmer the cider over medium heat until it thickens a bit, then combine it with powdered sugar until the consistency of icing. Simmering is not 100% necessary, we usually just add enough cider to the sugar to reach the right consistency.

EXPERT TIP: Be sure to fry the fritters until they are a deep golden brown. Don’t add too much batter to the oil, otherwise, the fritters will be too big and possibly not cook all the way through. Consider frying a test fritter first, and then check the center before frying the rest. Don’t have your oil too hot, either. 350°F is perfect.

Two images with the first being a spoonful of apple fritters dough being dropped into a skillet filled with hot oil and then an image of the fried fritter being lifted from the oil with a metal spider.

How To Serve

We have to say that there is nothing much better than a warm apple fritter.

Allowing them to rest for at least 15 minutes after they’ve been glazed helps the glaze set and creates that classic coating that we all love so much.

These are perfect for a holiday breakfast or brunch, but they are also amazing as a dessert served with homemade vanilla ice cream!

They are also amazing when dunked into a mug of deliciously brewed coffee. This is a sweet treat lover’s dream come true!

A person lifting a freshly fried homemade apple fritter from a bowl filled with cider glaze with some of the glaze dripping from the fritter.

Other Delicious Sweet Breakfast Recipes to Try

We love all kinds of pastries, and these are some of our absolute favorites. We’re certain you and your loved ones as much as we do!

These are all amazing and instant family favorites. But, in the meantime, aren’t these gems calling your name?

A close-up view of a collection of homemade apple fritters resting on a baking rack with drips of cider glaze dripping from the freshly fried fritters.

These lightly fried balls of apple and cinnamon yumminess conjure wonderful memories for so many of us.

We loved seeing them piled high under a glass dome at diners across the country.

But, trust us, there is nothing better than when you bite into one that was made from scratch, in your very own kitchen.

Every bite is fried fruit dough perfection!

A close-up view of an apple fritter that has been broken in half so the interior is visible including small chunks of cubed apples.

Ready to make the best fritter this side of Washington State? Go for it!

And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!

An overhead view of a pile of homemade apple fritters resting on a white circular serving platter.

Homemade Apple Fritters

These lightly fried gems are delicious all year long, but they are extra special during the fall months when apples are in season. These are delicious whne served warm or at room temperature.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast / Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy apple fritters recipe, how to make apple fritters
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Resting time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 353kcal

Equipment

  • Sturdy skillet for frying
  • Thermometer for checking oil temperature
  • Spider or metal spatula

Ingredients

  • vegetable oil for frying
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • cups apple peeled, cored, and cubed
  • 1 cup confectioner's sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider or more, as needed

Instructions

  • Add enough oil to a large sturdy skillet to fill it about half way. The oil should be at least an inch deep, but at least an inch of the side of the skillet should remain without oil. Heat the oil to 350°F.
    vegetable oil
  • In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
    1¾ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp Kosher salt
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and melted butter (cooled a bit) until combined.
    ½ cup whole milk, 1 large egg, 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a large wooden spoon or spatula. Continue adding the flour mixture until fully combined. Gently fold in the cubed apples.
    1½ cups apple
  • Working in batches, carefully drop a spoonful of dough into the hot oil. Repeat until you've added about 4 to 5 fritters. Fry until golden, flipping halfway through, usually about 3 to 4 minutes. Use a spider or metal spatula to lift the fritters from the oil and onto a board lined with paper towels. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  • Add the confectioner's sugar to a wide, shallow bowl. Add the apple cider and stir until combined and the consistency is like heavy cream. If too thick, add a little more cider, if too thin, add a little more sugar.
    1 cup confectioner's sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider
  • One by one, dip the tops of each fritter into the glaze. Place the fritter on a baking rack and let rest for 5 minutes. If you have extra glaze, dip the fritters a second time. Serve at once or store in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance. If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel
Use whatever is your favorite apple. We used Honeycrisp, but any variety will work. Typically, you'll need just 1 apple (peeled, cored, and cubed) for this recipe. 
These will keep on the counter (covered) for up to a week. Reheat in the microwave, if desired, or serve at room temperature. 

Nutrition

Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 257mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 212IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 2mg
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