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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
- Grandma’s Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- Classic Kolaches
- Monkey Bread – From Scratch
- Orange Sweet Rolls
- Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread
- Homemade Blueberry Pop Tarts
- Apple Cider Doughnuts
- Jelly and Custard Doughnuts
- Best-Ever Homemade Churros
These are all amazing and instant family favorites. But, in the meantime, aren’t these gems calling your name?
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!
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!
Homemade Apple Fritters
Equipment
- Sturdy skillet for frying
- Thermometer for checking oil temperature
- Spider or metal spatula
Ingredients
- vegetable oil for frying
- 1¾ 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
- 1½ 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.