Easy Baked Apple Fritters Recipe: Golden Sweet Treats at Home

Crispy, golden baked apple fritters dance with irresistible charm on dessert plates everywhere.

Sweet fruit chunks nestle perfectly within delicate pastry folds.

Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg create a nostalgic aroma that fills kitchens.

Homemade treats offer pure comfort without complicated techniques or professional skills.

Simple ingredients combine quickly for a delightful experience that feels like a warm hug.

Delicate yet satisfying, these fritters promise to delight anyone seeking a quick, delectable sweet bite.

You won’t believe how easily magic happens with just a few basic pantry staples.

Baked Apple Fritters You’ll Adore

• Craft Bakery-Style Treats: Transform your kitchen into a professional bakery with these homemade fritters that rival cafe-quality pastries.
• Customize with Fresh Ingredients: Choose seasonal apples and adjust spices to create a personalized dessert that reflects your taste preferences.
• Minimal Dishes, Maximum Flavor: Prepare these fritters using just a few mixing bowls and baking sheet, making cleanup a breeze while delivering delicious results.
• Smart Baking Technique: Combine baking and broiling methods to achieve a perfectly golden exterior and soft, tender interior without deep-frying.

Ingredients for Baked Apple Fritters

• All-Purpose Flour, White Whole Wheat Flour: Provide the base structure and texture for the fritters.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a rich, caramel-like flavor.
• Baking Powder: Helps the fritters rise and become light and fluffy.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice: Contribute warm, aromatic spices that complement the apple flavor.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the fritters.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Egg: Provides structure and helps the fritters hold their shape.
• Vanilla Extract: Offers a subtle, sweet flavor that enhances the other ingredients.

• Apples: Fresh chopped apples add natural sweetness and texture to the fritters.
• Cold Butter: Creates a flaky, tender texture when incorporated into the dry ingredients.
• Confectioners' Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Combine to make a smooth, sweet glaze that coats the fritters.

Step-by-Step Baked Apple Fritters Guide

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab a baking sheet and line it with a silicone mat that can handle the heat.

Step 2: Mix Dry Goodies

• All-purpose flour
• White whole wheat flour
• Brown sugar
• Baking powder
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Allspice
• Salt

Chop up cold butter into tiny cubes and work it into the dry mix until it looks like sandy crumbs.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a smaller bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and happy.

Step 4: Create Fritter Dough

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently – don’t go crazy mixing!

Softly fold in chopped apples.

Step 5: Shape the Fritters

Use a 1/4 cup measure to drop dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.

Want smaller fritters? Use a heaping tablespoon instead.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 11-13 minutes until the bottoms turn golden and centers look set.

Smaller fritters might need just 8 minutes.

Step 7: Broil for Extra Wow

Crank up the oven to broil after initial baking.

Step 8: Whip Up Glaze Magic

• Confectioners' sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

until silky smooth.

Step 9: First Glaze Splash

Brush a light layer of glaze over each fritter.

Pop them under the broiler for 2-4 minutes until tops look golden and glaze bubbles.

Step 10: Final Glaze Finish

Pull fritters out and place on a wire rack.

While still warm, add a second glaze coating.

Step 11: Serve with Joy

Let the glaze set for a few minutes.

Serve warm for maximum deliciousness.

Step 12: Keeping the Goodness

These fritters are best eaten the same day.

If you must store them, keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours.

Tips to Perfect Baked Apple Fritters

• Opt for crisp, firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to ensure the best texture and flavor in your fritters.
• Avoid overmixing the dough to keep the fritters tender and light, which prevents a dense, tough result.
• Adjust the glaze consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar to achieve your desired thickness and sweetness.
• Try spice variations by adding ginger or cardamom for a unique flavor profile that complements the apple base.
• Store leftover fritters in a single layer to maintain their crispness and prevent sogginess from stacking.

Variations to Refresh Baked Apple Fritters

• Gluten-Free Apple Fritters: Replace all-purpose and whole wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Apple Delight: Swap egg with flax egg, use plant-based milk, and replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine for a dairy-free version.
• Low-Sugar Apple Fritters: Substitute brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the classic apple fritter flavor profile.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Use almond flour instead of wheat flour, replace sugar with erythritol, and incorporate additional spices to enhance the low-carb apple fritter experience.

Perfect Pairings with Baked Apple Fritters

• Sip a spiced apple cider alongside these baked fritters to enhance the apple flavor and complement the warm, sweet notes of the dessert.
• Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream next to the fritters, creating a delightful temperature contrast and adding rich, smooth undertones.
• Enjoy a caramel macchiato to mirror the sweet glaze and provide a complementary coffee richness that balances the fritters' fruity sweetness.
• Brew a spiced chai latte that echoes the cinnamon and nutmeg in the fritters, offering a sophisticated and warming beverage pairing.

Storing Baked Apple Fritters Properly

• Refrigerate: Store cooled fritters in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture, keeping them fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap individual fritters tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag, storing for up to 2 weeks. Prevent freezer burn by removing excess air from the bag.
• Reheat Oven Method: Thaw frozen fritters at room temperature, then warm in a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through. Restore crispiness by placing on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Microwave Quick Warm: Heat refrigerated or thawed fritters for 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Avoid overheating to prevent becoming tough or rubbery.

FAQs

• Are the apples raw or cooked before adding to the fritter batter?

The apples are raw and chopped, added directly into the batter before baking. This helps maintain their fresh texture and natural sweetness during the baking process.

• Can I use different types of apples for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various apple varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. Choose apples that are firm and slightly tart to provide the best texture and flavor balance in the fritters.

• Why do I need to broil the fritters after baking?

Broiling helps create a caramelized, golden-brown top on the fritters and allows the glaze to bubble and set, giving them a professional bakery-style finish with enhanced flavor and appearance.

Baked Apple Fritters Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Golden, crispy french apple fritters bring homemade comfort straight from your kitchen. Warm spices and sweet apples create a delightful dessert you’ll savor with pure enjoyment.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large egg
• 1 cup finely chopped apples
• 6 tbsps butter (cold and cubed)
• 1/2 cup milk (preferably with high fat content)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tbsps milk (with a high percentage of fat for best results)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat, ensuring it can withstand broiler temperatures.

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, sifting together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt.

1. Cut cold butter into the dry mixture using a pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs.

1. In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, and vanilla extract until well blended.

1. Pour liquid ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring gently to create a cohesive dough. Fold chopped apples into the batter carefully to distribute evenly.

1. Drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet using a 1/4 cup measure or heaping tablespoon, spacing fritters slightly apart.

1. Bake for 11-13 minutes until bottoms turn golden and centers become firm. Smaller fritters may require 8-10 minutes of baking time.

1. Remove from oven and switch oven to broil setting.

1. Quickly whisk confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a smooth glaze.

1. Brush fritters with a thin layer of glaze, then place under the broiler for 2-4 minutes until tops caramelize and glaze bubbles.

1. Transfer fritters to a wire rack and apply a second glaze layer while still warm.

1. Allow glaze to set for 5-10 minutes before serving. For best taste, consume on the day of baking and store in an airtight container if needed.

Notes

• Keep butter extra cold for flakier, more tender fritters by chilling it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before cubing.
• Choose firm, tart baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to maintain structure and provide balanced sweetness during baking.
• Swap all-purpose and whole wheat flour with a gluten-free blend, adding 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.
• Replace milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk, and use coconut oil instead of butter for a lighter, plant-based version of the fritters.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 188 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 115 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg