This is the BEST Easy Apple Fritters Recipe for reals!! Pieces of delicious Granny Smith apples wrapped and fried in sugary dough will send your taste buds into food heaven!
Y’all can’t tell me nothing about apple fritters. For several fall seasons, I would eat my weight in them from a local doughnut shop in Chicago. I also got my fill of them when we would go apple picking because they would sell them there as well. The fact of the matter is I couldn’t get enough so I had to do myself a favor and learn how to make them myself. These are pretty fantastic if I do say so myself.
What Makes This Apple Fritter Recipe So Great
- Easy to make recipe.
- A great fall recipe everyone will love but believe me, this is bomb all year round.
- A fun way to use up some apples.
- Simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients you gotta have for this recipe. Be sure to see the full list and quantities in the recipe card.
- Apples: This recipe calls for the Granny Smith apple variety to be used because they are not very sweet and if you use a super sweet apple, then the fritters will be too sweet.
- Apple cider: Added to the fritters and the glaze to amp up the wonderful apple flavor in each and every bite.
- Vanilla: Balances all the flavors together and adds warmth.
- Fat: Use melted butter for the rich, buttery flavor it gives the fritters.
- Spices: We’re adding cinnamon and nutmeg which always help apples shine!
- Sugar: You will need granulated sugar for the fritters but use powdered sugar to make the glaze because it dissolves much more easily.
How to Make Apple Fritters
These fried fritters turn out with such a wonderful crunchy exterior and a tender doughy inside. The two textures are too legit together. Here’s how to make them yourself.
- Add all the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a large bowl and whisk to combine.
- Stir in the chopped apples.
- Mix together the cider, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl with a whisk.
- Pour the wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir until combined.
- Heat vegetable oil in a dutch oven or other large pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. Use a one-third cup measure to transfer heaping portions of the batter into the hot oil.
- Press each portion of batter lightly with the back of spoon to flatten it somewhat. Fry until golden brown this usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
- Remove them from the hot oil and place on a wire rack set inside rimmed baking sheet or on top of a paper towel to dry. Let the fritters cool for five minutes.
PRO TIP: Don’t overcrowd the pan! I found that for a regular sized Dutch oven you can cook about five fritters at a time. If the diameter of your pot is smaller you may need to cook fewer at a time.
- Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg in medium bowl until smooth.
- Spoon the glaze over the fritters and let set them for 10 minutes before serving.
- Once the glaze sets and becomes wonderful, your fritters are ready to serve.
How to Serve Fritters
Serve these up for a special brunch, holiday breakfast, or even for a simple weekend morning treat. They’re a great way to elevate this chorizo breakfast skillet or this easy breakfast casserole.
Skip the glaze and toss them in a paper bag with cinnamon sugar.
Expert Tips
- Make sure the apple pieces are chopped small enough. The smaller size allows them to cook up tender when they are fried.
- Bring the oil back to 350 degrees between batches. The temperature of the oil drops when food is added to the pot so it may need to reheat before you add more to the pot.
- Use a heavy pot to help the oil maintain its temperature more easily.
- Drain the apple fritters before adding the glaze. This ensures they aren’t overly greasy.
- Store leftovers at room temperature for up to three days.
- Maintain a uniform size of fritter so they cook evenly. I like to use a one-third measuring cup.
FAQs
‘The main difference is the shape. A donut is round with a hole in the middle while a fritter is more loosely shaped. Also, a fritter usually indicates fruit in a batter that is fried. In this case, the diced apples are coated in the batter before frying.
The main cause of soggy fritters is that the oil isn’t hot enough. Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature of your oil before cooking and give the oil time to reheat between each batch. A heavy-bottomed pan can also help the oil maintain its temperature.
More Fried Dough, Fritter and Donut Recipes
- Peach Fritters
- Pumpkin Cider Donuts
- Classic Funnel Cake Recipe
- New Orlean Beignets
- Pumpkin Fritters
- Banana Fritters
Easy Apple Fritters Recipe
Ingredients
For the Fritters
- 2 granny apples peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup apple cider
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Glaze
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Add all dry ingredients (flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg) in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Stir in apples.
- Next add wet ingredients (cider, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract) to a separate bowl and whisk together then pour mixture into dry ingredients and whisk until combined.
- Heat 3 cups of vegetable oil in dutch oven over medium-high heat to about 350 degrees. Use 1/3-cup measure to transfer 5 heaping portions of batter into the hot oil. Press batter lightly with the back of spoon to flatten somewhat. Fry until golden brown (about 2 to 3 minutes each side). Once all fritters are fried, remove fritters and transfer fritters to wire rack set inside rimmed baking sheet or to a paper towel to dry. Bring oil back to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining batter. Let fritters cool 5 minutes.
- Whisk together confectioners’ sugar, cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg in medium bowl until smooth. Spoon over fritters and let set for 10 minutes then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published October 2017. It has been updated with new content and images.
Amanda says
I love apple fritters and this is a must try, so delicious!
Sonya says
Wow, your pictures are mouth-watering! I originally found this recipe when I signed up for a free two week trial subscription to http://www.cookscountry.com, and just made these today….just wanted to vouch that these are AMAZING!!!!!!!! I admire that you gave it a try despite not digging apples; hey, at least you know what flavors you like and don’t 🙂 I do love apple desserts and this one was particularly wonderful.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Thanks so much Sonya! They are really yummy indeed!
Sonya says
You’re welcome! I’ve been thinking of making them again soon 🙂
Ragini Sharma says
Wow very testy fitters….would love to make it soon on t time.
Joint Replacement India
Grandbabycakes says
Thanks so much!
Kristen @ The Endless Meal says
Have you ever tried an apple picked from a tree? They’re super crunchy and juicy. I grew up on an orchard and for years couldn’t eat an apple bought in a store.
These apple fitters look so decedent. Will have to try them for sure!
Jean Luby says
Kristen you are so right!! The best apples are when ripe off the tree if not bought in stores early in Fall after that they lose their taste and all taste much the same. When using them for baking their flavor seems to revive. Also living in parts where only apples and oranges are available we don’t have much choice. when it comes to baking with fruit apples are the best!!
MzGunn says
How dare you disrespect apples in this manner?
glamah16 says
One of my favorite fruits and so versstile. This is one of my favorite ways to use them too.
The Duo Dishes says
Can’t believe you’re not into apples! Oh man. They are so good in desserts. These would be great with a bit of fresh cream. So good.
Sweet Treats 'n Good Eats says
I am a huge apple fan and these look fabulous! Nothing like grandma’s inspiration.
Jehan says
I totally am with you, I don’t like eating apples BUT I am a huge fan of apple desserts…weird I know. I would definitely gobble this up!