These Apple Fritters are loaded with fresh apples and dipped in a sweet donut glaze. This scrumptious recipe is so easy to make and will surely brighten up your mornings.
If you love donuts, you should try these perfect air fryer donuts and old fashioned sour cream donuts.

Table Of Contents
Apple Fritters Recipe Details
I love these Apple Fritters because they are so fluffy and sweet, with a delicious fried outer layer. Dipped in a sugary glaze, they are melt-in-your-mouth amazing!
- Taste- Fresh apple pieces dusted in cinnamon and baked into a light batter, these fritters are finished with a deliciously sweet donut glaze.
- Texture- Their crisp fried outsides cover fluffy donut layers intermixed with bits of juicy apple.
- Ease- This recipe is so easy to follow with photos and clear directions, so you can enjoy homemade Apple Fritters at home anytime.
- Time- From start to finish, these Apple Fritters will take about 2 hours. You can also make them ahead to save time.
What You’ll Need
For the apple fritters
- Wet ingredients- Milk (2% or whole, warm), Granulated sugar, Lemon juice, Eggs, Unsalted butter (softened), and Oil (for frying)
- Dry ingredients- Dry active yeast, Cinnamon, All-purpose flour, and Salt
- Apples- medium-sized, any variety
For the glaze
How to Make Apple Fritters
- Froth the yeast. In a large measuring cup, add the warm milk and sugar. Stir, then add the yeast on top. Let it sit in a warm place for about 20 minutes or until it becomes foamy.
- Beat the eggs. In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs and then add them to the yeast mixture.
- Prep the apples. While waiting for the yeast, wash, peel, and dice the apples. Place them in a bowl and add the fresh lemon juice and ground cinnamon. Stir to combine and set aside.
- Mix in the flour and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour and salt, then mix in the yeast mixture using the paddle attachment.
- Add the butter and apples. Now add the softened butter and diced apples to the dough, and mix to combine.
- Let the dough rise. Cover the mixer bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place (I usually use the oven on the bread-proof cycle) for about 1 hour so the dough can rise.
- Heat the fry oil. Fill a heavy-bottomed pot with 1-2 inches of oil and bring the temperature to medium-high heat, about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Scoop up 1/4 cup of the dough and place it in the pot.
- Fry the apple fritters. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. Transfer the fritters to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Make the glaze. Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together in a bowl.
- Glaze the apple fritters. Once the fritters have cooled, use a slotted spoon to dip each one in the glaze until they are fully covered. Then place them on a cooling rack to let the glaze set.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overmix the dough- Only mix as much as you have to in order to combine the ingredients so that the apple fritters don’t become tough.
- Keep the frying oil at a consistent temperature- Use a candy thermometer in the oil to monitor the temperature and keep it at around 375 degrees. This will ensure the fritters cook just enough without burning.
- Don’t overcrowd the pot- This can cause the fritters to cook unevenly and drop the oil temperature drastically. I usually only do 4-5 at a time, but it depends on the size of your pot.
- Absorb excess oil after they’ve cooked- After the apple fritters have been fried, absorb the excess oil as they cool so they don’t become soggy and greasy.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute another fruit- Try this recipe with another fruit in place of the apples, such as strawberries, pineapple, or blueberries.
- Add a topping- Sprinkle some mini chocolate chips or sprinkles on top of the glaze while it’s still wet and hasn’t yet set.
- Try a different glaze- Instead of a traditional donut glaze, drizzle some Chocolate Ganache on top, a smear of preserves, or this Strawberry Jam.
- Change up the apple varieties- Try sweet Honeycrisps or tart Granny Smiths. There are dozens of apple types to choose from, so experiment!
FAQs
Apple fritters are doughnuts consisting of fried yeast dough and chopped apple chunks. They are typically then dipped in a doughnut glaze made with powdered sugar and milk.
I would not recommend baking this specific apple fritter recipe because it may be too runny. But if you prefer to enjoy apple fritters without frying, try this baked apple fritter recipe!
Serving Suggestions
This Apple Fritters recipe is so versatile, and it tastes delicious with breakfast, dessert, coffee, and more. Here are some ideas:
- Breakfast: Add an apple fritter to a breakfast of Bacon Mushroom Omelettes, Buttery Belgian Liege Waffles, or Crispy Breakfast Burritos.
- Dessert: As a sweet treat, these Apple Fritters are great with Coffee Chocolate Mousse or Lemon Pound Cake (VIDEO).
- Smoothies: Blueberry Smoothie Bowls and Mandarin Banana Smoothies are a cool accompaniment to these warm fritters.
- Coffee: A steaming mug of coffee or tea adds nice contrast to these sweet and fluffy treats. Try this Iced Caramel Macchiato or Caramel Frappuccino Recipe (Starbucks Copycat).
Make These Apple Fritters in Advance
Make ahead: You can prep these Apple Fritters by making the dough ahead of time and letting it sit in the fridge, covered, overnight. Take it out to rise and then add the apples and fry. The glaze can also be made ahead.
Storing: Store any leftover fritters in an airtight container or ziplock bag once they have cooled. They can stay at room temperature for about 2 days, or in the fridge for 1 week.
Freeze: Apple fritters freeze very well. Let them cool completely, then place them into a few gallon-size ziplock bags and close them tightly. Freeze for up to 2 month for best taste.
More Tasty Apple Desserts!
- Apple Strudel
- Baked Dulce De Leche Apples
- Apple Turnovers
- Homemade Apple Pie Recipe
- Cinnamon Apple Muffins Recipe (VIDEO)
Full Recipe Instructions
Apple Fritters
Ingredients
For the apple fritter dough
- 1 cup warm milk (2% or whole)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp dry active yeast
- 3 cups diced apples about 3 medium apples
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- Oil for frying
For the glaze
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 7 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large measuring cup or bowl combine 1 cup of warm milk and 3 tbsp of sugar. Then sprinkle 1 teaspoon yeast over top and let it sit in a warm place for about 20 minutes or until it becomes foamy.
- Meanwhile, wash, peel, and dice about 3 medium apples (use whichever kind you like). Once the apples are diced, add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon and stir to combine.
- In a separate bowl, lightly beat 2 eggs and add them to the milk and yeast mixture.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer add 3 cups of flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Then mix in the yeast mixture using the paddle attachment.
- Add 3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter and the chopped apples and mix to combine.
- Cover the mixer bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place for about 1 hour for the dough to rise. I usually place the dough in the oven on the bread-proof cycle.
- Fill a heavy-bottomed pot with 1-2 inches of corn oil and bring the temperature to medium-high heat (375 degrees Fº). Scoop 1/4 cup of the dough and place it in the pot.
- Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side of the fritter or until golden brown. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- In a bowl combine 4 cups of powdered sugar, 7 tbsp of milk, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract using a whisk. This will be the glaze.
- Once the fritters have cooled a little, dip the entire fritter into the glaze and transfer to a cooling rack using a slotted spoon.
Notes
- Can I bake them?
- How to make these in advance
- How to store apple fritters
Nutrition
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Ed says
When I print the recipe, it doesn’t give a temperature for medium high heat.
Dina says
Hi Ed the temperature should be 375 degrees Fº
K says
How did you make the cute holders for the
fritters?
Dina says
I just carefully folded some parchment paper and wrapped it around the apple fritter. I hope you give this recipe a try and love it! 🙂