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
What is an apple fritter?
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.
Can I bake apple fritters?
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
Fluffy fried apple fritters with a homemade glaze. Better than a doughnut shop.
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Servings: 20 fritters
Calories: 259kcal
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
FAQs answered in the post above
- Can I bake them?
- How to make these in advance
- How to store apple fritters
Nutrition
Serving: 1apple fritter | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
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Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!
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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! 🙂
K says
Thanks for reply. Like the presentation. Have not found a tape that sticks to parchment so I guess the string is necessary & decorative. ✔️
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dina says
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
Carm Morelli says
Thankyou so much for the recipe 😘 I’ve been looking for this kind of recipe with the apples in it. Pinning for future
Dina says
I am so happy to hear you found this recipe Carm! Let me know how they turn out 🙂
Cassandra B says
Apple fritters are my favorite but I’m scared to try making them at home. Can you share a quick tip on peeling and dicing apples? I can’t seem to figure out a quick way to do this. I had a peeler/corer/slicer but it needs sharpened, and I can’t seem to get my peeler to work for apples. I’ve tried by hand but that is just one thing I’m not adept at in the kitchen 😅 any tips would be appreciated!
Dina says
Hi Cassandra, I myself have yet to master peeling apples or potatoes by hand. I heavily rely on my potato peeler for these matters. I wish I could be more helpful. I recommend getting a Cutco peeler. It has lasted me over 10 years and still going strong.
Tom says
Made these this morning and they were great. Easy to make and were perfect with coffee.
Dina says
Yay! Happy to hear you loved these apple fritters! Some coffee and apple fritters sound so delicious right now 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback, I really appreciate it! I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog 🙂
Jennifer Lougheed says
Wow. I made these this morning and shared a picture on Facebook. I have spent the entire day responding to comments. Definitely a winner
simplyhomecooked says
WOW, Jennifer that is awesome feedback! Thank you for sharing your kind recipe review 🙂 I really appreciate it!
Jen says
I’d like to freeze these before frying so they I can pull them out and fry when I want and they will be nice and warm. Do you think it will work to make them and freeze the dough?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Jen, I have never tried freezing this dough so I am not too sure how it would turn out. One alternative is to fry them then freeze them. Then when you want some you can cover them with a damp paper towel and warm them up in the microwave. Hope that helps 🙂
Marie Cook says
Would this dough work to chop it up and press it together like a doughnut shop fritter?
June says
Does it matter what kind of apple to use ?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi June, I used Gala apples. You can use whatever apples you like.
Brenna says
These look delicious and I am really looking to trying this recipe. What temperature should the oil be heated to?
None says
Consider a link that goes straight to the recipe. Ads upon ads upon popups really take away from your website. I can’t even see the dropdown list for recipes because it shows up UNDER AN AD.
simplyhomecooked says
If you click on the “jump to recipe” button at the top of the post, it will take you straight to the printable recipe card 🙂 I’m sorry you are having trouble with the ads. It costs a significant amount of money to publish these recipes. In order for me to keep it free for you, I rely on advertising to cover those expenses. I understand that you’ve experienced some frustration, but I will have to continue running those ads. I’ll try to keep them to a minimum. Thanks for understanding. Let me know if you have any more questions about the recipe.
Cynthia Salyers says
Do you fry or soften the apples before adding to flour mixture.
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Cynthia, no they are just raw diced apples 🙂 I hope you enjoy this apple fritter recipe!
Jen says
How do you reheat it from the freezer?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Jen, I’m assuming they are already fully baked fritters that were frozen. You will want to let them thaw out completely (either in a fridge or room temperature). Once thawed and soft then you can warm them up in an oven. I hope that helps. I hope you enjoy this apple fritter recipe 🙂
Viktoriya says
These are so yummy, thank you for an easy recipe. How to keep them crunchy longer and glaze not to get wet like?
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Viktoriya! You can try adding a little more powdered sugar to the glaze so it helps thicken it up. Thanks so much for your feedback 🙂
Lori says
Can I use vegetable oil instead of corn?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Lori, yes you can definitely substitute the corn oil for vegetable oil.
Caroline says
I tried making these today,,,,great taste and very fluffy. The only thing I’d change would be instead of dipping the fried fritters in the glaze, next time I will just drizzle the glaze on them. Way too much sugar and a lot of wasted glaze. Also, the fritters are so fluffy that it’s difficult to dip them as the recipe indicates. But the fritters were excellent!!!! Good job.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you for your feedback Caroline. Glad you enjoyed the taste 🙂
Petra Smith says
Great Recipe – I Have Total 16 Pieces Of Apple Fritters. They Are Fluffy & Yummy. My Husband Loves Them. Thank You So Much !
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you for the great review Petra! I’m happy your husband loves them. They’re one of my husband’s favorites at well 🙂
Adriana says
Very delicious! Thank you for the recipe, my whole family really liked them.
simplyhomecooked says
Yay! That’s awesome Adriana! Thank you for taking the time to write such kind words 🙂
Lisa says
Could you bake these instead of fry them?
simplyhomecooked says
Lisa, I’ve never tried baking them before. I don’t think baking the fritters will work because the dough is pretty runny. The dough will end up spreading out.
Alex says
I made these yesterday and they are absolutely delicious! Nice recipe, thank you so much for posting
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Alex! So happy you enjoyed them 🙂
Marina says
I have to make these!
Katy | Her Cup of Joy says
These look so delicious! I love fritters, my favorite type of doughnut along with the honey crullers 🙂
simplyhomecooked says
Honey crullers are so good! I haven’t had them is such along time. I might have to change that 😉