This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
My apple fritters recipe will never let you down. I tested every part of this recipe, down to the size of the chopped apples, until it was not only perfect in flavor and texture, but foolproof even for the most inexperienced home cook.
You will love this recipe for Apple Fritters!
Just the thought of eating warm apple fritters, or even just smelling them, makes my mouth water. But apple fritters can get ruined easily, if the apples come out too hard (or too soft) or the dough isn’t cooked right. That’s why I dedicated focused time and attention to perfecting my apple fritter recipe.
I wanted to be sure that I considered every element and step for the best possible fritters, and I did it! These come out with just enough crisp on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside, with tons of apple flavor and just the right amount of cinnamon.
To get it right, I experimented with the apple size first. I found that making them smaller (½ inch by ½ inch) helps the apples to soften while frying, and allows the dough around them to cook properly (and not turn out doughy).
I did find that using a candy thermometer (or deep fry thermometer) is key for this recipe because it is critical to know the exact temperature of the oil. This allows you to cook the fritter correctly, inside and out.
Drizzled with a simple glaze, these fritters are the definition of “finger-licking good”. Keep reading for all my best tips!
What is an apple fritter?
An apple fritter is a pastry (some consider it a donut) made by folding pieces of diced or sliced apples into a batter, which is then deep-fried to a golden brown in hot oil. The fritter is often sweetened with cinnamon sugar, and sometimes drizzled with a glaze for extra sweetness.
Homemade Apple Fritters Ingredients
You may be surprised to know that these tasty little pastries are made with basic ingredients. Get the full recipe with measurements and instructions in the recipe card below. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Apples: I recommend Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady.
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Milk
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil: for frying
Glaze
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
How to make Apple Fritters
These are perfect for apple picking season, but honestly, they are one of my favorite things to make year-round. Once you see how easy it is to make your own fried apple fritters at home, you’ll never go back to storebought! Here are the simple steps to fritter perfection:
- Prep apples. Peel and finely dice the apples into ½ inch x ½ inch pieces. Set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients, then combine with dry ingredients. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and diced apples to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Heat oil. Begin by heating 1 ½ inches of oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat until it reaches 375°F (190.5°C). I recommend a candy or deep fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- Prep cooling rack. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and place a wire rack on top of the towels.
- Begin frying fritters. When the oil reaches temperature, carefully drop ¼ cup dollops of batter into the oil. I recommend 3-4 fritters at a time. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, approximately 2 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until the other side is also golden brown, about 2 more minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or tongs and transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining apple fritter batter, increasing the heat as needed to maintain the temperature at 375ºF. If the temperature is too low. Maintaining a frying temperature of 375°F ensures the fritters cook evenly, with a golden, crisp exterior and a soft interior. If the oil is too cool, the fritters will absorb excess oil, making them greasy and undercooked. Too hot, and the outside will burn before the inside is done. The right temperature also gives the fritters their ideal texture and color.
- Cool and glaze. While the fritters cool, make the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract. The glaze should be on the runnier side. Dip the fritters into the glaze, one at a time, and place on a wire rack to set.
Apple Fritters Recipe Tips
These easy apple fritters are best when you follow these tips:
- Use fresh apples: I recommend Granny Smith apples, Jonagold, Sweet Honeycrisp apples, Braeburn, or Pink Lady. You’ll need 3 large apples or 4 smaller apples.
- Dice apples small and uniform in size: I found that ½ inch x ½ inch is the best size, so you get just the right cook on the apple pieces.
- Don’t over-mix: For best results, mix the batter just until combined. Overmixing can make your fritters turn out tough.
- Don’t overcrowd the pot: If you overcrowd the frying oil, you’ll have a hard time cooking the fritters evenly and maintaining the proper oil temp.
- Use a candy thermometer (or deep fry thermometer): Maintaining an oil temperature of 375°F
- Use a wire rack for cooling: Allowing the fritters to cool on a wire rack in a single layer ensures they stay crispy on all sides.
How to Store Apple Fritters
While these are best enjoyed the first day, cooled apple fritters can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. You can refrigerate them for up to one week.
How to Reheat Apple Fritters in Oven
To reheat apple fritters, simply bake at 350ºF for 5-10 minutes.
More Apple Recipes
Tap stars to rate!
Apple Fritter Donut Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups peeled & finely diced apples, 3 large or 4 small apples, I recommend Granny Smith, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 180 grams
- ¼ cup granulated sugar, 50 grams
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup milk, 177 ml
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying, 946 ml
Glaze
- 3 cups powdered sugar, 340 grams
- ½ cup milk, 118 ml
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel and finely dice the apples into ½ inch x ½ inch pieces. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and diced apples to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Heat the Oil
- Begin by heating 1 ½ inches of oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat until it reaches 375°F (190.5°C). I recommend a candy or deep fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
- Line a baking sheet with paper towels and place a wire rack on top of the towels.
- When the oil reaches temperature, carefully drop ¼ cup dollops of batter into the oil. I recommend 3-4 fritters at a time. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, approximately 2 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until the other side is also golden brown, about 2 more minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or tongs and transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, increasing the heat as needed to maintain the temperature at 375ºF. If the temperature is too low. Maintaining a frying temperature of 375°F ensures the fritters cook evenly, with a golden, crisp exterior and a soft interior. If the oil is too cool, the fritters will absorb excess oil, making them greasy and undercooked. Too hot, and the outside will burn before the inside is done. The right temperature also gives the fritters their ideal texture and color.
- While the fritters cool, make the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract. The glaze should be on the runnier side. Dip the fritters into the glaze, one at a time, and place on a wire rack to set.
