Apple Fritters
Published
Published
Apple fritters are one of my absolute favorite fall treats, and this easy recipe makes them just like the bakery. With chunks of fresh Honeycrisp apples, warm cinnamon spice, and a sweet glaze, these fritters are golden and crispy on the outside yet soft and fluffy on the inside. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert when you’re craving cozy comfort.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItI love apple picking and coming home with a bundle of fresh apples, especially Honeycrisp, which are perfect for making apple butter, apple crisp, apple fritter rings, and these classic donut shop apple fritters. These fritters use simple pantry staples like flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and buttermilk, then get dropped into hot oil where they puff up golden and crisp on the outside while staying soft and tender inside. They come together in about 30 minutes, and everyone loves them. The glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness, but they’re just as good plain with a hot cup of coffee.
Helpful Tips
- The best apples. Use firm, sweet varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala. They hold their shape during frying and add natural sweetness without turning mushy.
- Oil temperature matters. Keep the oil steady at 350°F for the perfect golden crust and fluffy interior. Too hot and the outsides burn before the center cooks; too cool and the fritters soak up oil.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry just a few fritters at a time. Crowding drops the oil temperature and can make the fritters greasy instead of crisp.
- Batter consistency is key. The batter should be thick yet scoopable. If it feels too runny, stir in an extra spoonful of flour; if it’s too stiff, splash in a little buttermilk.
Apple Fritters
Ingredients
For the Fritters
- 3 large Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- ⅔ cup buttermilk
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- vegetable oil, for frying
For the Glaze
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 Tbsp whole milk, adjust for consistency
- ¾ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and chopping them into small pieces. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted butter until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
- Fold chopped apples into the batter. The batter should be thick but still easy to scoop.
- Heat 1–2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, frying a few at a time. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer fritters to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil.
- For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add more milk if needed for a drizzling consistency.
- Once fritters are warm but not hot, dip one side of each fritter into the glaze.
- Leave the other side plain. Place the glaze-side up on a wire rack until the glaze sets. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable or canola. These keep the flavor light and won’t interfere with the apples.
- I do not recommend baking these as they’ll lose the signature texture.
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.”
How to Make Apple Fritters Step by Step
Gather all the ingredients together.
Prep the apples: Peel, core, and finely chop 3 large Honeycrisp apples and set them aside.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, 1½ tsp baking powder, ¾ tsp baking soda, ¼ tsp salt, ¾ tsp ground cinnamon, and ¼ tsp ground nutmeg.
Whisk the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 large egg (at room temperature), ⅔ cup buttermilk, 1½ tsp vanilla extract, and 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter until smooth.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
Fold in the apples: Fold the chopped apples into the batter, which should be thick but still easy to scoop.
Fry the fritters: Heat 1–2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, frying a few at a time for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Drain excess oil: Transfer the fritters to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil.
Make the glaze: For the glaze, whisk together 1½ cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp whole milk (adding more if needed for consistency), and ¾ tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
Glaze and serve: Once the fritters are warm but not hot, dip one side of each fritter into the glaze, leaving the other side plain. Place them glaze-side up on a wire rack until the glaze sets. Enjoy while fresh!
Serving Suggestions
I usually eat these apple fritters warm with the glaze just set on top and a hot cup of coffee in hand. These are one of my favorite recipes to serve for brunch. I’ll throw them on the table with other breakfast favorites like scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a frittata. If I’m having one for dessert, I’ll add a scoop of vanilla ice cream right on top.
How to Store Leftovers
- Counter. Apple fritters are best enjoyed the day they’re made, while still warm and crisp. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.
- Fridge. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for 2–3 days and reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through and slightly crisp again (just note the glaze may melt a little).
- Freeze. To freeze, leave the fritters unglazed, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Warm from frozen in the oven before dipping in glaze.
More Fall Apple Recipes to Try
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!
