Baked Apple Fritters

When you want the nostalgic bakery-style comfort of a sweet, spiced apple fritter without dealing with the mess, safety hazards, and heavy saturated fats of deep-frying, Baked Apple Fritters are a brilliant alternative.

Baked Apple Fritters Recipe

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cook time: 15–18 minutes
• Servings: 8 large fritters

Ingredients

• The Apples & Fruit Prep:
  • 2 medium tart, crisp baking apples (like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn), peeled, cored, and finely diced (about 1.5 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (to prevent browning and brighten flavor)
• The Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
• The Wet Ingredients:
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (or buttermilk)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• The Vanilla Glaze:
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • A tiny pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy removal.
2. Prep the Apples: Toss the finely diced apples with the lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
5. Combine Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula until just combined and a thick batter forms (do not overmix). Fold in the diced apples and their juices.
6. Drop and Shape: Scoop generous 1/4-cup portions of the thick batter onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between them. Flatten the tops slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers into rough rounds.
7. Bake: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the tops are set.
8. Make the Glaze: While the fritters bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt until smooth and pourable.
9. Glaze and Cool: Transfer the warm baked fritters to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Drizzle or brush the vanilla glaze generously over each warm fritter so it melts into the cracks and crevices. Let set for 10 minutes before serving.