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Are they donuts? Fried pies? What the heck are apple fritters? They are a little of both, and my version of these Easy Apple Fritters will have you in and out of the kitchen with a delicious treat in about half an hour. We’re drizzling a simple powdered sugar glaze over the top and filling the batter with lots of fresh, chopped apples.
I have a confession…I have a serious sugar problem. That’s probably why there are more dessert recipes on this site than anything else. I especially love something sweet first thing in the morning. My very favorite breakfast is Homemade Pancakes or Buttermilk Waffles, and I usually keep a batch in the freezer so I can easily grab one and pop it in the toaster.
And yes, I know all the reasons why I should eat protein, or fiber, or whatever, and most days I do eat those things unless I’m having a Green Smoothie. However, sometimes I just want a little touch of something sweet and delicious, and apple fritters are one of my favorite treats to have with my morning coffee.
My other favorites are Lemon Blackberry Scones (a copycat from an old Starbucks recipe), or Chocolate Chip Muffins (known as Lulu muffins by my grandkids).
Testing results for apple fritters
- You know how some apple fritters make you think of the old Wendy’s commercial, “Where’s the beef?” while you’re digging through the dough looking for a bite of apple filling? I wanted to be sure you get a good bite of apple filling in every bite of these apple fritters. We started with 3 cups of chopped apples and increased it to 4 cups, which is the perfect amount to ensure you get apples in every bite.
- I like a little tart/sweet mix, so I used Granny Smith apples in these fritters. If you want them sweeter, go with the Honeycrisp.
I hope you make this recipe. I think you’ll love it!
Ingredient notes
Here are a few things to know about the ingredients in this recipe.
➡️➡️➡️ The full ingredient amounts and instructions are listed below on the printable recipe card. Scroll below the recipe card for frequently asked questions and tips for success.
Apples: The best apples for apple fritters are the ones that hold their shape in hot oil, and Honeycrisp, Crispin, and Granny Smith all work well. You can use a mix of tart and sweet apples like I do in my Double-Crust Apple Pie.
Apple pie spice: I thought using apple pie spice might be easier for my readers. However, if, like me, you don’t keep it on hand, 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice is a perfect blend.
Vegetable oil: Use a neutral oil, not olive oil. I like peanut oil when frying almost anything.
Related 📖 ➡️ How to cook and bake with apples
Pin this now to save it for laterHow to make apple fritters
This easy apple fritter recipe moves fast once the oil is hot, so have the apples diced and the glaze ingredients measured before you start.
- Start by tossing the diced apples in lemon juice so they don’t brown while you mix everything else.
- Whisk the dry ingredients in one bowl and the eggs, milk, and vanilla in another, then stir the two together just until combined and fold in the apples.
- Bring the oil up to 375 degrees F before the first scoop goes in, then fry in small batches until both sides are golden.
- Drain the fritters on a cooling rack while you stir up the glaze, then drizzle it over the top.
Knowing when the oil is ready
A candy or instant-read thermometer takes the guessing out of this, but you don’t have to own one to make easy apple fritters. Stand the handle end of a wooden spoon in the oil and watch the bubbles around it: steady bubbling means the oil is ready, no bubbles means it needs longer, and a hard rush of bubbles means the burner is too high and needs a few minutes to come back down.
A 1/3 cup cookie scoop is perfect for sizing these easy apple fritters. A cookie scoop is easier to handle than a measuring cup, since it releases the batter in one motion, but a measuring cup works fine if that’s all you have.
Don’t overcrowd the fritters in the oil. Just fry three or four at a time in batches.
Variations
- A doughier fritter. Reduce the chopped apples to 3 cups, and you’ll get more batter around each piece of fruit.
- A thinner glaze. One tablespoon of milk gives you a thick glaze that sets but if you want a thinner glaze that runs down the sides, just add another tablespoon of milk.
Make-ahead and storage
Apple fritters are best eaten right after they’re fried, similar to my Granny’s Fried Apple Pies. If you want to make them in advance, you could prep the ingredients (toss the chopped apples in lemon juice, rinse, dry and store in the fridge) and then just mix everything together when you’re ready.
If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Place the fritters on a rack over a baking tray and heat for 5-8 minutes. You can also reheat them in an air fryer for about 4 minutes.
What to serve with apple fritters
Easy apple fritters are sweet enough to anchor a weekend breakfast on their own, so something savory alongside keeps the meal balanced. A Bacon Cheese Quiche and my friend Rita’s Cheese Grits Casserole are perfect, and both can be made in advance.
For a bigger spread, my roundup of Best Southern Breakfast Recipes fills in the biscuits, casseroles, and sides around a platter of fritters.
Related 📖 ➡️ How to Host a Southern Brunch
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below!
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Easy Apple Fritters Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups peeled and diced apples, 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Toss 4 cups peeled and diced apples, 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice so they do not brown. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon apple pie spice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 3 tablespoons sugar.
- In a second bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, room temperature, 1/3 cup milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir gently until just incorporated. Overmixing makes a tough fritter.
- Fold in the apples.
- Add oil to the frying pan until it is about 3 inches deep. Heat the oil to 375 degrees F.
- Using a 1/3 cup measuring cup or cookie scoop, carefully drop the batter into the hot oil. Fry 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Work in batches of 3 or 4 so the pan is not crowded. Remove with a slotted spoon and set on a cooling rack.
- For the glaze, stir together 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of the milk. Add up to 1 more tablespoon if the glaze is too thick.
- Drizzle the glaze over the fritters.
Nutrition
Questions and tips
Storage
Leftovers keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, set them on a rack over a baking tray and warm at 350 degrees F for 5 to 8 minutes, or heat them about 4 minutes in the air fryer.
Oil that isn’t hot enough is almost always the reason. Bring it to 375 degrees F before the first scoop goes in, and let it return to temperature between batches.
Yes, you need to peel the apples. Nobody wants apple skin when eating an apple fritter.
You can, but fresh will taste better. You don’t really taste lemon since it’s such a small amount, but I would be concerned that you’d get that artificial taste that comes from bottled lemon juice.
Apple fritters are traditionally fried, and this recipe has not been tested for baking.
