If you’re craving something cozy, sweet, and just a little nostalgic, Baked Apple Fritters are about to become your new obsession. Imagine tender chunks of tart apple tucked into a warmly spiced batter, baked until golden, then finished with a silky vanilla glaze. These fritters taste like autumn in every bite—perfect with a mug of coffee or as a special treat for your brunch table. The best part? They’re baked instead of fried, so you get all the flavor and comfort with a lighter, easier approach. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get ready to fall in love with Baked Apple Fritters!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in these Baked Apple Fritters serves a delicious purpose. From the warm cinnamon to the crisp apples and that irresistible vanilla glaze, each element brings flavor, texture, and a touch of old-fashioned charm. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone that holds the fritters together and gives them their tender crumb.
- Baking powder: Helps the fritters puff up and stay light and airy.
- Baking soda: Adds extra lift and helps with browning.
- Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings that classic warm spice we all crave in apple desserts.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, cozy depth to the fritters’ flavor.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and provide richness.
- Granulated sugar: For sweetening the batter and helping achieve that golden finish.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Keeps the fritters moist and boosts that apple goodness.
- Milk: Helps create a smooth, pourable batter—whole or 2% work perfectly.
- Unsalted butter, melted: For richness and a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and gives the glaze its signature taste.
- Peeled and diced apples: The star of the show—choose tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best pop of flavor.
- Lemon juice: Keeps the apples perky and bright, preventing browning.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): The base for a silky-smooth, sweet glaze.
- Milk (for glaze): Adjusts the glaze’s consistency for the perfect drizzle.
- Vanilla extract (for glaze): Infuses the glaze with warmth and aroma.
How to Make Baked Apple Fritters
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your fritters don’t stick and clean-up is a total breeze. This step sets the stage for perfectly baked apple fritters that won’t fall apart or burn on the bottom.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This quick mix ensures all your leaveners and spices are evenly distributed, so every bite of fritter is full of flavor and rises just right.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Grab a large bowl and beat the eggs, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until they’re well combined and a little bit creamy. Next, stir in the applesauce, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. This blend creates a rich, moist base that soaks up all the lovely spices from your dry mix.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Be gentle here—overmixing can make your fritters tough instead of tender. The batter should look thick but scoopable.
Step 5: Prep the Apples
Toss your diced apples with lemon juice in a small bowl. This brightens up the fruit and keeps it from browning before it hits the oven. Fold the apples gently into your batter so they’re evenly distributed but not mashed.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Drop heaping spoonfuls of batter onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This gives each fritter room to puff up and brown beautifully. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the fritters are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes while you whip up the glaze.
Baked Apple Fritters Glaze
For that irresistible finishing touch, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the glaze is smooth and pourable. Once the fritters have cooled slightly, drizzle the glaze generously over the tops. The glaze will set into a sweet, glossy finish that makes these Baked Apple Fritters impossible to resist.
How to Serve Baked Apple Fritters
Garnishes
For a picture-perfect finish, dust your Baked Apple Fritters with a little extra powdered sugar, or add a sprinkle of cinnamon right after glazing. A few curls of fresh apple peel or even a handful of chopped toasted pecans make for a beautiful (and tasty) touch.
Side Dishes
These fritters are delightful on their own, but they’re also wonderful paired with vanilla ice cream, a scoop of whipped cream, or a dollop of Greek yogurt. For breakfast or brunch, serve them alongside crispy bacon or a fresh fruit salad for contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to wow your friends or family, try stacking a few fritters and drizzling with extra glaze for a dramatic effect. You could also serve them on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of caramel sauce, honey, or nut butter for dipping. For a cozy fall vibe, arrange them in a basket lined with a gingham napkin and serve with warm apple cider.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Baked Apple Fritters fresh, store any extras in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you prefer, you can refrigerate them for up to four days, just be sure to let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
Baked Apple Fritters freeze surprisingly well! Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature or give them a quick warm-up in the oven.
Reheating
To revive that just-baked taste, pop your fritters in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes. This refreshes the texture and brings back the warm, fragrant aroma. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too—just 10–15 seconds will do the trick, but the oven is best for crispiness.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Absolutely! While tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp deliver the best balance of flavor, you can use whatever apples you have on hand. Sweeter apples will make the fritters more dessert-like, while firm varieties hold their shape best.
Can I make Baked Apple Fritters gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for the all-purpose flour. Just watch the consistency of your batter and add a splash more milk if it seems too thick.
How do I get a thicker glaze?
For a glaze that really clings to your Baked Apple Fritters, simply use less milk when mixing it up. Start with one tablespoon and add more, a few drops at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Can I add nuts or raisins?
Definitely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even a handful of golden raisins can be folded into the batter right along with the apples. They add a lovely crunch and extra flavor that makes these fritters even more special.
Do I have to peel the apples?
Peeled apples create the softest texture, but if you love a bit of rustic charm and extra fiber, you can leave the skins on. Just dice the apples small so the pieces are tender after baking.
Final Thoughts
Baked Apple Fritters are the kind of treat you make once, then find yourself dreaming about for weeks afterward. They’re fun to bake, cozy to eat, and always a hit with friends and family. If you’re ready to bring the flavors of cinnamon-spiced apples and sweet vanilla glaze into your kitchen, give these fritters a try—you’ll be hooked after the very first bite!
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Baked Apple Fritters Recipe
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 fritters 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully soft and flavorful baked apple fritters with warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices, made healthier by baking instead of frying and featuring a light vanilla glaze. Perfectly balanced sweetness and tender diced apples make this an ideal fall dessert or cozy snack.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Dry Mix: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the eggs with granulated sugar and brown sugar until well combined and slightly fluffy. Add the applesauce, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.
- Mix Batter: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can result in tougher fritters.
- Prepare Apples: Toss the peeled and diced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning and add a slight tangy brightness. Fold the apples gently into the batter ensuring even distribution.
- Shape and Bake: Drop heaping spoonfuls of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until the fritters are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Make Glaze: While fritters bake, whisk together powdered sugar, milk (start with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed), and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the fritters are slightly cooled but still warm, drizzle the glaze over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use tart apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best contrast to the sweet batter and glaze.
- Leftover fritters can be reheated in the oven at 300°F for a few minutes to refresh their texture.
- For a thicker glaze, use less milk when whisking the powdered sugar mixture.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep fritters light and tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
