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
Scale
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
