These Easy Glazed Apple Fritters are a delightful treat that combines warm, spiced apples with a golden, crispy exterior. Each bite offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, enhanced by a luscious glaze that melts in your mouth. Ready in just 40 minutes, they’re ideal for a cozy breakfast or an indulgent snack.
The soft, tender centers are packed with juicy apple chunks, while the outer layer delivers a satisfying crunch. Cinnamon and nutmeg add a comforting aroma, making these fritters irresistible. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is simple yet impressive, guaranteed to fill your kitchen with warmth and joy.
Gather Your Ingredients
- Apple Fritter Batter
- 2 cups (8 oz/225 g) Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and diced into small chunks)
- 1 cup (5 oz/142 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup (2 ½ fl oz/80ml) buttermilk (or substitute with regular milk mixed with 1 tsp vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil, for frying (enough for a 2-3 inch depth in your pan)
- Vanilla Donut Glaze (1 recipe)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and dice the Granny Smith apples into very small chunks. Cover them with a damp piece of kitchen paper to prevent browning while you prepare the batter.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, dark brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing. Gently fold in the diced apples.
- Heat the Oil: In a large saucepan, pour vegetable oil to a depth of 2-3 inches. Heat over medium heat and insert a thermometer to monitor the temperature. Place a wire rack on a baking tray near the saucepan for draining the fritters.
- Fry the Fritters: When the oil reaches 350°F/180°C, carefully drop about ¼ cup of batter into the oil using a large dessert spoon. Fry for 2-3 minutes on one side until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until equally golden. Use a slotted spoon to lift the fritters out of the oil and place them on the wire rack to drain.
- Glaze the Fritters: Once all fritters are cooked, dunk them into the vanilla donut glaze, ensuring they are fully coated. Return them to the wire rack to allow the glaze to set.
- Serve or Store: Enjoy the fritters fresh on the day they are made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day.
Perfect Pairings: Sauce and Topping Ideas
While the vanilla donut glaze is divine on its own, consider adding a drizzle of caramel or chocolate sauce for an extra indulgent touch. For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the glaze before it sets. If you’re feeling adventurous, a dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream can elevate these fritters to dessert status.
Time-Saving Tips for Busy Bakers
To speed up prep time, use a food processor to dice the apples into small, consistent chunks. Pre-measure your dry ingredients the night before, and keep them in a sealed container. If you’re short on time, skip the thermometer and test the oil by dropping a small piece of batter—if it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready!
Storage and Reheating for Freshness
These fritters are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. To revive them, pop them in a 350°F/180°C oven for 5-7 minutes or warm them gently in a toaster oven for a crispy exterior.
Recipe Variations to Mix It Up
Try swapping Granny Smith apples for Honeycrisp or Fuji for a sweeter flavor. For a tropical twist, add shredded coconut or diced pineapple to the batter. If you’re a fan of spices, experiment with adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dry ingredients for a warm, aromatic kick.
Equipment Guidance for Frying Success
A deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan works best for frying, as it maintains a consistent temperature. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to safely flip and remove the fritters from the oil. A wire rack on a baking sheet is essential for draining excess oil and ensuring your fritters stay crispy.
Easy Glazed Apple Fritter Recipe
Ingredients
Apple Fritter Batter
- 2 cups Granny Smith apples
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Vanilla Donut Glaze
- 1 recipe Vanilla Donut Glaze
Instructions
- Peel, core, and dice the apples up into very small chunks. Set aside covered with a damp piece of kitchen paper over them while you make the fritter batter.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- In a seperate bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Stir the wet into the dry ingredients until just combined, and then fold in the apples.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, pour oil to a 2-3 inch depth and set a thermometer in the oil to measure the temperature and set a wire rack on a baking tray and place near the saucepan.
- When the oil has reached 350°F/180°C (medium heat), carefully drop a large dessert spoon of batter into the oil, roughly ¼ cup of batter.
- After 2-3 minutes, when one side is golden brown then flip and let the other side cook until golden brown on the other side.
- Lift the fritters out of the oil and place on the wire wrack.
- Once all the fritters are cooked, dunk them in the glaze and let dry back on the wire rack.
- These fritters are best the day they are made, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day.
