Apple Fritters Recipe
This easy Apple Fritters Recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for a last-minute sweet craving. The fresh apples and maple syrup keep the fritters flavorful, and the lemon vanilla glaze balances everything with a little citrus.
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 97kcal
Ingredients
Apple Fritters
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- ½-¾ cup whole milk
- 5 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 medium apples Honeycrisp or Gala are great, chopped into ½ inch cubes
- avocado oila or canola or any flavorless light oil, for frying
Vanilla Lemon Glaze
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 2 ½ tbsp whole milk
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 lemon zested
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the eggs, butter, 1/2 cup milk, and maple syrup into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to over mix the batter. If the batter feels thick, add no more than 1/4 cup milk to thin, start with a tablespoon at a time. To finish, fold in the apples.
- Heat 2 inches of oil (avocado, canola, or any flavorless light oil) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Use the back of a wooden spoon to test the heat. Once bubbles start forming, the oil is ready. It should be around 300ºF.
- Drop tablespoons size balls of batter into the oil for 4-5 minutes or until golden and crisp on all sides. Remove and drain on a wire rack with paper towels underneath.
- To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Drizzle the glaze over the warm fritters. Eat warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Cut the apples evenly. Aim for ½-inch cubes so they soften during frying without disappearing into the batter.
- Don’t overmix. Stir the batter just until combined to keep the fritters tender and pillowy.
- Adjust the milk gradually. If the batter seems too thick, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time, up to an additional ¼ cup.
- Heat the oil after making the batter. This helps prevent the oil from getting too hot while you finish mixing and folding in the apples.
- Watch the oil temperature. Keep it around 300°F so the fritters cook through before the outside gets too dark.
- Fry small portions. Tablespoon-sized fritters cook more evenly and are less likely to have raw centers.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry in batches so the oil stays hot and each fritter has room to turn golden and crisp.
- Drain on a wire rack. Set paper towels underneath to catch excess oil while allowing air to circulate around the fritters.
- Adjust the glaze consistency. Add powdered sugar if it’s too thin or a small splash of milk if it’s too thick.
- Serve the fritters fresh. They have the best crisp exterior and soft center while they’re still warm on the day they’re made.
Nutrition
Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg