Quick and Easy Fried Apple Fritters for a Sweet Treat
You’ll really enjoy these Fried Apple Fritters if you’re a fan of donuts. They’re made of fluffy fried dough filled with diced apples and coated in a sugary glaze, making them a delicious comfort food.
The best thing is they’re easy to make and great for a nice breakfast or a snack. Your loved ones will appreciate this tasty homemade treat.
Classic Apple Fritters
Equipment
- Deep fryer or Dutch oven
- Strainers
- Paper Towels
Ingredients
Fritters
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 large apples (peeled, cored, and diced)
- peanut oil for frying
Vanilla Glaze
- 2 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons milk or cream
Instructions
- Make the dough. Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves in a medium bowl. Then, put in the eggs, milk, and vegetable oil. Stir until everything is mixed. Don't forget to scrape down the bottom of the bowl to make sure all the dry ingredients are mixed in. Gently mix in the diced apples until they are spread out evenly in the dough.
- Scoo and fry. Heat 1¼ inches of peanut oil in a heavy skillet, Dutch oven, or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Drop the dough into the hot oil using 2-tablespoon-sized amounts. Cook each side until deep golden brown, flipping after 2-3 minutes. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Drain. Using tongs or a strainer, remove the fritters and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make the glaze and dip. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract, and milk or cream until smooth. Individually dip each fritter in the glaze, then place on a cooling rack until the glaze hardens.
Notes
More Tips:
Use a thermometer to check that the oil remains at 375°F (190°C). If the oil is too hot, the fritters will burn on the outside and remain undercooked inside; if it’s too cool, they’ll end up greasy.
Fry a few fritters at a time to prevent overcrowding in the pan, make sure they are even cooking, and prevent them from sticking together.
After frying, place the fritters on a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil. This helps maintain their crispiness and reduces greasiness.
You can also immediately coat them in cinnamon sugar after they come out of the fryer.
Allow the fritters to cool slightly before dipping them in the glaze. If they’re too hot, the glaze will slide off; if they’re too cool, the glaze won’t stick well.
Key Ingredients and Tools
For the best apple fritters, it’s important to have a few essential tools and ingredients. Here are some items to have:
- Deep Fryer or Dutch Oven: A heavy pot can also be used to fry the fritters evenly.
- Candy Thermometer: Helps maintain the oil at the right temperature for perfect frying.
- Honeycrisp Apples: These apples are sweet and hold their shape well during cooking.
- Peanut Oil: Ideal for frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor.
- Confectioner’s Sugar: Needed for the smooth, sweet glaze that coats the fritters.
These tools and ingredients will help ensure that your apple fritters turn out perfectly every time.
Here are some ingredient substitutions you can try for this recipe:
- Apples: Use Granny Smith or Fuji apples if you don’t have Honeycrisp.
- Peanut Oil: Substitute peanut oil with vegetable or canola oil. Not all grocery stores carry peanut oil, but you can find it in the oil section or the international foods aisle.
- Confectioner’s Sugar: You can use powdered sugar as a direct substitute for confectioner’s sugar.
- Allspice: You can use equal parts of nutmeg and cinnamon instead of all spices. Look for it in the baking aisle with other spices.
- Milk: You can use almond or plant-based milk if you don’t have regular milk.
These substitutions may slightly change the outcome, but feel free to experiment to find what works best for you.
Making these classic apple fritters at home is a rewarding and tasty experience. With straightforward steps and common ingredients, you can whip up a batch quickly.
Whether you enjoy them fresh or the next day, everyone will surely love them!
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.