Baked Apple Fritter Recipe
Craving a comforting, nostalgic treat without the guilt? This baked apple fritter recipe delivers all the deliciousness of traditional fried fritters, but baked to golden perfection! Imagine warm, tender fritters bursting with juicy apples and cinnamon spice, topped with a luscious glaze. Easy to make and just as satisfying, these baked apple fritters are perfect for brunch, dessert, or a cozy snack. Get ready for some serious finger-licking goodness!
Equipment
- 2 Large Mixing Bowls For dry and wet ingredients
- 1 Whisk For mixing dry and wet ingredients
- 1 Spatula or Wooden Spoon For folding batter
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons For accurate measurements
- 2 Baking Sheets For baking fritters
- 1 Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats To prevent sticking
- 1 Wire Rack For cooling fritters
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking soda
- ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- ½ cup Unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup Milk dairy or non-dairy
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 cups Diced apples about 2 medium, peeled and cored
- 1 cup Powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons Milk dairy or non-dairy
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisking ensures the baking powder and soda are evenly distributed, leading to a better rise.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, applesauce, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – a few streaks of flour are okay. Overmixing can lead to tough fritters.
- Gently fold in the diced apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Drop spoonfuls of batter (about ¼ cup per fritter) onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each fritter. They will spread slightly. You can use a cookie scoop for more uniform fritters, or just use a spoon.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the fritters are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
- Let the baked fritters cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a wire rack prevents the bottoms from getting soggy.
- While the fritters are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, if needed to reach desired drizzling consistency.
- Once the fritters are completely cool, drizzle generously with the glaze. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy these warm or at room temperature – they are delightful either way!
Notes
Easy Ingredient Swaps & Simple Substitutions:
- Dairy-Free: Easily make this recipe dairy-free by using your favorite non-dairy milk, like almond, soy, or oat milk, in both the fritters and the glaze.
- Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose baking flour blend. Make sure it’s a blend that includes xanthan gum or add ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum to the dry ingredients for better texture.
- Egg-Free: While eggs provide structure, you can try using ¼ cup of mashed ripe banana or ¼ cup of flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, let it sit for 5 minutes) as an egg substitute. The texture might be slightly denser.
- Don't Overmix the Batter: This is my golden rule for tender baked goods! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough fritters. Mix just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined, and a few streaks of flour are still visible.
- Dice Apples Evenly: Try to dice the apples into roughly the same size pieces so they cook evenly in the fritters. About ½ inch cubes are ideal.
- Use Cold Milk for Glaze: Using cold milk helps the glaze set up a bit faster and gives it a lovely glossy finish.
- Did you know? For extra flavor, try browning your butter for the glaze! Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Let it cool slightly before whisking it into the powdered sugar and vanilla. It adds a rich, caramel-like depth.
- Make Ahead Tip: You can bake the fritters ahead of time and store them at room temperature for up to 2 days. Glaze them just before serving for the best texture.