Fluffy Apple Fritters Recipe - Easy Fall Desserts and Sweet Snacks You’ll Love

If fall had a signature snack, it would 100% be Apple Fritters. Think about it: warm, fluffy dough packed with juicy apples, fried to golden perfection, and dipped in a sweet apple cider glaze that makes them shine like they belong in a bakery window. Honestly, who could say no to that? These little beauties are the perfect balance of cozy and indulgent—aka exactly what you want when the weather gets cooler and the leaves start showing off.

The best part? This recipe skips the yeast, which means no waiting around forever while your dough rises. Nope—these come together fast, fry up in just a few minutes, and are ready to devour before you can even finish brewing your coffee. That’s what makes them one of my favorite fritter recipes for when you need fall desserts easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for a weekend brunch spread.

Now, let’s get real for a sec. Everyone knows about apple pie, crisps, and cobblers. But IMO, fritters deserve way more love. They straddle that delicious line between baked apples and fried donuts, so you basically get the best of both worlds. Plus, these little mini desserts totally count as breakfast if you squint hard enough (don’t judge me).

Pro tip: Keep an eye on that oil temp. Too hot, and you’ll get fritters that look golden outside but are raw inside. Too cold, and you’ll end up with greasy bites instead of fluffy clouds. Fry just 2-3 at a time, and you’ll nail that crispy-outside, tender-inside vibe every single batch.

So, whether you’re after cozy apple dessert recipes, bakery-style baked apple fritters, or just a new favorite for your stash of sweet snacks recipes, this one checks every box. Grab your apples, heat up the oil, and let’s make magic.

Fluffy Apple Fritters Recipe - Easy Fall Desserts and Sweet Snacks You’ll Love

Author: Aleda

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 15 fritters | Calories: 465 kcal

Course: Dessert | Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Fritters:

• Avocado, vegetable, or canola oil, for frying
• 1½ cups (215 g) peeled, cored, and diced apples (about ¼" pieces)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup (66 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (235 ml) milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Glaze:

• 1½ cups (250 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider (or water/milk as needed)
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prep the apples: In a small bowl, toss the diced apples with ½ teaspoon cinnamon until evenly coated. Set aside.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, remaining ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
3. Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs until pale and frothy (about 15 seconds). Stir in the milk and vanilla extract. Gradually whisk in the melted butter until incorporated, even if the mixture looks slightly curdled.
4. Make the batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and gently fold with a spatula until roughly combined. Fold in the cinnamon-coated apple pieces until just combined—do not overmix.
5. Heat the oil: Fill a Dutch oven or deep saucepan with 2–3 inches of oil. Clip a candy thermometer to the side, making sure it doesn’t touch the bottom, and heat to 360–365°F (175–185°C).
6. Prepare the glaze: While the oil warms, whisk together powdered sugar, apple cider, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
7. Fry the fritters: Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, carefully drop about 3 tablespoons of batter at a time into the hot oil. Fry 2–3 fritters at once for 60–75 seconds per side, or until golden brown.
8. Drain and glaze: Transfer cooked fritters to a paper-towel lined plate to drain briefly. While slightly warm, dip in the glaze and then place on a cooling rack to allow the glaze to set. Make sure the oil returns to the correct temperature before frying additional batches.
9. Serve: Enjoy these fritters warm on the same day for best flavor and texture.

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