Homemade Apple Fritters

There’s nothing better in fall than Homemade Apple Fritters. Chock full of Granny Smith chunks and fried to golden perfection.

Homemade  Apple Fritters

If there’s one recipe that is quintessentially fall – correction, early fall, then this must be it. You’ll find these fritters dense with apples yet light and pillowy, tart yet sweet. Both ugly and beautiful, they are a contradiction of the best sort: fried and smothered in cinnamon-spiced glaze. They bring to mind a dozen clichés, but especially the one about not judging a book by its cover.

Homemade Apple Fritters

I don’t know what took me so long to make these. My husband is always picking up pre-packaged grocery store fritters (which evoke from me an eye roll and a judgmental look). Perhaps it’s the frying.  I don’t do it much.  I will concede to frying donuts because they are 100% worth it, but everything else seems like a gamble. After making these, I’m a changed woman. I would gladly put on my fry hat every day for these fritters. They’re easier to make than doughnuts – and better? I’m going to say better. I might just beg you to make them.

You can always trust Granny.

I recommend using Granny Smith apples for these fritters. If you are an avid baker, then you already know these apples are tart and dry which is perfect for cakes and pastries. If your apples are too juicy, then the liquid will cook out during frying and result in an undercooked fritter. This recipe uses a smart technique to avoid this sad result: toss the apples with the flour so excess moisture is soaked up – problem solved!

Homemade Ugly Apple Fritters

The fritters cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. I expected more work and toil for delicious apple fritters, but these were done in a snap!

Homemade Apple Fritters

Secret ingredient reveal!

My secret ingredient for making these fritters taste beyond heavenly is boiled apple cider. You can use regular apple cider as a substitute (and the fritters will still be delicious) but the concentrated boiled cider makes them blue ribbon-worthy! You can find concentrated boiled cider here and always here.

Homemade Apple Fritters

My wish for you this fall? Hot homemade apple fritters and lots of ’em.

For more apple goodness, check out my Apple Harvest Cake.

Homemade Apple Fritters

Heather Baird
These are the best apple fritters I've ever made or eaten! Boiled cider is worth seeking out for this recipe. See blog post for resources.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

Fritters

  • 2 large Granny Smith apples peeled and chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup boiled cider or apple cider
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 3 cups vegetable oil

Glaze

  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 3 tablespoons boiled cider or 1/4 cup apple cider
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Milk

Instructions
 

  • Make the fritters: Spread chopped apples in single layer on paper towels and pat dry with additional paper towels.
  • Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in large bowl. Stir the apples into the flour mixture.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk ciders, eggs, and melted butter in medium bowl until combined. Stir cider mixture into flour mixture until incorporated.
  • Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or in a Dutch oven over medium-high. Insert a thermometer into the oil and heat to 350 degrees. Scoop fritter batter by the 1/3 cups-full, and spoon it into the oil; press the heaps of batter lightly with back of spoon to flatten (this helps them cook evenly). Fry, adjusting burner as necessary to maintain oil temperature between 325 and 350 degrees, until deep golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer fritters to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Bring oil back to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining batter. Let fritters cool 5 minutes.
  • Make the glaze: whisk confectioners’ sugar, cider, cinnamon, and nutmeg in medium bowl until smooth. Add milk to thin glaze if it is too thick to drizzle. Top each fritter with 1 heaping tablespoon glaze. Let glaze set 10 minutes. Serve warm.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container.
Keyword apple cider, boiled cider, granny smith apples
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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annie
annie
8 years ago

That's so funny! I always find that the most aesthetically, uh, "challenged" food is usually pretty damn delicious!

Ana Sofia
Ana Sofia
8 years ago

Omg they look so tasty! I definitely have to give this recipe a go <3

Check out my blog <3 | ANASOFIACHIC
@anasofiachic

Colette (Coco)
Colette (Coco)
8 years ago

I do love me some apple fritters, let me tell you.
If I ever see a box of donuts, I'm looking either for the maple cruellers or fritters.
These look amazing. I hate frying at home, too. Somehow the grease ends up in your hair, then I run to the shower to wash my mane.
Totally worth it, though!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
8 years ago
Reply to  Colette (Coco)

I love maple crullers too! Hmm. If these apple fritters were covered in maple glaze, I wouldn't hate it. 🙂

ItalianGirlCooks
ItalianGirlCooks
8 years ago

Definitely beautiful…my mouth is watering!

Anonymous
Anonymous
8 years ago

OH… these are my hubby's very favorite thing…. now with that said I have a question that is sure to raise some eyebrows…. I don't have a way to fry these, can they be baked in some way ???
I really would appreciate any help or advise ………..
Thanks

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
8 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Good question! I'm not sure how these would turn out baked, though it seems like 15-20 minutes in a 350F oven would yield a soft cookie-like result. I wouldn't expect it to be as crisp as the fried version, but I think it'd still be tasty and totally glaze-able.

I took a peek at some 'baked' apple fritter recipes, and it looks like most use yeast dough as a base.

Unknown
Unknown
8 years ago

That slow mo drizzle though… haha. The inside looks like soft perfection.

Roshini
Roshini
8 years ago

I can't buy apple cider here? (what is it anyways?) is there any substitute for it? I love to try this recipe

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
8 years ago
Reply to  Roshini

Hi Roshini!

Apple cider is unfiltered apple juice. It has a strong apple flavor. You can substitute apple juice for the cider.

Jennifer
Jennifer
8 years ago

It's really excellent recipe and preparation is friendly. Definitely I will try to make it, hope i will do it. Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful recipe.

cupcakes
cupcakes
8 years ago

how can this sweety apple recipe be called ugly, I love it so much

Bella B
Bella B
8 years ago

These are beautiful in my eyes! I adore apples in baking.

xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com

Mellybrown
Mellybrown
8 years ago

Instead of 'ugly' I think you should call them 'rustic' 🙂

annie
annie
8 years ago

Awww they are ugly but cute! Once they're in your happy mouth, who cares what they look like? I want some of that spicy glaze, like, right now.

Maite Sweet Treats
Maite Sweet Treats
8 years ago

Lovely!!And they look delicious!!!

Unknown
Unknown
8 years ago

I made these yesterday at midnight when I couldn't sleep and they are fantastic, Heather. Apple fritters are already my favorite pastry and these are the best of the best. Thank you.

Unknown
Unknown
8 years ago

I love apple fritters- the uglier, the better! The addition of the boiled apple cider is perfect. My family will be asking me to make these all the time now. Thanks for the recipe!

Happy Tuesday, Heather
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/thinkoutloud

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

Is there such a thing as pretty apple fritters? Then again that picture of the stacking being drizzled on it pretty to me!