Old-Fashioned Apple Fritter Recipe: Crispy, Sweet, and Easy to Make
There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, crispy apple fritter fresh out of the fryer, glazed with sweet vanilla icing and packed with juicy apple chunks. Apple fritters are a nostalgic bakery treat — the kind you’d find in glass cases at old-school donut shops — but they’re also surprisingly simple to make at home.
This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know to create the perfect apple fritter recipe from scratch. You’ll learn the best apples to use, how to fry them to golden perfection, and how to make a glaze that’s the cherry (or apple!) on top. Plus, we’ll include variations, helpful cooking tips, serving suggestions, and answers to frequently asked questions.
🧰 Recipe Preparation Equipment
To make apple fritters, you’ll need the following kitchen equipment:
- Large mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Peeler and sharp knife (or apple corer/slicer)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large skillet, deep fryer, or Dutch oven
- Candy or deep-fry thermometer
- Slotted spoon or spider strainer
- Wire cooling rack
- Paper towels
- Small bowl for glaze
🍏 Ingredients
For the Fritters:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups peeled, diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
👨🍳 How to Make Easy Apple Fritters
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and dice your apples into small chunks (around ½ inch). Set them aside. You can toss them with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until evenly combined.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Step 4: Make the Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. The batter will be thick. Fold in the diced apples evenly.
Step 5: Heat the Oil
In a heavy skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature — this ensures even cooking and prevents greasy fritters.
Step 6: Fry the Fritters
Using a large spoon or cookie scoop, carefully drop ¼-cup portions of batter into the hot oil. Flatten them slightly with the back of a spoon. Fry 2–3 fritters at a time, depending on your pan size.
Cook each fritter for about 2–3 minutes per side, or until deep golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
Step 7: Make the Glaze
While fritters cool slightly, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust milk for desired consistency.
Step 8: Glaze the Fritters
While fritters are still warm (but not too hot), dip or drizzle them with the glaze. Place them on a rack to let the glaze set.
🔄 Variations
1. Cinnamon Sugar Fritters
Skip the glaze and toss hot fritters in a mix of cinnamon and sugar.
2. Maple Glazed Apple Fritters
Replace vanilla in the glaze with maple extract or pure maple syrup.
3. Baked Apple Fritters
Spoon batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 18–22 minutes. Then glaze.
4. Caramel Apple Fritters
Drizzle with warm caramel sauce instead of the traditional glaze.
5. Add-ins
Mix chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins into the batter for extra texture and flavor.
🔥 Cooking Notes
- Oil temperature is key! If it drops too low, fritters absorb oil and turn soggy. Too hot, and they burn on the outside while staying raw inside.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan — it drops the oil temperature.
- Flatten the batter slightly in the oil for even cooking and better shape.
- Let the glaze set before stacking or storing.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve warm for best taste and texture. Apple fritters are perfect for:
- Weekend brunch
- Holiday breakfast spreads
- Coffee or tea breaks
- Dessert with vanilla ice cream
- A sweet afternoon snack
They pair especially well with apple cider, hot coffee, or chai tea.
💡 Helpful Tips
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for the best flavor balance.
- Dice apples small so they cook through quickly.
- Use a cooling rack over a baking sheet to catch extra glaze and avoid soggy bottoms.
- Add a pinch of cardamom or allspice for deeper fall flavor.
⭐ Tips for the Best Apple Fritter Recipe
- Use fresh apples – avoid canned or overly soft apples for the best bite and structure.
- Don’t overmix the batter – it will make your fritters dense and tough.
- Let fritters cool slightly before glazing – too hot and the glaze melts off, too cold and it won’t stick.
- Make sure oil is at the right temp – consistent heat gives you crispy outsides and cooked centers.
- Eat them fresh – apple fritters taste best the same day they’re made.
⏱️ Prep Time:
15 minutes
⏱️ Cooking Time:
15–20 minutes
⏱️ Total Time:
30–35 minutes
🍽️ Nutritional Information (Per Fritter – Approximate)
- Calories: 280–350
- Protein: 3–4g
- Carbohydrates: 40–45g
- Fat: 12–16g
- Sugar: 18–22g
- Sodium: 150–220mg
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I make apple fritters in advance?
A: They’re best fresh, but you can reheat them in the oven at 325°F for 8–10 minutes to regain crispness.
Q: Can I freeze apple fritters?
A: Yes. Let them cool, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven — avoid microwaving, which makes them soggy.
Q: What’s the best oil for frying apple fritters?
A: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola, vegetable, or peanut oil.
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Yes. Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but check that it includes a binding agent like xanthan gum.
Q: Why are my fritters greasy or raw inside?
A: That usually means your oil was too cool or you didn’t fry long enough. Always check internal doneness with a tester.
✅ Conclusion
Homemade apple fritters are the ultimate comfort treat — golden and crispy on the outside, soft and full of cinnamon-spiced apple chunks on the inside. With just a few pantry staples and fresh apples, you can create a bakery-worthy dessert right in your kitchen. Whether you’re enjoying them for breakfast, dessert, or a special weekend indulgence, these fritters are guaranteed to impress.
Once you try this easy and delicious apple fritter recipe, you’ll never want the store-bought version again
