Sweet, warmly spiced, and bursting with juicy apple pieces, these Baked Apple Fritters might just become your newest obsession. This recipe combines everything comforting about a classic fritter but skips the deep fryer for the oven, making the end result delightfully golden and tender without any greasy guilt. With a simple glaze that adds just the right touch of sweetness, these fritters are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or any moment you need a hug in food form. Trust me: whether you’re baking for a crowd or craving a homemade treat, Baked Apple Fritters deliver comfort and flavor in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Baked Apple Fritters lies in their straightforward ingredient list—every item plays a vital role, from the cozy spices to the little splash of applesauce for extra moisture. Gather up these pantry staples and fresh apples, and you’re already most of the way there.
- All-purpose flour: The trusty foundation that holds the fritters together and keeps them fluffy.
- Granulated sugar: Adds the perfect level of sweetness and gives that coveted golden color.
- Baking powder: The secret to light, puffy texture in every fritter.
- Salt: Just a pinch sharpens all those sweet and spicy flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: The signature spice for classic apple desserts—warming and aromatic.
- Ground nutmeg: Lends subtle depth and a nutty warmth that complements the apples beautifully.
- Eggs: These provide structure, richness, and moisture to the batter.
- Milk: Helps bring the batter together for a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Adds additional apple flavor and keeps the fritters tender.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with mellow, fragrant sweetness.
- Melted butter: Gives the crumb a soft, melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- Peeled and diced apples: Granny Smiths are tart and firm, but Honeycrisp or Fuji work for a sweeter twist.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): The must-have ingredient for silky-smooth icing that sets perfectly.
- Milk (for glaze): Brings the glaze together to the ideal drizzling consistency.
- Vanilla extract (for glaze): Just a splash gives the finishing glaze that extra note of flavor.
How to Make Baked Apple Fritters
Step 1: Prep Your Muffin Tin
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or, if you prefer fuss-free cleanup, pop in some paper liners. This sets you up for easy release and those perfectly rounded fritters.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Not only does this evenly distribute the baking powder and spices, it helps prevent any flour lumps in your finished batter.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, applesauce, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth. The applesauce lends a gentle apple note and keeps your fritters extra moist while the butter brings it all together with extra warmth and richness.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet mixture into your dry ingredients and stir until just combined—overmixing can make the fritters dense, so gentle is the name of the game. Next, fold in the diced apples so each bite gets a juicy apple surprise.
Step 5: Fill the Muffin Tin
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, aiming for about 3/4 full each so there’s enough space for those gorgeous fritters to rise and fluff up.
Step 6: Bake!
Slide the pan onto the middle rack and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, and the tops are ever-so-slightly golden.
Step 7: Glaze While Warm
While the fritters are cooling for a quick five minutes, whisk up the glaze by combining powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle generously over the warm fritters so it soaks in just a bit—pure magic.
How to Serve Baked Apple Fritters
Garnishes
A simple glaze is classic, but don’t stop there! Sprinkle extra cinnamon on top, or even a few chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch and a rustic finish.
Side Dishes
Baked Apple Fritters shine alongside a steaming mug of coffee or apple cider. For a more decadent occasion, pair with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream, transforming snack time into an irresistible dessert moment.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the fritters on a pretty cake stand for a brunch centerpiece, tuck them into small bakery bags for gifts, or serve in a basket lined with a tea towel for an at-home café feel.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any uneaten Baked Apple Fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They’ll stay soft and delicious, though the glaze may get a little soft—which, honestly, just adds to their charm.
Freezing
If you want to keep fritters for a longer stretch, you can absolutely freeze them. Lay them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Don’t glaze them until you thaw and reheat for the best texture.
Reheating
Pop chilled or thawed fritters in a 300°F oven for a few minutes until warmed through. This revives their tender crumb and makes the apples even more fragrant. If glazing after freezing, drizzle once fully rewarmed.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
Yes, you can swap in whole wheat flour for up to half of the all-purpose, though the texture may be slightly heartier. Avoid going 100 percent whole wheat if you prefer a lighter crumb.
What apples work best for this recipe?
Granny Smiths are a time-honored favorite for their tartness, but any firm, crisp apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji holds up well and brings a natural sweetness.
Can I make these Baked Apple Fritters vegan?
Absolutely! Substitute flax eggs for the eggs, a dairy-free milk, and a plant-based butter. Check that your powdered sugar is vegan, too—these swaps work beautifully without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Do the fritters have to be baked in a muffin tin?
While the muffin tin ensures neat, easy-to-hold portions, you can gently mound batter spoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet for a more rustic look. Watch closely for doneness as baking times may vary slightly.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the batter?
Of course! Feel free to fold in up to 1/2 cup of finely chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, or even a small handful of raisins for extra texture and flavor. It’s a tasty way to make your Baked Apple Fritters uniquely yours.
Final Thoughts
If you’re longing for a treat that’s cozy, homey, and full of apple goodness, these Baked Apple Fritters are hard to beat. They come together in a snap, fill your kitchen with the most comforting aroma, and disappear fast—so don’t be shy about making a double batch. Give them a try, and get ready to fall in love with every warmly spiced bite!
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Baked Apple Fritters Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 fritters
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Baked Apple Fritters are a delightful and healthier twist on the classic fried fritters. Loaded with diced apples and warm spices, these fritters are baked to perfection and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced apples (such as Granny Smith)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk (for glaze)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a muffin tin.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, mix eggs, milk, applesauce, vanilla, and melted butter.
- Blend wet and dry: Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fold in diced apples.
- Bake: Spoon batter into muffin tin and bake for 18–22 minutes.
- Make glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze.
- Glaze and serve: Drizzle glaze over cooled fritters and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use Honeycrisp or Fuji apples for a firm texture.
- For added crunch, mix in chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Best enjoyed fresh but can be stored airtight for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
