Craving the comfort of classic apple fritters without the extra guilt? This easy baked version offers all the cozy flavors you love with a light, golden-brown crunch. Fresh apples, warm spices, and a sweet glaze come together to create a dessert or snack that’s irresistible and much healthier than the traditional fried variety. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat, these baked apple fritters will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of fall!
Ingredients:
For the Fritters:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk (or any milk of choice)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (to prevent apples from browning)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional for extra sweetness)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. This mixture will give the fritters their signature warmth and flavor.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well blended.
- Prepare Apples: Toss the diced apples with lemon juice to keep them fresh and bright. For extra sweetness, you can add a tablespoon of maple syrup to the apples.
- Mix Batter: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold in the diced apples until just combined. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy—be careful not to over-mix.
- Shape & Bake: Using a spoon, drop mounds of batter (about 2-3 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten each mound with the back of the spoon to form a rough, fritter-like shape. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the fritters to cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the fritters cool, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth.
- Glaze the Fritters: Drizzle the glaze generously over the cooled fritters. For an extra touch, sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on top of each fritter.
- Serve & Enjoy: These baked apple fritters are best enjoyed fresh with a hot cup of coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy their crunchy exterior and soft, apple-filled interior!