Name: Homemade Apple Fritters
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour; 1/4 cup sugar; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/3 cup milk; 2 eggs; 3 tbsp applesauce; 2 large Granny Smith apples or Honey Crisp apples peeled cored and diced; canola oil or vegetable oil for frying; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup milk; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Homemade Apple Fritters

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Warm from the fryer and covered in a sweet vanilla glaze, these homemade apple fritters are such a cozy treat.

They’re golden and crisp around the edges, soft in the middle, and filled with little pieces of apple and plenty of cinnamon.

There’s something especially satisfying about making apple fritters at home.
As soon as the cinnamon and apples hit the batter, the kitchen starts to smell like something wonderful is on the way.
Then the fritters go into the hot oil, turning crisp and golden before getting dipped in that simple vanilla glaze.

And the best part? They’re surprisingly quick. The batter doesn’t need yeast or time to rise,
so you can have a batch of warm, bakery-style apple fritters ready in about 20 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love these fritters because they have everything I want in an apple treat: warm cinnamon, plenty of real apple, crisp edges, and a soft center. Granny Smith apples give them a bright, tart bite, while Honey Crisp apples make them a little sweeter. Either one is delicious here.

They’re also wonderfully simple to make. There’s no yeast to work with and no dough to knead. Just stir together the batter, fold in the apples, and fry until golden.

Then there’s the glaze! Powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla come together to make a smooth, sweet coating that settles into every little ridge and craggy edge. Try one while it’s still slightly warm—that’s when these fritters are especially good.

Apple Fritter Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these warm, cinnamon-spiced apple fritters:

All-Purpose Flour – This forms the base of the fritter batter and gives the fritters their structure.
Sugar – Adds just enough sweetness to the batter without making the fritters overly sweet, especially since they’ll get a generous coating of glaze.
Baking Powder – This helps the fritters puff up as they fry, giving the centers a lighter, softer texture.
Salt – A little salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the apples and cinnamon.
Cinnamon – Apples and cinnamon belong together! It gives the fritters that warm, cozy flavor in every bite.
Milk – Adds moisture and helps bring the batter together.
Eggs – They help bind the batter and give the fritters structure as they cook.
Applesauce – Adds extra moisture to the batter and complements the fresh apple flavor.
Granny Smith or Honey Crisp Apples – The star of these fritters! Granny Smith apples add a nice tart contrast to the sweet glaze, while Honey Crisp apples give you a sweeter apple flavor. Peel, core, and dice them before folding them into the batter.
Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil – Either works well for frying the fritters until the outside is crisp and golden.

For the Vanilla Glaze

Powdered Sugar – This creates the sweet base of the glaze and gives it a smooth consistency.
Milk – Thins the powdered sugar into a glaze that’s easy to dip the fritters into.
Vanilla Extract – A little vanilla rounds out the glaze and pairs beautifully with the cinnamon and apples.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the apple batter

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in medium bowl. Make a well in the center and add 1/3 cup milk, eggs and applesauce. Stir just to combine. Fold in apples.

Once the apples are folded in, the batter is ready for the fryer. Be careful not to keep stirring it—you only want to mix until everything comes together.

Heat the oil

Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil in heavy skillet, dutch oven or deep fryer to 375 degrees.

A candy thermometer is really helpful here. Keeping the oil around 375 degrees helps the fritters develop that beautiful golden exterior while cooking through in the center.

Fry the fritters

Drop about 1/4 cup of batter per fritter into hot oil; spreading it out as you drop. Cook each side until golden brown; approximately 2 minutes per side. Use a slotted spoon to remove to paper towels to drain.

Watching the first batch turn golden is one of my favorite parts. Give the fritters some space in the pan so the oil stays hot and they have room to cook evenly.

Make the vanilla glaze

Whisk together 1/4 cup milk, powdered sugar and vanilla.

That’s it! Three simple ingredients make the sweet finishing touch for these apple fritters.

Dip and let them set

Dunk each fritters in the glaze turning over to make sure both sides coated. Place on wire racks to air dry and drip.

Let the extra glaze fall through the rack and give the coating a little time to set. They’re especially delicious when they’re still slightly warm.

Expert Tips

Don’t overmix the batter. Stir it just until everything is combined. Too much mixing can make the fritters tougher instead of keeping the centers tender.

Keep an eye on 375 degrees. Oil temperature makes a big difference with fried treats. It will fall when you add the batter and rise again when you remove the fritters, so adjust your heat along the way.

Fry in batches. It’s tempting to fit in one more fritter, but giving them space makes frying much easier. It also helps prevent the oil temperature from dropping too quickly.

Reach for a heavy pot. A Dutch oven or another heavy pot holds heat well and makes maintaining a steady frying temperature easier.

Spread the batter as you add it. A slightly flatter fritter cooks more evenly than a very thick mound of batter, giving you lots of those delicious golden edges.

Drain before glazing. Let the fritters rest briefly on paper towels after frying, then move on to the glaze.

Recipe Variations

There isn’t much I’d change about the basic recipe, but your choice of apple is an easy way to give the fritters a slightly different personality.

Use Granny Smith apples when you want a tart apple flavor that contrasts with the sweet glaze. If you prefer something sweeter, Honey Crisp apples are a great choice.

You can also play with the size. The recipe uses about 1/4 cup of batter for each fritter, but you can make smaller fritters if you’d like little bite-sized treats. Just keep a close eye on them as they fry, because smaller portions can cook more quickly.

And if you love a generous glaze, coat both sides and let the excess drip onto the rack. That sweet vanilla layer is especially good against the cinnamon and apples.

Storage & Reheating

These apple fritters are hard to beat when they’re freshly made. That’s when the outside has its best texture and the glaze is freshly set.

If you have leftovers, let them cool completely first. Store the cooled cooked fritters wrapped loosely in paper towels in a brown paper bag.

When you’re ready for another one, you can gently warm it just until heated through. Keep in mind that reheated fritters won’t be quite as crisp as they were straight from the fryer, and warming them can soften the glaze.

Serving Suggestions

For me, these fritters don’t need much of anything alongside them. Serve them slightly warm with a cup of hot coffee or tea, and you have a lovely sweet breakfast or afternoon treat.

For brunch, pair them with savory favorites like eggs, crispy bacon, or breakfast potatoes. The salty, savory dishes are a nice contrast to the sweet vanilla glaze and cinnamon apples.

Or simply pile the freshly glazed fritters onto a platter and let everyone grab one. With their craggy golden edges, chunks of apple, and glossy glaze, they’re the kind of homemade treat that tends to disappear quickly.

Recipe FAQs

1. What are the best apples for apple fritters?

Granny Smith or Honey Crisp apples work great for these fritters. Granny Smith will give you more of a tart apple flavor, while Honey Crisp is a little sweeter. Either way, you want a firm apple that will hold up well while frying.

2. Why are my apple fritters greasy instead of crispy?

This usually happens when the oil isn’t hot enough. You want to keep the oil right around 375°F so the outside gets nice and golden without soaking up too much oil. The temperature will drop when you add the batter, so make sure to let it come back up between batches.

3. How do I know when the apple fritters are done?

Cook the fritters for about 2 minutes per side, or until both sides are golden brown. I also like to spread the batter out a little when adding it to the oil. This keeps the fritters from getting too thick and helps the centers cook all the way through.

4. Should I glaze apple fritters while they’re hot?

I recommend letting them drain and cool slightly first. If they’re piping hot, the glaze can melt and run right off. Once they’re still warm but not super hot, dip both sides in the glaze and place them on a wire rack to let the excess drip off.

5. Can I make apple fritters ahead of time?

Yes, but they really are best enjoyed fresh when the outside is still crisp. If you do make them ahead, let them cool completely before storing. You can warm leftover fritters before serving, but keep in mind the glaze may soften a little as they reheat.

Homemade Apple Fritters

Crisp and golden on the outside, soft and apple-filled in the center, these homemade fritters are finished with a simple vanilla glaze. They come together quickly and are best served fresh, once the glaze has had a few minutes to set.

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Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Apple Fritters, Homemade Apple Fritters

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 20

Servings: fritters

Ingredients

Apple Fritters

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup milk
2 eggs
3 tbsp applesauce
2 large Granny Smith apples or Honey Crisp apples peeled cored and diced
canola oil or vegetable oil for frying

Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Create a well in the center, then add 1/3 cup milk, the eggs, and applesauce. Stir only until the mixture comes together, then fold in the diced apples.
Pour 1 1/2 inches of oil into a heavy skillet, Dutch oven, or deep fryer and heat it to 375 degrees. Carefully add about 1/4 cup of batter for each fritter, spreading the batter slightly as it goes into the oil. Fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked fritters to paper towels with a slotted spoon and allow the excess oil to drain.
Whisk together 1/4 cup milk, the powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Dip each fritter into the glaze, turning it so both sides are coated. Set the glazed fritters on wire racks and allow the excess glaze to drip off while they air dry.