Crisp on the outside, tender in the center, and packed with small pieces of tart apple, these homemade fritters are an easy fried treat. Finish them with a generous coating of powdered sugar, dip them in the simple vanilla glaze, or serve some of each.
Add the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to a mixing bowl and stir until evenly combined.
In a second bowl, beat the eggs with a fork. Mix in the whole milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Fold everything together gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix. Fold in the diced apples.
Pour a couple of inches of canola oil into a Dutch oven and heat it over medium heat. Once the oil reaches about 350°F, test it with a small drop of batter. The batter should sizzle immediately and rise to the surface. If it browns or burns too quickly, reduce the heat.
Carefully drop 1 tablespoon of batter at a time into the hot oil, frying 6 or 8 fritters at once. Some may turn over on their own; flip the others as needed. Watch them closely so they become golden without getting too dark, and make sure the centers have enough time to cook completely. Fry for about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes total. Continue with the remaining batter. Transfer the cooked fritters to paper towels to drain.
To prepare the glaze, if using, whisk together the powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and whole milk in a medium bowl until smooth.
Finish the warm fritters with a very generous dusting of powdered sugar, or dip them into the glaze. Serve warm.
Notes
Recipe Notes
For the best apple fritters, keep the apple pieces small so they soften during the short frying time and you get a little apple in every bite. Granny Smith apples work especially well because their tart flavor balances the sweet cinnamon batter and glaze.
Keep the oil as close to 350°F as possible and fry only 6 to 8 fritters at a time. If the oil gets too cool, the fritters can absorb extra oil and become greasy. If it gets too hot, they may brown before the centers are cooked.
Use about 1 tablespoon of batter per fritter and avoid making them too large. Fry for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes total, turning when needed, until golden and cooked through.
For serving, dust the warm fritters generously with powdered sugar or dip them in the vanilla glaze. You can also do half of each.
Store leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. Reheat the next day in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes to help bring back their crisp texture.
Nutrition
Per serving (1/8 of recipe, estimated): Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 592mg | Potassium: 144mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 229IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mgNote: This is an estimate based on the listed ingredients and glaze. Because the fritters are deep-fried, the actual calories and fat will be higher depending on how much frying oil they absorb.