Easy Glazed Apple Fritter Recipe

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: You won’t be able to resist these Easy Glazed Apple Fritters! Picture warm, crispy bites filled with juicy apples and cinnamon, all drizzled with a sweet glaze. 

• Quick and effortless: Just 25 minutes of prep for a bakery-quality treat.
• Perfectly balanced texture: Crispy golden crust with a soft, airy center.
• Loaded with flavor: Fresh apples, cozy cinnamon spice, and a silky vanilla glaze.
• Versatile and crowd-pleasing: Whether it’s breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these glazed apple fritters fit every occasion.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved on 8/29/2024, to include a NEW STEP-BY-STEP tutorial video, explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips. 

Table of Contents

• What are Easy Glazed Apple Fritters?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients
• How to Make Glazed Apple Fritters
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make Ahead & Storage Instructions
• Can I Bake This AppleFritterRecipe?
• FAQs
• More Apple Recipes

What are Easy Glazed Apple Fritters?

Glazed Apple Fritters are donut-like treats packed with fresh apple pieces and coated in a sweet vanilla glaze. The dough is similar to pancake batter but folded with juicy apples and then deep-fried to golden perfection.

• Crispy and golden: The exterior has a satisfying crunch.
• Soft and fluffy inside: Tender with chunks of apple in every bite.
• Packed with flavor: Warm cinnamon, fresh apples, and a rich glaze.
• Donut meets fruit explosion: Like a donut, but bursting with fresh fruit and extra flavor.

Tools You Need

• Knife
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Wire whisk
• Spatula
• Large saucepan
• Thermometer
• Wire rack
• Baking tray

Key Ingredients

• Granny Smith apples

  • Provide a tart contrast, hold their shape during frying, and add juicy bursts of flavor.
  • Substitutes:
    • Honeycrisp: Sweet and crisp, they keep their structure beautifully.
    • Braeburn: Slightly sweet with a hint of spice, they maintain their texture in baking.
    • Pink Lady (Cripps Pink): Sweet tart with a firm texture that holds up well in heat.
    • Jonagold: A blend of sweet and tart with a firm flesh, making them great for this recipe or pies.
    • Golden Delicious: Naturally sweet and good at retaining their shape, though slightly softer than the others.
  • Bramley apples will be your go-to cooking apples in Ireland or the UK. However, they will be too sour for this recipe. They are the best apples working beautifully in an  Apple Crumble, Apple Strudel, or Crock Pot Apple Pie Filling.

• All-purpose flour

  • Forms the structure and base of the batter, giving the fritters their substance.
  • Substitutes: To make gluten-free apple fritter donuts, use a gluten-free all-purpose blend or Easy Almond Flour Baking Mix.

• Baking powder

  • Acts as a leavening agent, helping the fritters rise and become fluffy.

• Cinnamon

  • Adds warmth and spice, enhancing the apple flavor.

• Eggs

  • Bind the ingredients together and add moisture, helping with texture.

• Buttermilk

  • Adds tang and richness while also activating the baking powder for a lighter texture.
  • Substitutes: Make Homemade Buttermilk using any dairy or plant-based milk. Or use sour cream or yogurt instead.

• Brown sugar

  • Provides sweetness and a hint of molasses, balancing the tart apples.

• Vanilla extract

  • Enhances the overall flavor with a subtle sweet note.

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

  • Creates a crispy exterior while cooking the fritters evenly.

• Vanilla glaze (powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla)

  • Adds a sweet finish with a smooth, glossy coating that ties all the flavors together.

How to Make Easy Glazed Apple Fritters

Prep

1. Peel, core, and dice the apples up into very small chunks. Set aside covered with a damp piece of kitchen paper over them while you make the fritter batter.

Make the fritter batter

2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
3. Mix wet ingredients: In a seperate bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
4. Combine: Stir the wet into the dry ingredients until just combined, and then fold in the apples.

Fry the fritters

5. In a large saucepan over medium heat, pour oil to a 2-3 inch depth and set a thermometer in the oil to measure the temperature and set a wire rack on a baking tray and place near the saucepan.
6. When the oil has reached 350°F/180°C (medium heat), carefully drop a large dessert spoon of batter into the oil, roughly ¼ cup of batter.
7. After 2-3 minutes, when one side is golden brown then flip and let the other side cook until golden brown on the other side.

Glaze fritters

8. Lift the fritters out of the oil and drain on the wire rack. Once all the fritters are cooked, dunk them in the glaze and let dry back on the wire rack. These fritters are best the day they are made.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Apple Fritters

• A candy thermometer is super useful for this recipe. Be sure to keep the oil at 350°F (180oC). If it is too hot, the fritters won’t fry properly. If it is too cold, they’ll absorb too much oil and get soggy.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of salt (roughly ⅛ tsp) to the batter.
• Make sure to cut the apples very small so that they cook in the short time they are frying.
• Use my Buttermilk Substitute if you don’t have any to hand.
• Oil is HOT when frying! Make sure you stay safe: place donuts carefully in the hot oil to avoid splash burns, watch carefully to make sure that the oil doesn’t start to smoke, and never walk away from oil heating on the stove! If you are a child making this recipe, make sure to get an adult’s help!

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

Make-Ahead:

• Prepare the batter: You can make the fritterbatter (minus the apples) the night before and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Add the diced apples right before frying to keep them fresh and prevent the batter from becoming too watery.
• Fry and store: You can fully cook the fritters ahead of time and store them without the glaze. Simply reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes before glazing and serving.

Storage:

• Room temperature: Fritters are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
• Refrigeration: Store glazed fritters in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The glaze may become slightly sticky, but the fritters will still be delicious.
• Freezing: Freeze unglazed fritters in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat in the oven before glazing and serving.

Reheating:

• For the best texture, reheat fritters in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until warmed through and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.

Can I Bake Apple Fritters?

Yes, but baked fritters will be less crispy.

To bake, place spoonfuls of the batter on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. You can brush them with melted butter before baking to enhance crispiness.

FAQS

How do I keep fritters from getting soggy?

• To prevent sogginess, make sure the oil is at the right temperature (350°F/180°C) before frying.
• If the oil is too cool, the fritters will absorb excess oil. Also, drain them on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep the exterior crispy.

Why are my fritters greasy?

• This happens if the oil isn’t hot enough, causing the fritters to absorb more oil.
• Use a thermometer to ensure the oil stays around 350°F (180°C) and avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature.

Why are my fritters dense instead of fluffy?

Overmixing the batter can lead to dense fritters. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined to avoid developing too much gluten, which keeps them light and airy.

Can I freeze apple fritters?

Yes, freeze unglazed fritters in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven before glazing and serving.

Can I substitute the glaze with something else?

Instead of glaze, you can toss the warm fritters in cinnamon sugar for a classic twist. This adds a crunchy coating and another layer of flavor.

More Apple Recipes

• The Perfect Classic Apple Pie Recipe
• Caramel Apple Tarte Tatin
• Homemade Apple Cider Donuts
• Crock Pot Apple Pie Filling
• Irresistible AppleCider Caramels

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved on 8/29/2024, to include a NEW STEP-BY-STEP tutorial video, explanations and substitutes of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips. 

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Whole Wheat Waffles Recipe (With Wheat Germ)