Baked Apple Fritters (Quick & Easy)
Skip the deep fryer and still enjoy all the cozy, cinnamon-sweet flavor of traditional apple fritters! These baked apple fritters are soft on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and filled with juicy chunks of apple. Perfect for a fall breakfast, dessert, or a warm afternoon treat with coffee.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 8 fritters
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped apples (peeled — Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith work great)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
(Optional: 1 tablespoon melted butter for richer flavor)
Instructions
Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
Add Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract (plus melted butter if using).
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined — don’t overmix!
Fold in Apples
Add the chopped apples and fold them into the batter until evenly distributed.
Form the Fritters
Scoop about ¼ cup of batter for each fritter and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon (they’ll puff up a bit while baking).
Bake
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
Let them cool slightly before glazing or dusting with sugar.
Optional Vanilla Glaze
For that bakery-style finish, whisk together:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Drizzle over warm fritters and let it set for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips
Serve warm with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- A drizzle of caramel sauce
- A sprinkle of powdered sugar for a classic touch
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispness.