Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe
If you’re searching for a shareable dessert that feels both nostalgic and new, look no further than Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe. These baked beauties combine the crunchy cinnamon-sugar coating and delicate vanilla glaze you love, but skip the fryer for a healthier twist. Every bite is packed with juicy apple pieces, warm spices, and a tender dough that’s satisfying without being heavy. Whether you’re baking for family brunch or craving a cozy weekend treat, this is the kind of recipe everyone will ask for again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe truly celebrates simple, everyday ingredients. Each one brings something essential to the moment: tender crumb, juicy fruit, a hint of spice, or that all-important golden finish. Don’t skip a thing—each ingredient plays a role in creating these irresistible fritters!
- All-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy, soft base that holds every delicious bite together.
- Baking powder: Lifts the batter for that signature fluffiness you want in a fritter.
- Baking soda: Works with the baking powder for extra rise and a wonderfully light interior.
- Salt: Enhances the twist of sweetness and brings out the flavor of the apples.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the batter and forms a sparkly coating on the baked fritters.
- Large egg: Adds moisture and binds everything together for a consistent texture.
- Milk: Keeps the batter supple—whole milk gives the best texture, but any milk will work in a pinch.
- Melted unsalted butter: Adds a lovely richness and golden flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens the aroma and ties together every sweet, spiced note.
- Apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp): The star ingredient: crisp, tart, and perfectly juicy after baking.
- Ground cinnamon: Spices up the sugar coating and brings a comforting warmth to every fritter.
- Powdered sugar: Becomes the silky glaze that blankets each fritter just before serving.
- Non-stick cooking spray: Keeps your baked fritters golden and easy to remove from the pan without sticking.
How to Make Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Start with a large mixing bowl and whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and granulated sugar. This simple step helps distribute the leaveners and ensures the fritters rise evenly in the oven. A quick whisk also makes the final batter smooth and lump-free.
Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk your egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is silky and well combined. The butter adds richness while the vanilla brings in that bakery-style aroma you love in homemade fritters.
Step 3: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir gently. Don’t overdo it—just mix until everything looks evenly combined. Overmixing can make baked fritters tough, but a few streaks of flour are totally fine.
Step 4: Fold in the Apples
Gently add your diced apples to the batter, folding them in so they’re spread throughout. Each fritter should have plenty of juicy apple chunks inside for the ultimate burst of flavor.
Step 5: Rest the Batter
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the batter rest for 15 to 20 minutes. This short pause lets the flour hydrate, making your fritters even more tender. It’s a great time to prep your baking pan or clean up the kitchen.
Step 6: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a large baking sheet with non-stick spray. This step is key for a golden exterior and easy removal later—don’t skip the spray!
Step 7: Portion Out the Batter
Use a large spoon or a cookie scoop (about 1/4 cup per fritter) to drop mounds of batter onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave about two inches between each fritter; they need space to puff up and brown all over.
Step 8: Bake Until Golden
Bake the fritters for 12 to 15 minutes. Look for a golden top, and check for doneness with a toothpick—it should come out clean when poked in the center. Your kitchen will smell incredible at this stage!
Step 9: Cool Slightly
Take the pan out and let the fritters sit for a few minutes. This brief cooling step helps set their shape and makes them easier to transfer to a wire rack without breaking apart.
Step 10: Make the Cinnamon Sugar Coating
While your fritters bake, stir together granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow dish. This creates that sparkling, classic donut-shop finish for each fritter.
Step 11: Coat the Warm Fritters
Once the fritters are just cool enough to handle, roll each in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Do this while they’re still slightly warm—this way, the sugar clings beautifully and adds irresistible crunch.
Step 12: Whisk the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, a little milk, and vanilla extract. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until the glaze is smooth and drips easily from a spoon but isn’t watery.
Step 13: Drizzle on the Glaze
When the fritters have cooled completely, generously drizzle the glaze over each one. Watch how it hugs the nooks and crannies, adding a soft, sweet finish to every bite.
Step 14: Let the Glaze Set
Give the fritters a few minutes for the glaze to harden just slightly. This makes them neat to serve and ensures your fingers don’t get too sticky—unless you want them to, of course!
How to Serve Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate these Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe with a final flourish! A simple dusting of extra powdered sugar looks lovely, or try a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts. Even a hint of lemon zest over the glaze adds a citrusy brightness that’s especially welcome in the colder months.
Side Dishes
These baked fritters play so well with creamy vanilla ice cream, tangy Greek yogurt, or a quick fruit salad featuring more apples or berries. For brunch, pair with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a frothy cappuccino–something about that sweet and savory combo just works.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn fritters into a brunch board centerpiece alongside fresh fruit, small bowls of caramel sauce, and mini glasses of apple cider. Present stacks of fritters on a rustic wooden board for that bakery-café vibe, or serve single fritters in cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go treats for a party or potluck.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe at their very best, place cooled, glazed fritters in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to two days, though a quick reheat brings back their just-baked texture.
Freezing
For longer storage, skip the glaze and wrap fritters individually in plastic wrap, then freeze in a resealable bag. Freeze up to two months. When you’re craving a fritter, defrost at room temperature and add glaze after thawing for that bakery-fresh effect.
Reheating
Give leftovers a quick warm-up in a 300°F (150°C) oven for five minutes or in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. The outside crisps back up and the aroma fills your kitchen just like the day you baked them. If you’ve frozen unglazed fritters, reheat, then drizzle with fresh glaze for best results.
FAQs
What are the best apples for Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe?
Tart, firm apples like Granny Smith hold their shape and have just the right snap, while Honeycrisp brings extra juiciness and sweetness. Both work perfectly—just make sure the pieces are evenly diced for consistent texture in each fritter.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Absolutely! Cover the batter and refrigerate up to a day in advance. Let it sit at room temperature while you preheat the oven so it’s not too cold before baking, and stir gently to re-incorporate any settled ingredients.
How do I prevent fritters from sticking to the pan?
Non-stick spray is your best friend here—use a generous coat on the baking sheet. For extra insurance, line the tray with parchment paper before spraying for easy release and effortless cleanup.
Can I skip the glaze, or use something else?
The classic vanilla glaze tops off Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe, but you can skip it if you prefer less sweetness or dust with powdered sugar instead. For a fall spin, try a maple or caramel glaze, or serve with a warm spiced honey drizzle.
Are these fritters suitable for kids?
Absolutely! Kids love the sweet, soft bite and cinnamon aroma. In fact, these are a great option for baking with little helpers—let them stir the batter or help drizzle that final glaze for some hands-on fun.
Final Thoughts
Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe is more than just a treat—it’s the promise of smiles, sticky fingers, and that unbeatable homemade flavor you just don’t get at a bakery. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and enjoy every golden, apple-packed bite as much as I do!
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Baked Apple Fritters: A Delicious & Easy Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 fritters 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Baked Apple Fritters are a delightful treat that combines tender, apple-studded batter with a sweet cinnamon sugar coating and a vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack, these fritters are easy to make and bursting with warm flavors.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, unsalted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced into 1/2-inch pieces (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Fold in the Apples: Gently fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed.
- Rest the Batter: Cover the bowl and let the batter rest for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Drop Batter onto Baking Sheet: Use a large spoon to drop batter onto the sheet, leaving space between each fritter.
- Bake the Fritters: Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool Slightly: Allow fritters to cool on a wire rack.
- Combine Sugar and Cinnamon: Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a dish.
- Coat the Fritters: Roll warm fritters in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Whisk Together Glaze Ingredients: Combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle Glaze over Fritters: Glaze cooled fritters.
- Let Glaze Set: Allow glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- You can add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the batter for extra warmth.
- For a richer glaze, substitute cream for milk in the glaze.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Baked Apple Fritters, Apple Fritters Recipe, Easy Apple Fritters
