How to Make Apple Fritters
Posted September 8, 2023 by: Admin
Warm Apple Fritters are a delightful treat during apple season and can be ready in just 30 minutes. The batter contains a secret ingredient that creates a fluffy and crispy coating on the outside, while remaining soft on the inside. Think of them as glazed donuts filled with an apple ring.
We absolutely adore apple recipes, from the classic Apple Pie to flaky Apple Turnovers. If you’re a fan of apple desserts, you must try this Apple Fritter Recipe!
What are Apple Fritters?
Apple fritters are essentially donuts that are made with apples. The apples are dipped in a simple batter and then deep-fried in oil. If you prefer, you can chop up the apples into small pieces and spoon mounds of the apple fritter batter into the oil to make clusters of apple fritters. We love frying them as apple fritter rings because they resemble donuts – they’re super cute, easier to eat, and less likely to fall apart in the oil.
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Ingredients for Apple Fritters
- Apples – choose crisp, sweet-tart varieties like golden delicious, Granny Smith, or honey crisp.
- Lemon juice – squeeze over the apples to prevent browning.
- Flour – all-purpose flour works perfectly.
- Sugar – lightly sweetens the batter.
- Baking powder – helps the batter rise.
- Salt – balances the sweetness of the fritters.
- Milk – any fat content, from 1% to whole milk.
- Butter – creates a tender dough.
- Egg – use 1 egg yolk and then fold in 2 beaten egg whites for an extra fluffy batter.
- Oil – any high-heat frying oil like canola, vegetable oil, or peanut oil.
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The Best Apple Peeler
If you love apple recipes, we highly recommend using an apple peeler. It will save you a ton of time and effort. The peeler can peel, core, and slice your apples into perfect 1/4″-thick rings, with no waste. It’s a fantastic tool for making Apple Pie, Apple Crisp, and even Apple Sauce quickly.
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How to Make the Batter
- Whisk together the dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt – in a medium bowl.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients – milk, egg yolk, and melted butter. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Beat the egg whites in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form, but the mixture isn’t overly dry. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter using a spatula until fully combined.
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How to Make Apple Fritter Rings
- Pour 2-3 inches of oil into a pot over medium/high heat until it reaches 375˚F.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4″ thick rings (an apple peeler can save you time). Transfer the apple rings to a bowl and toss them with 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
- Dip each apple ring into the batter, allowing any excess batter to drip back into the bowl. Fry about 5 fritters at a time for 2 minutes per side, or until they are browned, flipping once.
- Remove the fritters from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a tray lined with paper towels. Roll them in cinnamon sugar or dust them with powdered sugar before serving.
Pro Tip: Make sure to keep the oil temperature above 350˚F while frying to prevent the fritters from absorbing too much oil. A clip-on pot thermometer can help maintain the proper oil temperature.
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Common Questions
What type of thermometer is best for frying?
You can use an inexpensive clip-on thermometer or opt for a versatile thermometer like the Thermoworks brand, which can be used for various cooking projects, including frying, baking, and grilling.
When are apple fritters done cooking?
Fry the fritters for about 2 minutes per side until they turn a deep golden brown, ensuring a crispy exterior. If they are browning too quickly, reduce the heat; if they are not browning enough, increase the heat.
Can I make this in a deep fryer?
Absolutely! You can use a deep fryer using the same temperature settings and cooking times as mentioned in the recipe.
Can I use an air fryer?
Due to the wet batter, it is not recommended to air fry apple fritters. However, you can reheat and recrisp them in an air fryer.
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How to Serve Apple Fritters
Serve the apple fritter rings warm, with your favorite toppings or coatings.
- Cinnamon sugar – combine 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Roll the apple fritters in the mixture to coat both sides.
- Powdered sugar – dust the warm fritters with powdered sugar just before serving.
- Glazed – drizzle them with a lemon glaze, similar to the one used in our Blueberry Muffins recipe.
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Apple fritters are absolutely scrumptious and will create beautiful food memories with your loved ones. Make them a new tradition.
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More Fall Desserts
If you enjoy fall baking, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of our best recipes featuring pumpkin, apple, and other flavors that capture the essence of autumn.
Apple Fritters Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a second large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, egg yolk, and melted butter. Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Pour 2 to 3 inches of oil into a large pot or Dutch oven and heat over medium/high heat to 375˚F on a thermometer.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples into 1/4”-thick rings and place them into a shallow dish. Squeeze lemon juice over the apple slices and use your hands to gently toss the apple rings to coat them with lemon juice (this will prevent browning).
- In a medium bowl, beat 2 egg whites with an electric hand mixer, egg beaters, or a whisk until stiff peaks form, but the whites are not dry. If you over-beat them, it will be difficult to blend. Use a spatula to gently fold the egg whites into the batter until fully incorporated.
- Remove one apple slice at a time from the lemon juice, allowing any excess juice to drip back into the bowl. Dip both sides of the apple in the batter to fully coat it, allowing any excess batter to drip back into the bowl.
- Fry the apple rings in hot oil in batches in a single layer (about 5 or 6 at a time to avoid crowding). Fry them for about 2 minutes per side, or until they are browned, flipping them once. Keep the oil temperature above 350˚F while frying.
- Remove the fritters from the oil using a strainer and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. To serve, dust them with powdered sugar or dip both sides in cinnamon sugar.*
Pro Tip: Be sure to keep the oil above 350˚F while frying so the fritters don’t absorb too much oil. A clip-on pot thermometer helps with maintaining the proper oil temperature.