Applesauce Fritters are filled with bits of fresh apples, applesauce and cinnamon. Every bite of this classic Southern pastry is a warm and flavorful delight.
There’s something undeniably comforting about biting into a warm, freshly fried applesauce fritter.
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Apple Fritters
These homemade applesauce fritters are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and packed with cinnamon-apple flavor!
Old fashioned apple fritters bring back childhood memories for me and I'm so excited for you to make delicious memories too.
Skip the bakery and make these delicious applesauce fritters at home!
They’re golden brown, perfectly spiced, and so simple to make with pantry staples.
Traditional apple fritters fry in oil in a skillet on your stovetop and are a perfect treat to indulge on.
Applesauce fritters are a cozy comforting treat or a delicious way to start your day with your morning cup of coffee.
With just a few basic ingredients you’ll be creating the perfect apple fritters in no time!
These delightful bites are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.
They’re packed with sweet apple flavor and warm spices.
Add a dusting of confectioners sugar or roll them in a light sugar glaze. Any way you serve them will be oh so yummy!
Whether you’re looking for a cozy dessert or snack, a sweet breakfast, or just a way to use up some apples and applesauce, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings.
These applesauce fritters are the perfect homemade treat for any occasion.
Enjoy them warm with a cup of coffee or tea, and don’t be surprised when they disappear fast!
A special thank you to my granddaughter Cori for helping me with the photography for this recipe! I couldn't have done it without her! xoxo
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How to make an apple fritter recipe
This is a quick overview of how to make this applesauce fritters recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients in bowl and whisk until blended.
- Step 2: Combine the wet ingredients in a bowl and stir until combined.
- Step 3: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until a batter forms
- Step 4: Add the apple pieces to the batter
- Step 5: Fry the fritters, in batches, until they are golden brown and cooked through
- Step 6: Transfer the fritters to paper towels to allow any excess oil to drain off
Hint: It is important that you fry the fritters in two or three batches, depending on the size of your skillet, so that they are not overcrowded. The dough puffs up as it cooks so you need to have enough room in the skillet for them to get bigger. They will not cook evenly if they are crowded in the skillet.
Expert recipe tips
- Use fresh apples – You can use a slightly tart apple variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith or go with a sweeter variety such as Gala or Pink Lady. These apples will give your fritters the best apple flavor.
- Apples to avoid using - I do not recommend using Fuij apples, macintosh apples or red delicious apples to make fritters. The texture of these apples will not work well in a fritter recipe.
- Cutting the apples - Chop the apple pieces into small pieces keeping the pieces similar in size
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet – When frying your fritters, frying them in batches ensures even cooking and a crispy texture.
- Keep the frying oil at the right temperature – Maintain a constant oil temperature of about 350°F to prevent greasy or undercooked fritters.
- Drain excess oil – Place the fritters on a paper towel-lined plate after frying to remove any excess grease.
- Dust with powdered sugar – For an extra touch of sweetness and a bakery-style finish, sprinkle some powdered sugar over the fritters before serving.
- Ice cream scoop - For even sized fritters, use a small ice cream scooper to form the fritters
Substitutions
- Cinnamon – Apple pie spice can be used in place of cinnamon
- Eggs – A flax egg (1 Tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 Tablespoons water = 1 egg) can be used as an egg replacement.
- Flour – If you prefer a gluten-free apple fritters option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Milk – Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Sugar – Swap out granulated sugar for coconut sugar or a sugar substitute such as monk fruit sweetener.
How to glaze fritters
I love to sprinkle confectioners sugar over the fritters but they are also so delicious when tossed in a warm glaze!
Follow these simple directions for a glaze for apple fritter:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine 2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar and 5 Tablespoons warm water.
- Whisk until a glaze forms and the mixture is smooth and combined.
- You can drizzle or brush the tops of the fritters with the glaze.
- You can also toss the fritters, one at a time, in the glaze until evenly coated.
- Transfer the fritters onto the wire rack and let the excess glaze drain.
Variations
- Chocolate Chips – Add some mini chocolate chips for a fun sweet twist.
- Cinnamon Sugar Coating – Roll warm fritters in a cinnamon sugar mixture instead of dusting with powdered sugar.
- Citrus Zest - Add a teaspoon of grated orange zest or lemon zest for a fruity twist.
- Honey - Drizzle honey over warm fritters.
- Glazed Apple Fritters – Drizzle your fritters with a simple vanilla glaze or maple glaze for extra sweetness. Combine 1 cup confectioners sugar with 2 Tablespoons of warm water. Drizzle over the fritters or roll the entire fritter in the glaze. This will coat twelve fritters. You can double the amounts to glaze more.
- Nuts – Add chopped walnuts or chopped pecans to the batter before cooking for added crunch and texture.
- Apple Pear Fritters – You can use a combination of apples and pears and make apple pear fritters
Equipment
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Scooper
• Spatula
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Chef knife
• Cutting board
• Glass measuring cup
Storage
- Room Temperature – Store leftover fritters in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to one day.
- Refrigerator – Keep fritters in the fridge in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- Freezer – Freeze cooled fritters in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. Reheat fritter bites in the oven at 350°F until warm and crispy.
FAQs
An apple fritter is a sweet pastry that is typically deep fried in oil.
They can be served sprinkled with powdered sugar, topped with a glaze or drizzled with honey.
Apple fritters are a deep fried pastry. A fritter batter is made with flour, eggs, cinnamon, sugar, apples and milk.
Apple fritters are considered to be a classic Southern pastry.
Ingredients
Ingredients for homemade apple fritters
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides the structure and base for the batter
- Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness to the fritters and helps create a golden, caramelized exterior when cooked.
- Baking Powder – Acts as a leavening agent, helping the fritters to rise and become fluffy.
- Cinnamon – This warm spice adds a depth of flavor to the fritters
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and makes the flavors pop
- Eggs – Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the fritters.
- Applesauce – Provides moisture and natural sweetness while enhancing the apple flavor.
- Apples – Add texture and a fresh, juicy burst of apple goodness in every bite.
- Milk – Thins out the batter to the right consistency
- Canola oil – This oil is flavorless making it a good oil to use when frying the fritters
Apple Recipes
Check out these easy recipes made with apples too!
What to serve with
Serve one of these beverages with your fritters!
Applesauce Fritters Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 medium apples , cored and finely diced, 2 cups
- 2 cups canola oil (or more depending on your skillet size)
- Confectioners sugar , optional
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Instructions
- In a mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt and whisk until blended.
- In another bowl combine the eggs, applesauce and milk, stirring until combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
- Fold in the chopped apples.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil over medium-high heat in a skillet with deep sides.There should be about 2 inches of oil in the skillet. You may need to adjust the amount of oil depending on the size of your skillet.
- Using #40 ice cream scooper, about 2 Tablespoons per scoop, drop the fritters in the hot oil and cook, turning once, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Cook the fritters in batches so you do not overcrowd the skillet.
- Remove the fritters from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels or on a wire rack over paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
- If desired, dust the fritters with confectioners sugar.
Notes
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine 2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar and 5 Tablespoons warm water.
- Whisk until a glaze forms and the mixture is smooth and combined.
- You can drizzle or brush the tops of the fritters with the glaze.
- You can also toss the fritters, one at a time, in the glaze until evenly coated.
- Transfer the fritters onto the wire rack and let the excess glaze drain.
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