Indulge in the heavenly flavor of classic apple fritters, but with a baked version that’s lighter on the oil and packed with cozy apple and warm cinnamon flavor. With diced apples that hold their shape and a lightly sweetened batter that whips up in mere minutes, these fritters are popped into the oven till golden. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar, and you have a simple but satisfying dessert or breakfast treat likely to please everyone.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Healthier Option: These fritters are baked rather than fried, making them lower in fat but just as delicious and satisfying.
Not So Secret Apple Flavor: Diced apples bake until tender, imparting natural sweetness and moisture.
Easy to prepare: No deep-frying disaster! Just stir, spoon onto a baking sheet and bake.
Great for Breakfast or Dessert: These fritters make a sweet breakfast, an afternoon snack or a warming dessert.
Key Ingredients:
Apples: Choose a firm, slightly tart apple, such as a Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These kept their shape well and nicely offset the sweetness of the fritter.
Brown Sugar: Infuses the fritters with the slightest bit of molasses flavor, and moisture for tender fritters.
Cinnamon: Provides warmth, which offers a bit of a cozy apple-pie flavor.
Vanilla: Adds depth of flavor; use pure vanilla extract for best flavor if possible.
Butter: Melted butter makes them rich, though you could use a neutral oil like vegetable oil instead, if you’d like.
Full list of ingredients with amounts and instructions found in the recipe card below
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Directions
Preheat and Prep
Preheat: If you have not already, make sure your oven is preheated to 350°F (175°C). This is hot enough to cook the fritters through and develop a pleasing golden-brown crust.
Grease or Line the Baking Sheet: Prepare a baking sheet by lightly greasing it to avoid sticking, or lining with parchment paper for a no-fuss clean-up.
Mix Dry Ingredients
Combine Rest of Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups any variety of all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Whisk: Combine these ingredients until yolk and whites are mixed. The mixture of sugars adds a depth of sweetness, and the cinnamon gives it a classic apple pie flavor.
Combine Wet Ingredients
In a Separate Bowl: Whisk together 1/2 cup milk, 2 large eggs (beaten), 1/4 cup melted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Make Sure You Mix: Mix together all of your wet ingredients well. The milk and eggs contribute moisture and structure, the melted butter, richness, and the vanilla, flavor.
Form the Batter
Mix the Wet Stuff With the Dry Stuff: Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, one batch at a time, gently folding them together. Mix just enough to combine to avoid overworking the batter that keeps it light and fluffy.
Prepare for Some Lumps: It’s fine if the batter is a little lumpy; its rustic appeal will add to the fritters’ charm.
Add Apples
Fold in the Apples: Fold in 1 1/2 cups of finely diced apples, folding until evenly combined. The apples will break down and caramelize a little as they bake, forming pockets of fruity sweetness.
Bake
Spoon the batter: spoon the batter into heaping 1/4-cup scoops on the prepared sheet pan with ample space between for spreading.
Bake Until Golden: Place the tray into the hot oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, just until the fritters are browned but not burnt, and set in the center. Baking times are approximate, so look for golden color.
Cool and Serve
Cool on the Pan: Place fritters on the pan to cool for 5 minutes or more before serving to set. Then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optional Dusting: If desired, while fritters are still warm, dust them with powdered sugar for extra sweetness and beauty.
Serving Suggestions:
These apple fritters are tasty all by themselves, but here are some serving ideas to dress them up:
With a drizzle of something: Caramel or vanilla glaze would be a nice decadent touch.
With Ice Cream: Serve warm fritters topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
With Spiced Honey: Drizzle with honey combined with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a healthy sweet topping.
With a Morning Coffee: These fritters are such a lovely sweet treat for breakfast that they make a perfect companion to a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
These apple fritters baked are simple to store in addition to eat later!
Refrigerate: Keep leftover fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the fritters in a single layer on a baking sheet, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll store well in the freezer for 2 months.
To reheat: Heat fritters in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds. The oven will help keep them crispier than the microwave.
Recipe Variations:
Looking to change things up? There are some fun ways to customize your apple fritters:
Maple-Glazed Fritters: Drizzle the fritter with maple glaze by combining powdered sugar and a bit of maple syrup
Cinnamon Sugar Fritters: Ditch the powdered sugar and toss warm fritters in a combination of cinnamon and sugar for a doughnut-y take.
Spiced Apple and Nut Fritters: Stir a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for a nutty crunch.
Caramel Apple Fritters Swirl: caramel sauce through the batter for caramel flavor in every bite.
Savory Fritters: Add a dash of nutmeg or allspice to the dry ingredients for a spicier, autumnal flavor.
Conclusion:
These Baked Apple Fritters are a healthier way to enjoy a classic treat without the added oil of frying! They’re sweet and lightly spiced and loaded with bits of tender apple, so that with every bite, you get an explosion of warm, comforting flavor. Ideal for a snack, breakfast or dessert, they’re a treat everyone in the family will love. And through every mouthwatering, guilt-free bite!
Baked Apple Fritters
Ingredients
- 2 large apples peeled, cored, and finely diced
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. It’s okay if the batter is slightly lumpy.
- Fold in the finely diced apples, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Drop batter onto the prepared baking sheet in 1/4 cup portions, spacing apart. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.