Apple Fritters are a delightful treat that combines chunks of fresh apples with a sweet, spiced batter, then fried to crispy perfection. These fritters are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a sweet treat. Here’s how to make them from scratch!
Ingredients
For the Fritters:
- 2 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup melted butter (cooled)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare the Apples: In a bowl, toss the diced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
2. Make the Fritter Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
In another bowl, beat the eggs and then add the milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Mix until combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed.
3. Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the temperature.
4. Fry the Fritters: Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fritters to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
5. Make the Glaze (Optional): While the fritters are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the milk quantity to achieve your desired glaze consistency.
6. Glaze the Fritters (Optional): Dip each warm fritter into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the glazed fritters on a wire rack to let the glaze set.
Tips for Success
- Oil Temperature: Maintain the correct oil temperature to ensure the fritters cook evenly and become crispy. Too hot, and they’ll brown too quickly; too cool, and they’ll absorb excess oil.
- Consistent Size: Try to keep the fritter batter portions consistent in size for even cooking.
- Drain Excess Oil: Let the fritters drain on paper towels to remove excess oil before glazing or serving.