Old Fashioned Apple Fritters

These Old Fashioned Apple Fritters are made with a cakey batter incorporated with juicy apples and glazed. They’re an easy-to-make fall treat.

One of our favourite autumn traditions is making apple fritters. The best part about them is that they are quick and easy to make, which makes them perfect for a last minute dessert!

Apple fritters are a classic American dessert, and they’re simple to make. This recipe is made from scratch with fresh ingredients which makes the flavor even more delicious.

Tips for Making the Best Cake Donuts

• Don’t over-mix the batter as it may make the fritters dense.
• Use a candy thermometer for this recipe as it ensures accuracy when checking the temperature of the oil.
• Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the apple fritters. If it isn’t, your apple fritters will be greasy on the outside and doughy in the middle.
• Overcrowding an oiled pan or pot with too many of these tasty treats will cause the temperature of the oil to drop too low, resulting in greasy apple fritters. Fry the apple fritters in small batches to ensure they’re crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.
• If you find that your apple fritters are absorbing too much oil and browning too quickly, reduce the temperature of the oil.
• Be sure to wear a dry potholder when taking out and turning over fried goods as wet hands can cause grease splatters!
• Make sure to dry your apple fritters well before coating them in the glaze.

Equipment Needed to Make Cake Donuts

Dutch oven – A dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot helps the oil hold its temperature.

Spider tool – You want this straining tool to scoop out the donuts and leave the oil behind.

How to Store Apple Fritters

Apple fritters are best eaten fresh; however, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.

Apple fritters freeze well in an airtight container if they are completely cooled after frying. You may freeze apple fritters for up to two months. Reheat apple fritters in a 350° F oven for about ten minutes or in the microwave until heated through before serving.

About the Ingredients for Apple Fritters

Flour – All-purpose flour is best for making cake donuts, cake flour can make them dense. Be sure to spoon and level your flour carefully so they also don’t get dense.

Baking Powder – Leavens the donuts, make sure they are still active so your donuts rise.

Salt – Helps to balance all the flavours and make em shine.

Cinnamon – Warming spice to complement the sweetness of the apples.

Eggs – Make sure your eggs are at room temperature before starting.

Sugar – Brown sugar, pack it when measuring.

Vanilla extract – Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavour, but artificial is just fine too.

Milk – You can use any milk you like here, I think whole milk tastes best though.

Apples – Use crisp and sweet apples to make fritters like Honeycrisp.

Oil – Vegetable oil and canola oil are both very good for frying donuts as they have a high smoke point and are flavour neutral.

Looking for More Tasty Donut Recipes

Check out some of my favourite donut recipes:

Dulce De Leche Donuts featuring a buttery tender dough that is stuffed with dulce de leche and fried up into a golden, fluffy masterpiece.

These Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes are fluffy fried cake donuts; rolled in sugar & stuffed with a creamy strawberry cheesecake filling.

Lemon curd donut holes are a lemony delight – soft donut holes are filled with sweet and tart lemon curd, and covered with a sugar glaze.

Old Fashioned Apple Fritters

Yields: 15 Fritters | Prep time: 15 Mins | Cook time: 20 Mins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 Eggs
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3 cups apples, diced
• vegetable oil for frying

For the Glaze

• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3-4 teaspoons water

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, and vanilla.

3. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until smooth.

Follow with milk and stir to combine.

4. Fold in apples, just until covered. Don’t over-mix.

5. Fill a Dutch oven/cast iron pot with at least 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat on medium-high until it reaches 350°F.

6. Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, dollop the batter into the oil, cooking 3-4 at a time. Cook the fritters, turning them over, about 2 minutes per side for a total of about 4-5 minutes until deep golden brown.

7. Remove fritters from the oil with a spider tool and place on a tray lined with paper towels.

8. Make the glaze by combining powdered sugar, water, and vanilla extract. Dip the fritters in the glaze.

Enjoy!