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Ever grab a warm apple fritter from a bakery or the apple orchard and wish you could have that same treat right at home? That’s exactly what these Homemade Apple Fritters are all about. They fry up golden, filled with fresh apples, and get topped with a sweet glaze that makes them hard to resist.

Homemade Apple Fritters

Apple fritters always remind me of those cozy mornings when you grab a coffee and something sweet to go with it. The best part here? You can make these easy apple fritters in under 30 minutes. Once you learn how to make apple fritters at home, you won’t want to stop at just one batch.

Why I Love This Fried Apple Fritters Recipe

  • Made with pantry staples
  • Quick and easy to fry up
  • Perfect fall or holiday treat
  • Glaze adds the best finishing touch

Okay so I usually stick with shortcut recipes and have made apple fritters out of biscuits in the air fryer before. But I felt like baking one day a few weeks back and had some apples on the counter that needed to get eaten, so I decided this would be the perfect after school treat for my girls when they got home. My Mom and Dad also always love apple fritters and I was going to be visiting them so I knew I had to give them a try!

Apple fritters with bite missing.

They turned out so good I decided to share with all of you! They are easier to make than you think and only take a handful of ingredients. So make a batch for your next Fall gathering and everyone will love them! Don’t forget maybe a little hot caramel bourbon cider to go with 🙂

Ingredients Needed for Homemade Apple Fritters

Apple Fritter Ingredients on table.
🍎 Flour – The base of the batter. Nothing fancy, just your regular all-purpose flour.

🍎 Sugar – Gives the fritters that sweet bite we all love.

🍎 Baking Powder – Helps them puff up nice and golden while frying.

🍎 Baking Salt – Balances the sweetness and makes the flavors stand out. Regular salt is fine.

🍎 Apple Pie Spice – I used this since it has all the flavors I was looking for. But if you don’t have any you can swap for a combination of cinnamon & nutmeg.

🍎 Milk – Brings the batter together. I usually use regular milk (whatever percent you have in the fridge is fine).

🍎 Eggs – Help hold everything together.

🍎 Vanilla – Adds that bakery-style flavor.

🍎 Apples – Fresh apples are the star! I used Honeycrisp.

🍎 Lemon Juice – Keeps the apples bright and fresh.

🍎 Oil for Frying – A neutral oil like canola or vegetable works best. I used about 4-5 cups total.

🍎 For the Glaze – Just powdered sugar, a splash of milk, and vanilla. Simple and sweet.
Homemade apple fritters stacked on plate.

How to Make Apple Fritters

Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients. Grab a big mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice.

Step 2: Stir in the wet ingredients. Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until it’s just combined—don’t worry if the batter looks a little lumpy.

Step 3: Prep the apples. Peel and dice the apples into small chunks. Toss them with lemon juice so they don’t brown, then fold them into the batter.

Step 4: Fry the fritters. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 375°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, just drop in a little batter—if it sizzles, you’re good. Scoop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, being careful not to crowd the pot. Cook 2–3 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown.

Step 5: Drain and glaze. Move the fritters to a paper towel-lined tray to cool slightly. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, then drizzle over the top. Eat them warm—trust me, that’s when they’re the best.

How to make apple fritters step by step.

Additions & Substitutions

  •  Instead of glaze, roll the warm fritters in cinnamon sugar for a classic finish.
  • Alternatively- skip the glaze and just dust in powder sugar.
  • Dairy free alternative? You can use almond or oat milk, too.

Storage & Re-heating

Store leftover apple fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days for the best taste and texture. Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds or in an air fryer until warmed through out.

Want to freeze for another day? Freeze completely cooled fritters in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the air fryer or oven until warm and crisp!

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Apple fritter pinterest image

Fresh Homemade Apple Fritters

These Fresh Homemade Apple Fritters are crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, and packed with sweet apples and Fall spices. They’re easy to make at home and finished with a simple glaze for the perfect sweet treat!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the apple fritters:
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp baking salt or regular
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp Apple Pie Spice
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 apples Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 4-5 cups Vegetable or Canola Oil for frying
For the Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • ½ tsp vanilla

Method
 

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice.
  2. Add in the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir just until mixed.
  3. Peel and finely dice the apples into small pieces (about ¼–½ inch) and toss with a little lemon juice.
  4. Fold the apples into the batter and set aside.
  5. Heat oil in a large pot to 375°F. You can use a thermometer or test with a small drop of batter to see if it is hot enough..
  6. Scoop the batter using an ice cream scoop, cookie scoop, or two spoons. Carefully lower into the hot oil to avoid splatters in batches.
  7. Fry for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Flip halfway with a slotted spoon.
  8. Remove the fritters and place on a paper towel–lined pan to cool.
For the glaze
  1. Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl.
  2. Drizzle glaze over cooled fritters.
  3. Serve right away and enjoy!

Notes

made about 20 fritters*