Make these old-fashioned apple fritters that achieve a crispy outside and a soft, tender inside. This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and features a sweet vanilla glaze for a classic fall dessert or breakfast treat.
Author:leogrant
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:20 min
Total Time:35 min
Yield:12 large fritters 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Deep Frying
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups peeled, cored, and finely diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
For the Glaze: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
For the Glaze: 3 tablespoons milk
For the Glaze: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. This is your dry base.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.
Fold in the diced apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Prepare your frying station. Pour vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Carefully drop heaping tablespoons of batter into the hot oil, ensuring you do not overcrowd the pot. Fry about 3 to 4 fritters at a time.
Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning once, until the fritters are deep golden brown and cooked through.
Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the fritters from the oil. Place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
While the fritters cool slightly, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust milk for desired consistency.
Dip or drizzle the warm apple fritters generously with the vanilla glaze. Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
For the best texture, ensure your oil temperature stays near 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If the oil is too cool, the fritters absorb too much oil and become greasy.
Use crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor contrast against the sweet dough.
If you prefer a lighter glaze, reduce the milk in the glaze mixture slightly.