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Baked Apple Fritters Recipe

These homemade Baked Apple Fritters are soft, tender, and bursting with juicy Honeycrisp apples, warm cinnamon, and nutmeg. Baked until golden and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze, they offer all the comforting flavors of traditional apple fritters without deep-frying. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, these delicious pastries are especially wonderful during apple season.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Servings: 8 fritters
Course: Baked Goods, Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Sweet Treats
Cuisine: American
Calories: 375

Ingredients
  

For the Apple Fritters
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cold and cubed
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup Honeycrisp apple finely chopped
For the Vanilla Glaze
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash and finely chop the apple, peeling it first if desired.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, fork, or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir gently until just combined.
  5. Fold in the chopped Honeycrisp apple, distributing the pieces evenly throughout the batter. Avoid overmixing to keep the fritters tender.
  6. Drop approximately 1/4-cup portions of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently shape each portion into a slightly flattened mound.
  7. Bake for 11–12 minutes, or until the fritters are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow them to cool slightly.
  8. While the fritters are baking, prepare the vanilla glaze by whisking together the confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency with a few drops of milk or a little extra confectioners' sugar if necessary.
  9. Switch the oven to the broil setting. Transfer the fritters to a broiler-safe baking sheet without parchment paper and brush a thin layer of glaze over each one.
  10. Broil for up to 2 minutes, watching constantly, until the glaze begins to bubble. Remove immediately to prevent burning.
  11. Allow the fritters to cool slightly before brushing them with the remaining glaze for an extra-sweet finish. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

For extra texture, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter. You can also skip the broiling step and simply drizzle the vanilla glaze over the cooled fritters.