Let’s be real—there are few things better than a warm, apple-stuffed fritter fresh out of the oven. The crispy, golden-brown outside. The soft, cinnamon-kissed inside. The sweet glaze dripping over the edges. This baked apple fritters recipe is basically fall wrapped in a pastry.
But here’s the thing—I hate deep frying. The splattering oil, the lingering smell in my kitchen for days, and the stress of wondering if I’ll accidentally set something on fire? No thanks. That’s why I bake my apple fritters instead.
This baked apple fritters recipe gives you everything you love about traditional apple fritters—the crunch, the fluff, the caramelized glaze—without the deep fryer. And the best part? They take just 30 minutes from start to finish.
So, if you’re ready for a no-fuss, no-fry apple fritter recipe that tastes like it came straight from a bakery, let’s do this.
Why This Apple Fritters Recipe is a Game Changer
- No deep frying = no mess, no stress. Your kitchen (and your clothes) will thank you.
- Crispy outside, soft inside. Thanks to a quick broil at the end, you still get that classic fritter crunch.
- Ready in 30 minutes. Because patience is overrated when there are apple fritters involved.
- Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Yes, eating dessert for breakfast is 100% acceptable.
- Made with simple ingredients. You probably have everything in your kitchen right now.
What You Need to Make Baked Apple Fritters
For the Fritters:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or maple extract for extra fall vibes)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are perfect)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Baked Apple Fritters
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This is what gives your fritters that warm, spiced flavor.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then mix in the milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter. Stir until smooth.
Step 3: Fold in the Apples
Gently fold in your diced apples. The batter will be thick, and that’s exactly what we want—thick batter = fluffy fritters.
Step 4: Scoop and Bake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to drop portions of batter onto the baking sheet. No need to make them perfect—the more rustic, the better.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and slightly firm.
Step 5: Glaze and Broil for That Classic Fritter Crunch
- While your fritters are baking, whisk together your powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- When the fritters come out of the oven, brush them with glaze and pop them under the broiler for 2 minutes. This caramelizes the glaze and gives them that irresistible crispy top.
- Let them cool for a few minutes before diving in (or don’t—burned tongues are worth it sometimes).
Expert Tips for the Best Baked Apple Fritters
- Use firm apples. Soft apples get mushy when baked. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape best.
- Don’t overmix. Stir until just combined. Overmixing = dense fritters.
- Maple extract > vanilla extract. If you want next-level fall flavor, swap the vanilla for maple extract.
- Double-glaze for extra flavor. One coat before broiling, one after. More glaze = happier you.
- Eat them fresh. They’re best the day they’re made, but if you must save some, reheat in the oven to get that crunch back.
Delicious Variations to Try
Want to switch things up? Here are some fun ways to customize this apple dessert recipe:
- Caramel Apple Fritters – Drizzle with caramel sauce instead of glaze.
- Maple Pecan Fritters – Add chopped pecans and swap vanilla for maple extract.
- Spiced Chai Fritters – Add a pinch of ginger, cardamom, and cloves for chai-inspired flavors.
- Gluten-Free Version – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (it works!).
How to Store and Reheat Apple Fritters
- Room Temp: Keep in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
- Fridge: Store for up to 4 days, but let them sit at room temp before eating.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months—just reheat in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy.
- To Re-Crisp: Pop them in a toaster oven or air fryer for a few minutes.
The Perfect Pairings
These baked apple fritters are the ultimate comfort food, but you know what makes them even better? A warm drink to go with them. Here are a few ideas:
- Strong coffee (because life)
- Hot chai tea (for a cozy, spiced pairing)
- Hot apple cider (because why not go all in on the apple theme?)
- Vanilla ice cream (not a drink, but necessary nonetheless)
More Apple Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re on an apple dessert kick, here are some more drool-worthy recipes to try:
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars – Creamy, caramel-drizzled perfection.
- Hawaiian Pineapple Cake – A tropical cake that melts in your mouth.
- Pineapple Upside-Down Cake – A retro classic with caramelized pineapple rings.
- Italian Cream Sheet Cake – A rich, nutty delight with cream cheese frosting.
- Red Velvet Cheesecake – Because two desserts in one is always a good idea.
Baked Apple Fritters Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Fritters:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or maple extract for extra fall flavor
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 ½ cups peeled and diced apples Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best
- For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat eggs, then mix in milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth.
- Fold in Apples: Gently mix apples into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Scoop & Bake: Drop spoonfuls of batter onto the baking sheet, leaving space between each fritter. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Make the Glaze: While baking, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Glaze & Broil: Brush fritters with glaze, then broil for 2 minutes to caramelize. Apply a second glaze coat and let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-glaze the fritters—one layer before broiling, one after.
- Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples work best for a firm texture and sweet-tart flavor.
- Reheat leftovers in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably already preheating your oven. This baked apple fritters recipe is dangerously good, ridiculously easy, and totally worth making on repeat. So go ahead—whip up a batch, grab a coffee, and enjoy every last bite.
P.S. If you try this recipe, let me know how it goes! Did you eat them all in one sitting? No judgment here.
