Apples are one of the best ingredients (with pumpkin!) that makes fall such a great season for using my oven. I love the smell of apples baking with cinnamon, like for my Apple Bites, Baked Apple Donuts, or Apple Oatmeal Bars. These baked apple fritters are absolutely amazing, with a soft dough filled with sweet, smooth, juicy apple chunks. It’s the perfect Autumn dessert!
Ingredients and Substitutions
These apple fritters are really easy to make with 4 base ingredients for the dough and a couple of ingredients for the icing.
Self-Rising Flour – Provides the structure and fluffiness of the fritters. It’s a mix of all-purpose flour and baking powder. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can replace it with all-purpose flour and add 4 teaspoons of baking powder. For gluten-free options, you might try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains a leavening agent (I haven’t tried, but it’s probably fine), though the texture might be different. Sugar – Adds sweetness and contributes to browning during baking. You can substitute it with any granulated sweetener, such as coconut sugar or a sugar-free alternative like erythritol, though these might affect the final texture slightly. Coconut sugar will add a caramel-like flavor. Cinnamon Applesauce – Provides moisture and acts as a binder in place of eggs. It also brings in apple and cinnamon flavors. If you only have plain applesauce, add cinnamon for flavor. You can probably swap this for any fruit-based purees like pear or pumpkin, but you may need to adjust spices to complement those flavors. Green Apple Cubes – Adds texture and tangy flavor, while also providing natural sweetness. Green apples, like Granny Smith, are used for their firm texture and balance of sweetness and tartness. For a sweeter fritter, you can use red apples like Fuji or Gala, but these release more juice, potentially softening the fritters. Icing Sugar – Used for the glaze, adding sweetness and a glossy finish to the fritters. If you’re avoiding refined sugars, powdered coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener could be used, though the color and flavor may differ. Almond Milk – Provides moisture for the glaze while keeping it dairy-free. You can substitute it with any plant-based milk, such as oat, soy, or coconut milk. Coconut milk would add a richer flavor and creamier consistency.
How to Make Baked Apple Fritters
This recipe is quite easy to make with the recipe card further down, but I’ve also included pictures below to help!
Expert Tips
While this recipe is almost impossible to fail, I’ve added below a few more tips that didn’t fit in the recipe card!
Don’t Overmix the Dough – Overmixing can cause the gluten in the flour to overdevelop, leading to tough fritters. Stir just until combined for the best texture. Chill the Dough – If you have time, refrigerating the dough for about 20-30 minutes before baking can help the fritters hold their shape better and enhance the crispy exterior. Use a Cookie Scoop for Even Sizes – To make sure all fritters are the same size, which helps them bake evenly, use a cookie or ice cream scoop to portion out the dough. Brush the Glaze Twice – For an extra crisp, sweet coating, brush the fritters with glaze before broiling and once again after cooling to add more sweetness and a glossy finish. Choose Tart Apples for Balance – If you’re using different apple varieties, mixing tart apples (like Granny Smith) with sweet apples (like Honeycrisp) can create a balance of flavors and textures. Watch the Broiler Closely – Broiling gives the fritters a crispy finish, but they can burn quickly. Stand by the oven and check every 30 seconds. Add a Dash of Lemon Juice – For a brighter flavor, toss the apple cubes in a bit of lemon juice before adding them to the batter. It also helps prevent browning of the apples.
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