Description
These oven-baked apple fritters are tender and pillowy, studded with juicy apple pieces and warmed with cinnamon and nutmeg — no frying required. A simple vanilla glaze gives them a sweet, glossy finish (and a quick broil makes the tops nicely caramelized). Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon treat, or a cozy dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry
- 1 cup apple, diced (about 1 medium apple)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup white whole-wheat flour
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- 6 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
Wet
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup powdered (confectioners’) sugar
- 2 Tbsp milk (adjust for thickness)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together both flours, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
- Add the chilled butter cubes to the dry mix and work them in with a pastry cutter, two knives, or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate small bowl, beat the milk, egg, and vanilla together. Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture and stir gently until just incorporated — don’t overmix.
- Fold in the diced apples until they’re evenly distributed through the batter.
- Using a spoon or an ice-cream scoop, drop mounds of batter (roughly golf-ball sized or a bit larger) onto the prepared sheet, spacing them a couple inches apart.
- Bake 11–13 minutes, or until the fritters look set and the edges turn light golden.
- While the fritters bake, whisk together the glaze: powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Thin or thicken with a little extra milk or powdered sugar to reach your desired consistency.
- When the fritters come out of the oven, brush the warm tops with a little glaze. For a caramelized finish, place the glazed fritters under the broiler 1–2 minutes — watch them closely so they don’t burn.
- Finish with an additional drizzle of glaze if you like. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Best eaten the day they’re made, but you can store cooled fritters in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Rewarm briefly in a low oven to refresh.
- For extra decadence, serve with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Mixing apple varieties (for example, Granny Smith + Honeycrisp) gives a nice sweet-tart contrast and keeps apple pieces from turning mushy.
- If batter feels too loose, add a tablespoon or two of flour; if it’s too stiff, stir in a splash more milk.
- To make mini fritters, use a teaspoon to drop smaller portions and reduce bake time slightly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dessert