You are going to be obsessed with how delicious AND easy these homemade apple fritters are, thanks to this foolproof, fully troubleshooted recipe! They’re perfectly crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, bursting with juicy apples, warm spices, and finished with an irresistible apple-cider glaze. Follow along for expert tips and tricks for bakery-style results every time.

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up close of holding an apple fritter showing the glazed outsdide

Homemade Apple Fritters

These apple fritters are essentially deep-fried donut holes that are easy to make at home! Every step has been tested and refined to eliminate common fritter fails—no dense centers, no raw batter, no greasy coating, no spreading. Instead, they’re designed to deliver the same perfect fritter every time—crispy, tender, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible:

Perfectly light and fluffy texture: The batter-to-apple ratio, proper leavening, resting time, and correct flour measurement ensure airy, cloud-like fritters.
Crisp, golden exterior: The fritter size and ideal frying temperature were dialed in so the fritters crisp beautifully without burning or absorbing excess oil.
Loaded with fresh apple flavor: Using Granny Smith apples for their tartness and structure means juicy, flavorful bites that never turn mushy, plus applesauce and apple cider reinforce the apple goodness.
Reliable frying experience: Built-in tips ensure your oil stays at the right temp, your fritters hold their shape, and nothing sticks or overcooks.

Apple Fritters Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at what you need to make this recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

All-purpose flour: Provides a sturdy yet tender structure, keeping the fritters fluffy inside while crisping beautifully on the outside.
Sugar: Sweetens the batter just enough and helps promote that golden, caramelized crust when frying.
Baking powder: Gives the fritters lift so they puff instead of turning dense or doughy.
Apple cider: Infuses extra apple flavor and thins the batter to the perfect consistency; don’t substitute water, or you’ll lose that apple punch.
Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and an extra layer of apple without making the batter too heavy.
Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom add cozy fall flavor throughout the batter.
Eggs: Bind the batter and add richness, preventing the dough from falling apart.
Vanilla extract: Enhances the warmth of the spices and boosts overall flavor.
Glaze: Powdered sugar, apple cider, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt are whisked together to create the luxurious glaze.

The Best Apples for Fritters (and How to Cut Them)

Granny Smiths are the best apples for fritters because they stay firm and crisp, not mushy. Their bright tartness balances the sweetness of the batter and glaze, creating that perfect classic fritter flavor. They also release just enough moisture to keep the fritters tender without watering down the batter.

HOW TO CUT THEM
Cut around the core to create four flat slabs, then slice each slab into long strips. Rotate the strips and cut them into ¼-inch chunks (up to ½-inch if you want bigger apple bites).

top view of apple fritter ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, apples, apple cider, applesauce, vanilla, ground cinnamon

How to Make Apple Fritters

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Step 1: Make Batter. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and spices in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs for 15 seconds, then whisk in the apple cider, applesauce, and vanilla.

showing how to make apple fritters by whisking the flour, baking powder, sugar, and spices together in a bowl, then whisking the apple cider, eggs, applesauce and vanilla together in a separate bowl

Step 2: Combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold them together until just a few flour streaks remain (don’t overmix), then fold in the apples. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.

showing how to make apple fritters by mixing the dry ingredient into the wet ingredients, then folding in the apples

Step 3: Cook the Fritters. Using about a 3-tablespoon cookie or ice cream scoop, drop the batter into the oil. Repeat 2-3 more times. Cook each side until golden brown, then transfer to paper towels using a slotted spoon.

showing how to make apple fritters by frying in hot oil until golden, then transferring to paper towels to drain

Step 4: Glaze the Fritters. Whisk the Glaze ingredients together in a medium bowl. Let the apple fritters cool for 5 minutes, then dunk them in the glaze, coating all sides.

showing how to make apple fritters by whisking the glaze ingredients together then dunking the apple fritters in the glaze until coated

Step 5: Rest. Transfer to a clean wire rack for the glaze to set. Serve warm.

showing how to make apple fritters by drying on a wire rack

Frying Tips

•Use the right oil: Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
•Maintain consistent oil temperature: Use a candy or deep-fry thermometer to monitor and adjust the heat as needed. Too hot → fritters brown on the outside but stay raw on the inside; too cool → fritters absorb excess oil and become greasy.
•Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry in small batches so the temperature doesn’t drop. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking and soggy fritters.
•Turn carefully: Flip fritters gently with a slotted spoon or spider strainer to cook evenly on all sides.
•Drain excess oil: After frying, place fritters on paper towels or a wire rack to remove excess oil without flattening them.

The Best Glaze for Apple Fritters

The best glaze for apple fritters is made with powdered sugar and a splash of apple cider, not milk! The apple cider infuses the glaze with natural, fruity apple flavor; a touch of vanilla enhances the sweetness; cinnamon adds cozy depth; and a pinch of salt balances the flavors, keeping the glaze from being overly sweet.

The glaze should be pourable but thick enough to coat the fritters; if it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar, and if it’s too thick, thin it with a teaspoon or two of cider until it reaches the perfect consistency.

Troubleshooting Apple Fritters

FRITTERS ARE TOO DENSE
Make sure your baking powder is fresh—old baking powder won’t give proper lift.
Avoid overmixing the batter; mix just until combined to keep them light and fluffy.
FRITTERS ARE GREASY
Oil temperature may be too low; aim for 355–365°F
Fry in small batches to prevent the oil from cooling down.
Drain on paper towels or a wire rack immediately after frying.
FRITTERS FALL APART
Ensure apples are chopped evenly and not too large so they can be incorporated into the batter.
Rest the batter for 15 minutes to allow the flour to fully hydrate, helping the fritters to firm up and hold their shape in the pan.
FRITTERS BURN ON THE OUTSIDE BUT ARE RAW ON THE INSIDE
Oil is too hot; reduce slightly and fry a few degrees cooler.

Make fritters uniform in size to cook evenly.
FRITTERS STICK TOGETHER IN THE OIL
Drop batter carefully, leaving space between fritters in the oil.
Flip gently with a slotted spoon.

apple fritter recipe stacked on a platter with glaze

How to serve Homemade apple Fritters

Warm is best: Serve fritters fresh from the fryer while they’re still golden and slightly crisp on the outside.
Keep warm while frying: Keep fried apple fritters warm by placing them in a single layer on a wire rack over a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you finish frying the rest.

Apple Fritter variations

Cinnamon Sugar Fritters: Skip the glaze and toss warm fritters in cinnamon sugar for a doughnut-shop style finish.
Caramel Apple Fritters: Drizzle warm fritters with caramel sauce or fold caramel chips into the batter for extra gooey pockets.
Maple Apple Fritters: Add a splash of maple extract to the batter or glaze and reduce the sugar.
Apple + Pear Fritters: Replace half the apples with chopped ripe pears for a softer, juicier, more complex flavor.
Apple Cranberry Fritters: Fold in dried cranberries for tart pops that cut through the sweetness.
Apple Pecan Fritters: Add chopped toasted pecans for buttery crunch and nutty depth.
Chocolate Drizzle Fritters: Finish with a thin drizzle of melted dark chocolate or chocolate ganache.

HOW TO STORE Apple Fritter Recipe

•To Store: Keep fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days, noting the texture may slightly soften.
•To Freeze: Freeze unfrosted fritters in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1–2 hours, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Bake frozen fritters at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until warm and crisp, then coat with the h glaze.

How to reheat

•Oven method (best for crispiness): Reheat at 350°F for 5–7 minutes.
•Microwave (faster): Heat for 15–30 seconds, but fritters will be softer.

up close of homemade apple fritters with a bite take out showing how tender the inside is

Looking for more apple Recipes?

Apple Cider Donuts
Apple Pie Recipe
Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Apple Bread Pudding
Apple Dump Cake
Apple Crisp
Apple Dumplings
Apple Cookies
Individual Apple Pies

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Total Time: 40

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 20

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Ingredients

Apple Fritters

2 cups (250g) all purpose flour (fluffed, spooned, leveled)*
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 tsp EACH ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cardamon
2 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup apple cider
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large Granny Smith apples, chopped 1/4-½ inch (1 ½ cups)
Vegetable or Canola or oil for frying

Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup apple cider
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and spices in a medium bowl.
Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs for 15 seconds, then whisk in the apple cider, applesauce, and vanilla.
Combine: Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and fold them together until just a few flour streaks remain (don’t overmix), then fold in the apples. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile:
Prep Oil and Make Glaze: Attach a candy or deep fry thermometer to the side of a Dutch oven or fryer (I use this pan), without touching the bottom of the pan. Heat 1 ½ inches of oil to 355-365°F. Line a wire rack with paper towels. Whisk the Glaze ingredients together in a medium bowl.
Drop Batter: Using about a ¼ cup cookie or ice cream scoop, drop the batter into the oil, spreading it out a little as you drop (don't stress, it won't spread too much). Repeat 2-3 more times, carefully monitoring the frying oil temperature, and adjusting as needed.
Fry: Cook each side until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes per side), and cooked through, then transfer to paper towels using a spider strainer or slotted spoon. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Glaze: Let the fritters cool for 5 minutes, then dunk them in the glaze, coating all sides. Transfer to a clean wire rack for the glaze to set. Serve warm..

Notes

Measure flour correctly: If you don’t have a scale, measure flour by fluffing it with a spoon, then spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off—never scoop—so your fritters stay light, fluffy, and never dense.

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4 Comments

Elyse says

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How deep should the oil be? They look wonderful and can’t wait to make.

- Jen says
  
  at
  
  Hi Elyse! Thank you for your interest in this recipe! The oil should be about 1 ½ inches. I hope you love them!
  
Monica R says

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I have never officially had an apple fritter before until yesterday I saw your recipe and decided to give them a try. I had seen apple fritters at our local farmers’ market before, but never tried them. I was not sure what to expect, but I’m so glad I made these, so are my kids. These were so good! 10 out of 10 recommendation! Making them again on Saturday.

- Jen says
  
  at
  
  Hi Monica! Aren’t apple fritters amazing?! I am so happy you took a chance on this recipe and that you and your kids loved them! Thank you so much for sharing your review!

How to Make Apple Fritters

PIN THIS RECIPE TO SAVE FOR LATER

Homemade Apple Fritters

Apple Fritters Ingredients

The Best Apples for Fritters (and How to Cut Them)

How to Make Apple Fritters

Frying Tips

The Best Glaze for Apple Fritters

Troubleshooting Apple Fritters

How to serve Homemade apple Fritters

Apple Fritter variations