Baked Apple Fritters Recipe

Name: Baked Apple Fritters
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 1/3 cup flour (all-purpose flour or white whole wheat is fine); 1 ½ tsp baking powder; ¾ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp Kosher salt; ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ tsp ground nutmeg; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2/3 cup whole milk; 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted); 2 tsp apple cider vinegar; 1 medium apple; 1/4 cup vegetable oil for baking pan (any flavorless high heat oil such as, avocado, light olive or canola oil); 1 cup powdered sugar

Jump to Recipe

This easy baked apple fritters recipe is a great way to make homemade fritters with delicious fresh apple flavor. No need to fuss with deep frying, nor make a trip to the donut shop. These delicious treats that are crispy on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside with tender chunks of apple. They offer a healthier alternative to deep frying, all the flavor without all the oil or mess. The warm fritters are sure to be a big hit with your family and friends.

Baked apple fritters are a delightful twist on a classic treat, bringing together the cozy flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet fresh apples in every bite. These easy-to-make fritters are perfect for anyone who loves apple recipes but wants to skip the mess of frying. With just a few pantry staples like flour, sugar, and baking powder, plus plenty of chopped apples, you can whip up a batch of baked apple fritters that are golden, tender, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re craving a comforting breakfast or a simple dessert, these baked apple fritters are sure to become a new favorite.

Baking rather than frying apple fritters takes a lot less effort and creates less mess too! They are a lighter alternative to traditional fried apple fritters, while still delivering great flavor and texture.

How to Make Baked Apple Fritters

Making baked apple fritters is easy. Follow along here for step-by-step directions, with pictures or hop down to the printable recipe card if you prefer.

The recipe makes 12 fritters.

Prep: 20 minutes | Bake: 20 minutes

muffin pan (½ cup capacity per cavity)

Ingredients for Apple Fritters

Here is all you need to make these delicious baked apple fritters:

1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour or white whole wheat flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
½ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅔ cup whole milk
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (salted butter can be used instead; if using salted butter, reduce the added salt by a pinch)
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 medium apple, peeled and diced (for tart apples, Granny Smith apples are a good choice, for a sweeter variety, I recommend Honeycrisp apples)
¼ cup vegetable oil for baking pan (any flavorless high heat oil such as, avocado, light olive or canola oil)
1 cup powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190C.). Coat the inside of muffin cups with oil, use all the oil and if some pools at bottom, leave it there.

Peel and dice the apple into ½ inch pieces.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients except for the powdered sugar (flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, spices). Swirl around a whisk to distribute and break up any clumps.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Whisk together, incorporating the flour slowly until smooth.

Stir in melted butter into the wet ingredient

Stir in the melted butter.

Place the prepared muffin pan in the oven to heat up for 5 minutes so that it is hot when you put the apple fritter batter in.

mix in the apples and vinegar into the batter.

Just before the pan is ready, add the chopped apples and the vinegar to the batter and stir to evenly distribute. Do not do this step until the last minute – the reaction between the baking soda and vinegar needs to occur while baking to rise the dough, since there is no yeast.

Scoop batter into the hot muffin tins (a ½ cup measuring scoop is good for this), filling to about ½ inch below the top.

Place in the oven immediately. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a cake tester inserted comes out clean and edges are golden brown. Do not open the oven for the first 15 minutes of the bake.

Allow to sit in the pan for 5 minutes before placing on a wire rack to cool.

In a measuring cup or bowl with a pour spout, mix together the powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons milk, water or apple juice until a thick syrup forms. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract if you like for a vanilla glaze.

Place the cooling rack with muffins over a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and pour the glaze over the fritters while they are still hot (Yes, you can use a pastry brush to brush it on if you prefer.).

Serve warm, but allow to cool for at least 10 minutes first.

Serving Suggestions

Baked apple fritters are delicious straight from the oven, but you can elevate them even further with a few simple serving ideas. Try serving your warm fritters with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert, or drizzle them with caramel sauce for an extra touch of sweetness. A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top adds a lovely crunch and highlights the cozy flavors of apple and spice. For breakfast or brunch, pair your baked apple fritters with a hot cup of coffee or tea. If you’re feeling creative, use your fritters as the base for a sundae, topped with whipped cream, chopped nuts, and a cherry for a fun and festive treat.

Inside of Baked apple fritters with glaze. — *Apple baked fritters with glaze are moist and delicious!*

Variations on the Recipe

Here are a few changes you may like to try when you make the baked apple fritters yourself.

Use a teaspoon of apple pie seasoning in place of the cinnamon and nutmeg in the recipe. Try my making your own with my homemade Apple Pie Spice Recipe.
Add some finely chopped pecans into the fritter batter or sprinkle on top immediately after applying glaze. The chopped nuts add richness and crunch to the apple fritters.
If you don't have apple cider vinegar on-hand, you can use lemon juice in place of it in the batter recipe. The acid in it will trigger the same reaction and create a fluffy dough.
Rather than glazing shake the fritters in a plastic bag with cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
Swap half the sugar in the recipe for firmly packed brown sugar if you like.

Storing the Baked Fritters

These homemade apple fritters are best served the same day, but leftover fritters can be stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheat in a microwave, toaster oven or an air fryer on a low heat setting.

Best Apples for Fritters

Choosing the right apples is key to making the best baked apple fritters. Opt for firm varieties that hold their shape during baking, and don’t be afraid to mix different types for a more complex flavor. When preparing your apples, peel, core, and chop them into small, even pieces so they bake evenly throughout the fritter. For a flavor boost, try adding a splash of apple cider to your batter, which will enhance the baked apple aroma and make your fritters even more irresistible.

As I mentioned, a nice tart Granny Smith would be the top choice, but Honeycrisp is a close runner up with it's sweetness and strong apple taste. Yellow Delicious (not red), Cortland or Pink Lady would be acceptable choices as well.

Can I use nonstick cooking spray on the tins?

While you technically could if you sprayed the muffin pan several times, I don't recommend it. You won't be sure you have enough oil and it is sort of against the point of using the spray for a thin coating anyway.

If you enjoyed these baked apple fritters, you may also like some of my other donut recipes or apple dessert recipes, such as my Apple Cinnamon Scones or Apple Cider Donuts. Check out my Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins too, as they are also made in a muffin pan.