These Homemade Apple Fritters are golden and crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and filled with tender pieces of fresh apple. A coating of cinnamon sugar adds a sweet crunch to every bite, making them a cozy treat for a cool fall morning or an afternoon coffee break.
The batter comes together with simple ingredients, without yeast, a mixer, or any waiting for dough to rise. Small scoops fry into beautifully golden fritters, ready to be rolled in cinnamon sugar and enjoyed while still warm. If you love the comforting combination of apples and cinnamon, these homemade apple fritters are a delicious reason to bring out your favorite mixing bowl.
What makes these homemade apple fritters so satisfying is the generous amount of fresh apple folded into the batter. Chopping the apples into small pieces helps spread their flavor throughout each fritter, so every bite has a little fruit tucked inside. I finish them with cinnamon sugar for a simple coating that complements the apples beautifully.
If you enjoy apple desserts like my Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry, this recipe is another delicious way to use the apples in your kitchen. Unsure which variety to choose? This helpful guide to the best apples for baking explains the differences between sweet and tart varieties. Serve your homemade apple fritters warm, with coffee or tea, for a little taste of fall.
Quick Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: About 20 minutes, working in batches
- Total Time: About 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24-30 small fritters, depending on scoop size
- Course: Dessert, Breakfast and Brunch
- Method: Deep Frying
- Skill Level: Easy
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Apple Fritters
- Crisp edges and soft centers. The golden crust gives way to a tender middle filled with little pieces of apple-a delicious contrast, especially while they’re warm.
- Fresh apples in every bite. Three cups of chopped apples give these homemade apple fritters plenty of fruit throughout the batter.
- No yeast or rising time. Baking powder provides the lift, so there’s no kneading or waiting for dough to rise. Just mix, scoop, and fry.
- Simple pantry ingredients. Flour, sugar, eggs, and milk form the base of this easy batter, making it a handy recipe when you have apples to use.
- A cinnamon sugar finish. The coating settles into the uneven golden surface, adding sweetness, warm spice, and a little crunch.
- Easy to share. Scooping small portions makes these fritters just right for a brunch platter or a cozy afternoon treat with coffee.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These homemade apple fritters come together with fresh apples and a few everyday ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
- Apples: Peel, core, and chop them into small, evenly sized pieces so they cook through during frying. A firm, sweet-tart apple gives a nice balance to the cinnamon sugar coating.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the batter and holds the apple pieces together.
- Granulated sugar: Lightly sweetens the batter, leaving most of the sweetness to the outer coating.
- Baking powder: Helps the fritters puff up without yeast or rising time.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the apple flavor.
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a batter you can portion with a small cookie scoop.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and give the fritters structure.
- Vegetable oil: Use a neutral oil for frying so the apple and cinnamon flavors shine through.
- Cinnamon sugar: Adds a sweet, fragrant finish. Roll the fritters in it while they’re still warm, after draining the excess oil.
How to Make Homemade Apple Fritters
1. Mix the batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk and eggs, then stir just until combined and no dry flour remains. Avoid overmixing, which can make the fritters tough.
2. Prepare and add the apples
Wash, peel, and core the apples, then chop them into small, evenly sized pieces. Fold them into the batter until evenly distributed. Small pieces help the apples soften as the fritters cook.
3. Heat the oil
Pour the vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet, leaving plenty of room for bubbling. Heat to 350°F (175°C), using a frying thermometer to check the temperature.
Keeping the oil at a steady temperature helps your homemade apple fritters develop a golden crust while cooking through in the center.
4. Fry in small batches
Carefully drop small portions of batter into the hot oil using a small cookie scoop. Work in batches, leaving space between the fritters so you can turn them easily.
Fry for approximately 2–3 minutes per side, adjusting the time to their size, until golden brown and cooked through. Check the first fritter by cutting it open-the center should be set, with no wet batter. If the outside browns too quickly, lower the heat slightly.
5. Drain the excess oil
Lift the fritters out with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels. Let the excess oil drain briefly. Allow the oil to return to temperature before adding the next batch.
6. Coat in cinnamon sugar
Roll the drained fritters in cinnamon sugar while they are still warm, gently turning to coat all sides. Coat each batch as you go so the sugar sticks well.
Serve your homemade apple fritters warm to enjoy the contrast between their crisp edges, soft centers, and tender apple pieces.
How to Store and Freeze
Homemade apple fritters taste best freshly made, while the edges are crisp and the centers are warm. Here’s how to keep any leftovers:
- At room temperature: Let the fritters cool completely, then store in an airtight container lined with paper towels for up to 2 days. The cinnamon sugar coating may become moist, and the crust will soften.
- In the refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- To freeze: For the best texture, freeze without the cinnamon sugar coating. Arrange cooled fritters in a single layer on a tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- To reheat: Warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through, allowing extra time for frozen fritters. Roll uncoated fritters in cinnamon sugar while warm. Microwaving works for a quick warm-up but gives a softer texture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What apples work well for homemade apple fritters?
Granny Smith apples add a tart contrast to the sweet coating, while Honeycrisp apples offer a sweeter flavor. You can also combine the two. Peel and chop them into small pieces so they soften during frying.
Why are my apple fritters raw in the middle?
The oil may be too hot, or the scoops may be too large. Keep the oil around 350°F (175°C) and use small portions. Cut open a fritter from the first batch to check that the center is cooked before continuing.
Why did my fritters turn out greasy?
Oil that is too cool can cause fritters to absorb excess oil. Fry in small batches and let the oil return to temperature between batches. Drain the cooked fritters briefly on paper towels.
Can I prepare the batter ahead of time?
For the best results, mix the batter shortly before frying. Once combined, the apples can release moisture and the baking powder begins reacting. You can measure the dry ingredients and prepare the cinnamon sugar ahead of time.
Can I bake these homemade apple fritters?
This batter was made for frying, so baking may cause it to spread and produce a different texture. For the golden crust shown here, follow the frying method.
How do I get the cinnamon sugar to stick?
Coat the fritters while they are still warm, after briefly draining the excess oil. Roll each batch in cinnamon sugar as you go instead of letting all the fritters cool first.
Nutrition per Serving
Estimated nutrition for 1 homemade apple fritter, based on a batch of 17 fritters:
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
Values are approximate, assuming about ½ cup of cinnamon sugar adheres to the batch and ¼ cup of oil is absorbed during frying. Actual nutrition will vary.
Conclusion
These homemade apple fritters bring together tender apple pieces, a golden crust, and a sweet cinnamon sugar coating in a simple, comforting treat. With no yeast or rising time, they’re easy to prepare whenever you have fresh apples and a little time to spend in the kitchen.
Enjoy them warm with your morning coffee, share a plate at weekend brunch, or make a batch for a cozy fall afternoon. That first bite, with its crisp edges and soft apple-filled center, is the best part. A plate of these homemade apple fritters is a delicious way to turn a few everyday ingredients into something special to share.
If you try these homemade apple fritters, leave a comment and a recipe rating below. I’d love to hear which apples you used and how they turned out!
Happy Baking!
Homemade Apple Fritters
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the wet ingredients. Add the milk and eggs. Stir just until combined and no dry flour remains. Avoid overmixing.
- Fold in the apples. Wash, peel, and core the apples, then chop into small pieces. Fold them into the batter until evenly distributed.
- Heat the oil. Pour the oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet, leaving plenty of room for bubbling. Heat to 350°F (175°C), checking with a frying thermometer.
- Fry in batches. Carefully lower small scoops of batter into the hot oil. Avoid crowding the pan. Fry for approximately 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Cooking time will vary with size. Cut open a fritter from the first batch to check for any wet batter in the center.
- Drain. Remove the fritters with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain briefly. Let the oil return to temperature before frying the next batch.
- Coat and serve. Place the cinnamon sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll each batch of fritters in the mixture while still warm, turning to coat all sides. Serve warm.
Notes
- Cinnamon sugar: To make your own, combine 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g) with 1–2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, according to taste. You may have coating left over.
- Apple size: Chop the apples into small, evenly sized pieces so they soften during frying.
- Oil temperature: Maintain approximately 350°F (175°C). If the fritters brown before the centers cook, reduce the heat slightly and use smaller scoops.
- Yield: This batch makes 17 fritters at the size shown. Using smaller scoops will increase the yield and may shorten cooking time.
- Best served fresh: The crust softens during storage. Reheat leftovers in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.
- Nutrition estimate: Approximately 120 calories per fritter, assuming about ½ cup of cinnamon sugar adheres to the batch and ¼ cup of oil is absorbed. The full quart of frying oil is not included in the calculation.