Easy Apple Fritters
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more details.
These easy apple fritters are gloriously moist and warm inside, crispy on the outside, and full of apple flavor in every bite. The recipe is super quick, easy, and budget-friendly too.
Published in Sept 2024/Updated in Sept 2026
Welcome to one of my favorite fall treats made with simple ingredients and seasonal fruit: little apple fritters that taste and smell AMAZING!
Join my newsletter for free weekly recipes!
The recipe is inspired by the traditional fritters we make in Italy in winter, especially during the Carneval season. They are very simple, quite small, dusted with powdered sugar, without any glaze. And they are to die for!
They’re also embarrassingly easy to make. The batter comes together in seconds. Stir in the chopped apples, fry in some oil, and dust with powdered sugar. And BOOM… devour!
They’re also ready in about 15 minutes and make a terrific impromptu dessert or snack to take to school. They are terrific when they’re still warm but taste nice when cold. We LOVE apple fritter leftovers, too!
As a bonus, you can customize them with different add-ins for a twist, or bake them if you wish to skip the frying; I’ve included a few ideas and tips below.
Wait, a word of warning. If you have kids in the kitchen, save a few of these freshly made apple fritters for yourself before it’s too late; seriously, they will be gone in no time!
List of ingredients
- Apples
- Egg
- Sugar
- Milk
- Lemon
- Flour
- Cinnamon
- Oil for frying
How to make apple fritters
(Note: this is a quick description; the full recipe is at the bottom of the page)
- Combine the apples with lemon juice and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
- Mix the egg, milk, sugar, and zest thoroughly in a second bowl.
- Stir in the flour and baking powder.
- Add the apples to the batter and toss to combine.
- Transfer a small dollop of apple mixture to a frying pan.
- Fry the fritters for about 60 seconds per side. Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy while they’re still warm.
Recipe Notes
Ingredients & substitution
Type of apples: Pink Ladies, Gala, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smiths are my go-to apples for sweet treats, but you can use any kind you like as long as the flavor is nice and not too tart. The recipe also works well with wrinkly or slightly bruised apples.
Batter: Combine egg, sugar, milk, flour, and baking powder until smooth. You can use plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk and whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose.
Flavor: To add more flavor, I recommend tossing the apples with a mix of ground spices, such as cinnamon, and lemon juice and zest. I also love adding half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, though it’s optional.
Powdered sugar: I love dusting my apple fritters with powdered sugar; they look so pretty and taste sweeter. But feel free to skip it if you don’t have any powdered sugar on hand: they will taste delicious anyway.
Homemade Apple fritters variations
This apple fritter recipe is very flexible. You can play around with different add-ins (use no more than 1/4-1/3 cup of extras).
- Nuts are welcome! You can choose chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts. These are all great options; their flavors pair very well with apples and add a lovely, crunchy texture. I don’t recommend peanuts, though, as they can steal that lovely apple flavor.
- Dried fruit: Sultanas, cranberries, and also chopped dates work very well and add extra sweetness to these apple fritters.
Baking vs frying
Do you wonder if you can bake your apple fritters instead of deep-frying them? I get it. Baked apple fritters are lighter and save you the hassle of frying. I’ve tested the recipe in the oven, and although we liked them, the result isn’t quite the same, as the texture tends to be softer without that crisp exterior. However, you can bake them, as I do sometimes (check my tips in the recipe card below!).
Storage Tips
Apple fritters are best enjoyed soon after they’re made, while still warm inside and crispy on the outside. However, if you have apple fritter leftovers (seriously??! lol), you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day. Microwave them for 30 seconds to warm them up. They’re not freezer-friendly.
More apple recipes you’ll love
Let me know if you make these epic and easy apple fritters! Leave a comment, rate it, or tag a photo #theclevermeal on Instagram. I would love to hear from you!
For more recipe updates, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Easy Apple Fritters
Ingredients
- 2 large apples, peeled and diced
- ½ lemon, juice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 egg
- ½ lemon, zest
- 3 tablespoons (40 grams) sugar
- 2 ½ tablespoon (40 ml) milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- ¾ cup + 1 tbsp (100 grams) all-purpose flour
- vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
To serve
- ½ – 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
- Peel and dice the apples. Add them to a small bowl and stir in the lemon juice and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Add the egg, sugar, milk, and lemon zest to a large bowl and whisk with a fork or a whisk. Add the flour and baking powder, and stir until smooth and lump-free. Add the chopped apples to the batter and toss until combined.
- Add 1-inch-deep vegetable oil to a frying pan on medium heat. To check when the oil temperature is ready, use a thermometer (the temperature should be 350°F/175℃). Alternatively, stick the end of a wooden spoon into the oil. The oil is ready for frying if bubbles appear around the wood.
- Next, spoon and transfer a small amount of apple batter into the hot oil (each fritter should be about 2 inches/5 cm wide). Keep them about 1 inch apart and fry for about 60 seconds per side until golden, and the batter inside is fully cooked. Use a slotted spoon to transfer fritters to a plate lined with kichen paper or paper towel.
- How to bake apple fritters: Preheat the oven to 400℉/205℃, and grease a non-stick baking sheet with oil. Spoon a small amount of apple fritter batter onto the sheet, leaving 1 inch between each fritter. Sprinkle with granulated sugar and bake for about 10-12 minutes, until golden.
- Serve your apple fritters while they're freshly made and still warm or just at room temperature, and dust them with powdered sugar (optional). Enjoy!
