The Perfect Baked Apple Fritters Recipe: Crispy Outside, Gooey Inside

Baked apple fritters reinvent ordinary fruit into an extraordinary culinary experience.

These delectable pastries reimagine classic fried treats with a healthier twist that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

Warm spices and tender fruit mingle within a light, golden-brown batter that promises irresistible comfort.

Delicate and not overly sweet, these fritters bring a sophisticated touch to your morning routine or afternoon snack.

Crisp edges and soft interiors create a textural contrast that makes each bite memorable.

Home kitchens will feel instantly warmer with their inviting aroma wafting through the air.

Prepare to fall in love with a guilt-free indulgence that satisfies your deepest pastry cravings.

Why These Fritters Bring All the Apple Orchard Feels

• Savor Homemade Comfort: Baked apple fritters offer a warm, nostalgic twist on traditional fried desserts, delivering all the deliciousness with less guilt and mess.
• Effortless Baking Delight: This recipe simplifies the classic fritter-making process by using an oven, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels and requiring minimal hands-on time.
• Texture Perfection: The method creates fritters with a crispy golden exterior and a soft, tender interior, studded with juicy apple chunks that provide delightful bursts of fruity flavor in every bite.
• Healthier Indulgence: By baking instead of deep-frying, these fritters reduce oil absorption while maintaining a satisfying treat that's lighter and more nutritionally balanced than traditional versions.

What You’ll Need for Baked Apple Magic

• Flour: Base for fritter structure, all-purpose works best for light texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help with caramelization.
• Baking Powder: Essential leavening agent for fluffy fritters.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements apple flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances sweetness.

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients together.
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the batter.
• Melted Butter: Contributes richness and tender texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic notes.

• Apples: Fresh, crisp fruit that adds natural sweetness and texture to fritters. Choose firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.
• Powdered Sugar: Optional finishing touch for added sweetness and decorative appearance.

How to Bake Fritters With That Just-Fried Taste

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Surface

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients until they’re thoroughly blended and no large clumps remain.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Milk
• Eggs
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract

Blend until the mixture looks smooth and fully integrated.

Step 4: Create Fritter Batter

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Don’t overmix – a few small lumps are perfect for creating a tender texture.

Step 5: Add Fresh Apples

Fold in finely diced apples, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 6: Scoop and Arrange

Drop portions of batter onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave enough space between each fritter to allow for spreading during baking.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the fritters turn a beautiful golden-brown and rise nicely in the oven.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Let the fritters cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Optional: Dust with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.

Enjoy your homemade apple fritters straight from the oven!

Tips for a Crispy Outside and Tender Apple Core

• Choose Ripe Apples: Select firm, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for maximum flavor and texture in your fritters.
• Prevent Soggy Centers: Pat diced apples dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring your fritters stay crisp and perfectly baked.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients just until combined to keep the fritters light and tender, preventing tough, dense results.
• Space Batter Properly: Leave enough room between fritter drops on the baking sheet to allow for even spreading and consistent golden-brown edges.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick into the center of a fritter; it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs to guarantee perfect baking.

Reheat Like a Pro Without Losing That Crunch

• Refrigerate your apple fritters in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place a paper towel at the bottom to absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess. Layer the fritters carefully between sheets of parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
• Reheat in the oven for the best results. Preheat to 350°F and warm the fritters for 5-7 minutes until they regain their crispy exterior and warm center. This method helps restore their original texture and keeps them from becoming rubbery or dry.
• Freeze for longer storage by wrapping each fritter individually in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen fritters can last up to 2 months.

What Sips and Sweets Pair With These Apple Beauties

• Brew a Warm Coffee Companion: Rich, medium-roast coffee with hints of caramel perfectly complements the sweet, spiced apple fritters, balancing their warmth and enhancing the cinnamon notes.
• Create a Creamy Dairy Sidekick: Cold vanilla bean ice cream provides a luxurious contrast to the fritters' warm texture, with its smooth, cool surface melting delightfully against the crisp, fruity pastry.
• Sip a Sweet Dessert Wine: A light moscato or late-harvest riesling offers a delicate, honeyed sweetness that harmonizes with the apple's natural sugars and the fritters' gentle spice profile.
• Enjoy a Nutty Hot Tea: Chai tea or almond-infused black tea brings complementary warmth and subtle spice that echoes the cinnamon and apple flavors, creating a cozy, comforting pairing.

Flavor Spins That Keep the Fall Vibes Rolling

• Caramel Apple Fritter Edition: Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the baked fritters after cooling, creating a rich and indulgent flavor profile that complements the apples perfectly.
• Nutty Apple Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the batter before baking, adding a delightful textural contrast and nutty undertone to the classic recipe.
• Spiced Autumn Remix: Enhance the existing cinnamon with additional warm spices like nutmeg and cardamom, transforming the fritters into a cozy seasonal treat that captures fall's essence.
• Cream Cheese Glaze Upgrade: Whip together a simple cream cheese glaze with powdered sugar and a touch of vanilla, then generously drizzle over the cooled fritters for a tangy and sweet finish.

Baked Apple Fritters Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Warm, golden Baked Apple Fritters offer a healthier twist on classic fried pastries from American bakeries. Cinnamon-spiced apples nestled in a light, fluffy batter create a comforting treat you’ll crave with morning coffee or afternoon tea.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 large apples (finely diced, peeled, and cored)
• 1 ¼ cups (156 grams) plain flour
• 2 lightly beaten eggs

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• ¼ cup (50 grams) white sugar
• ¼ cup (55 grams) dark brown sugar
• Powdered sugar (optional for dusting)

Spices, Leavening, and Liquids:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) dairy milk
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) melted unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lightly greasing it or lining with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until the dry ingredients are uniformly combined.
3. Create a separate bowl for wet ingredients, whisking together whole milk, large eggs, unsalted melted butter, and pure vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and fully integrated.
4. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, using careful strokes to combine. Allow small lumps to remain in the batter to ensure a tender texture.
5. Peel and dice crisp apples into small, uniform pieces, then carefully fold them into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
6. Use a measuring scoop to drop batter portions onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them generously to allow room for expansion during baking.
7. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and a slightly risen appearance that indicates doneness.
8. Remove from the oven and let the fritters rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
9. Optional: Dust the cooled fritters with a delicate layer of powdered sugar just before serving to add a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Elevate your baking game with these delightful apple fritters that transform the classic fried treat into a healthier, oven-baked version.
• Perfectly captures the essence of fall flavors with warm cinnamon and sweet apples nestled in a light, tender batter.
• Choose crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to provide the best balance of texture and flavor in these fritters.
• Customize your batch by adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for an extra layer of warm, aromatic spice.
• Store leftover fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, reheating briefly in the oven to restore their crisp exterior.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg