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    Home » Desserts » Apple Fritters

    Sep 25, 2014 · Modified: Sep 22, 2019 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 18 Comments

    Apple Fritters

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    These Apple Fritters are made with a simple batter that's fully loaded with granny smith apples. Easy to prep and fry, this recipe might be dangerous to have in your repertoire! 

    Head-on view of an apple fritter with icing with more fritters and granny smith apples in the background and recipe title at top

    Guys, I’ve been craving apple fritters since last year. LAST YEAR. An entire year spent imagining myself biting into a sugary, slightly crispy, fall-flavor filled pastry. Like, multiple times a week. I almost caught myself drooling at my desk a few times.

    I think about apple fritters way more than is probably normal and it was starting to scare me a little bit. To the point where I finally sucked it up and just made my own. 100% worth it and way easier than I thought they’d be. Maybe even too easy? As in, whenever the craving hits, I might find myself back in the kitchen making more.

    When I started chopping the apples for these bad boys, Chris walked by me in the kitchen and said, “wow, you’re like obsessed with apples or something right now, huh?” And the answer is yes. I cannot get enough of apple-based desserts, salads, and more. Plus, an apple sliced with peanut butter has been my snack of the moment. September is my favorite month in life and this Boston September has been one of the best yet. Seriously amazing. I was walking to my friends’ house after work last night and couldn’t get over how perfect the temperature was. I want to bottle this month up and carry it with me forever!

    View of boats in Boston

    It is the PERFECT apple fritter weather and I suggest whipping these up with the windows open in your kitchen, so you can feel a cool breeze blowing in. If you don’t have windows in your kitchen, just step outside a couple times. When you come back in, you’ll be hit with an apple spice fragrance so lovely that you will want to bottle that up, too.

    APPLE FRITTERS RECIPE

    The apple fritters recipe I used is from Cook’s Country magazine… I wasn’t about to attempt my own version before I mastered the basic recipe and I figured that if anyone could teach me, it would be America’s Test Kitchen.

    Any time a recipe involves frying, I feel like it sounds a whole lot more intimidating than it might be. When I’m telling you this recipe was pretty easy, I mean it! Peeling and chopping the apples was maybe the most difficult part.

    Here’s an important step that Cook’s Country called out, which most other recipes don’t. Place your chopped apples on a paper towel lined baking sheet and pat dry with paper towels. This will remove excess moisture from the apples, which could cause fritters to get soggy.

    Overhead view of chopped Granny Smith Apples Drying on paper towels

    In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir apples into the flour mixture until they’re well-coated.

    In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together cider, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla.

    Then stir the cider mixture into the flour/apple mixture until just incorporated.

    Collage showing process for making apple fritter batter, including wet ingredients whisked together, chopped apples being mixed into dry ingredients, and finished batter in bowl

    Now you’re ready to get your frying on! In a dutch oven or large pot, heat oil (I used canola oil) over medium-high heat until the oil temperature reaches 350 degrees F.

    Using a ⅓-cup, scoop batter and transfer into the oil. The recipe recommends doing 5 at a time, but I did 3 since I was nervous about them all touching each other and sticking together. Once the batter is in the oil, press down on it lightly with the back of a spoon to flatten. I probably should have done this more.

    Fry the fritters, trying your best to keep the oil at 350 degrees, and no lower than 325 degrees. You should flip the fritters after 2-3 minutes and let them fry an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side.

    Apple Fritters Frying in a dutch oven filled with oil with a thermometer in it

    Once golden, transfer the fritters to a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Make sure you bring the oil temperature back up to 350 degrees before adding the remaining batter to it. Let the fritters cool a bit before icing.

    Apple Fritters Fried and cooling on baking rack

    I should mention that Chris walked into the kitchen at this point and said “ooh, fried fish?” UM. I wanted to yell, “DO YOU NOT SMELL THE DELICIOUS APPLE SPICE FRAGRANCE THROUGHOUT THIS HOUSE?!”

    OK, so admittedly, these did look a little like fried fish at first… they totally need some icing. But don't worry because the apple fritter icing is easy to make!

    Just whisk all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth.

    Apple fritter glaze being whisked together in small mixing bowl

    Drizzle each fritter with about a tablespoon of glaze. Let glaze set for at least 10 minutes. I prefer to chill the fritters because for some reason, I love my apple fritters nice and cold!

    Overhead closeup view of an apple fritter drizzled with icing with more fritters in the background

    These were EXACTLY what I wanted and completely satisfied my year-long craving! Obviously this was my first time making apple fritters, but I’m really glad I chose the Cook’s Country recipe since these were so fantastic.

    Of course, my favorite thing about them is that they are FULLY loaded with apples. There's nothing worse than an apple fritter that tastes like apple spice, but doesn't actually seem to have many apples in it.

    When it comes to apples, I’m very much a mac girl. But for baking, I do think granny smiths often work best. They have a knack at being sweet and tart at the same time.

    Landscape head-on view of multiple apple fritters with granny smith apples in the background

    I also love the fact that the icing sinks into all the crevices of the fritters before it hardens. Nooks and crannies, if you will.

    It is SO dangerous that I now have this recipe in my repertoire. SO SO dangerous. Next time I make them, I’m thinking about some sort of caramel drizzle? But then I think I might miss the icing too much. Ahhh, such a struggle.

    Head-on view of an apple fritter with icing with more fritters and granny smith apples in the background

    These apple fritters be my new favorite thing about fall. But honestly, there’s not much about fall food I don’t love. Apple cider doughnuts?? I need to get my hands on some of those STAT. Even candy apples make me insanely happy (my teeth? not so much).

    Also, I’d like to start a petition making September last for two months. Please?

    What’s your favorite fall treat?

    For  more ways to enjoy fall apples, try my Pumpkin Pie Applesauce or my Apple, Fennel, and Bacon Chicken Salad. I also really want to make this Honeycrisp Apple Cardamom Cake from The View from Great Island!

    Apple Fritters -- These Apple Fritters are made with a simple batter that's fully loaded with granny smith apples. Easy to prep and fry, this recipe might be dangerous to have in your repertoire! | wearenotmartha.com

    Apple Fritters

    These Apple Fritters are made with a simple batter that's fully loaded with granny smith apples. Easy to prep and fry, this recipe might be dangerous to have in your repertoire! 
    No ratings yet
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Apple Desserts, Apple Recipes, Fall Desserts, Pastry Recipes
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Makes: 12 apple fritters

    Ingredients

    • 2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into ¼" pieces
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 Tbsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp nutmeg
    • ¾ cup apple cider
    • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
    • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 3 cups vegetable or peanut oil
    • 1 batch apple fritter glaze (recipe below)

    Apple Cider Glaze

    • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
    • ¼ cup apple cider
    • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

    Instructions

    • Place chopped apples on a paper towel lined baking sheet and pat dry with paper towels. This will remove excess moisture from the apples and keep apple fritters from getting soggy.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir apples into the flour mixture until they’re well-coated.
    • In a separate medium size bowl, whisk together cider, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla.
    • Stir the cider mixture into the flour/apple mixture until just incorporated.
    • In a dutch oven or a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat until the oil temperature reaches 350 degrees F.
    • Using a ⅓-cup, scoop batter and transfer into the oil. Only fry a few fritters at a time to ensure they're not touching each other in the oil. Once the batter is in the oil, press down on it lightly with the back of a spoon to flatten.
    • Fry the fritters, trying your best to keep the oil at 350 degrees and no lower than 325 degrees. Flip the fritters after 2-3 minutes and let them fry an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side.
    • Once golden, transfer the fritters to a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Make sure you bring the oil temperature back up to 350 degrees before adding the remaining batter to it. Let the fritters cool a bit before drizzling each of them with about 1 Tbsp icing. Let glaze set for about 10 minutes.

    Apple Cider Glaze

    • Whisk all of the ingredients together in a medium size bowl until smooth.

    Notes

    • Recipe from Cook's Country.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rachel says

      September 25, 2014 at 11:35 am

      wow, these sound really great! i really need to make something with apple this weekend...so many incredible apple recipes circulating this time of year!

    2. Chelsea M. says

      September 25, 2014 at 12:09 pm

      These seriously look SO good! My favorite fall treat is warm apple cider 🙂

    3. Judit @ Glamorous Bite says

      September 25, 2014 at 1:32 pm

      These look dangerously tempting, Sues! I'm with you on loving fall for all that beautiful flavors 🙂

    4. Michelle Lahey says

      September 25, 2014 at 1:51 pm

      Damn, these look good! And I agree that this September has been perfecttttt. I don't want it to end!

    5. Leah | So, How's It Taste? says

      September 25, 2014 at 3:00 pm

      I have never made fritters! I need to get on it. Love that picture of Boston. It's seriously in my top 5 places that I would move to in a heartbeat. Don't know how I'd handle the winters though. 😉

    6. Odetta says

      September 25, 2014 at 7:21 pm

      Now I'm craving them too!

    7. Lynn @ The Actor’s Diet says

      September 25, 2014 at 9:43 pm

      Every time I watch America’s Test Kitchen I get so inspired - glad you did this!

    8. Jessica @ Sweet Menu says

      September 25, 2014 at 11:22 pm

      Apple fritters? YUM! These look amazing!!!

    9. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

      September 26, 2014 at 2:47 am

      I've always wanted to make apple fritters!! This makes me sooooo excited!

    10. Barbara says

      September 26, 2014 at 8:09 am

      Your fritters have me drooling, Sues! Nice to have some cider in the glaze, too.

    11. Megan says

      September 26, 2014 at 12:08 pm

      Oh my gosh... those look awesome! Jeff requests apple cider doughnuts every year so I HAVE to make those, but maybe I can do some fritters too. Yum!

    12. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

      September 26, 2014 at 3:48 pm

      Oh my gosh, these fritters look incredible! I've never made my own before, so I'm loving this recipe. Looks amazing!

    13. sarah k @ the pajama chef says

      September 26, 2014 at 6:19 pm

      thank you for this recipe!! apple fritters are on my cooking bucketlist to finish before i (gulp) turn 30 next spring. obviously fall is the time to make them. now i have a good recipe. yayyy!

    14. Cailee says

      September 27, 2014 at 7:16 pm

      What a great recipe!! This looks so good! I love all the pictures! So nice and clear! Looks delicious! 🙂 Perf for fall!

    15. Kevin @ Closet Cooking says

      October 06, 2014 at 8:26 am

      Now that's how you enjoy some apples!

    16. Susan says

      October 09, 2014 at 12:12 pm

      Wow, great looking apple recipe! They look so crispy and delicious and not at all like fish 🙂

    Trackbacks

    1. Apple Fritters | The Pajama Chef says:
      November 24, 2014 at 10:00 am

      […] from Cook’s Country via We Are Not Martha […]

    2. Jalapeño Parmesan Quinoa Tater Tots | We are not Martha says:
      January 16, 2015 at 8:47 am

      […] I’m not sure if I should be proud to say it or not, but it was totally frying. From doughnuts to fritters to chicken, I spent a decent amount of time waiting for pots full of oil to hit the right […]

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