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Baked Apple Fritters Recipe

4 from 32 reviews

These Baked Apple Fritters are a delightful twist on the traditional fried version, offering a lighter, oven-baked treat loaded with warm spices and sweet apple pieces. Topped with a glossy vanilla glaze and broiled to a perfect golden finish, they make an ideal snack or dessert for any occasion, combining a tender crumb with a hint of crispness.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 3/4 Cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 Cup white whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 Cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 Tablespoons butter (cold and cut into pieces)
  • 1/2 Cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 Cup chopped apple

Glaze Ingredients

  • 1 Cup confectioner’s sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt until well combined.
  3. Cut in butter: Add the cold, cut butter pieces to the dry mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, creating a crumbly texture essential for tender fritters.
  4. Combine wet ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Then pour this mixture into the flour and butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough fritters.
  5. Add chopped apples: Gently fold the chopped apples into the batter ensuring they are evenly distributed without crushing them.
  6. Shape fritters: Using a 1/4 cup scoop, drop mounds of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them sufficiently to allow for slight spreading during baking.
  7. Bake fritters: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 11-13 minutes, or until the bottoms turn golden brown and the centers are set, indicating they are cooked through.
  8. Cool and prepare to broil: Remove the fritters from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack. Adjust your oven setting to broil to brown the glaze topping.
  9. Make the glaze: Whisk together the confectioner’s sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable; this will form a sweet glossy coating for the fritters.
  10. Apply glaze and broil: Brush a thin layer of glaze over the tops of the fritters and place them under the broiler for 2-4 minutes, watching closely until the glaze turns golden and slightly caramelized.
  11. Final glaze application: Remove the fritters from the broiler and brush on the remaining glaze while they are still warm, enhancing their shine and sweetness.
  12. Serve: Allow the glaze to harden slightly before serving these warm, tender, and flavorful baked apple fritters for a comforting snack or dessert.

Notes

  • Use cold butter for the dough to ensure a tender crumb and proper texture.
  • Avoid overmixing the batter, as it can lead to denser fritters.
  • The broiling step caramelizes the glaze, giving the fritters a nice golden finish—keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
  • You can substitute apples with pears if desired, but adjust baking time slightly based on moisture content.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute flours with a gluten-free baking blend.

Keywords: baked apple fritters, apple dessert, quick apple recipe, cinnamon apple fritters, baked fritters with glaze, healthy apple treat