These apple fritters are what the start of fall is all about! Crispy fried outside with tender, apple-y goodness inside, and kissed with cinnamon icing. Who needs Dunkin?!
This recipe is so easy and super versatile. There’s even a non-gluten free option!
Is an Apple fritter considered a doughnut?
Here’s a fun fact about me: I don’t actually consider doughnuts a breakfast food. Gasp! Shock! I know, I know, but I don’t. Think about it…a cakey pastry that is deep fried and most often glazed or topped with frosting and is sometimes stuffed with fruit, cream, or another gooey filling… That’s not breakfast, that’s dessert! Or a snack! Or a sweet treat! Technically yes, you could indulge at breakfast time. (I mean, why not??) But my point is, why limit yourself??
And I don’t! I’ve definitely been known to hit up the donut drive thru for an afternoon cup-a-joe and a double chocolate ring. I think that’s one of the reasons why I love this Gluten Free Apple Fritters recipe so much — it’s good anytime of the day! If I do make these for breakfast, I like to serve with something light and fresh like my favorite fruit salad, or a smoothie.
Celebrating the seasons
Another thing I love about these is how well the cinnamon apple goodness helps to celebrate the change in season when summer starts and fade and the crisp coolness of fall slides right into place. The shorter days give way to cozy nights and my mind drifts to being cuddled up by the fire with a good book or a cup of tea. Outside, the leaves change color and drift down to the pile of “crunch” below.
So go ahead, grab your apron and the Littles that are running circles around you, and let’s make some cozy fall memories, complete with a delicious fall treat the whole family is sure to love.
What are apple fritters made of?
Basically a donut, but better. Not quite a pie, but all the same flavors. Kind of the same texture as a cake, but no need for a fork.
To make the fritters, you’ll whip up a quick batter and add some diced apples. I love the nooks and crannies that come with the free formed pastries. And no fritter is complete without a light sweet glaze to top it all off and make your fingers lick-ably delicious.
What are the best apples to make apple fritters?
Aah, such a widely debated hot topic! The short answer is…use whatever you have! But from a flavor and texture standpoint, I really love using either Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. The tartness of the Granny Smith plays really nicely with the sweet from the Cinnamon Vanilla Icing and they keep their shape well. Honeycrisp are a bit sweeter, but still hold up when fried and don’t turn to mush.
But again, any kind of apple is better than no apple, so don’t let not having one of these types stop you from whipping up a batch. Unless, of course, you wanna go rouge and try making coconut fitters, or cherry fritters, or pear fritters, or pecan fritters…..ooooh, pecan fritters sound so good!!
Tools you’ll need:
- large cast iron Dutch oven or similar deep pot for frying
- candy thermometer
- 2 mixing bowls
- wire cooling rack
Ingredients for Gluten Free Apple Fritters:
One thing I love about this apple fritter recipe is how versatile it is. Don’t need gluten free? No problem! Just sub out regular flour. Want a little more warm, fall flavors? Add some cardamom and ginger! Use whichever variety of apple you have on hand; no need to run to the orchard! (Although, if that’s an option, ALWAYS choose to go to the orchard!) You can even make these dairy free if needed. Every combination I’ve tried has just been lovely!
- 1:1 Gluten Free Flour of your choice. I like to use King Arthur’s Measure for Measure. This recipe also does well fully-gluten, so feel free to substitute your favorite all purpose wheat flour if that’s your jam.
- brown sugar
- baking powder
- baking soda
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg. Fresh grate your own if you have some…yum!
- ground cardamom & ginger. These are optional, but highly recommended!
- sea salt
- milk. Whole, skim, almond, coconut…you pick!
- avocado oil. Or similar, light flavor oil.
- eggs
- vanilla
- apples. Which variety is your favorite to bake with? Tell me in the comments!
- oil for frying. I like coconut oil or avocado oil.
- Cinnamon Vanilla Icing
Steps to follow:
- In a large Dutch oven or deep pot, add about 3-4 inches of frying oil and turn to medium heat. Attach a candy thermometer and let the oil reach about 375 degrees.
- Meanwhile in a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. (If you have little hands that like to help, this is a great step to get them involved.)
- In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until smooth.
- Peel and dice apples into small pieces and add to the batter. Stir to combine.
- When oil is hot, gently drop in spoonfuls of batter, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, then remove to a wire cooling rack to drain.
- Once the fritters have cooled to warm, glaze with Cinnamon Vanilla Icing overtop.
- Once the icing has set slightly, dig in. Enjoy!
FAQ
Why are my apple fritters soggy?
Great question! This is most likely due to your oil temperature. If the oil is too cool (less than 350 degrees), your fritters will soak up that oil instead of sizzle and cook the outside nice and crispy. Will they still technically cook? Yes, but they will most likely be dense and soggy and no one likes a dense, soggy apple fritter!
What is the best oil to cook fritters in?
There’s a couple options here. Whenever possible, I like to incorporate healthy fats and avoid unhealthy fats. It’s also important to use an oil with a higher smoke point (above 400 degrees). I typically use coconut oil or avocado oil or a combination of both. Here’s a helpful article explaining the healthiest oils for deep frying.
Can apple fritters be frozen?
Yes they can! Don’t glaze them yet and let them cool completely before you place them in an air-tight zip top bag. Once you taken them out of the freezer and thaw them, I would pop them in a 400 degree oven for a few minutes to bring back the crispy outside and them douse them in Cinnamon Vanilla Icing. Makes for a yummy snack or breakfast in a hurry!
If you make this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram
@leedsstreetcollective with your delicious creation.
Thanks so much for checking out the Collective!
– Sarah
Gluten Free Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Vanilla Icing
These apple fritters are crispy fried outside with tender, apple-y goodness inside, and kissed with cinnamon icing. Who needs Dunkin?!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups 1:1 Gluten Free Flour (or substitute all-purpose wheat flour)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2/3 cup whole milk (or substitute non-dairy milk)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 2 apples
- coconut oil for frying
- Cinnamon Vanilla Icing
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or deep pot, add about 3-4 inches of frying oil and turn to medium heat.
- Attach a candy thermometer and let the oil reach about 375 degrees.
- Meanwhile in a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. (If you have little hands that like to help, this is a great step to get them involved.)
- In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until smooth.
- Peel and dice apples into small pieces and add to the batter. Stir to combine.
- When oil is hot, gently drop in spoonfuls of batter, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, then remove to a wire cooling rack to drain.
- Once the fritters have cooled to warm, glaze with Cinnamon Vanilla Icing overtop.
- Once the icing has set slightly, dig in. Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe also does great fully gluten if that's your jam! Just sub the GF flour with all purpose or whole wheat.
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