Lighter Baked Apple Fritters

These baked apple fritters bring all the comfort of traditional fried versions with a healthier twist. The warm cinnamon-apple aroma filling your kitchen while they bake will make everyone wonder what delicious treat is coming out of the oven.

I discovered this recipe when trying to recreate my grandmother's famous apple fritters without the deep fryer. My children now request these as their special weekend breakfast treat, especially during apple picking season when we use freshly harvested fruit.

Ingredients

• Apples: Choose firm varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith that hold their shape when baked and provide the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness
• All purpose flour: Creates the perfect tender structure for these fritters
• Sugar: Adds just enough sweetness without overpowering the natural apple flavor
• Baking powder: Ensures your fritters rise properly and stay light
• Cinnamon: Brings that classic warm spice that pairs perfectly with apples
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness
• Milk: Provides moisture and helps create a tender texture
• Egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together
• Vanilla extract: Adds depth of flavor and enhances the natural sweetness
• Melted butter: Enriches the batter and adds beautiful flavor
• Powdered sugar: Creates a simple glaze that adds sweetness and visual appeal
• Additional milk: For thinning the glaze to the perfect consistency

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Workspace:

Preheat your oven to 375°F and thoroughly grease your baking sheet. This temperature provides the perfect balance of browning the outside while fully cooking the inside. Take time to properly grease the sheet as these fritters can stick.

Mix The Dry Ingredients:

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Make sure to break up any clumps of cinnamon for even distribution throughout the batter.

Combine Wet Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, thoroughly whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth and well combined. The butter should be melted but not hot enough to cook the egg.

Create The Batter:

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Overmixing will develop too much gluten and result in tough fritters. Stop mixing when you no longer see dry flour.

Add The Apples:

Gently fold in your diced apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter. The mixture will be thick and chunky which is exactly what you want for perfect fritters.

Form And Bake:

Use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to drop portions of batter onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each fritter. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Glaze While Warm:

Mix powdered sugar with just enough milk to create a pourable glaze. Drizzle this over the fritters while they are still warm so it melts slightly into the crevices.

The cinnamon in this recipe is truly transformative. I remember the first time I made these for my mother-in-law who claimed not to like apple desserts. The aroma of cinnamon and baked apples changed her mind before she even took her first bite. Now she requests them whenever she visits.

Storage Solutions

These fritters taste best the day they're made, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To refresh them, warm in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted fritters in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. They'll keep for up to three months. Thaw completely before glazing and serving.

Easy Adaptations

Feel free to experiment with different apple varieties or even mix several types for complex flavor. For added texture, incorporate a quarter cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter. Those avoiding refined sugar can substitute maple syrup for the sugar in the batter and create a glaze using maple syrup reduced with a splash of milk. The recipe also works with gluten-free flour blends, though the texture may be slightly different.

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Perfect Pairings

Serve these warm fritters alongside a mug of hot apple cider or coffee for a cozy breakfast. For dessert, try them with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of cinnamon whipped cream. They also make excellent additions to brunch buffets or holiday morning spreads, where guests can help themselves to these handheld treats.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use other types of fruit instead of apples?

Yes, you can substitute apples with other firm fruits like pears or peaches for a unique twist.

→ How should I store these fritters?

Store baked fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

→ Can I make the glaze less sweet?

You can reduce the sweetness by using less powdered sugar or adding a splash of lemon juice for balance.

→ Can I make these fritters gluten-free?

Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free variation.

→ What can I serve with these baked fritters?

Pair your fritters with a dollop of yogurt, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, or a warm cup of tea or coffee.