When the weather turns cool, nothing beats the smell of apples and cinnamon baking in the oven. These warm baked apple fritters are golden and slightly crisp on the outside while staying soft and tender inside. Instead of frying, this lighter baked version delivers the same cozy flavor without the extra oil. Topped with a sweet glaze, they’re the perfect fall treat or year-round indulgence.
why you’ll love warm baked apple fritters
Apple fritters are a classic pastry, but frying can sometimes feel heavy. This recipe gives you all the flavor and texture you love, without the mess or guilt of deep-frying. They’re easy to whip up with simple pantry ingredients, making them a great option for seasonal baking. Each bite has warm apple chunks, a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a perfectly sweet glaze that melts in your mouth.
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how to make warm baked apple fritters
These warm baked apple fritters are soft inside, golden outside, and finished with a sweet glaze. A lighter oven-baked version of the classic fried fritter—perfect for fall or any time of year.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 fritters
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp salt
2 large eggs
½ cup sugar
½ cup milk (or plant-based alternative)
¼ cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups apples, peeled and diced
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat Oven – Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make Batter – In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients – In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla.
Combine – Stir wet ingredients into dry until just combined. Fold in diced apples.
Shape Fritters – Drop spoonfuls of batter onto the baking sheet, flatten slightly with the back of the spoon.
Bake – Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
Glaze – Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Dip warm fritters in glaze or drizzle over the top.
Serve – Enjoy warm for the best flavor!
Notes
Best served warm and freshly glazed. Use firm apples for best texture. Avoid overmixing batter for light fritters.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
tips for success
- Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best texture.
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep fritters soft and tender.
- Glaze them while still warm so the coating sets beautifully.
creative variations
- Caramel Drizzle: Swap the glaze for a warm caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
- Maple Spice: Add maple extract to the glaze for a fall-inspired twist.
- Nutty Crunch: Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts with the apples.
serving suggestions
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert-style treat.
- Pair with a cup of hot coffee or chai for a cozy snack.
- Dust with cinnamon sugar before glazing for an extra sweet crunch.
storing leftovers
Store cooled fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Warm them in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes before serving. For longer storage, freeze without glaze and thaw before reheating.