Deep-Fried Apple Fritters

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/28/22
Deep fried apple fritters

The Spruce
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Total: 27 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 12 fritters
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
228 Calories
5g Fat
44g Carbs
4g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 228
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 39mg 13%
Sodium 450mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Protein 4g
Calcium 151mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

In America, fritters are usually made like doughnuts, with a primary ingredient (like apple) mixed into an egg, flour, and milk batter. The doughnut-like fritters may be deep-fried or pan-fried. There are other kinds of fritters that are simply pieces of food coated with batter and deep-fried.

These apple fritters are an excellent example of a deep-fried doughnut-like fritter, and they are fantastic served with a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of syrup. Maple syrup is a great choice, or you might emphasize the apple flavor with apple cider syrup.

Apple fritters make a delicious breakfast or dessert dish. Or make a batch to serve as a family snack.

1:30

Click Play to See This Deep-Fried Apple Fritters Recipe Come Together

Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (sifted)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup apple (peeled and finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar (sifted, for serving)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for deep fried apple fritters
    The Spruce

  2. Heat the warming drawer or oven to 200 F to keep the fritters warm as you fry batches.

  3. Heat about 2 1/2 to 3 inches of oil in a deep saucepan or in a deep fryer to 360 F to 370 F.

    Heat oil
    The Spruce

  4. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

    Sift together flour and sugar
    The Spruce 

  5. Add the milk and egg and beat until batter is smooth.

    Add milk and egg
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  6. Fold in the chopped apple.

    Add chopped apple
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  7. Drop by teaspoonfuls into hot oil and fry for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the fritters are golden brown. Don't overcrowd the pan or the oil's temperature will drop.

    Drop fritters into oil
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  8. Drain well on paper towels. Keep warm in the oven while making subsequent batches.

    Drain well on paper towels
    The Spruce

  9. Roll in confectioners' sugar for serving.

    Roll in confectioner's sugar
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  10. Enjoy!

How to Store and Freeze

  • Keep fritters in an airtight container or food storage bag at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To warm fritters, place them on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for about 10 seconds, or until warm.
  • Freeze apple fritters in a single layer on a baking sheet until they are frozen solid. Transfer the frozen fritters to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Tips

  • Use a neutral-flavor oil to deep-fry the fritters. Some good choices include canola, refined safflower oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil.
  • Choose honeycrisp, Granny Smith, gala, or Fuji apples, or use your own favorite variety of apple. The apples shouldn't be overly tart or sweet.
  • Fry only 3 to 4 fritters at a time and make sure the temperature of the oil has returned to 370 F before starting the next batch.

Recipe Variations

  • Instead of powdered sugar, toss the fritters in 1/2 cup of cinnamon sugar.
  • Toss the apples with 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon before adding them to the batter.