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
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Total: 27 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 12 fritters

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.

Deep fried apple fritters

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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 large egg

  • 1 cup peeled and finely chopped apple

  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted for serving

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for deep fried apple fritters
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  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
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  4. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

    Sift together flour and sugar
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  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
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  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.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
279 Calories
13g Fat
37g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 279
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 32mg 11%
Sodium 493mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 14%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 94mg 7%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 77mg 2%
*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.)