Dessert

Old Fashioned Apple Fritters Recipe

ByMaya Arden October 30, 2025October 30, 2025

Introduction

Old Fashioned Apple Fritters are crispy on the outside, tender and apple-filled on the inside, making them a perfect treat for any time of day. With a sweet cinnamon glaze, these fritters bring a comforting classic flavor to your kitchen.

The image shows several golden-brown apple fritters placed on a black wire cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each fritter is irregularly shaped with a rough, bumpy texture made from chunks of apple batter. They have a shiny glaze of white icing drizzled unevenly over the top, which adds a glossy, slightly sticky look. The fritters have a few visible darker spots where the batter is thicker or caramelized. The arrangement is casual, with some fritters overlapping slightly and others spaced apart. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/3 cup milk

2 eggs
3 tablespoons applesauce
2 large Granny Smith apples or Honey Crisp apples, peeled, cored and diced

Canola oil or vegetable oil for frying
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Make a well in the center and add the 1/3 cup milk, eggs, and applesauce. Stir gently just until combined, then fold in the diced apples.
Step 2: Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil in a heavy skillet, dutch oven, or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Carefully drop about 1/4 cup of batter per fritter into the hot oil, spreading it slightly as you drop.

Step 3: Fry each fritter for about 2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer fritters to paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, and vanilla extract to make the glaze. Dip each fritter in the glaze, turning to coat both sides well, then place on a wire rack to air dry and allow excess glaze to drip off.

Tips & Variations

For a spicier twist, add a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves to the batter.

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice balance to the sweet glaze, or sweeter apples like Honey Crisp for a milder tartness.
Make sure the oil temperature is steady at 375°F to prevent soggy or overly greasy fritters.

Storage

Store leftover fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them briefly in a toaster oven or conventional oven to regain crispiness. Glazed fritters are best enjoyed fresh.

How to Serve

The image shows four irregularly shaped, sticky brown fritters on a white rectangular plate arranged in a loose line. Each fritter is coated with a thin, glossy glaze that highlights their rough, bumpy texture with bits of nuts visible inside. The surface beneath the plate has a white marbled texture, and a folded red cloth with white polka dots is partially visible in the background along with some blurred apples. The lighting softly emphasizes the crunchy, glazed surface of the fritters. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

Fresh apples are recommended for the best texture, but if using frozen apples, thaw and drain them well before folding into the batter to avoid excess moisture.

Can I bake the apple fritters instead of frying?

Baking is possible but will result in a different texture. If baking, spoon batter onto a greased baking sheet and bake at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes until golden, but frying gives the classic crisp exterior.

Maya Arden