Hey there, friends! So, I recently discovered air fryer apple fritters, and let me just say, they’re a game changer. Imagine all the deliciousness of classic apple fritters but without the mess of deep frying. The air fryer creates that perfect crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and full of sweet apple goodness. Plus, they come together in just 30 minutes! If you’re already a fan of my other cozy fall treats, like the homemade apple cider donuts, you’ll absolutely want to add this one to your autumn lineup.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Let’s chat about why you’re going to want to make these air fryer apple fritters on repeat. First off, they’re easy and quick—perfect for busy mornings or as a snack when you’re juggling a million things (because who isn’t?). The air fryer makes cleanup super simple. Plus, these fritters combine tart apples with warm cinnamon, which honestly just screams “comfort.” And can we talk about that glaze? It’s the icing on the cake, quite literally.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these delicious fritters:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, unsalted
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (about 2¾ cups)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Step-by-step instructions
Prepare the batter
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, combine milk, eggs, vanilla, and lemon juice.
- Combine: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, add the melted butter, and stir until you don’t see any dry streaks. Gently fold in the apple pieces.
Cooking in the air fryer
- Preheat & prepare: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Line the basket with parchment paper and spray it lightly with cooking spray.
- Cook: Scoop ¼ cup mounds of batter into the fryer basket, ensuring there’s space between each. Air fry for 8 minutes, flip, and then cook for another 3 minutes until golden brown.
Final Touch
- Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and butter until smooth. Dip each warm fritter into the glaze, letting the excess drip off onto a rack.
Recipe tips & variations
- Apple Varieties: Use Granny Smith apples for a tart flavor, or mix it up with Honeycrisp for some sweetness.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or a drizzle of caramel for an extra layer of flavor.
- No air fryer? You can still bake these in the oven at 375°F for about 14-16 minutes.
Storage & reheating
- Store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: If you want to reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes. This keeps them crispy without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use a different flour?
Yes, you can try whole wheat or a gluten-free blend, but the texture might be slightly different.
Do I need to peel the apples?
While peeling isn’t completely necessary, it does give the fritters a smoother texture.
What if I don’t have parchment paper?
You can spray the basket directly with a non-stick spray, but parchment helps with easy cleanup.
How do I prevent them from sticking?
Ensure the parchment paper is lightly sprayed, and don’t overcrowd the air fryer.
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Air Fryer Apple Fritters
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 fritters 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious air fryer apple fritters that are quick and easy to make, combining tart apples with cinnamon and a sweet glaze.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, unsalted
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced (about 2 3/4 cups)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, combine milk, eggs, vanilla, and lemon juice.
- Combine: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, add the melted butter, and stir until you don’t see any dry streaks. Gently fold in the apple pieces.
- Preheat & prepare: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Line the basket with parchment paper and spray it lightly with cooking spray.
- Cook: Scoop ¼ cup mounds of batter into the fryer basket, ensuring there’s space between each. Air fry for 8 minutes, flip, and then cook for another 3 minutes until golden brown.
- Glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and butter until smooth. Dip each warm fritter into the glaze, letting the excess drip off onto a rack.
Notes
- Apple Varieties: Use Granny Smith apples for a tart flavor, or mix it up with Honeycrisp for some sweetness.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or a drizzle of caramel for an extra layer of flavor.
- No air fryer? You can still bake these in the oven at 375°F for about 14-16 minutes.
- Store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: If you want to reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg