Baked Cinnamon Apple Fritters

Soft, fluffy, and packed with tender apples, these Baked Cinnamon Apple Fritters are an easy homemade treat with warm cinnamon flavor and a sweet vanilla glaze. They’re baked instead of deep-fried, making them perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy fall dessert.

Ingredients

For the Apple Fritters

• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Vanilla Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. Prepare the apples: Peel, core, and finely dice the apples. Set them aside.
3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth.
5. Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
6. Add the apples: Fold the diced apples into the batter until evenly distributed. The batter should be thick and scoopable.
7. Form the fritters: Drop heaping spoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Gently shape them into small, thick rounds.
8. Bake: Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the fritters are puffed and lightly golden around the edges. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
9. Make the glaze: While the fritters cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add a few drops of milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
10. Glaze: Let the fritters cool for about 5–10 minutes, then drizzle generously with the vanilla glaze.
11. Serve: Enjoy them warm or at room temperature with a cup of coffee, tea, or cold milk.

Tips for the Best Apple Fritters

• Use apples that hold their shape well when baked, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady.
• Dice the apples fairly small so they soften quickly while baking.
• Don’t overmix the batter, or the fritters may become dense instead of fluffy.
• For extra cinnamon flavor, sprinkle a little cinnamon over the glaze before serving.
• These fritters are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.