Make giant apple fritters that rival any bakery. This recipe delivers a crispy exterior and a soft, apple-packed interior, perfect for a weekend breakfast or dessert.
Author:julianmaxwell
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:15 min
Total Time:35 min
Yield:About 8 large fritters 1x
Category:Dessert
Method:Deep Frying
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups peeled, cored, and chopped firm apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
For the Glaze: 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine.
Fold in the chopped apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Heat 3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature.
Carefully drop large spoonfuls (about 1/3 cup each) of the batter into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pot; fry in batches. These are your big apple fritters.
Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning once, until they are deep golden brown and cooked through.
Remove the fritters with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
While the fritters cool slightly, prepare the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and thick.
Dip or drizzle the warm fritters generously with the thick vanilla glaze. Allow the glaze to set before serving your sweet and crispy apple donuts.
Notes
For the best texture, use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith. Cut the apple pieces into large chunks for a true bakery style apple fritters experience.
Maintain the oil temperature strictly between 340°F and 355°F. If the oil is too cool, the fritters will absorb too much oil and be greasy. If too hot, the outside will burn before the inside cooks.
If you prefer a simple coating instead of a thick glaze, toss the warm fritters in a mixture of 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon immediately after draining.