🍎 Baked Cinnamon Apple Fritters
These Baked Cinnamon Apple Fritters have all the cozy flavor of traditional apple fritters without the mess of deep-frying. Tender chunks of cinnamon-spiced apples are folded into a soft, lightly sweet batter, baked until golden, and finished with a simple vanilla glaze.
They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, afternoon coffee, or a comforting fall dessert.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 18–22 minutes
Total Time: About 40 minutes
Yield: 8 fritters
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Oven-Baked
Ingredients
Apple Fritters
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) melted butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Optional Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and dice the apples into small pieces, approximately ¼–½ inch (0.6–1.2 cm).
Place them in a bowl and toss with the lemon juice to help prevent browning.
Set aside.
2. Prepare the Oven
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
For easier cleanup, lightly spray the parchment with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Make sure the baking powder and cinnamon are evenly distributed.
4. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
Make sure the melted butter has cooled slightly before adding it so it doesn’t cook the egg.
5. Make the Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Stir gently with a spatula just until combined.
The batter should be thick and scoopable.
Don’t overmix.
6. Fold in the Apples
Add the diced apples to the batter.
Fold gently until the apple pieces are evenly distributed.
There should be plenty of apple throughout the batter rather than just a few pieces.
7. Shape the Fritters
Use a large spoon or cookie scoop to portion the batter onto the prepared baking sheet.
Make approximately 8 mounds, leaving space between them.
Gently flatten the tops slightly with the back of a spoon.
Keep the fritters fairly thick so they remain soft inside.
8. Bake
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the fritters are puffed and golden around the edges.
A toothpick inserted into the batter portion should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
For a more golden top, switch the oven to broil for the final 1–2 minutes, watching very carefully.
9. Cool Slightly
Remove the fritters from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes.
Transfer them to a wire rack.
They’re delicious while still slightly warm.
10. Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
For a thicker glaze, add a little more powdered sugar.
For a thinner glaze, add milk a few drops at a time.
11. Glaze the Fritters
Drizzle the vanilla glaze generously over the warm fritters.
You can use a spoon or piping bag to create thin decorative lines.
Allow the glaze to set for several minutes before serving.
🍎 Chef’s Tips
Choose flavorful apples. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or a combination of sweet and tart apples work beautifully.
Dice the apples small. Smaller pieces distribute more evenly throughout the fritters and soften properly while baking.
Don’t overmix the batter. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
Don’t flatten them too much. Keeping the fritters thick helps maintain a soft, tender center.
Glaze while warm. A slightly warm fritter allows the glaze to melt beautifully over the surface.
Cinnamon Sugar Finish
For an alternative to the glaze, brush the warm fritters lightly with melted butter and sprinkle them generously with:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
This gives them a delicious cinnamon-sugar coating.
Flavor Variations
Apple Raisin Fritters
Add ¼ cup raisins or golden raisins to the batter.
Caramel Apple Fritters
Drizzle the finished fritters with warm caramel sauce instead of vanilla glaze.
Pecan Apple Fritters
Fold in ¼ cup finely chopped toasted pecans.
Maple Glaze
Replace the milk in the glaze with 1 tablespoon maple syrup plus 1 tablespoon milk.
Apple Spice Fritters
Add ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and a pinch of ground cloves along with the cinnamon.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these fritters warm with:
- Coffee
- Hot tea
- Apple cider
- Whipped cream
- Vanilla ice cream
- Caramel sauce
- Warm apple compote
For dessert, a warm fritter topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce is especially delicious.
Storage
Store cooled fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–8 minutes or in an air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through.
Freezing
Allow the baked fritters to cool completely.
Freeze them in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freeze for up to 2 months.
For the best texture, thaw and reheat before glazing.
Recipe Notes
Yield: 8 fritters
Texture: Tender and soft inside with lightly crisp golden edges
Flavor: Warm cinnamon, sweet apples, buttery vanilla, and a delicate glaze
Best served: Warm or slightly cooled
🍎 The Perfect Cozy Treat
These baked apple fritters give you everything you love about classic apple fritters—juicy apples, warm cinnamon, tender pastry, and sweet glaze—without deep-frying. They’re simple enough for a weekday breakfast and special enough for a weekend brunch.