A fresh apple fritter, made right in your kitchen, is one of those simple pleasures that’s worth the short effort. This recipe skips the drive-thru and brings you a homemade donut that’s crisp on the outside, tender inside, and filled with warm cinnamon apples. If you’ve never made your own fritters before, now’s the time.

These apple fritters are packed with soft chunks of apple and warm spice, then finished with a sweet glaze that cracks just a little when you bite in. The flavor is cozy and familiar, like the best part of apple pie with the crispiness of a donut shop treat.

While they’re especially nice in the fall, apples are almost always available year-round, which means you can make these anytime the craving hits. Who isn’t craving fresh apple fritters all the time?

Close-up of fritters on a plate, with one cut open to show the tender, apple-filled center.

Serve Them For

They’re perfect for fall breakfasts, weekend brunch, or anytime you want to offer something a little special. Serve them at fall parties, bring them to a bake sale, or just make them on a slow Saturday morning. Or fresh for Christmas morning!

Add a hot cup of coffee or spiced tea like Russian tea. A hot drink pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the fritter. If you’re keeping it simple, a glass of cold milk works too.

What You Need To Make Homemade Apple Fritters

Making homemade donuts is a lot easier when you plan ahead. Make sure you’ve got fresh apples, pantry staples like flour and sugar, and oil for frying ready to go so you can mix and fry without last-minute store runs.

flour
sugar
baking powder
salt
cinnamon
nutmeg
milk
eggs
vanilla
apples (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
lemon juice
powdered sugar
oil for frying

Graphic for The Best Apple for Baking blog post.

The Best Apple For Fritters

Be sure you use a good baking apple to make these fritters. You want a crisp, sweet-tart apple anytime you’re baking or cooking.

These apples will hold their shape and not melt away to nothing, which is what you want and need when you cook or bake apples. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well in fritters.

Close-up of glazed apple fritters on a cooling rack, showing golden brown texture.

Enjoy Right Away!

Apple fritters, like most doughnuts, are best enjoyed the day they’re made. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within a day.

Reheat briefly in the microwave or air fryer to bring back a little of the texture. They’re not the BEST but they’re still apple fritters, so a win is a win!

Front-facing view of halved apple fritters stacked on a plate with a milk bottle and apples in the background.

Homemade Apple Fritters

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 5

Servings: Servings

Calories: 149kcal

Once you learn to make these, you’ll skip the donut shop every time. Warm, crispy, and glazed to perfection, they’re easier than you think.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

For the fritters

2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
¾ cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 apples Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
1 tbsp lemon juice
Oil for frying

For the glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
½ tsp vanilla

Instructions

In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg
Add milk, eggs, and vanilla
Stir until just combined
Peel, core, and finely dice the apples into ¼–½ inch pieces
Toss the apple pieces with lemon juice
Add apples to the batter and fold to combine then set aside
Heat oil in a large pot to 375°F (190°C) over medium heat
Use a candy thermometer or test with a small drop of batter
Scoop heaping spoonfuls of batter using an ice cream scoop or two spoons
Gently lower batter to the surface of the oil before dropping in
Cook for 2–3 minutes then flip with a slotted spoon
Continue cooking until deep golden brown
Transfer fritters to a paper towel-lined sheet pan to cool
Repeat with remaining batter
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla
Drizzle glaze over cooled fritters
Serve immediately