Baked Apple Fritters with Glaze

Why I’ll Love This Recipe

I adore how this recipe captures the cozy flavors of traditional apple fritters without any frying. The dough is soft and pillowy, the apple chunks bring freshness and texture, and the broiled glaze creates a crispy, caramelized top that makes these irresistible.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the fritters:

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup white whole wheat flour (or extra all-purpose)

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• ¼ tsp allspice

• ¼ tsp salt

• 6 Tbsp cold butter, cut into pieces

• ½ cup milk (whole milk for richer texture)

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup chopped apples (firm and tart, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

For the glaze:

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

• 2 Tbsp milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 °F and line a baking sheet with parchment.

2. Whisk together both flours, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt in a large bowl. Add cold butter and cut it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour into the dry mix and stir just until combined. Fold in the chopped apples.

4. Drop batter by ¼-cup scoops onto the prepared sheet (or use heaping tablespoons for smaller fritters).

5. Bake for 11–13 minutes (8–11 for minis) until the bottoms are golden and centers are set.

6. Switch oven to broil. Whisk together glaze ingredients until smooth. Brush a thin layer of glaze over each fritter, then broil for 2–4 minutes until tops bubble and caramelize—watch closely.

7. Remove to a wire rack and brush remaining glaze while still warm. Let it set before serving.

Servings and timing

• Makes 8 large fritters or ~16 mini fritters

• Prep time: ~10 minutes

• Bake time: ~11–13 minutes (+ broil)

• Total time: ~25 minutes

Variations

• Swap white whole wheat flour entirely with all-purpose if preferred.

• Use different fruit: pears, peaches, or cranberries work well.

• Add a twist with lemon or orange zest in the batter or glaze.

• For gluten-free versions, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

storage/reheating

I store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, I warm them in a 350 °F oven or under the broiler briefly for crispiness. Warmed fritters taste like they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I make them smaller or bite-sized?

Absolutely! Use tablespoons instead of larger scoops and reduce bake time by a minute or two.

Do I have to broil after glazing?

It’s worth it—the broiler caramelizes the glaze and creates a crisp finish. But brushing the glaze without broiling is fine too.

What apples work best?

I use firm, tart varieties—Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold texture well but still soften nicely in the bake.

Can I prepare the dough ahead?

Yes—you can mix the dough, cover it, and refrigerate for a few hours. Bring to room temperature before baking.

Can I freeze these?

Definitely. Freeze unfrosted fritters in a single layer, then glaze after thawing. Warm under broiler for crispness.

Conclusion

These baked apple fritters bring cozy, crisp, aromatic joy without any frying. With tender interior, juicy apples, and a caramelized glaze, they make an easy yet elegant breakfast, snack, or dessert. I love making a fresh batch whenever I’m craving that homemade autumn warmth.