Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how these fritters come together quickly and skip the mess of oil and frying. Using the air fryer gives them that golden, crisp exterior while keeping the inside light and moist. They’re great for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy dessert. Plus, they make the whole kitchen smell like cinnamon and apples, and that alone makes the recipe worth it.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
All-purpose flour
-
Baking powder
-
Ground cinnamon
-
Ground nutmeg
-
Salt
-
Sugar
-
Egg
-
Milk
-
Vanilla extract
-
Melted butter or oil
-
Apples (peeled and diced)
-
Brown sugar (optional, for apple mixture)
-
Powdered sugar (for glaze)
-
Milk or cream (for glaze)
-
Optional: maple extract or lemon juice for glaze flavor
directions
-
I preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease the basket or use parchment liners.
-
In a bowl, I whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and sugar.
-
In another bowl, I beat the egg, then mix in the milk, vanilla, and melted butter.
-
I combine the wet and dry ingredients just until blended, then gently fold in the diced apples.
-
I scoop spoonfuls of batter into the air fryer basket, spacing them apart so they can puff up and cook evenly.
-
I air fry for 6–8 minutes per side, flipping carefully halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
-
While they cool slightly, I mix powdered sugar with a bit of milk to make a smooth glaze.
-
I drizzle or dip the warm fritters in glaze and let it set before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 6–8 small fritters.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
Sometimes I add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch. I’ve also used maple syrup in the glaze or stirred in a little lemon zest for brightness. For extra warmth, I add a pinch of cloves or apple pie spice to the batter. If I want a richer texture, I use a mix of milk and Greek yogurt.
storage/reheating
I store leftover fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, I pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes or warm them gently in the microwave. If glazed, I reheat them uncovered to avoid melting the glaze too much.
FAQs
Can I use any type of apple?
Yes, I prefer firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji—they hold their shape and give a nice tart contrast to the sweet batter.
How do I keep the fritters from sticking?
I lightly grease the air fryer basket or use parchment paper with holes to help airflow and prevent sticking.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, I’ve used a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with great results. The texture stays light and soft.
Do I need to flip them in the air fryer?
Yes, flipping halfway helps them cook evenly and brown on both sides. I use a spatula and flip gently.
Can I skip the glaze?
Absolutely. They’re still delicious plain or topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar while they’re warm.
Conclusion
The Best Air Fryer Apple Fritters Recipe gives me everything I love about classic fritters—spiced apple flavor, soft centers, crispy edges—with a lighter twist. They’re fast, easy, and totally satisfying without the grease. Whether I’m making a sweet weekend breakfast or a cozy fall dessert, these air fryer fritters are always a favorite.
Best Air Fryer Apple Fritters Recipe
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—this best air fryer apple fritters recipe delivers all the flavor with less oil and fuss.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 fritters
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Apple Fritters:
2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk (or dairy-free milk)
1 large egg
2 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice (to toss the apples)
For the Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp milk (or more to adjust consistency)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Apples:
In a small bowl, toss the chopped apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
Make the Fritter Batter:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Fold in the chopped apples.
Preheat the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
Form the Fritters:
Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Using a spoon or your hands, form small mounds of batter and place them in the basket, leaving some space between each fritter. You can slightly flatten them for more even cooking.
Air Fry the Fritters:
Air fry the fritters at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
Prepare the Glaze:
While the fritters are cooking, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of cinnamon (optional) in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk if needed to achieve the desired glaze consistency.
Glaze the Fritters:
Once the fritters are done, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool for a couple of minutes. Drizzle the glaze over the fritters while they are still warm.
Serve:
Serve the fritters warm, and enjoy the perfect balance of crispy and fluffy with a sweet glaze.
Notes
For a slightly healthier version, you can use whole wheat flour or almond flour in place of all-purpose flour.
You can add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar over the fritters before glazing them for extra flavor.
These fritters are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
