Apple Fritter Bites
The beauty of these little fritters is how effortlessly they come together. You don’t need yeast or fancy equipment. It’s a straightforward drop batter that fries up in minutes.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk or fork
- Rubber Spatula or Spoon
- Heavy-Bottomed Pot or Deep Skillet
- Slotted Spoon or Spider Strainer
- Cooling Rack + Paper Towels
- Small bowl & spoon
Ingredients
For the Fritter Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1 medium apple peeled and finely chopped
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 –2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Apple
- Peel and core your apple.
- Chop it into small, bite-sized cubes — about ¼ inch pieces so they cook quickly and evenly in the batter.
- Pro Tip: If your apple is super juicy, pat the pieces dry with a paper towel. Too much moisture can make the batter runny.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Make sure everything is well combined and there are no clumps of baking powder or spices.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth.
- You want it well-blended with no streaks of egg.
- Pro Tip: Let the melted butter cool slightly before mixing, so it doesn’t cook the egg.
Step 4: Combine the Batter
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Gently mix with a spatula or spoon until just combined — the batter will be thick.
- Fold in the chopped apple pieces, making sure they’re evenly distributed.
- Pro Tip: Don’t overmix! A few small lumps in the batter are totally fine and will keep the fritters tender.
Step 5: Heat the Oil
- Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet.
- Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Pro Tip: No thermometer? Drop in a tiny bit of batter — if it bubbles and rises quickly, the oil is ready.
Step 6: Fry the Fritter Bites
- Use a spoon or small cookie scoop to carefully drop heaping tablespoons of batter into the hot oil.
- Fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook each side for about 2–3 minutes or until golden brown, flipping once halfway.
- Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the oil temperature — if it drops too low, the fritters absorb oil and get greasy. If it’s too hot, they brown before the inside cooks through.
Step 7: Drain and Cool
- Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove the fritters from the oil.
- Place them on a cooling rack lined with paper towels underneath to catch excess oil.
- Let them cool slightly (about 5–10 minutes) before glazing.
Step 8: Make and Apply the Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of milk.
- Add a little more milk as needed until the glaze is smooth and pourable.
- Drizzle the glaze over the warm fritters or dip the tops right into the bowl for full coverage.
- Pro Tip: Glazing while they’re warm helps the glaze set into a shiny, slightly crackly finish — so satisfying!
Notes
Nutritional Value Per Serving:
- Calories: ~220 kcal
- Fat: ~10g
- Carbohydrates: ~30g
- Sugar: ~15g
- Protein: ~3g
- Fiber: ~1g