Irresistible Bite-Sized Apple Fritters
An All-Time Favorite Baked Treat with a Caramelized Glaze
If there’s one treat I find myself making more than a dozen times a year, it’s these bite-sized apple fritters. Family and friends always tell me this is the best thing I bake—and once you try them, you’ll understand why.
These oven-baked apple fritters are perfectly crisp on the outside and soft and tender on the inside. Each bite bursts with sweet apple flavor, warm cinnamon spice, and a rich, tangy glaze that takes them over the top. They’re easy to prepare, healthier than deep-fried versions, and ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
Ingredients
For the Fritters:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Nonstick cooking spray | For greasing |
| All-purpose flour | 1 ½ cups |
| Baking powder | 2 teaspoons |
| Kosher salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Ground cinnamon | 2 teaspoons |
| Unsalted butter (melted) | ¼ cup |
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup |
| Large egg | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | ½ teaspoon |
| No-sugar-added applesauce | ½ cup |
| Honeycrisp apples, peeled and finely diced | 1 ½ cups (about 2 medium apples) |
For the Glaze:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Powdered sugar | 2 cups |
| Apple cider or apple juice | ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons |
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Prepare the Wet Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and applesauce until smooth.
- Combine and Fold: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Fold in the diced apples.
- Scoop and Bake: Scoop 1 tablespoon of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and apple cider (or juice) until smooth.
- Glaze and Broil: Remove fritters from the oven and brush each with glaze. Broil on high for 2–4 minutes, rotating the sheet every minute, until glaze caramelizes.
- Final Glaze: Brush the remaining glaze over the fritters. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 15 minutes until the glaze sets.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy warm with your favorite beverage, or cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. These fritters also make a lovely homemade gift—if you can resist eating them all!
