Chunks of apples nestled in a chewy dough that’s baked to golden brown perfection and coated in a sweet apple cider glaze to make these simply irresistible Baked Apple Fritters!
Skip the Messy Deep Frying!
One of my absolute favorite things to get at the donut shop is a good apple fritter! They’re so hard to turn down! Chunks of apples nestled in soft dough that’s fried to perfection and coated in a sweet sugary glaze. YUM.
With the weather cooling down and apples abound, we’ve gone apple crazy over here. I’ve made so much Fresh Flourless Apple Bread, Fresh Apple Cake and this easy and healthier Apple Nachos recipe. I’ve been craving apple fritters and decided it was due time to make my own.
I’m not a huge fan of frying, so I decided to create a baked apple fritter recipe instead. I knew this would be tricky because nothing usually beats a good fried apple fritter, but I took the risk and I’m proud to report…I succeeded! These Baked Apple Fritters are the real deal and you’d never guess they weren’t fried. It wasn’t long before I added Baked Blueberry Fritter Bites and Baked Pumpkin Fritter Bites to my list. They’re fabulous too!
Simple and Delicious
These apple fritters are made from simple, delicious ingredients. I love that they’re bite-sized for easy eating and they have a strong apple flavor from the outside in. I use Granny Smith apples, but you don’t have to! Once they came out of the oven, we couldn’t resist. It’s a miracle I actually had some to photograph for you! Warm from the oven or at room temperature, they’re amazing and addicting! Some other sweet bites you might want to try:
- Fuel your busy day with quick and delicious No-Bake Energy Bites. With peanut butter and bits of dark chocolate, there’s no sacrificing taste when it comes to these healthy treats!
- These Healthy Edible Cookie Dough Bites are so so yummy! Just 5 ingredients for an easy-to-make treat that you can eat right out of the bowl!
- With the same great taste as the original, these Muddy Buddy Bites deliver all the crunchy, peanut-buttery goodness without all the mess. You’ll have a ball with these delicious treats!
Ingredients and Supplies
(see recipe card at the bottom of this post for measurements and details)
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Butter
- Egg
- Pure vanilla extract
- Vanilla yogurt
- Apples
- Powdered sugar
- Apple cider
Supplies:
- Mini Muffin Tin
- Cookie sheets
- Parchment paper
- Pastry cutter
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
Substitutions
Missing an ingredient or have food sensitivities? The following substitutions work well in this recipe!
Egg Substitutes:
- 1/4 cup applesauce for the 1 large egg. Unsweetened applesauce is best to substitute to control the sweetness, but you can use sweetened applesauce or even cinnamon applesauce if you’re okay with the added sweetness and flavor.
- 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt for the 1 large egg. Since vanilla yogurt is already called for in the recipe, this is a convenient substitute.
- 1/4 cup mashed banana for the 1 large egg. This will add a mild banana flavor to the bites which would compliment the apple nicely if you’re okay with the added flavor profile.
- You can whisk together 2 tablespoons of water, 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil until well combined to replace the 1 large egg.
- You combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or ground chia seeds with 3 tablespoons water and let it set for about 5 minutes or until fully absorbed and thickened then use it to replace the 1 large egg. This will create a thicker batter and denser fritter so not my top recommendation, but it will work.
Sugar Substitues:
- Brown sugar (light or dark) 1:1 ratio
- Coconut sugar 1:1 ratio
- Turbinado Sugar 1:1 ratio
- Honey 1/4 cup for the 1/2 cup granulated sugar called for in the recipe
- Maple Syrup 1/4 cup for the 1/2 cup granulated sugar called for in the recipe
Watch Me Make Baked Apple Fritters
Join me in the kitchen as I make a batch of these amazing baked apple fritters!
How to Make Baked Apple Fritters
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray two mini muffin pans with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives until coarse crumbs form.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla and yogurt. Add the yogurt mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Fold in the chopped and shredded apples.
- Place a few teaspoons of batter in each muffin cup. You can use a spoon or an ice cream scoop. Bake for 15 minutes until they just start to brown.
- Remove the fritters from the oven and turn the oven broiler on high. Line two cookie sheets with parchment. Transfer the fritters to the cookie sheets.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 4 tablespoons apple cider. The glaze should be very thin.
- Brush the glaze over each fritter and let it drip down the sides. Return the fritters to the oven and broil for 2-4 minutes until the glaze starts to caramelize the tops of each fritter. Rotate the baking sheets every minute to insure even caramelization. Be sure to watch the fritters carefully so they don’t blacken and burn.
- Remove from the oven. Whisk remaining powdered sugar and apple cider into leftover glaze until it’s smooth and thick. Brush glaze evenly over broiled fritters. Let set on cookie sheets until glaze hardens, about 15 minutes.
Storage
For breakfast or brunch, serve baked fritter bites warm or at room temperature. For dessert, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Store any leftovers in an airtight container on the counter for up to three days.
To freeze, allow fritters to cool completely. Then place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or in individual freezer-safe baggies. If layering, place parchment between the layers.
To defrost, let them them sit in the refrigerator, uncovered, so they don’t absorb too much of the moisture.
To reheat and crisp again, bake in a 350 degree oven for 5-10 minutes.
My Favorite Recipes for Fall Baking
No need to wait for the leaves to start dropping to enjoy My Favorite Recipes for Fall Baking! From perfectly-spiced pumpkin bread to pecan pie bites and savory corn bread, you’re sure to fall for these autumn treats!
If you make these simply irresistible Baked Apple Fritters, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me or tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. 
I love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the recipes I share. Enjoy!
xoxo,
Baked Apple Fritters
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 48
- Category: Dessert
Description
Chunks of apples nestled in a chewy dough that’s baked to perfection and coated in a sweet apple cider glaze to make these simply irresistible Baked Apple Fritters!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 6 tablespoons cold butter
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 (6 ounce) container vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup peeled and chopped apple (about 1 large apple)
- 1/2 cup peeled and shredded apple (about 1 small apple)
- 2 cups powdered sugar, divided
- 1/3 cup apple cider
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray two mini muffin pans with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives until coarse crumbs form.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla and yogurt. Add the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture and stir until well combined. Fold in the chopped and shredded apples.
- Place a few teaspoons of batter in each muffin cup. Bake for 15 minutes until they just start to brown.
- Remove the fritters from the oven and turn the oven broiler on high. Line two cookie sheets with parchment. Transfer the fritters to the cookie sheets.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 4 tablespoons apple cider. The glaze should be very thin. Brush the glaze over each fritter and let it drip down the sides. Return the fritters to the oven and broil for 2-4 minutes until the glaze starts to caramelize the tops of each fritter. Rotate the baking sheets every minute to insure even caramelization. Be sure to watch the fritters carefully so they don’t blacken and burn.
- Remove from the oven. Whisk remaining powdered sugar and apple cider into leftover glaze until it’s smooth and thick. Brush glaze evenly over broiled fritters. Let set on cookie sheets until glaze hardens, about 15 minutes.
- Notes: Store in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes.
Would help with exact measurements!
Hi, Dawn! I think you must have not scrolled down to the recipe card. I always provide exact measurements! Here’s a shortcut to the recipe card: https://thebakermama.com/recipes/baked-apple-fritters/#tasty-recipes-13954-jump-target
My daughter and I made these. She insisted, however, that they must be fried. So being an indulgent mom, I fried them in canola oil. After they were fried I dunked them in the icing (powdered sugar and cider) and they are awesome!! I know they aren’t as healthy as baked but if that doesn’t bother you, then try them fried. They taste so much like a fried apple fritter from a bakery, only more bite size. Delicious! Saving this recipe for sure.
These are sooooo good and easy to make! Hard to stop eating them!
I peeled Granny Smith apples. I had Greek yogurt and adapted it per info on the web (1/4 c water + 1/2 Greek yogurt mixed). Delicious!
Hi, Debra! So happy you enjoyed it! And thank you so much for sharing your modifications.
What a fabulous idea! My husband loves apple critters but not the fried part. These are easy to make and delicious!
Hi, Ann! I hope your husband enjoys these. They are a family favorite, for sure!
I made these yesterday. I would have given them 3.5 stars if that would have been possible. I thought the fritters were too light and fluffy. I prefer the ones that are a little denser. I really liked that you could really taste the apples.
This sounds fabulous! Thank you for a non-fry recipe. I also cannot resist an apple fritter.
Hi, Lynn! They’re my favorite fritters! I hope you enjoy them!
Have you tried baking these in a (Non-stick) cake pop maker? Any tips for making adjustments?
Hi Beth! I haven’t, but it’s certainly worth a try. I think the method would remain the same. I hope they turn out just as great! Enjoy!
I have done a lot of baking in my life, including 20 years professionally, but this recipe baffles me. Are 1 egg, 6 oz. of yogurt and 1/2t vanilla the only wet ingredients? I cut my butter into the dries and stirred them together and there was nowhere near enough to wet all the dry mix. I tried mixing the apples in, thinking that would add some moisture, which it did, but it was nothing like “batter”. More like a large mess of damp flour. I finally added 1/2 c of cider to get it to mix together, but that seemed a bit to much, so I’ll try 1/3 c next time. IDK how no one else had a problem.
Hi Ginny! Yes, the egg, 6 ounces yogurt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla provide plenty of moisture along with the chopped and shredded apple. Did you add 1/2 cup shredded apple? Are you sure you measured your dry and wet ingredients correctly? The images of the batter within this post are very accurate as to what the batter should look like. I’m wondering if something wasn’t measured correctly? We bake these often and I’ve never had an issue with the batter being dry. It should be very moist. I hope you get to try it again soon.
LOL, anything is possible. The final result was more of a cookie than a fritter (I had done them drop-style on a cookie sheet) but the family loved them, so I’ll definitely be trying the recipe again. I’ll let you know how they do on the second try
Are the apples peeled?
Hi Kate! Yes, I peel the apples, but you don’t have to. They would bake up great either way. Enjoy!
Delicious! It only made about 18 in the normal size muffin tin for me though. My great grandma, mom, dad, and siblings loved them!