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These delicious Air Fryer Apple Fritters are the perfect sweet snack! Packed full of tart apples and covered in an easy glaze, this dessert recipe will be your favorite way to warm up this fall.
Apple Fritter Recipe
With this delicious air fryer apple fritter recipe, you get to enjoy this amazing fall donut without all that splattering oil. I know, I know… Is a fritter really a donut?! I have no idea, but it’s donut enough with the crisp exterior and the fluffy, sweet interior. Whether you prefer them with super sweet apples like Fuji or Gala or more tart with Granny Smith’s, this apple fritter is easy to make perfect for you and much easier than deep frying.
Ingredients for Apple Fritters
Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need for this recipe. You will find exact measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Apples – I used honeycrisp apples for a sweet bite, but Granny Smith apples are best if you prefer a tart flavor.
- Flour, Baking powder, Brown sugar, Kosher salt, and Apple pie spice – I used gluten-free bisquick, but all-purpose flour can be used if you aren’t gluten-free. The baking powder and salt help add lift. If you don’t have apple pie spice, cinnamon will work as well.
- Eggs, Milk, and Vanilla extract – I’ve not tried any egg substitutions in this recipe. You can use almond milk if you prefer.
- Powdered sugar – You’ll mix this with some additional milk to create a simple, tasty glaze to drizzle over the fritters. I’ve not tried any substitutes.
Can I use cup4cup gluten-free baking flour?
I originally tried this and it works wonderfully IF you increase the milk to 3/4 cups. It seems to be extra absorbent, so it needs a bit more liquid in this recipe. All-purpose flour and gluten-free Bisquick only require 1/2 cup of milk.
How to Make Apple Fritters in the Air Fryer
This tasty dessert is one of our easiest air fryer recipes! You’ll need mixing bowls, an air fryer and air fryer liner, and a wire rack for glazing. If you don’t have a liner, you can just cut a piece of parchment paper to fit. Cooking spray isn’t always a 100% necessity, but spraying your liner/parchment paper can help ensure your fritters lift off easily. Here’s a step-by-step guide to this great dessert recipe.
Make batter
Set your air fryer to 390 degrees and allow it to preheat at least 3 minutes. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice. Add in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir just until the ingredients are well combined–There should be no streaks of flour or sugar left.
Fold in apples
Gently fold in the finely chopped apples. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter, but make sure to not overmix it. Overmixing can lead to a denser, gummy texture that can be unpleasant.
Air fry
Place a liner in the air fryer basket, then scoop 1/4-cup size spoonfuls of the dough onto the liner. Make sure to leave some space between each fritter for air flow and easy flipping. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook another 4-5 minutes. When they’re done in the center and a deep golden brown on the outside, transfer to a cooling rack and continue with remaining batter until all fritters are cooked.
Glaze
While the fritters are cooling, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl until smooth. If you like a thinner consistency, add a splash more milk and stir again. Once it reaches your preferred texture, move your fritters to a baking rack over paper towels. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the fritters, allowing the excess glaze to drip away. Serve immediately.
Serve
These easy air fryer apple fritters are best served warm with glaze drizzled all over. If you want to switch up the flavors, consider drizzling some maple syrup, caramel sauce, or chocolate ganache over them instead of the glaze! Serve with a glass of milk, mug of coffee, or even a glass of this Apple Cider Sangria for the perfect sweet snack.
Store
First, let the apple fritters cool completely. If you close them up while they’re still warm, that heat will turn into condensation, and the moisture will turn the fritters soggy, dense, and chewy. Once cooled, store in an airtight container on the counter (up to 2 days), in the fridge (5-7 days), or in the freezer (2-3 months)
Freeze
You can freeze fritters, but they freeze best without the glaze. Allow fritters to cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet (not touching one another) and freeze for about 2 hours. Transfer to a freezer bag, press out as much air as possible, and enjoy within 2-3 months. Thaw before reheating.
Reheat
These are best eaten fresh, right out of the air fryer. If you have leftovers, consider keeping them without icing/glaze–They will reheat better later, then you can add icing fresh. You can reheat leftovers in the oven (375 for 5 minutes) or air fryer (375 for about 3 minutes). I do not recommend the microwave as it takes away any crisp exterior and makes the fritters feel very dense and chewy.
If you like this easy dessert, you’ll love these sweet treats!
- Air Fryer Apples – These are amazing on ice cream, yogurt, or chia pudding! It tastes like apple pie filling but without all the work.
- Air Fryer Cookies – This simple deep-dish cookie can be make low-carb & keto friendly in about 10 minutes! Try the brownie recipe instead if you’re a chocolate lover!
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles – The creamy filling is easy and delicious. They’re the perfect meal prep fall dessert!
- Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts – This easy dessert makes great holiday gifts and comes together with barely any effort! The clusters can even be made sugar-free for a keto & diabetic friendly treat.
- Apple Butter Bars – Whether you use store-bought apple butter or use your own homemade version, these amazing dessert bars are always a hit!
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, or cup4cup gluten-free flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice, or cinnamon
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely chopped apple
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees for 3 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and apple pie spice. Add in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract, stirring just until the ingredients are well combined and you see no streaks of flour or sugar left.
- Fold in the finely chopped apples, making sure they're evenly distributed through the batter.
- Place a liner in the air fryer. Spoon batter in 1/4-cup servings onto the liner, making sure to give a little space between each so they don't stick together. Cook 5 minutes, then flip and continue cooking another 4-5 minutes until done in the center. Place cooked fritters on a paper-towel lined plate, then continue with remaining batter until all fritters are cooked.
- While the fritters are cooling, stir together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk in a small bowl until smooth. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add a bit more milk and stir again. Once it reaches your preferred texture, use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the fritters. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
