BAKED APPLE FRITTERS

Of course! Baked Apple Fritters give you all the cozy, spiced-apple goodness of the classic fried version, but they’re much easier and lighter to make at home. These are more like a cross between a muffin and a donut—incredibly soft, tender, and topped with a delicious glaze.

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BAKED APPLE FRITTERS

This recipe creates a tender, cake-like fritter that’s packed with fresh apple chunks and cinnamon sugar.

Yields: 8-10 large fritters
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients

For the Fritters:

· 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
· ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
· 2 teaspoons baking powder
· 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
· ½ teaspoon salt
· ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional but recommended)
· 2 large eggs, at room temperature
· ½ cup (120ml) milk, at room temperature
· ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (or ¼ cup vegetable oil)
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1 ½ cups peeled and finely chopped apple (about 1-2 medium apples)*
· Best Apples: Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala work perfectly.

For the Cinnamon Sugar Coating (Optional Classic Finish):

· ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
· ⅓ cup (67g) granulated sugar
· 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Simple Glaze (Optional):

· 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
· 2-3 tablespoons milk or apple cider
· ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a standard muffin tin or line it with parchment liners. (For free-form fritters, line a baking sheet with parchment paper).
2. Peel, core, and finely chop your apples.

Step 2: Make the Fritter Batter

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.
2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter (or oil), and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay.
4. Gently fold in the chopped apples.

Step 3: Bake

1. Muffin Tin Method (Easiest & Neatest): Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling them about ¾ full.
2. Free-Form Method (Rustic Look): Drop large, heaping ¼-cup portions of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the fritters are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Let the fritters cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Step 4: Finish the Fritters

Choose Your Topping (or do both in layers!):

· For Cinnamon Sugar:

1. While the fritters are still warm, brush the entire surface with melted butter.
2. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon. Roll or dip the buttered fritters in the cinnamon sugar to coat completely.
   · For a Simple Glaze:
3. Whisk the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla together until smooth. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a thick but drizzle-able consistency.
4. Dip the top of the cooled fritters into the glaze or drizzle it over them. Let the glaze set for 10-15 minutes before serving.

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Key Secrets for the Best Fritters

· Don’t Overmix: This is the #1 rule for tender fritters. Overmixing develops gluten and leads to a tough texture.
· Small Apple Pieces: Chopping the apples into small, ¼-inch pieces ensures they cook through and distribute evenly in every bite.
· Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room-temperature eggs and milk helps the batter come together smoothly and evenly.
· The Double-Dip: For the ultimate treat, you can do both toppings! First, coat the warm fritters in cinnamon sugar. Then, after they’ve cooled completely, drizzle the glaze on top.

Variations & Add-Ins

· Add Nuts: Fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans with the apples.
· Apple Cider Glaze: Replace the milk in the glaze with reduced apple cider for an intense apple flavor. Simmer ½ cup of apple cider until it reduces to about 2 tablespoons.
· Brown Sugar Cinnamon Swirl: Before baking, sprinkle a layer of a brown sugar-cinnamon mixture over the batter in the muffin tin, then swirl with a knife.
· Dairy-Free: Use a plant-based milk (like oat or almond) and replace the butter with an equal amount of oil.

These fritters are best enjoyed the day they are made but will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Enjoy this warm, baked taste of fall!