These Eggless Easy Apple Fritters are super simple to make, packed with fresh apple flavor, and crispy on the outside while soft and tender on the inside. Plus, you can have them ready in under 30 minutes, so they’re great for a quick breakfast, snack, or even an afternoon pick-me-up. And since they’re egg-free and can be made dairy-free, they’re perfect for sharing with family and friends, no matter their dietary needs. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that everyone will love.
Oriana’s Thoughts On The Recipe
Is there anything more comforting than the smell of fresh apples and cinnamon wafting through the kitchen on a crisp fall morning? These Eggless Apple Fritters are exactly the kind of treat that makes you feel all warm and cozy inside. They’re packed with juicy apple chunks in every bite and fried to golden perfection. I love making these for my family—they’re perfect for a weekend breakfast or a quick snack after school. The best part? They’re super easy to whip up, even on busy mornings!
What is an Apple Fritter?
An apple fritter is a delicious, deep-fried pastry that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with juicy pieces of apple in every bite. It’s made by folding chopped apples into a simple batter, which is then fried to golden perfection. The fritters are often dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with a sweet glaze to add a touch of extra sweetness. Think of it as a cross between a donut and an apple-filled pastry—warm, comforting, and packed with fall flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg.
What I love most about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can drizzle the fritters with a simple glaze to add a touch of sweetness or roll them in cinnamon sugar if you’re feeling a little extra. It’s all about customizing them to your liking! Plus, if you’re dairy-free, this recipe works just as well with plant-based milk, making it perfect for just about anyone.
Did I mention they’re egg-free? Yep, no eggs are needed here! The applesauce gives them the perfect moist texture, while the crispy outer layer provides that satisfying crunch. You’ll have a batch ready to enjoy in under 30 minutes, which is just what I need on busy days when we’re craving a homemade treat.
What I Love About This Recipe
Simple Ingredients: The ingredients for these fritters are all pantry staples, which means you probably have most of them on hand already.
Egg-Free and Dairy-Free Friendly: Whether you’re avoiding eggs or looking for a dairy-free option, this recipe has got you covered. Thanks to applesauce, you won’t even miss the eggs! And if you’re dairy-free, just swap the regular milk for a plant-based one. Super easy and just as delicious!
Ready in Under 30 Minutes: Who doesn’t love a quick and easy recipe? From start to finish, you can have these fritters made in less than 30 minutes—perfect for those mornings when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Fall Flavor Explosion: These fritters are a fall dream! Each bite is loaded with fresh apple chunks, wrapped in a deliciously crisp dough that’s perfectly spiced with cinnamon. It’s like a little taste of autumn in every bite.
Two Topping Options: One of the best things about these apple fritters is how you can customize them to suit your mood! Drizzle them with a simple vanilla glaze for a classic touch of sweetness, or roll them in cinnamon sugar for a little extra warmth and flavor.
Perfect Anytime Treat: Whether you’re serving these for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or as a sweet treat for guests, they fit every occasion. They’re great with a cup of coffee in the morning or as a dessert after dinner. There’s never a bad time for apple fritters!
Potential Cons Of The Recipe
- Frying Can Be Messy: Frying can sometimes feel a little intimidating, and it can make your kitchen a bit messy with oil splatters.
- Fritters Can Get Soggy: If not fried properly, these apple fritters can lose their crispiness after a while, especially if left to sit for too long.
- Fritters Are Raw Inside: If your apple fritters are turning out raw inside, it’s usually because they aren’t cooking through properly.
Tips To Mitigate These Cons
- Contain the Mess: When frying, use a deep pot and make sure to keep the oil at the right temperature (around 350°F). This helps minimize splattering and keeps the fritters from absorbing too much oil.
- Keep Them Crispy: To ensure your fritters stay nice and crispy, place them on a wire rack after frying instead of stacking them on a plate. This allows air to circulate and keeps the bottoms from getting soggy.
- Cook Fritters Properly: Use a thermometer to maintain the oil at around 350°F (175°C). This temperature allows the fritters to cook evenly—crispy on the outside while the inside gets cooked through. Keep the fritters small (about a 1/4 cup batter per fritter). This ensures they cook all the way through. Flatten them slightly in the pan to help them cook evenly. Also, fry in small batches, giving each fritter enough space to fry without cooling down the oil.
Ingredients You’ll Need, Substitutions & Notes
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
For the Eggless Apple Fritters Batter:
- All-Purpose Flour: This gives structure to the fritters. You can swap it for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough and helps balance the tartness of the apples.
- Baking Powder: This is the leavening agent that gives the fritters a light, fluffy texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the flavors.
- Ground Cinnamon: For that classic warm, cozy fall flavor.
- Milk: Use regular or any plant-based milk for a dairy-free option.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Replaces the eggs and adds moisture to the dough.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a lovely hint of sweetness and aroma.
- Apples: The star of the show! You can use any variety, but I like to go with something crisp and slightly tart, like Granny Smith.
- Vegetable Oil: For frying. Use oil with a high smoking point, like vegetable or canola oil.
For the glaze:
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Dissolves easily to create a smooth, sweet glaze.
- Vanilla Extract: A little extra vanilla for flavor.
- Milk: Just enough to thin the glaze to the perfect consistency.
Process Overview: Step-by-Step Photos
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
Step 1 – Make The Batter
In a large bowl, stir the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon to combine. Add the applesauce, milk, and vanilla to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the diced apples. Set aside.
Step 2 – Fry
Fill a large pot or Dutch oven with vegetable oil about 2 inches deep. Place over medium-high heat with a deep-fry thermometer attached to the side. Heat the oil to 350º F (180º C). Adjust the temperature if needed. It’s very important that the oil is not over 350º F (180º C) so the fritters cook properly inside.
Line a large-rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and set a wire rack on top of the towels.
Once the oil is at temperature, scoop the batter by about ¼ cups per fritter into the hot oil. I suggest frying about 4 fritters at a time. Fry until golden brown on the bottom, about 2 – 3 minutes. Then flip with tongs and cook another 2 – 3 minutes.
Tip: I like using a large springloaded ¼ cup ice cream scoop to drop the batter into the oil.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer fritters to the wire rack and continue frying until better is all used up.
Step 3 – Coat
Whisk the glaze ingredients together in a medium sized bowl until smooth.
Dip each fritter into it. Place back on the rack to harden and drip.
Recipe Tips
- Apples – Go for crisp apples like Granny Smith for a tart bite, or try Honeycrisp for sweetness.
- Dice the apples into small, uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly in the fritters.
- Keep the oil temperature consistent to avoid soggy fritters. If the oil is too cool, they’ll absorb too much oil; too hot, and they’ll burn before the inside is cooked. I highly recommend using a frying thermometer.
- Size – Keep the fritters small—about 1/4 cup of batter each—so they cook evenly. A cookie scoop is perfect for keeping the fritters uniform. It helps portion the batter easily and ensures each fritter is roughly the same size. Plus, it makes the process faster and less messy!
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying—fry in batches to allow each fritter plenty of room.
- Use a wire rack for cooling – Allowing the fritters to cool on a wire rack in a single layer ensures they stay crispy on all sides.
Food Allergy Swaps
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free, all-purpose flour blend. Look for a gluten-free flour blend specifically formulated for baking, as it will have the right combination of flours and starches to mimic the texture of wheat flour. My favorite is Better Batter Original Blend. I also like Doves Farm Freee Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, but this blend does not contain xanthan gum, so you need to add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup (140 g) of gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-Free: Replace the milk with oat milk, soy milk, or any plant-based milk of your choice.
Variations & Additions
- Spices: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for a more complex spice profile.
- Fruit Mix: Swap out some of the apples for pears or even peaches for a twist on the classic.
Serving Suggestions
These apple fritters are best served warm, right after they’re fried. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a comforting fall treat. If you’re serving them as dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side is divine!
Storing and Freezing Instructions
Storing: Store leftover apple fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. You can also store them in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to keep them crisp, store them without the glaze and add it just before serving.
Freezing: To freeze, let the fritters cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. Reheat in the oven to get them nice and crispy again.
How To Reheat Apple Fritters
While they won’t be quite as crispy, you can reheat them in the oven at 350º F (180º C). for about 8 – 10 minutes until warmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While they won’t be quite as crispy, you can bake them at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes until golden.
I love Granny Smith apples because of their tartness, but you can use any variety you like—Honeycrisp or Fuji are also great options.
Yes, you can make them a day ahead. Just store them in an airtight container and reheat them in the oven to crisp them up before serving.
If your apple fritters are turning out raw inside, it’s usually because they aren’t cooking through properly. When the oil is too hot, the outside of the fritter browns too quickly, leaving the inside undercooked. Another reason could be that the fritters are too big or thick, the inside may not have enough time to cook before the outside browns.
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love!
- Easy Apple Cinnamon Crumb Muffins (Egg-Free & Dairy-Free)
- Easy Homemade Apple Cider
- Eggless Apple Cider Donut Cake
- Eggless Apple Oatmeal Baked Cups (Flourless)
- Eggless Apple Spice Cake
- Easy Apple Butter (Small Batch)
- Eggless Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- Browse more recipes…
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Recipe Card 📖
Eggless Easy Apple Fritters
Ingredients
For the Eggless Apple Fritters Batter:
- 1 ½ cup (210 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 3 teaspoons (12 g) baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon (3 g) salt
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground cinamon
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
- 1/2 cup (120 g) unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 2 – 3 apples diced
- Vegetable or Canola oil for frying
Glaze:
- 2 cups (240) g confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 3 – 4 tablespoons (45 – 60 ml) milk dairy or plant-based will work fine
Important
Don’t forget to check out the step-by-step photos above in the post—they’ll guide you through the process and make everything super clear!
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon to combine.
- Mix milk, applesauce, and vanilla, and add the mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the diced apples. Set aside.
- Fill a large pot or Dutch oven with vegetable or canola oil, about 2 inches deep. Place over medium high heat with a deep fry thermometer attached to the side. Heat the oil to 350º F (180º C). Adjust temperature if needed. IMPORTANT: It’s very importante that the oil is not over 350º F (180º C) so the fritters cook properly inside.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and set a wire rack on top of the towels.
- Once the oil is to temperature, scoop by the batter by about ¼ cup per fritter into the hot oil. I suggest frying about 4 fritters at a time. Fry until golden brown on the bottom, about 2 – 3 minutes minutes. Then flip with tongs and cook another 2 – 3 minutes.Tip: I like using a large springloaded ¼ cup ice cream scoop to drop the batter into the oil.
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer fritters to the wire rack and continue frying until batter is all used up.
Make the Glaze:
- Whisk the glaze ingredients together in a medium sized bowl until smooth.
- Dip each fritter into it. Place back on rack to harden and drip.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free, all-purpose flour blend. Look for a gluten-free flour blend specifically formulated for baking, as it will have the right combination of flours and starches to mimic the texture of wheat flour. My favorite is Better Batter Original Blend. I also like Doves Farm Freee Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, but this blend does not contain xanthan gum, so you need to add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup (140 g) of gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-Free: Replace the milk with oat milk, soy milk, or any plant-based milk of your choice.
- Apples – Go for crisp apples like Granny Smith for a tart bite, or try Honeycrisp for sweetness.
- Dice the apples into small, uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly in the fritters.
- Keep the oil temperature consistent to avoid soggy fritters. If the oil is too cool, they’ll absorb too much oil; too hot, and they’ll burn before the inside is cooked. I highly recommend using a frying thermometer.
- Size – Keep the fritters small—about 1/4 cup of batter each—so they cook evenly. A cookie scoop is perfect for keeping the fritters uniform. It helps portion the batter easily and ensures each fritter is roughly the same size. Plus, it makes the process faster and less messy!
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying—fry in batches to allow each fritter plenty of room.
- Use a wire rack for cooling – Allowing the fritters to cool on a wire rack in a single layer ensures they stay crispy on all sides.
- Spices: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for a more complex spice profile.
- Fruit Mix: Swap out some of the apples for pears or even peaches for a twist on the classic.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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