These easy baked cinnamon apple fritters are soft, fluffy, and packed with fresh apples and warm cinnamon. A delicious healthier alternative to traditional fried apple fritters.
Baked Cinnamon Apple Fritters
There’s something incredibly comforting about the combination of fresh apples, warm cinnamon, and sweet vanilla glaze. These Baked Cinnamon Apple Fritters bring all those classic flavors together in a simple homemade treat—without the need for deep frying.
Instead of dropping the batter into hot oil, these apple fritters are baked until golden around the edges and wonderfully soft inside. They’re perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a cozy dessert with a cup of coffee or tea.
The best part? You can have delicious apple fritters without dealing with a pot of hot oil.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Fritters
- Baked, not deep-fried: A lighter alternative to traditional fritters.
- Loaded with apples: Every bite has sweet, juicy apple pieces.
- Warm cinnamon flavor: Perfect for fall or whenever you’re craving something cozy.
- Easy to make: No special equipment or complicated techniques required.
- Perfect for breakfast or dessert: They’re delicious any time of day.
- Sweet vanilla glaze: The finishing touch makes these fritters irresistible.
Ingredients
For the Apple Fritters
- 2 medium apples
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
What Kind of Apples Should You Use?
You can use almost any apple you enjoy, but apples that are slightly tart and firm work particularly well.
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady are excellent choices because they provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness while holding their texture during baking.
For a sweeter fritter, you can use a naturally sweet apple such as Fuji or Gala.
How to Make Baked Cinnamon Apple Fritters
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
Peel the apples if desired, then remove the cores and cut the apples into small pieces.
Try to keep the pieces relatively small and similar in size. This helps them soften properly while the fritters bake.
Set the chopped apples aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Salt
Mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
Make sure the melted butter isn’t extremely hot before adding it to the egg mixture.
Step 4: Make the Batter
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Stir gently until just combined.
Don’t overmix the batter. A few small lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing can make the finished fritters dense instead of soft and tender.
Step 5: Add the Apples
Gently fold the chopped apples into the batter.
The mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape when spooned onto the baking sheet.
If your apples are particularly juicy, you may need a small amount of additional flour, but avoid adding too much.
Step 6: Prepare the Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Scoop portions of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each fritter.
Use the back of a spoon to gently shape them into small, rounded mounds.
Step 7: Bake
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the fritters are cooked through and lightly golden around the edges.
The exact baking time will depend on the size and thickness of your fritters.
For a more golden finish, you can carefully turn them partway through baking.
Step 8: Make the Glaze
While the fritters are cooling, prepare the glaze.
Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
For a thicker glaze, use less milk. For a thinner glaze, add a little more milk.
Step 9: Glaze the Fritters
Allow the baked fritters to cool for several minutes.
Drizzle the vanilla glaze over the top or dip the tops directly into the glaze.
Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for Perfect Baked Apple Fritters
Don’t Overmix the Batter
This is one of the most important tips. Stir the batter only until the ingredients come together.
Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour and can result in tougher fritters.
Cut the Apples Small
Large apple chunks can make the fritters difficult to shape and may prevent them from cooking evenly.
Small pieces distribute throughout the batter and give you apple flavor in every bite.
Don’t Make the Fritters Too Large
Smaller fritters bake more evenly and are easier to handle.
If you make very thick fritters, the outside may brown before the center is fully cooked.
Adjust the Glaze
The glaze is easy to customize.
For a thicker coating, use less milk. For a delicate drizzle, add slightly more milk.
You can also add a pinch of cinnamon to the glaze for extra flavor.
Variations
Apple Cinnamon Sugar Fritters
Instead of using a glaze, brush the warm fritters lightly with melted butter and sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar.
Maple Apple Fritters
Add a little maple syrup to the glaze instead of some of the milk for a delicious maple-apple combination.
Nutty Apple Fritters
Fold a small amount of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for extra crunch.
Caramel Apple Fritters
Drizzle the finished fritters with caramel sauce instead of—or in addition to—the vanilla glaze.
How to Store Apple Fritters
Store leftover fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for about a day or refrigerate them for longer storage.
Because the glaze can become sticky, place parchment paper between layers if you’re stacking them.
To enjoy them warm again, gently reheat them in the oven or microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of apples?
Yes. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Gala, and Fuji apples can all work well. A combination of sweet and tart apples can give the fritters more complex flavor.
Can I make these without the glaze?
Absolutely. They’re delicious on their own, especially when served warm with a light dusting of powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar.
Why are my fritters too dense?
The most common reason is overmixing the batter. Stir just until the ingredients are combined.
Can I prepare the batter ahead of time?
For the best texture, it’s preferable to bake the fritters soon after preparing the batter. You can, however, prepare some ingredients ahead of time, such as chopping the apples and measuring the dry ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these baked cinnamon apple fritters:
- Warm with coffee
- Alongside tea
- With a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- With caramel sauce
- Dust with powdered sugar
- With whipped cream
- As part of a weekend breakfast or brunch
Final Thoughts
These Baked Cinnamon Apple Fritters are an easy way to enjoy the comforting flavors of classic apple fritters without deep frying. The combination of tender baked dough, juicy apples, cinnamon, and sweet vanilla glaze makes them an irresistible homemade treat.
Whether you’re making them for a weekend breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a cozy dessert, these apple fritters are sure to disappear quickly.