There’s something magical about the smell of apples and cinnamon baking in the oven. These Baked Apple Fritters are fluffy, full of flavor, and super easy to make. Plus, they’re healthier than the fried ones but still taste just as amazing. If you’re ready for a warm, apple-filled treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert, you’re in the right place!
Method
Prepping the Oven and Baking Sheet
First things first preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Getting the oven nice and hot before the fritters go in helps them bake evenly and get that perfect golden color. While the oven is warming up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This not only keeps your fritters from sticking but also makes cleanup super easy.
Mixing the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine all your dry ingredients. This includes 1/2 cup of almond flour, 1 cup of gluten-free all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 cup of coconut sugar. Whisk everything together so that the spices and baking powder are evenly spread throughout the flour. This step makes sure your fritters taste the same in every bite and rise nicely in the oven.
Adding the Cold Butter
Next, cut 1 stick (or 1/2 cup) of cold butter into small cubes. Add these cubes to your dry ingredient mixture. Now comes the fun part use your hands to gently work the butter into the flour. You’ll want to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture turns crumbly, kind of like damp sand. This is an important step! Cold butter creates small pockets of fat in the dough that melt as they bake, making your fritters soft and fluffy on the inside.
Whisking the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/3 cup of milk. Use a fork or small whisk until everything is well mixed and smooth. This liquid mixture is what brings the dough together and gives it moisture and structure.
Combining Wet and Dry
Now it’s time to bring everything together. Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir gently with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix! Overmixing can make your fritters dense instead of light and fluffy. The dough will be a little thick and sticky that’s exactly how it should be.
Folding in the Apples
Take 1 cup of finely diced apple (about one large apple) and gently fold it into the dough. Try to dice your apples into small, even pieces so they cook all the way through. Use a spoon or spatula to carefully mix them in. This step adds little juicy bursts of apple flavor in every bite!
Scooping and Shaping the Fritters
Use a large spoon or even an ice cream scoop to drop portions of the dough onto your lined baking sheet. Try to make six evenly-sized mounds, giving each one a little space to expand while baking. They don’t have to be perfect circles part of the charm of fritters is their rustic, homemade look.
Baking to Perfection
Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake the fritters for about 20 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the tops are set and the edges start to turn golden brown. They should feel soft but cooked through when gently pressed.
Adding the Finishing Touch (Optional Frosting)
While the fritters are cooling, you can mix up a simple frosting by combining powdered sugar with a splash of water until it reaches a smooth, drizzle-friendly texture. Once the fritters have cooled slightly (but are still warm), drizzle the frosting over the top for a sweet finish. This part is totally optional but so good!
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowls (2)
- Whisk
- Spoon (for scooping batter)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board (for the apple)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Baked Apple Fritters – A Cozy Treat You’ll Love!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes20
minutes1
hour10
minutesIngredients
1/2 cup almond flour
1 cup all-purpose flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1:1 baking flour)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) cold butter
1 cup diced apple (about 1 large apple)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps the fritters bake evenly and not stick.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients almond flour, gluten-free flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking powder, and coconut sugar.
- Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add it to the bowl. Use your hands (yes, your hands!) to mix the butter into the flour until it feels crumbly, kind of like wet sand.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg, vanilla extract, and milk together. Pour this into the dry mixture and stir until everything is combined.
- Gently fold in the diced apples. Now it’s starting to smell like something delicious!
- Use a big spoon to scoop the batter onto the baking sheet. You should get around 6 fritters.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown on the edges. While they cool, mix up your frosting and drizzle it on top if you’d like!
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter after adding the wet ingredients just mix until combined.
- Make sure the butter is cold when you mix it in. This helps give the fritters a tender, flaky texture.
- Dice the apples into small pieces so they bake evenly. Big chunks might stay too crunchy.
Serving Suggestions
These are amazing warm, right out of the oven, but they’re also tasty at room temp. Serve them with:
- A glass of cold milk
- Hot apple cider
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top
Fun Fact
Did you know apple fritters have been around for centuries? People in Europe used to make them during festivals, and they were often deep-fried in oil over a fire. Ours are baked, but still full of that old-time cozy goodness!
Conclusion
These Baked Apple Fritters are simple, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying. Whether you’re baking for your family, friends, or just yourself (hey, no judgment!), this cozy treat will bring smiles all around. So preheat that oven and get ready to enjoy some homemade apple love!
