Ingredients:
2 cups diced apples, peeled and cored
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent the apple fritters from sticking.
2. Wash, peel, and core the apples. Dice them into small, evenly sized pieces, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Set aside. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples work well for this recipe.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Whisk thoroughly until the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
5. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the fritters dense instead of soft and tender.
6. Add the diced apples to the batter. Gently fold them in using a spatula until the apple pieces are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. The batter should be thick enough to hold its shape when scooped.
7. Using a large spoon or cookie scoop, drop approximately 1/4 cup of batter onto the prepared baking sheet for each fritter. Leave about 2 inches of space between them to allow for slight spreading during baking.
8. Gently flatten each mound of batter with the back of a spoon to create a rustic fritter shape, approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Make sure the apple pieces remain evenly distributed.
9. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the fritters are lightly golden brown around the edges and the centers are fully cooked.
10. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a fritter. It should come out without wet batter. If necessary, bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
11. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the fritters to cool on the pan for approximately 5 minutes. Then carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack.
12. While the fritters are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and creamy. If the glaze is too thick, add a few drops of milk until it reaches a pourable consistency.
13. Place the slightly warm apple fritters on a wire rack over parchment paper. Drizzle the vanilla glaze generously over each fritter using a spoon.
14. For a thicker coating, allow the first layer of glaze to set for 2 to 3 minutes, then drizzle a second layer over the fritters.
15. Let the glazed fritters rest for approximately 5 minutes until the glaze begins to firm up.
16. Serve the baked apple fritters warm or at room temperature. Enjoy their soft, fluffy centers, tender apple pieces, warm cinnamon flavor, and sweet vanilla glaze.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: Approximately 245 kcal per serving | Servings: 10 fritters