One of my all-time favorite autumn indulgences is a warm, fresh apple fritter, but I’m not always in the mood for deep-frying. That’s why I was so excited to perfect this recipe for Air Fryer Apple Fritters. They deliver all the cozy, apple-cinnamon goodness of the classic, but in a lighter, easier-to-make version. The finishing touch is a luscious brown butter glaze that adds a nutty, caramelized depth that is simply irresistible.
You are going to be amazed at how simple and delicious these fritters are. The air fryer creates a beautifully golden and slightly crisp exterior, while the inside remains soft, fluffy, and studded with tender pieces of fresh apple. Topped with that incredible brown butter glaze, these fritters are a perfect weekend breakfast or afternoon treat that will fill your home with the scent of autumn.
The Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Fritters
Brown Butter Glaze
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- ¼ cup Butter, (½ stick)
- ½ tsp Vanilla
- 1 tbsp Milk, if needed
Apple Fritters
- 1 ½ cups All Purpose Flour
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ⅓ cup Milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice, fresh
- 2 Eggs
- 2 large Apples (such as Honey Crisp or Green Apples), peeled, cored and diced small
- Canola or Vegetable Oil, for brushing/spraying
How to Create Your Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Step 1: Prepare the Fritter Batter
First, in a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, vanilla, fresh lemon juice, and eggs. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the finely diced apples.
Step 2: Air Fry the Fritters
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Line the air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper cut to fit, and lightly spray it with oil. Drop the batter by ¼ cupfuls onto the parchment paper, leaving some space between each fritter. Lightly spray the tops of the fritters with oil. Air fry for 8 minutes, then carefully flip the fritters and cook for another 1-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Step 3: Make the Brown Butter Glaze
While the fritters are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling the pan, until the butter turns a light golden brown, foams, and smells nutty. Immediately remove it from the heat and let it cool for a minute. Whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, you can add a tablespoon of milk to reach your desired consistency.
Step 4: Glaze and Serve
Once the apple fritters are done, transfer them to a wire rack. While they are still warm, drizzle or dip them in the brown butter glaze. Let them sit for a few minutes for the glaze to set, then serve immediately.
My Best Tips for These Apple Fritters
My Secret for the Best Glaze
Browning the butter for the glaze is a small step that makes a huge flavor impact. It transforms the butter, giving it a deep, nutty, and almost caramel-like flavor that is far more complex than simple melted butter. It’s the key to taking these fritters from good to absolutely unforgettable.
Dice Your Apples Small
For the best texture and to ensure the fritters cook evenly, it’s important to dice your apples into small, uniform pieces, about ¼-inch in size. This ensures you get little pockets of tender apple in every bite and helps the batter hold together properly.
Use Parchment Paper
Lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper is crucial for this recipe. The batter is quite soft, and the parchment prevents it from sticking to the basket and making a mess. Just make sure the parchment is cut to fit and doesn’t block the air circulation too much.
Delicious Variations to Try
These Air Fryer Apple Fritters are a fantastic starting point for your own creative twists. For a different flavor profile, you could add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the batter along with the cinnamon. If you’re a fan of nuts, a handful of finely chopped pecans or walnuts would be a delicious addition to the batter. For an extra decadent treat, you could even add a drizzle of caramel sauce over the top of the glaze.
FAQs
What kind of apples are best for fritters?
You want to use a firm, crisp apple that will hold its shape when cooked and has a good balance of sweet and tart flavors. Varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Gala, or Braeburn are all excellent choices for this recipe.
Can I make these without an air fryer?
While this recipe is designed for the air fryer, you could bake these in a conventional oven. Place the scoops of batter on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. They won’t be quite as crispy as the air-fried version, but they will still be delicious.
How do I store leftovers?
These fritters are best enjoyed the same day they are made. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, you can pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes at 350°F (175°C) to help them crisp up again.
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
- Total Time: 21
- Yield: 12 fritters 1x
Description
These Air Fryer Apple Fritters deliver all the cozy, apple-cinnamon goodness of the classic deep-fried version but in a lighter, easier-to-make package. The air fryer creates a golden, slightly crisp exterior, while the inside remains soft, fluffy, and studded with tender apple pieces. A luscious brown butter glaze adds a nutty, caramelized depth that is simply irresistible.
Ingredients
Brown Butter Glaze
1 cup Powdered Sugar
¼ cup Butter, (½ stick)
½ tsp Vanilla
1 tbsp Milk, if needed
Apple Fritters
1 ½ cups All Purpose Flour
¼ cup Granulated Sugar
2 tsp Baking Powder
½ tsp Salt
1 ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
⅓ cup Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tbsp Lemon Juice, fresh
2 Eggs
2 large Apples (such as Honey Crisp or Green Apples), peeled, cored and diced small
Canola or Vegetable Oil, for brushing/spraying
Instructions
Prepare the Fritter Batter:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vanilla, lemon juice, and eggs. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined. Fold in the diced apples.
Air Fry the Fritters:
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Line the basket with parchment paper and lightly spray with oil. Drop the batter by ¼ cupfuls onto the parchment, leaving space between each. Lightly spray the tops with oil. Air fry for 8 minutes, then carefully flip and cook for another 1-3 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
Make the Brown Butter Glaze:
While the fritters cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue to cook, swirling the pan, until the butter turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool for a minute. Whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth, adding a tablespoon of milk if needed to reach a drizzling consistency.
Glaze and Serve:
While the fritters are still warm, drizzle or dip them in the brown butter glaze. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Best Apples to Use:
A firm, crisp apple that holds its shape and has a good balance of sweet and tart flavors works best. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Braeburn are all excellent choices.
Oven-Baked Version:
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these fritters. Place scoops of batter on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.
Storage:
These fritters are best enjoyed fresh. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) to crisp them up again.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 11
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: air fryer apple fritters, apple fritters, fall baking, brown butter glaze, easy dessert, air fryer recipe
