I’m sharing my take on a cozy, soft‑on‑the‑inside, lightly crisp‑outside baked apple fritter drizzled with warm cinnamon glaze—perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an anytime treat.

Best Baked Apple Fritters Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love that this recipe lets me enjoy apple fritters without the mess of frying. They come out soft, pillowy, and bursting with cinnamon‑spiced apple flavor, yet baked for a lighter finish and easy cleanup. A quick whipped glaze drizzles on beautifully while they’re still warm—pure comfort.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

all‑purpose flour
granulated sugar
baking powder
ground cinnamon
salt
milk
eggs
unsalted butter, melted
vanilla extract
apples, peeled, cored, and diced

directions

Prep apples: Peel, core, and dice apples. Toss them lightly with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Mix dry: In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Whisk wet: In another bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla until combined.
Combine: Pour wet into dry, stirring until just combined. Gently fold in cinnamon‑coated apples. Batter will be thick.
Portion fritters: Use a spoon or small ice‑cream scoop to drop batter onto a parchment‑lined baking sheet. Rustic shapes are charming!
Bake: Bake at 200 °C (400 °F) for 15–18 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, a bit of milk, and vanilla. While fritters are still warm, drizzle or dunk them in the glaze. Let it set.

Servings and timing

Makes about 12 fritters.

Prep time: ~15 minutes (including apple prep)
Bake time: 15–18 minutes
Total time: ~35 minutes

Variations

Add nuts: Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
Fruit swap: Try pears or peaches instead of apples when in season.
Spice twist: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger for extra warmth.
Glaze swap: Dust with powdered sugar instead of glaze, or do both for double sweetness.

storage/reheating

Store cooled fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop one in a low‑temp oven or toaster oven until warmed through and crisped—just like fresh‑baked.

FAQs

What apples work best?

I recommend firm, tart‑sweet varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. They hold their shape and give a nice texture contrast with the soft dough.

Can I freeze them?

Yes—freeze fully cooled fritters in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature or reheat from frozen in a low oven.

Can I make them ahead?

You can prep the batter and apples the night before and store in the fridge. Bake fresh in the morning for warm, crisp fritters.

Gluten‑free option?

Swap the all‑purpose flour for a gluten‑free 1:1 blend. Texture may vary slightly, but the flavor is still delicious.

How do I get them crispier?

Bake a few extra minutes until they deepen in color. Air‑cool on a rack, and the exterior stays crisp while the interior remains tender.

Conclusion

These baked apple fritters hit the sweet spot between comfort and convenience—I love that same soft dough and apple spice you expect, but without the fryer hassle. Glazed warm, they disappear fast at my table. Try them with a cup of coffee or tea, and I bet you’ll feel the cozy charm too.