These baked apple fritters are soft, fluffy, packed with juicy apples, and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze. Unlike traditional fried fritters, they’re baked, making them lighter while still delivering the classic apple-fritter flavor.
Yield: 10–12 fritters
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 18–22 minutes
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling
- 2 medium apples (about 300 g), peeled and diced into small cubes
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
For the Fritter Batter
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened plant milk (soy, almond, or oat)
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) neutral oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp plant milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Step 1: Prepare the Apples
- Peel, core, and dice the apples into very small cubes (about ½ cm).
- Place in a bowl.
- Add:
- Lemon juice
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Toss well.
- Let sit for 10 minutes.
This softens the apples slightly and enhances their flavor.
Step 2: Make Vegan Buttermilk
- Pour the plant milk into a measuring cup.
- Add the apple cider vinegar.
- Stir gently.
- Let stand for 5–10 minutes.
The mixture will curdle slightly, creating a vegan buttermilk.
Step 3: Prepare the Oven
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lightly grease the parchment.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl whisk together:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
Mix thoroughly so the leavening agents are evenly distributed.
Step 5: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl combine:
- Vegan buttermilk
- Oil
- Vanilla extract
Whisk until smooth.
Step 6: Make the Batter
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Stir gently using a spatula.
Mix only until no dry flour remains.
The batter should be thick and slightly sticky.
Do not overmix, or the fritters may become dense.
Step 7: Fold in the Apples
- Drain any excess liquid from the apple mixture.
- Add the apples to the batter.
- Fold gently until evenly distributed.
The batter will become chunky with lots of apple pieces.
Step 8: Shape the Fritters
- Use a large spoon or ice cream scoop.
- Drop rough mounds of batter onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Leave about 5 cm (2 inches) between each fritter.
Do not make them perfectly round—the irregular shape gives a traditional fritter appearance.
Each fritter should contain plenty of apple chunks.
Step 9: Bake
Bake at 190°C (375°F) for 18–22 minutes.
The fritters are done when:
- The tops are lightly golden.
- A toothpick inserted into the dough comes out clean.
- The internal temperature reaches about 95°C (203°F).
Step 10: Optional Extra Browning
For a bakery-style finish:
- Switch the oven to broil (grill).
- Broil the fritters for 1–2 minutes.
Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Step 11: Cool Slightly
- Remove from the oven.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack.
Step 12: Make the Vanilla Glaze
In a bowl combine:
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Plant milk
Whisk until smooth.
The glaze should be pourable but not watery.
Adjusting Consistency
- Too thick → add a little more milk.
- Too thin → add more powdered sugar.
Step 13: Glaze the Fritters
While the fritters are still slightly warm:
- Drizzle glaze generously over each fritter.
- Allow the glaze to set for 10–15 minutes.
The glaze will form a sweet, shiny coating.
Optional Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
Instead of glaze, toss warm fritters in:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
for a donut-style finish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Hot apple cider
- Vegan vanilla ice cream
They are especially delicious for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
Storage
Room Temperature
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator
- Store for up to 5 days.
Freezer
- Freeze unglazed fritters for up to 2 months.
