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Close up of glazed and powdered sugar dusted applesauce fritters with a bowl of glaze, and cinnamon sticks and whole apples in the back.

Applesauce Fritters Recipe [Quick and Easy]


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4.9 from 10 reviews

  • Author: Jenna
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 fritters 1x

Description

Homemade glazed applesauce fritters are bursting with fresh apple pieces! Perfectly soft, fluffy, and packed with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The sweet maple glaze adds the perfect finishing touch. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, baking for the holidays, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, or craving a cozy dessert, these fritters are quick, easy, and irresistible!


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Applesauce Fritters:

  • 1/2 gallon oil, for frying (see above for options)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar (I use raw cane)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup apple (I use Granny Smith), small dice
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg

For the Maple Glaze (optional: make double to double-glaze/extra drizzle):

Extra:


Instructions

  1. First, heat the oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven (or a deep fryer if you have one) to 350 degrees F/177 degrees C. Gather two mixing bowls. To the first bowl, add the dry ingredients (flour, sugars, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda). To the second bowl, add the wet ingredients (applesauce, egg, milk, vanilla extract). Whisk the dry ingredients first, then the wet ingredients. Small dice the apple.
    Two separate clear bowls with wet and dry applesauce fritters ingredients and a wooden cutting board with diced apples.
  2. Now, slowly incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, whisking or stirring as you add it. Be gentle with the batter and don’t overmix it or it will lose its air pockets and puffiness that we’re looking for!
    Applesauce fritters wet ingredients being poured and whisked into the dry ingredients.
  3. Gently fold in the diced apple pieces.
    Diced apple pieces being folded into the applesauce fritters recipe batter.
  4. Now, make the glaze (double the recipe if you want to double-toss them or drizzle more on after tossing). Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and maple syrup. Set this aside until we’re ready to glaze the applesauce fritters.
    Powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk being whisked in a golden-brown bowl on a white surface.
  5. Ensure the oil is heated to right around 350 degrees F before dropping the fritters in the oil (only about 4 at a time to avoid overcrowding). Try to maintain the 350 degrees F/177 degrees C temperature (I like to use this instant-read thermometer) by adjusting the heat on the stove up and down as needed. I usually spoon about 2 tablespoons of the batter for each fritter. This makes 12 larger fritters. You can also make them smaller, just drop less for each fritter. Any spoon will work but I find it easiest to use a spoon with a big dip in it (something like this) and use a rubber spatula to push it off the spoon in one swoop. The applesauce fritters aren’t meant to be perfectly shaped so don’t worry if they’re all different shapes!
    Applesauce fritters batter being dropped into a pot of hot oil to fry.
  6. Line one baking sheet or plate with paper towels, and one with a cooling rack. Fry the fritters for about 5 minutes or until they are a deep golden-brown color. You can leave them in until they’re pretty dark (not burnt!) for a crispier bite. I use a small fine mesh strainer to move them around and flip them over as they fry to ensure they are cooking and browning evenly. The strainer also makes it easy to remove them from the oil. Try to shake off any excess oil. Alternatively, you can use a slotted spoon.
    Close up of applesauce fritters draining in a small fine mesh strainer.
  7. As the fritters are done frying, place them on the paper towel and allow them to cool for a minute or two. In the meantime, begin frying more applesauce fritters. While those are frying, add the slightly cooled fritters to a bowl, drizzle with some glaze, and toss. Place the glazed fritters on the wire rack. Repeat this process until all of the fritters are coated.
    Maple glaze being drizzled on applesauce fritters in a bowl before being tossed and a bowl of glaze on the side.
  8. You can serve the applesauce fritters right away or wait for them to cool (the glaze will harden)! If you decide to double the glaze recipe, drizzle extra on top or toss them again once the first layer cools. Dust with powdered sugar using a small fine mesh strainer (if using). Enjoy!!!
    Shiny, golden-brown glazed applesauce fritters in lines of four on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack.

Notes

  • If you want to drizzle extra glaze after you toss the applesauce fritters, or double-toss them for extra sweetness, make another half or full glaze recipe. A half recipe would be 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and 1 teaspoon of maple syrup!
  • Please scroll above the recipe card for the Applesauce Fritters FAQ! What oil to use, different mix-in options, and more.
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Category: Breakfast and Brunch, Fall Recipes, Snacks and Desserts. Vegetarian
  • Method: Deep Fry
  • Cuisine: American
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