Description
Apple Fritter Bites are bite-sized, tender cake-like treats bursting with the fresh flavor of finely diced apples and warm cinnamon. Lightly glazed with a sweet apple cider icing and finished under the broiler for a caramelized top, these fritters make a perfect snack or dessert that’s easy to bake and share.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
Additional Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups finely diced Honeycrisp or Gala apples
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp apple cider or apple juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a nonstick baking sheet to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the fritter bites.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined. This forms the base of your batter.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the melted unsalted butter with granulated sugar until smooth. Then add the egg, vanilla extract, and unsweetened applesauce, stirring to create a uniform mixture.
- Form the Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently to combine without overmixing, which helps maintain a tender texture. Fold in the finely diced apples evenly throughout the batter.
- Scoop Batter: Using a spoon or small scoop, drop spoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about two inches apart to allow for expansion during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the fritter bites for approximately 10 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the fritters bake, whisk together powdered sugar and apple cider (or juice) until the glaze is smooth and pourable.
- Glaze and Broil: Remove the fritter bites from the oven and immediately brush them generously with the glaze. Place them under the broiler briefly for a caramelized, glossy finish, watching carefully to prevent burning. Remove once caramelized.
Notes
- Use Honeycrisp or Gala apples for the best balance of sweetness and firmness.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the fritters light and tender.
- Broiling the glaze adds a lovely caramelization but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- The fritter bites are best enjoyed warm but can be stored airtight at room temperature for 2 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan margarine or coconut oil.
