When I have made apple fritters in the past, it was with a yeast dough that I would cut apple pie filling into. Let me tell you, this Amish Apple Fritters Recipe is much easier than all that! Keep reading to see how quickly these will come together.
If love all things apple, as I do, let me suggest a few recipes. You can hardly go wrong with a classic apple pie. This layered apple cinnamon loaf is so good!
What Makes This Work?
I mean, it is an apple fritter, what's not to love?? These are actually really simple to make compared to the yeast donuts I have made before. The batter is simple to make, then they fry quickly as well.
While these would not be considered healthy, they are a healthier option. I used whole wheat pastry flour in these. If you are expecting them to be dry and tasteless, I promise that will not be the case.
There is something so cozy about apple fritters. It is the flavor of the apples and spices together and the smell that just draws you in. These are irresistible.
Ingredients
- Whole wheat pastry flour- I love to use this lower protein flour in baking like this. It helps keep the light texture you are looking for. You can buy whole wheat pastry flour, or I have a Nutrimill grain mill I use for my milling, buying the grains from Farm Fresh Wheat in Washington. They are a great generational farming family with awesome soft wheat.
- All-purpose flour- For this recipe I used a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat to get a very light fritter.
- Baking powder- this is used for the leavener in this recipe and helps the fritters to grow and not be dense.
- Salt- it only takes a little, but it matters. Kosher salt is my go-to.
- Cinnamon and nutmeg- it is hard to have an apple dish without them!
- Granulated sugar- you could also use brown sugar, but I prefer granulated for this recipe.
- Apples- I like the flavor of Granny Smith in this recipe, they are more tart and hold well with the fritter. I chopped mine in the photos and recipe, but if you want smaller chunks, grate them.
- Milk- I used 2% milk, but you can use whatever kind of milk you prefer. Plant-based milks also work.
- Eggs- These will add flavor, and also work as a binder, holding the fritter together.
- Vanilla- Again, it won't take much, but don't skip it! It is also used in the glaze as well.
- Powdered sugar- this is for the glaze.
How To Make
Start by adding your oil to a pan and starting to heat over medium heat. It takes a while for this to get to the temperature, so make sure and start it early.
Next, add your dry ingredients to a small bowl and mix well. Set these aside. Mix your glaze and set it aside as well.
In a medium-sized bowl mix together the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, only mixing until they come together. Don't over mix or they will be tough.
Last in are the chopped apples. Add them in and mix only until they are blended into the batter.
The oil should be heated to 375 degrees at this point. Drop your batter into the pan. Mine is about ⅓ cup per fritter.
Fry until they are golden brown, then flip and fry on the other side until it is a deep golden brown as well. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on a cooling rack over a sheet pan.
Continue until all the fritters are cooked. Now, you can do the glaze one of 2 ways. You can dip the fritters directly into it, or you can brush it on. I like to dip it, but you can keep your hands clean by brushing if you want.
Notes
There are a few things to note about this recipe that will help you to get perfect fritters the first time.
- Make sure not to over mix your batter. This is really important with any fritter batter, but especially with a whole wheat batter. Once your combine the wet and dry ingredients, make sure you only mix until they are blended.
- Hot oil is key to frying these fritters perfectly. If your oil is to cool, when you go to fry, the fritters will absorb the oil. The fritters will also not be as crispy.
- Another way to keep the oil hot is to not crowd your pan when you are frying. In my pan, I added in 4 at a time.
- One thing to know also about these fritters is they do not hold well. I really feel like these are best eaten within a few hours of frying. Otherwise they just get kind of soggy and don't taste as good.
- You can also add in ¼ teaspoon ground ginger and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves for extra flavor if you like.
- I chopped my apples, as I like the chunks and a little crunch. If you prefer, you can always grate your apples instead. If you do, only use 1 ¾ cups apples.
Amish apple fritters
Equipment
- bowl for mixing
- saucepan for frying
Ingredients
- ¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder I know it seems like a lot, but it was will give your fritters the volume.
- 2 ½-3 cups apples chopped into ½-inch pieces, or you can grate it if you don't want chunks.
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 4-5 cups canola oil or other oil for frying needs to have a high smoke point. Olive oil does not work well.
Glaze
- 3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup milk This is a variable. You might want a little more powdered sugar or milk, depending on how thick you like your glaze.
Instructions
- I work quickly, so I like to get my oil in the pan and then start the fritters. Then when the batter is done, the oil is hot. So, pour the oil into your saucepan and heat over medium heat. Place a cooling rack over a sheet pan.
- In a small bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Make your glaze and set it aside. You can add more powdered sugar or milk, depending on how thick or thin you like you glaze.
- Next, chop your apples. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix only until they just come together. Don't over mix or they will be tough. Last in is the apples. Again, only mixing to combine.
- If the oil is hot, about 375 degrees, scoop in the batter. Mine were about ⅓ cup. Don't overcrowd the pan too. This will cool down your oil too much. Once it is golden, carefully flip it over and cook on the other side.
- Once both sides are a deep golden brown, remove and place them on the cooling rack. do a test run first to make sure the fritters are cooked all the way through.
- Continue to cook until they are all fried. Next, Dip or brush with the glaze to cover.
- That is it! They are done and ready to go. You are going to love these!
Notes
- Make sure not to over mix your batter. This is really important with any fritter batter, but especially with a whole wheat batter. Once your combine the wet and dry ingredients, make sure you only mix until they are blended.
- Hot oil is key to frying these fritters perfectly. If your oil is to cool, when you go to fry, the fritters will absorb the oil. The fritters will also not be as crispy.
- Another way to keep the oil hot is to not crowd your pan when you are frying. In my pan, I added in 4 at a time.
- One thing to know also about these fritters is they do not hold well. I really feel like these are best eaten within a few hours of frying. Otherwise they just get kind of soggy and don't taste as good.
- You can also add in ¼ teaspoon ground ginger and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves for extra flavor if you like.
- I chopped my apples, as I like the chunks and a little crunch. If you prefer, you can always grate your apples instead. If you do, only use 1 ¾ cups apples.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!