5 Delicious Reasons to Make These Baked Apple Fritters Today

A Cozy Fall Favorite with No Frying (Perfect for Busy Mornings)

When fall hits in North Carolina and the mornings get cooler, I always reach for cinnamon, apples, and something sweet that makes the house smell like comfort. These baked apple fritters are my shortcut to all the warm, cozy flavors—without frying or fancy gadgets. Honestly, deep frying stresses me out, especially with my two little ones (Lily and Jonah) running around. That’s how these easy oven-baked fritters came into our weekend routine.

We make them together on Saturday mornings—Jonah helps scoop the batter while Lily insists on being the “glaze queen.” It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s memory-making. These fritters are soft and fluffy inside with golden edges outside, and the cinnamon-apple flavor bursts through every bite. Plus, no splattering oil? Yes, please.

If you’re craving apple fritters but want something simpler, lighter, and 100% doable, this is it. These taste like something from a bakery window but are made in one bowl with basic ingredients. It reminds me a lot of our apple cinnamon rolls—just faster.

I promise, once you try this baked apple fritters recipe, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with frying.

What Are Baked Apple Fritters?

Classic apple fritters are deep-fried pastries made with spiced dough and apples, coated in a sugary glaze. But this version skips the oil and mess. Instead of frying, we bake them on a sheet pan until golden, then drizzle with vanilla glaze for that signature finish.

You still get the cinnamon warmth and soft apple bites, but in a healthier, oven-baked form. They’re quicker, safer (especially with kids helping), and just as delicious—perfect for those days when you want something sweet and nostalgic without the cleanup.

These are especially great during fall, but we make them year-round when apples are in season. They also pair beautifully with our pumpkin brownies or nectarine cinnamon sugar cobbler for a cozy dessert lineup.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Apple Fritters Recipe

• No Frying Required: Skip the oil and still get golden, bakery-style fritters.
• Kid-Friendly: Easy enough for little helpers, and no hot oil to stress over.
• Fast Fall Treat: From mixing to baking, you’re done in 30 minutes.
• Cozy & Comforting: Cinnamon apples, soft cake-like texture, and sweet glaze = autumn perfection.
• Great for Make-Ahead: You can bake a batch and reheat them for weekday breakfasts or snacks.

It’s the same fall flavor I love in our caramel apple cider cookies but in bite-sized, glazed form.

Ingredients

For the Fritters:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup milk (whole or 2%)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup finely diced apples (Gala, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith)

For the Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredient Notes:
If you’re feeling cozy, swap in apple pie spice for the cinnamon. Or try a maple glaze instead of vanilla for an extra fall twist, like we do with our pumpkin cinnamon rolls.

Equipment You’ll Need

This is a no-fuss recipe that only needs basics:

• 2 mixing bowls (one medium, one large)
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula or spoon
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper or nonstick spray

You can use a cookie scoop for evenly-sized fritters, but a spoon works just fine too. I use the same setup when baking snickerdoodle zucchini bread—so it’s flexible!

How to Make Baked Apple Fritters (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 – Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2 – Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), salt, and sugar.

Step 3 – Mix Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.

Step 4 – Combine Everything
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Fold in the diced apples—don’t overmix.

Step 5 – Scoop & Bake
Scoop spoonfuls of the batter onto your prepared baking sheet. Space them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 12–14 minutes or until lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 6 – Glaze While Warm
While fritters are still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle generously over each fritter. The glaze will soak in slightly for that classic bakery shine.

Tip: For extra fall flavor, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top of the glaze before it sets. These pair beautifully with a warm drink or even served alongside nectarine cinnamon sugar cobbler.

Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

✔ Use Fresh, Firm Apples
Soft apples release too much moisture and make the batter runny. Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp are perfect.

✔ Don’t Overmix the Batter
Mix just until combined to keep the fritters soft and fluffy.

✔ Glaze While Warm
The warmth helps the glaze melt in slightly and gives that sticky-sweet finish.

✘ Don’t Flatten the Batter
Keep it mounded when scooping—the fritters will naturally puff up in the oven.

How to Serve These Baked Fritters

Serve them warm with coffee, tea, or cider. They also make a fantastic breakfast-for-dinner treat when paired with scrambled eggs or maple sausage.

We love topping them with an extra drizzle of glaze the next day—or pairing them with a fall classic like our pumpkin bars for dessert boards.

How to Store and Reheat Baked Apple Fritters

Room Temperature:
Store leftover fritters in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days. Place parchment between layers to prevent sticking.

Refrigerator:
To keep them longer, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or pop into a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh texture.

Freezer:
Freeze unglazed fritters for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm and glaze before serving for best results.

Quick Tip:
If freezing, skip the glaze and apply it fresh after reheating—just like we do with blueberry zucchini bread.

Variations to Try Next Time

• Maple Glaze: Use maple syrup in place of milk and vanilla in the glaze.
• Spiced Pear Fritters: Swap apples for ripe, diced pears.
• Mini Fritters: Use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized versions.

Want something even cozier? Add a pinch of cardamom for extra warmth—perfect alongside our pumpkin cinnamon rolls.

FAQ: Baked Apple Fritters

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum. The texture may be slightly softer but still delicious.

Do I need to peel the apples?
It’s up to you. Peeled apples give a softer bite, but unpeeled apples add a little texture and fiber.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?
You can mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine them right before baking for best texture.

How do I keep the fritters from spreading too much?
Chill the batter for 10 minutes before scooping if it’s very loose. Use firm apples and don’t overmix.

Final Thoughts

These baked apple fritters bring everything I love about fall into one easy, crowd-pleasing recipe—without the mess of frying. It’s the kind of bake you make in your favorite sweater, with little hands helping, and sweet cinnamon filling the kitchen air.

Whether it’s a slow Saturday morning or a weeknight treat, you’ll find yourself making these again and again. And if you’re looking for even more cozy recipes, don’t miss our apple cinnamon rolls or caramel apple cider cookies—they’re just as comforting and beginner-friendly.