Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1.5 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup milk (2% or higher)

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg, room temperature

1 medium apple (crisp, sweet, hard), washed and diced into small cubes (<1cm pieces)

1 tbsp melted butter

1/2 cup icing sugar

1 tsp apple butter

Lemon juice from 1/2 lemon (approximately 2 tsp initially, then additional drops as needed)

Instructions

Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.

Create buttermilk mixture: In a small cup, mix the milk with 1 tsp lemon juice and let it stand for about 3 minutes to curdle slightly. Add vanilla extract and break in the egg, then beat lightly with a fork until uniform.

Combine batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the center of the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, mix until you have a thick batter.

Add apples: Fold the diced apples gently into the batter until evenly distributed.

Make the glaze: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, icing sugar, apple butter, and 2 tsp lemon juice. Stir well, adding more lemon juice dropwise if the glaze is too thick to spread.

Preheat air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and let it preheat for 2-4 minutes.

Prepare air fryer basket: Place an air fryer-safe parchment liner inside the basket and lightly spray with cooking spray such as avocado or another light oil spray.

Form fritters: Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of batter per fritter onto the parchment liner, spacing them to allow room for puffing. Typically, 2-3 fritters fit per batch depending on your air fryer size.

Start air frying: Lightly spray the tops of the fritters with cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F for about 4.5 minutes.

Flip and continue cooking: Pause the air fryer, carefully flip the fritters, spray the tops again, and air fry for another 4.5 minutes. They’re done when edges are golden brown and the fritters appear puffed and crackling.

Cool fritters: Remove fritters carefully and place on a cooling rack. Repeat with remaining batter.

Glaze the fritters: Place a parchment-lined tray under your cooling rack to catch drips. Spoon glaze onto each fritter and spread evenly to coat.

Set glaze and serve: Allow the glaze to set and solidify before enjoying your crispy, tender apple fritters.

Tips & Variations

Use a firm, crisp apple like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced sweetness.

For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use a vegan butter alternative in the glaze.

Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dry ingredients for extra warmth and spice.

If you prefer a thinner glaze, add lemon juice gradually until you reach desired consistency.

FAQs

Can I make these fritters without an air fryer?

Yes, you can shallow fry the batter in hot oil until golden brown on both sides or bake them in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, though the texture will differ slightly.

What type of apple is best for fritters?

Crisp, firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work best. They hold their shape during cooking and provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness.