Description
Delight in these crispy and tender Air Fryer Apple Fritters, made effortlessly with fresh apples and a warm, sweet glaze. This quick and healthier take on a classic treat uses an air fryer for a golden, puffed finish without the need for deep frying, ideal for a sweet breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose Flour
- 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1.5 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 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
Glaze
- 1/2 cup Icing Sugar
- 1 tsp Apple Butter
- Lemon Juice from 1/2 a lemon (approximately 2 tsp initially, then additional drops as needed to thin)
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 stand for about 3 minutes to slightly curdle, forming a buttermilk substitute. Add vanilla extract and the egg, beating lightly with a fork until uniform.
- Combine Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the center of the dry ingredients bowl. Using a spatula, mix until a thick batter forms.
- Add Apples: Fold the diced apples gently into the batter until they are evenly distributed.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, icing sugar, apple butter, and 2 tsp lemon juice. Stir well and add lemon juice dropwise if needed to achieve a loose, spreadable consistency.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 2-4 minutes.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Place an air fryer-safe parchment liner inside the basket and lightly spray it with cooking spray like avocado oil or any light oil spray.
- Form Fritters: Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of batter per fritter onto the parchment liner, spacing them to allow room for puffing. Usually, 2-3 fritters fit per batch depending on air fryer size.
- Start Air Frying: Lightly spray the tops of the fritters with cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F for approximately 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. The fritters are done when edges are golden brown and they appear puffed and crackling.
- Cool Fritters: Remove the fritters carefully and place them on a cooling rack. Repeat the frying process with remaining batter.
- Glaze the Fritters: Position a parchment-lined tray under the cooling rack to catch drips. Spoon the glaze onto each fritter and spread evenly to coat.
- Set Glaze and Serve: Allow the glaze to set and solidify before serving your warm, crispy, and flavorful Air Fryer Apple Fritters.
Notes
- Use a crisp, firm apple variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best texture.
- Make sure the egg is at room temperature to help the batter mix well.
- If glaze is too thick, add lemon juice slowly to avoid making it too runny.
- Air fryer temperatures and times may vary, so check fritters for doneness and adjust as needed.
- Allow fritters to cool slightly before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use vegan butter.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple fritters, air fryer recipes, easy dessert, healthy fritters, quick sweet treat, cinnamon apple dessert, breakfast fritters
