Discover the secret to perfectly golden air fryer apple fritters. Enjoy the mouthwatering combination of cinnamon-spiced apples in a light and crispy cake.
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Did you know that traditional apple fritters are deep-fried and loaded with unhealthy fats? Well, now you have a better option!
You can easily make apple fritters in the air fryer! These golden delights are made with fresh apples, coated in a light batter, and perfectly cooked without needing oil. So say goodbye to the excess grease and hello to a healthier alternative that doesn't compromise on taste.
Reasons to Love
- Same great taste without oil. With the magic of air frying, you can achieve that golden brown crust and mouthwatering flavor without using oil.
- Reduced calories and fat. Air fryers use hot air circulation to crisp up food so you can get results similar to deep frying without adding all the fat and calories.
- Crispy outside, soft inside. The hot circulating air in an air fryer creates that perfect balance, resulting in golden and crunchy fritters on the outside while remaining moist and fluffy inside.
- Quick and convenient. Mix your ingredients, shape them into fritters, pop them into the air fryer, and let it work its magic.
Ingredients
If you're looking for a delicious treat that's easy to make, look no further than these easy air fryer apple fritters. With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty air fryer, you can whip up a batch of these tasty treats in no time.
Here are the items needed to make the recipe:
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- Granny Smith apple
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- baking powder
- egg
- heavy whipping cream
- vanilla extract
- powdered sugar
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Once you've gathered the ingredients, you'll want to line the air fryer basket or try with parchment paper. Then, preheat the air fryer to 400°F and follow the steps below to make the apple fritter recipe.
Combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, egg, heavy whipping cream and vanilla to a mixing bowl, and whisk to combine.
Fold in the apples. If the batter is too thick, add in additional heavy whipping cream as needed.
Make four piles of the batter on the parchment paper inside the air fryer.
Cook for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, turning over halfway through.
Whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to make a glaze.
Brush the powdered sugar mixture onto the cooked apple fritters before serving.
Hint: They are best enjoyed fresh and warm right out of the air fryer. So if possible, savor these delectable treats as soon as they are ready.
Variations
Customizing your apple fritters is a fun and creative way to take this classic treat to the next level. Here are a few variations you can try:
- Raisins - add natural sweetness and chewiness by stirring raisins into the batter. You can use regular raisins or even experiment with golden raisins for a slightly different taste.
- Chopped Nuts - walnuts, pecans, or almonds can bring extra texture to your fritters. Toast them lightly before adding them to the batter for an even richer nutty flavor.
- Spices - try adding cardamom or ginger for a unique twist. These spices will infuse your fritters with aromatic warmth and complexity.
- Brown butter - use a brown butter glaze made with butter, powdered sugar, and milk.
- Lemon juice - adding lemon juice to the apples helps balance the sweetness.
Check out our air fryer apples too. It's another easy air fryer dessert to enjoy in fall.
Tips
Top tip: It's important not to over mix the batter. Just like when you're mixing pancake batter, a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can result in tough and dense fritters. So, mix until all the ingredients are just combined.
- Let the batter rest. Allow the batter to rest for 10 minutes before cooking. This resting time helps activate the baking powder so it can create air pockets in the batter which results in a light and airy texture.
- Use cold ingredients. The cold temperature helps slow gluten formation, resulting in a softer texture. So make sure to use your cream and eggs right from the refrigerator.
- Avoid overcrowding. Leaving enough space between each pile of batter allows for proper airflow and even cooking. If you overcrowd them, they may not cook evenly and end up soggy instead of crispy.
Serving suggestions
One of the best things about air fryers is their versatility, and that includes making delicious apple fritters. But what’s the best way to serve these golden treats? While apple fritters are delightful on their own, there are plenty of ways to elevate them and make them even more mouthwatering.
For an extra burst of flavor, try drizzling your apple fritters with a warm caramel or vanilla glaze. The sweetness from the glaze pairs perfectly with the tartness of the apples, creating a delectable combination that will leave your taste buds begging for more.
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not take it a step further and turn your air fryer apple fritters into a decadent dessert? Top each fritter with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sprinkle some cinnamon on top. The contrast between the warm fritter and cold ice cream creates a heavenly experience that is sure to impress your guests.
Storage
Transfer the cooled fritters into an airtight container. Place the container in a cool, dry place like your pantry or kitchen counter. By storing them in an airtight container at room temperature, they can stay fresh for up to 2 days.
Reheat them in a preheated air fryer set to 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warm. Reheating times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your fritters. Keep an eye on them as they heat up to avoid overcooking.
Related Recipes
Want to try more air fryer recipes? Here are some more easy recipes for one or two to try:
- Banana lumpia is a delicious Filipino dessert.
- Air fryer baby back ribs are a tasty dinner idea.
- Bacon-wrapped onion rings are glazed with real maple syrup.
- Air fryer pineapple ring bites are wrapped in crispy bacon.
- Brioche bread french toast is perfect for a weekend breakfast.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 small Granny Smith apple peeled and diced
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream additional as needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Line the basket of the air fryer with parchment paper.
- Combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, egg, heavy whipping cream and vanilla to a mixing bowl, and whisk to combine.
- Fold in the apples.
- If the batter is too thick, add in additional heavy whipping cream as needed.
- Make four piles of the batter on the parchment paper inside the air fryer.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, turning over halfway through.
- Whisk together the glaze ingredients, and brush onto the cooked apple fritters before serving.
Sheila
Didn't know I can make apple fritters in the air fryer. My son asked what am I cooking cause it smelled so good. The taste is very delicious as well--they didn't leave me a piece!