These air fryer apple fritters are filled with sweet, tart, glazed apples and enwrapped with a crispy, golden crust. Quick and easy air fryer recipe for this fall season.

Nothing says fall like a warm, air fryer apple fritter.

By all means, I love getting a fresh apple fritter from my local donut shop just as much as anyone else. But, sometimes you just want to make a healthier version from the comfort of your own home.

Specifically, the air fryer allows you to skip the oils and additives, while still enjoying the warm gooey goodness of a spiced apple filling.

If you like apple-inspired recipes, you’ll also probably like my Apple Crumble Muffins.

What’s an apple fritter?

Apple fritters are glazed with an apple spice glaze sitting on parchment paper, and star anise is used as decor.

In brief, an apple fritter is a pastry dough that is reminiscent of a donut, but has chunks of apples for added texture.

The dough is mixed with chopped apple pieces and deep fried in oil. After frying, you dip them in sugary icing.

I like apple fritters because I feel like they have a greater icing-to-dough ratio and almost melt in your mouth.

Surely, they are doughy, sweet, and chock-full of cinnamon goodness.

What are apple fritters made of?

There is a stack of apple spice glazed apple fritters

Traditionally, apple fritters contain:

  • Apples
  • Eggs
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • Cinnamon
  • Apple Cider
  • Canola Oil

Nonetheless, I like to replace the sugar with coconut sugar and get rid of the canola oil entirely, for a healthier version.

The air fryer bakes these fritters to perfection and satisfies my sweet tooth, no oil needed.

How are Air fryer apple fritters made?

Ordinarily, you fill a stock pot with canola oil and dip parts of the batter inside – that’s why apple fritters come in all shapes and sizes.

Then, you dunk them in a glaze and allow them to cool.

But, if you know me, you know I’m obsessed with my air fryer.

You don’t have to play around with hot oils – the air fryer does all the work for you.

Moreover, this is the easiest way to make an apple fritter.

Can fritters be cooked in the air fryeR?

Of course! They are airier and softer when cooked in the air fryer without all the grease. Hence, they are even more perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Apple Fritters

Ingredients are laid out for the apple fritters: Apples, flour, coconut sugar, eggs, milk, baking powder, apple pie spice and butter.

These fritters contain simple, everyday pantry essentials:

Apple Fritters:

All-purpose flour

Sugar, coconut or regular

Baking powder

Apple pie spice

Eggs

Butter, melted

Milk

Vanilla extract

Salt

Apples

Apple Spice Glaze:

Powdered sugar

Milk

Apple pie spice

How to Make Air Fryer Apple Fritters

In the left bowl the ingredients are being added together, the right bowl shows all ingredients mixed together.

Firstly, in a bowl mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, apple pie spice, eggs, butter, milk, vanilla extract, and salt.

Then, fold in the peeled, cut-up apple pieces.

In the left bowl it shows apples being added to the mixture, the right bowl shows the apples being fully folded in.

After, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.

Then, air fry the fritters for 7 min on 390 F. After 7 min, flip the fritters. Cook for an additional 2- 3 min. You will know it’s ready when the middle is fully cooked through.

The left image shows the apple fritters being put into the air fryer to be cooked. The right image shows the apple fritters golden brown and cooked.

In a small bowl, whisk together the apple spice glaze.

Finally, once the apple fritters have cooled for at least 10 minutes, drizzle the glaze on top and enjoy!

What type of apples should I use for fritters?

Overall, I love granny smith and/or honey crisp! Particularly, the sweet and tart kind best balances the doughy batter.

In addition, the most important factor is that the apples are crisp – this allows them to keep their composure in the air fryer when baking.

Any fresh apples you get from apple picking would also taste amazing!

Other popular options are Jonagold, Braeburn, Mutsu, and Winesap.

Let me know what your favorites are!

If you’re interested in learning more about how each type of apple bakes, I read this interesting article from Bon Apetit the other day. Check it out if you feel like experimenting!

What type of sugar should I use for APPle Fritters?

There is a pile of fully cooked, golden brown air fryer apple fritters.

Typically, I use unrefined coconut sugar for my apple fritters.

However, you can also use white sugar or brown sugar here! Whatever is at hand and most easily accessible.

Can I make air fryer apple fritters whole wheat?

Absolutely!

Generally, whole wheat flour is higher in nutrients and fiber. Whole grains are also associated with lowered risk of heart disease, stroke, and even obesity.

Learn more about the health benefits here.

Evidently, switching to whole wheat flour can make this an even healthier breakfast or dessert for the entire family.

Notwithstanding, whole wheat flour will change the texture of the fritters slightly – they become grainier than with regular flour. Try it out for yourself and see what your preferences are!

How to Store Air Fryer Fritters

The image shows an apple fritter broken in half filled with apple spice apples, and surrounded by other apple fritters on parchment paper, glazed with apple spice glaze.

For the most part, these apple fritters can stay covered in room temperature for 2 days and in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze apple fritters?

Certainly, I recommend freezing the apple fritters without the glaze because the glaze won’t heat up well.

To reheat, you can let the air fritter thaw on the kitchen counter and pop it in the toaster or air fryer for a couple minutes to make the outside a bit crispier.

Then, top it with freshly made glaze!

Yum.

OTHER DELICIOUS Air Fryer RECIPES:

1. Air Fryer S’Mores

2. Air fryer Peaches

3. AIR FRYER SOFT PRETZELS

What other air fryer recipes would you like to see? Leave a comment below.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN USE “TRIED IT” ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING #SHUANGYSEATS

The top image shows an apple filled apple fritter broken in half, surrounded by other glazed fritters. The bottom image shows apple fritters golden brown fully cooked in the air fryer.
Apple fritters are glazed with an apple spice glaze sitting on parchment paper, and star anise is used as decor.

Get the recipe:Air Fryer Apple Fritters

These air fryer apple fritters are filled with sweet, tart, glazed apples and enwrapped with a crispy, golden crust.
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Ingredients

Apple Fritter

  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 180 g
  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup sugar, 130 g *
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp apple pie spice
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 1/4 cup milk, 60 ml
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 2 large apples or 2 cups of peeled, cored, and chopped apples

Apple Spice Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk**
  • 1/2 tsp apple pie spice

Instructions 

  • In a bowl mix all the ingredients except for the apples.
  • Fold in the apples.
  • Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
  • Air fry 390 F for 6-7 min, flip then cook an additional 2- 3 min or until the middle is cooked through.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the apple spice glaze.
  • Once the apple fritters have cooled for at least 10 minutes, drizzle the glaze on top and enjoy!

Notes

*I used coconut sugar, but you can use any sugar
**add a little bit more milk if you prefer a thinner glaze
Serving: 1g, Calories: 174kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 39mg, Sodium: 175mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 15g

The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.