Name: Crispy Apple Fritters with Sweet Vanilla Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/2 cup soy milk; 2 large apples (granny smith, honey crisp or other crisp variety), diced; vegetable oil, for frying; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1/3 cup soy milk; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 11 reviews

If you’re craving something warm, sweet, and utterly addictive, you’re in for a treat with my Crispy Apple Fritters with Sweet Vanilla Glaze Recipe. These little golden bites blend tender apples, cinnamon, and a gorgeously crisp outside that practically melts in your mouth. Trust me, whether you’re making breakfast, dessert, or a special snack, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and easier than you might think. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so you nail these apple fritters perfectly!

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Why This Recipe Works

The Perfect Crunch: Frying the fritters in hot oil creates that signature crispy exterior we all crave.
Balanced Flavors: The cinnamon-spiced batter combined with crisp apples and a sweet vanilla glaze hits all the right notes.
Simple and Quick: You don’t need fancy ingredients or equipment — just a few staples and a frying pan (plus a thermometer for that perfect oil temp!).
Adaptable to Your Taste: Use your favorite apple variety and tweak the glaze or spices based on what you love.

Crispy Apple Fritters with Sweet Vanilla Glaze, apple fritters, homemade apple fritters, cinnamon apple fritters, easy apple fritter recipe - The image shows several round cookies on a cooling rack. Each cookie has a shiny, light brown glaze on top with a slightly uneven texture. The cookies have a golden brown color, with a rough surface and visible small pieces inside, likely nuts or oats. The cooling rack underneath is metal and placed over a white marbled surface. The cookies look soft and have a slightly wavy edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

When I first tested this Crispy Apple Fritters with Sweet Vanilla Glaze Recipe, I was surprised how these ingredients come together so smoothly — the applesauce adds moisture without heaviness, and the cinnamon really highlights those autumnal flavors. Picking the right apples is key, so lean toward apples that hold their shape and bring a touch of tartness.

Crispy Apple Fritters with Sweet Vanilla Glaze, apple fritters, homemade apple fritters, cinnamon apple fritters, easy apple fritter recipe - Flat lay of two whole crisp apples—one Granny Smith with bright green skin and one Honeycrisp showing a blend of red and yellow hues—next to a small mound of ground cinnamon with its warm reddish-brown color, a glass container of smooth pale yellow unsweetened applesauce, a small pile of fine granulated white sugar crystals, and a cup of creamy off-white soy milk. The ingredients are naturally spaced with a few apple slices fanned out to show their juicy texture alongside a scattering of cinnamon sticks with rough bark texture. All placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

All-purpose flour: The base for a tender yet sturdy batter that crisps nicely.
Granulated sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the tart apples.
Baking powder: Gives the fritters their light, airy texture.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps sweetness in check.
Ground cinnamon: A warm spice that perfectly complements apples.
Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture and natural apple flavor without weighing down the batter.
Soy milk: Keeps the batter dairy-free and adds a bit of creaminess.
Apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, etc.): Choose crisp varieties for that satisfying bite and balanced tartness.
Vegetable oil: Essential for frying – I recommend peanut, canola, or vegetable oil for their high smoke points.
Powdered sugar: The base of the sweet vanilla glaze.
Pure vanilla extract: Adds a lovely aromatic sweetness to the glaze.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making these fritters just as is, but honestly, don’t hesitate to make this recipe your own! Spice levels, apple choices, and glaze sweetness are all fair game. I encourage you to get creative and have fun with it.

Variation: Once, I swapped in pears for apples and added a pinch of nutmeg — it was a subtle twist that everyone loved!
Make it Gluten-Free: I haven’t tried it yet, but a reliable gluten-free flour blend would probably work well here if you want to avoid gluten.
Dairy-Free & Vegan: Using soy milk and applesauce means this recipe is already friendly to dairy-free and vegan diets.
Adjust the Glaze: Prefer a thinner or thicker glaze? Just tweak the powdered sugar or milk amounts until it’s your perfect drizzly consistency.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Apple Fritters with Sweet Vanilla Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. I like to do this first because it makes combining the wet ingredients easier — plus, you want the baking powder evenly distributed so your fritters rise perfectly.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients and Apples

Next, pour in the unsweetened applesauce and soy milk into your dry mix and stir gently with a spatula until everything just comes together. Don’t overmix here; a few lumps are totally fine! Now fold in your diced apples – I use crisp Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples because they hold shape and add that perfect tartness.

Step 3: Heat the Oil & Fry

Heat about 2 inches of your chosen oil in a heavy skillet to 375°F (yes, invest in a good kitchen thermometer!). Using a ⅓ cup scoop, drop batter carefully into the hot oil, then flatten the fritters lightly with the back of a spoon or spatula. Fried at this temperature, they brown quickly without soaking up too much oil.

Cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy—flip gently with tongs so your fritters don’t fall apart. Transfer to a cooling rack set over parchment to drain excess oil and keep them crisp.

Step 4: Make and Apply the Sweet Vanilla Glaze

While the fritters cool a bit, whisk together powdered sugar, soy milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip each warm fritter into the glaze, then set back on the rack to let the glaze harden and form that irresistible sweet coating. If you can wait 5-10 minutes, the glaze really firms up for the best texture.

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Pro Tips for Making Crispy Apple Fritters with Sweet Vanilla Glaze Recipe

Use a Thermometer: I never fry without checking the oil temp; too hot means burnt outsides, too cool means greasy fritters.
Don’t Overmix Batter: Keeping lumps ensures light, tender fritters rather than dense ones — less is more.
Flatten Before Frying: Flattening the dough slightly helps cook fritters evenly and gives that perfect crispy edge.
Drain Properly: Always use a cooling rack over parchment to drain—helps keep the fritters crispy and prevents sogginess.

How to Serve Crispy Apple Fritters with Sweet Vanilla Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar for added warmth and a dusting of powdered sugar if I want them extra pretty. Fresh apple slices alongside also add a refreshing crunch contrast that I love.

Side Dishes

These fritters are fantastic on their own, but if I serve them brunch-style, I love pairing them with crispy bacon or a dollop of creamy yogurt for balance. A hot cup of coffee or chai tea is my go-to drink to round things out perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like stacking these fritters into a little tower on a rustic wooden board and drizzling extra glaze artistically over the top. Adding fresh herbs like mint or edible flowers elevates the look if you want to impress guests without fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Since these fritters are best fresh and crispy, I store leftovers in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb moisture, placing them in the fridge. They stay decent for about a day but start losing that crispy magic after that.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these before by flash-freezing on a baking sheet first, then storing them in freezer bags. When you want a treat, pop them in a toaster oven or regular oven to reheat and crisp them back up—frozen fritters are surprisingly forgiving!

Reheating

Microwaving makes them soft and a little soggy, so I always reheat fritters in a skillet over medium heat or in a toaster oven for a few minutes. This helps refresh their delicious crispy texture and warms them through evenly.

FAQs

Can I make these Crispy Apple Fritters with Sweet Vanilla Glaze Recipe gluten-free?

While I haven’t personally tested it with gluten-free flour, substituting your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend should work well. Just be mindful that the texture might vary slightly depending on the flour’s absorbency.
Can I bake the apple fritters instead of frying?

You can bake them, but they won’t get nearly as crispy. If you do bake, spread them on a baking sheet, spray with oil, and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes or until cooked through. Frying is definitely the way to go if you want crispiness!
What kind of apples are best for this recipe?

Choose crisp and slightly tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. They hold their shape while frying and provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness in every bite.
How do I know the oil is the right temperature?

The easiest and most reliable way is to use a deep-fry thermometer—it should read about 375°F. Without one, you can drop a small bit of batter in; if it bubbles vigorously and rises to the surface quickly, you’re close. Too slow or brown too fast? Adjust the heat accordingly.
Can I use other milks besides soy milk?

Absolutely! Feel free to use almond, oat, or any plant-based milk you prefer. Just make sure it’s unsweetened for the best balance in flavor.

Final Thoughts

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve whipped up these Crispy Apple Fritters with Sweet Vanilla Glaze Recipe for friends and family, and every time they disappear fast. They’re a true comfort food that’s equally at home on a lazy Sunday morning or as a sweet surprise after dinner. The crispy edges, tender apple bites, and that sticky-sweet glaze combine into something honestly magical. Give these fritters a try next time you want something cozy and spectacular — I promise you’ll fall in love, just like I did.