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A close-up of freshly fried apple fritters covered in sweet white glaze, stacked on a plate.

Air Fryer Apple Fritters

Enjoy classic apple fritters with a healthier twist! These air-fried treats are crispy on the outside, tender and apple-filled on the inside, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 pieces
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Fritters
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 medium apple such as Honeycrisp or Gala, peeled, cored, and finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • cooking spray
For the Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Medium Mixing Bowl
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Paring knife
  • Wire Rack

Method
 

Prepare the Fritter Batter
  1. Peel, core, and finely dice the apple into small pieces (about 1/4 inch). Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the large egg, milk, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine. Fold in the finely diced apples.
Air Fry the Fritters
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  2. Drop spoonfuls (about 2 tablespoons each) of the fritter batter into the preheated air fryer basket, leaving space between them to allow for even cooking. Do not overcrowd; you will likely need to cook in 2-3 batches.
  3. Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping the fritters halfway through with a spatula, until golden brown and cooked through. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and fritter size.
  4. Once cooked, transfer the fritters to a wire rack set over a baking sheet (to catch any excess glaze). Repeat with remaining batter.
Prepare the Glaze
  1. While the fritters are cooking or cooling slightly, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth. Add an additional tablespoon of milk if the glaze is too thick to drizzle.
Glaze and Serve
  1. Drizzle or dip the warm fritters in the prepared glaze. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, use a firm, tart-sweet apple variety like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji. Leftover fritters can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat briefly in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up before serving.