Easy Glazed Applesauce Fritters

Name: Easy Glazed Applesauce Fritters
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 tsp baking powder; 200 g self-raising flour; 2 tbsp caster sugar; 150 ml full-fat milk; 2 large eggs; 2 large apples; 100 g apple sauce; 500 ml vegetable oil (roughly); 240 g icing (powdered sugar); 240 ml maple syrup; 3 tbsp whole milk; Pinch of salt

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These delicious Applesauce Fritters are the perfect sweet treat. Imagine golden crispy batter with a light, fluffy and fruity apple centre, finished off with a sweet spiced cinnamon sugar coating. So good. Plus, they take less than 30 minutes to make!

applesauce fritters on a plate with an apple.

If you are looking for a quick and easy sweet treat, these apple sauce fritters should be top of the list! I often enjoy them as a snack, but they are also brilliant for a crowd-pleasing dessert. Sometimes we have them as a special occasion breakfast, a bit like you would waffles or pancakes.

I think people get a bit stressed about deep-frying, as it seems like extra effort and then you have to think about disposing of the oil. However, for a fritter like this, it really is a necessity and it’s just a special treat, it’s not something you’ll do every day. They really are simple. If you can make Sfingi Doughnuts and/or Apple Beignets (Appelflappen), you can definitely make these.

Why you will love this recipe:
Ingredients:
Substitutions and Variations:
Here’s how to make simple Applesauce Fritters:
Cooking Tips:
Frequently Asked Questions
Other recipes you might enjoy:
Easy Glazed Applesauce Fritters Recipe

Why you will love this recipe:

They are super simple and take less than 30 minutes to make.
They are a delicious autumnal treat. Ideal to make when apples are in season.
They use budget-friendly store cupboard ingredients you are likely to have at home.
They are a guaranteed crowd pleaser and sure to become a family favourite. Enjoy as a special breakfast, sweet snack or dessert.

Ingredients:

Full recipe can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, just scroll down!

Caster sugar – known as superfine sugar in the US.

Self-raising flour – also known as ‘self-rising’ flour.

Milk – opt for full-fat milk for the best results.

Apple – you can use any for these apple sauce fritters but I would avoid cooking apples as they are more tart and I like these for being sweet and mellow.

Apple sauce – you can use homemade or shop bought. Ideally, you want unsweetened. If you are using sweetened, reduce the caster sugar by

Vegetable oil – you need a flavourless oil with a high smoking point for deep-frying. Sunflower oil or rapeseed oil also work well.

Substitutions and Variations:

Spice: feel free to swap the ground cinnamon for ground ginger or mixed spice if you prefer.

Sugar: I use caster sugar for these applesauce fritters. However, you can use regular granulated sugar too.

Self-raising flour: replace with 100g plain (all-purpose) flour and 1 heaped tsp of baking powder.

Cardamom sugar: Mix ground cardamom with the cinnamon sugar for a spiced twist.

Chunky apple fritters: Add diced apple for more texture and flavour.

Glaze or cinnamon sugar: you can dress the fritters either way, depending on your preference.

Here’s how to make simple Applesauce Fritters:

Here’s a step by step guide for what you need to do, but you can find the full recipe at the bottom of the page for detailed instructions.

ONE: Line a baking sheet with kitchen paper and set aside. Start by making the cinnamon sugar: in a shallow bowl, mix together the cinnamon and caster sugar. Set aside.

TWO: For the apple fritters: add the flour, caster sugar, milk and egg into a large mixing bowl and whisk until you have a smooth batter.

THREE: Peel and grate the apple using a box grater.

FOUR: Add to the batter with the apple sauce and mix until combined.

Adding batter to hot oil in a sauce pan.

FIVE: Next, pour the vegetable oil into a medium saucepan – it should come at least ½ but not more than ¾ up the side of the pan. Place over medium heat – it is hot enough when a small piece of apple sizzles after being dropped in. You can also use a deep-fat fryer and heat the oil to 175C.

SIX: Once the oil is at the correct temperature, drop in a spoonful of the batter. It should puff up a little. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until golden underneath, before carefully flipping over and continuing to fry for around 2 more minutes.

SEVEN: When golden all over, remove from the oil using a slotted spoon and set onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave for about a minute to let any excess oil drain off.

EIGHT: Dunk the fritter (or drizzle) with the glaze. Repeat the frying and glazing with the remaining batter. Serve straight away.

Cooking Tips:

Taste as you go: taste your apples so you know how much sugar to add. Apples vary in sweetness, so add a little more sugar to the batter if they are particularly sour.

Safe frying: make sure your deep-fat fryer or saucepan is between ½ and ¾ full of oil. If it is too full, you risk the hot oil spluttering.

Testing temperature: your oil needs to be around 175C. If you don’t have a thermometer or aren’t using a deep-fat fryer, don’t panic! It is very simple to test if your oil is hot enough. Carefully drop a small dollop of batter into the hot oil. It is ready if it sizzles immediately.

Avoid overcrowding: don’t be tempted to fry too many of these apple sauce fritters at once. I stick with 3 maximum. If you do too many, you risk dropping the temperature of the oil. This will end up with greasy fritters, which is not what we are going for!

If the sugar won’t stick: make sure to coat the fritters whilst they are still warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an applesauce fritter?

Applesauce fritters are a delicious, crispy sweet snack or dessert. You can enjoy them like you do a sweet pastry. However, they are more similar to doughnuts as they are deep-fried in oil. They usually have a glaze or sugar coating. Again, very much like doughnuts! If you like my Apple Beignets (Appelflappen), you’ll LOVE these.

Can I make these applesauce fritters in advance?

These apple sauce fritters are best made fresh to serve. That way, they are deliciously warm and crunchy. They take less than 30 minutes to make, so it’s not a time-consuming recipe. If you do have leftovers, pop in a sealed container and chill for up to 2 days. Reheat on a non-stick baking sheet in a 200C / 180C Fan oven for about 10 minutes.

How do I dispose of the frying oil?

Leave the oil in the pan to cool COMPLETELY. Hot oil can be very dangerous so don’t be tempted to try and dispose of it when hot. As you never want to pour the oil down the drain, I like to use either an old, empty plastic bottle or a sandwich bag with a sealable top. Once the oil is cool, pour it into the empty bottle/sandwich bag and then you can place the whole thing in the bin.

However, in the interest of waste, if the oil remains fairly clear and not full of charred bits, you can reuse it to fry other things. I would strain it and pour it in a clean bottle and keep in a dark place for 1-2 months. I wouldn’t reuse oil more than three times. You could use it for sfingi doughnuts for something else sweet or for chicken katsu sandwiches for something savoury.

Can i bake these applesauce fritters instead of frying?

Yes, they won’t be as crisp as when fried, but they’re lighter and great for kids. I would grease a mini-doughnut or muffin pan, pipe in batter and bake at 180°C for 10–12 minutes. Then coat in cinnamon sugar when fresh from the oven.