Description

These Air Fryer Apple Fritters are a crispy, flavorful treat made with spiced apples and a light batter, cooked quickly in an air fryer for a healthier twist on a classic fair dessert. They are easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy snack or dessert, offering a delightful combination of warm spices, tender apples, and a golden crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Mixture

2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced into ½-inch pieces
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Batter

2 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup milk (whole milk recommended)
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Cooking and Serving

Cooking spray
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and dice the Granny Smith apples into ½-inch pieces to ensure even cooking and a perfect texture inside the fritters.
Mix Spices and Sugar with Apples: In a medium bowl, gently toss the diced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and granulated sugar, taking care not to overmix to keep the apple pieces intact and flavorful.
Add Nuts (Optional): If desired, stir in chopped pecans or walnuts to add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the fritters.
Beat the Eggs: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until light and frothy, which helps to aerate the batter for a tender crumb.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, ensuring these are well combined to provide even leavening.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the beaten eggs, mixing gently until just combined. Minor lumps are acceptable and help keep the batter light.
Add Liquids and Flavoring: Stir in the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the batter is slightly thick but pourable, achieving the right consistency for fritter batter.
Fold in Apple Mixture: Gently fold the spiced apple mixture into the batter carefully to avoid crushing the apples, preserving their texture in the fritters.
Rest the Batter: Let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the batter to thicken slightly.
Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (190°C) and spray the basket lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Form and Air Fry Fritters: Drop spoonfuls of batter into the air fryer basket without overcrowding to allow even air circulation and crispy results.
Cook Until Golden: Air fry the fritters for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and spring back when gently pressed, indicating doneness.
Cool Slightly: Remove the fritters from the basket and place them on a wire rack to cool slightly, allowing excess oil to drain and maintaining crispness.
Optional Dusting: Dust with powdered sugar if desired, adding a touch of sweetness and an attractive finish.
Serve Warm: Serve these fritters warm, ideally with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or maple syrup to enhance their flavor and enjoyment.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook fritters in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
Do not overmix the batter or apple mixture to keep the fritters tender and apples intact.
Use Granny Smith apples for their tart flavor and firmness, which hold up well during cooking.
Resting the batter is important to develop flavors and improve texture.
Optional nuts add crunch but can be omitted for a nut-free version.
Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model, as temperatures may vary slightly.
Serve immediately for best texture, as fritters may lose crispiness if left too long.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple fritters, air fryer dessert, easy fritters recipe, spiced apple fritters, healthy apple fritters, air fryer recipes, fall desserts, cinnamon apple treat