Description
Irresistible apple fritter bites bring classic American comfort to your dessert table with crispy exterior and tender apple-filled centers. Sweet cinnamon notes and powdered sugar glaze make these mini treats perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups finely diced Honeycrisp or Gala apples
- 1 large egg
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Wet Ingredients and Additions:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- Nonstick cooking spray
Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons apple cider or juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray to ensure easy release of the fritter bites.
- Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute the dry ingredients evenly.
- In a separate larger bowl, blend melted butter and sugar until smooth, creating a rich base for the fritter bites.
- Incorporate egg, vanilla, and applesauce into the butter-sugar mixture, stirring until the liquid ingredients are fully integrated and the mixture appears uniform.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing minimally to prevent overworking the batter, then carefully fold in the diced apples to distribute them throughout.
- Using a tablespoon, drop rounded portions of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake the fritter bites for 10 minutes until they begin to turn golden and set, then remove from the oven and activate the broiler on high setting.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar with apple cider until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Brush a layer of glaze over the warm fritter bites, allowing it to drip down the sides, then broil for 2-4 minutes, rotating the pan to ensure even caramelization.
- Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and apply the remaining glaze evenly across the tops of the fritter bites.
- Allow the glazed fritter bites to rest for 15 minutes, giving the glaze time to set and develop a slight sheen before serving.
Notes
- Prep Smartly: Gather all ingredients and tools before starting to streamline the baking process and ensure smooth execution.
- Apple Selection Matters: Choose firm, crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture and balanced sweetness in your fritter bites.
- Mixing Technique: Stir batter gently to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough, dense fritters instead of light, tender bites.
- Broiling Precision: Watch closely during the final caramelization step to prevent burning, as the glaze can quickly go from golden to burnt.
- Glaze Application: Allow fritters to cool slightly before final glaze coating to prevent complete absorption and maintain a beautiful glossy finish.
- Storage Tip: Enjoy these fritter bites fresh on the day of baking for optimal texture and flavor, storing in an airtight container if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg