Description
These Apple Fritter Bites are small, doughy, apple-studded treats featuring tender baked dough flecked with cinnamon and sweet diced apples, finished with a glossy apple cider glaze that caramelizes beautifully under the broiler. Perfect as an addictive dessert or snack, these bites offer comforting flavors of classic American apple fritters in a convenient, bite-sized form.
Ingredients
Apple Fritter Bites
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 1/2 cups finely diced Honeycrisp or Gala apples (about 2 medium apples)
Apple Cider Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp apple cider or juice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted unsalted butter with granulated sugar until combined. Then whisk in the egg, vanilla extract, and unsweetened applesauce until the mixture is smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold the finely diced Honeycrisp or Gala apples into the batter to evenly distribute the apple pieces.
- Portion Batter: Using a tablespoon measure, scoop out portions of batter and drop them a few inches apart onto the prepared baking sheet to allow space for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the fritter bites in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until they are lightly golden and cooked through.
- Prepare Broiler and Glaze: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and switch your oven to the broil setting on high. Meanwhile, whisk together the powdered sugar and apple cider or juice until the glaze is thin and pourable.
- Glaze and Broil: Brush some of the apple cider glaze over the warm fritter bites, letting it drip down the sides. Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 2 to 4 minutes, rotating the pan frequently, until the glaze begins to caramelize and bubble up.
- Final Glaze: Remove the fritter bites from the oven and brush the remaining glaze evenly over the tops of the fritters.
- Set and Serve: Let the apple fritter bites sit for about 15 minutes to allow the glaze to set before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use Honeycrisp or Gala apples for the best sweetness and texture; other firm apples can be used as well.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the fritters tender and light.
- Keep a close eye while broiling as the glaze can quickly caramelize and burn.
- These bites are best enjoyed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Gluten-free flour can be substituted to make a gluten-free version, though texture may vary slightly.
