Name: Homemade Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ⅓ cup milk; 3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into small cubes; Vegetable oil, enough for ¼ inch deep frying; 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 2-3 tablespoons water

If you’re looking for a cozy, sweet treat that’s just a little bit nostalgic and totally irresistible, you’ve got to try my Homemade Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze Recipe. I absolutely love how these fritters turn out—crispy on the outside, tender with little pockets of tart apple on the inside, and then that silky cinnamon glaze that just makes your taste buds sing. When I first made them, my family went crazy for this recipe, and I can’t wait for you to experience that same joy in your kitchen!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crunchy Outside, Soft Inside: The perfect balance that makes every bite addictive.
Easy to Make: No fancy techniques needed, just simple stirring and frying.
Loaded with Real Apples: You’ll actually taste those fresh Granny Smith apple chunks in every bite.
Sweet Cinnamon Glaze: A simple glaze that ties it all together with a little warmth and sweetness.

The image shows several irregular-shaped cinnamon rolls with a thick glaze on top, arranged on a silver cooling rack. The cinnamon rolls have a golden-brown color with darker cinnamon swirls visible beneath the shiny white glaze that covers the tops unevenly. Each roll has a slightly rough and varied texture with some edges more browned, giving them a homemade look. The cooling rack sits on a white marbled surface with soft natural light enhancing the glossy icing and the warm tones of the rolls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze, apple fritters, cinnamon glaze recipe, easy apple fritter recipe, homemade fried apple treats

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients come together to create that classic apple fritter flavor—you want fresh tart apples to contrast the sweet batter, and a hint of cinnamon throughout that cozy glaze. Picking Granny Smith apples really makes a difference as they hold shape beautifully and add that perfect tanginess.

Flat lay of a small mound of all purpose flour in a simple white ceramic bowl, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of light brown granulated brown sugar, a small white bowl of sifted white powdered sugar, a small white bowl of golden vegetable oil, a small white bowl of creamy milk, a few sticks of warm brown cinnamon powder, a pinch of salt crystals in a small white bowl, three bright green Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into small cubes arranged neatly, a small white bowl of clear water, and a small white bowl holding a pale vanilla extract liquid, all arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Homemade Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze, apple fritters, cinnamon glaze recipe, easy apple fritter recipe, homemade fried apple treats

All-purpose flour: The base for a tender, yet sturdy fritter.
Baking powder: Gives the fritters that lovely puff and lightness.
Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and classic apple pie vibes.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Brown sugar: Adds a subtle deep sweetness and helps caramelization.
Eggs: The binder that holds everything together with richness.
Vanilla extract: Just a touch to round out the flavor.
Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and moist.
Granny Smith apples: The star of the show—peeled, cored, and cubed for juicy pockets inside.
Vegetable oil: For frying to crispy perfection.
Powdered sugar: The base of your sweet, shiny glaze.
Water: To thin the glaze just right for dipping.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this recipe my own depending on the season or who I’m serving—it’s pretty forgiving and easy to personalize. You can swap out apples, tweak the glaze, or even add some extras to the batter.

Apple Variety Swap: I’ve tried Fuji or Honeycrisp apples instead of Granny Smith; they’re sweeter and softer but still delicious if you prefer a milder tartness.
Glaze Twist: Adding a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of bourbon to the glaze gave my fritters a grown-up upgrade that my friends adored.
Gluten-Free Version: Using a gluten-free flour blend worked well for me, just watch for batter consistency—you might need a little more milk.
Add-Ins: Occasionally, I toss in chopped pecans or walnuts for some crunch and extra flavor—totally optional but a fun surprise.

How to Make Homemade Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients to Build Your Base

Start by sifting the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon into a large bowl—this keeps your fritters light and lump-free. Then whisk in salt and brown sugar so everything is evenly distributed. I’ve found that sifting really helps with the texture, so don’t skip this part!

Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, whisk together your eggs and vanilla extract until they’re frothy. This step adds some air into the mix, helping your fritters puff up just right later on.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry, Then Add Milk

Fold the flour mixture gently into your egg mixture—use a spatula and go slow so you don’t overwork the batter. Then pour in the milk, stirring just enough to bring everything together. You want a thick but scoopable batter.

Step 4: Fold in Those Juicy Apples

Gently fold in your peeled, cored, and cubed Granny Smith apples. Be careful not to overmix here—you want the apples to stay in nice little chunks and not break down or release too much juice.

Step 5: Heat the Oil and Get Ready to Fry

I cover a baking tray with paper towels and set a wire rack on top for easy draining—which keeps your fritters crispy longer. Pour vegetable oil into a skillet to about ¼ inch depth and heat over medium. To test if the oil’s ready, dip the end of a wooden spoon in; if bubbles form right away, you’re good to go.

Step 6: Fry the Fritters to Golden Perfection

Scoop ¼ cup of batter at a time into the hot oil, frying 3-4 fritters per batch so they don’t overcrowd. Cook each side about 3-4 minutes until deep golden brown—you’ll see the edges crisping up beautifully. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to flip gently and remove to the rack to cool a bit.

Step 7: Make the Cinnamon Glaze

While the fritters cool, sift powdered sugar into a small bowl and slowly add water a tablespoon at a time until you achieve a smooth, runny glaze. This is the perfect time to sneak a taste—you’ll feel that hint of cinnamon warming up the sweetness.

Step 8: Dip and Drizzle Your Fritters

Dip just the tops of each warm fritter into the glaze and place back on the rack with the glaze side up. Give them a couple of minutes to set—the glaze hardens slightly but stays soft enough to melt in your mouth.

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Pro Tips for Making Homemade Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze Recipe

Don’t Overmix the Batter: I learned this the hard way—overmixing can make fritters tough instead of tender and fluffy.
Use a Thermometer or Visual Cues for Oil: I usually go by bubbles on my wooden spoon, but 350°F is ideal to avoid burning.
Drain Well to Keep Crispy Edges: The wire rack on paper towels trick prevents soggy bottoms every time.
Glaze Consistency Matters: Too thick and it won’t coat well; too thin and it won’t stick—adjust water slowly for just the right balance.

How to Serve Homemade Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze Recipe

A stack of four round apple fritters sits on a small white plate resting on a white cloth with fringes, all placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom fritter is golden brown with a shiny white glaze dripping down its sides. The second and third fritters have a similar color and texture with glaze spots visible. The top fritter is broken in half, showing a soft, light beige inside filled with small apple pieces. The glaze on the fritters has a slightly uneven texture and some parts appear thicker. In the blurry background, a green apple is slightly visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze, apple fritters, cinnamon glaze recipe, easy apple fritter recipe, homemade fried apple treats

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple here. A light sprinkle of extra cinnamon or a dusting of powdered sugar adds a little extra charm without competing with the glaze. Sometimes I toss on chopped toasted nuts for crunch or even a spoonful of whipped cream if I’m feeling indulgent.

Side Dishes

These fritters pair wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee or chai tea for breakfast or afternoon snacks. For dessert, why not serve with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce? I’ve also enjoyed them alongside my homemade apple cider for a full fall-themed spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday brunch, I like stacking the fritters on a pretty platter and drizzling extra glaze over the top. Adding fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks as decoration makes it festive and inviting. You can even serve them in mini paper cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go treats at gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftover fritters in an airtight container at room temperature if you plan to eat them within a day. They stay surprisingly good that way, but avoid stacking them while warm to keep them from getting soggy.

Freezing

Freezing these fritters works great! After frying and glazing, let them cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to 2 months.

Reheating

To enjoy leftover or frozen fritters, I pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes—you get back a little crispness and warm, soft apples inside. Avoid microwaving if you want to maintain that perfect texture.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of apple for this Homemade Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze Recipe?

Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are ideal because they hold their shape and add tartness, you can try other firm apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji. Just keep in mind that sweeter apples will change the overall flavor balance, making your fritters a bit sweeter and less tangy.
What oil is best for frying these apple fritters?

Vegetable oil is a great, neutral option that heats evenly and doesn’t impart strong flavors. You can also use canola or peanut oil. Just make sure you choose an oil with a high smoke point since you’re frying at medium heat for a golden crust.
How do I know when the oil temperature is right for frying?

One easy way I use is dipping the end of a wooden spoon into the oil—if bubbles form steadily around it within a couple of seconds, the oil is hot enough, roughly 350°F. If the oil’s too hot, your fritters will brown too fast and stay undercooked inside.
Can I bake these fritters instead of frying them?

I haven’t personally tried baking this exact recipe, but these fritters rely on frying for that signature crispiness. If you want to bake, try spooning the batter onto a greased baking sheet and bake at 400°F, flipping halfway, but the texture will be different—less crunchy on the outside.

Final Thoughts

I know you’ll enjoy making these Homemade Apple Fritters with Cinnamon Glaze Recipe as much as I do—it’s one of those feel-good kitchen moments that tastes like a warm hug. Whether it’s a weekend breakfast, a cozy snack on a rainy day, or a fun dessert for your family, these fritters are guaranteed to bring smiles around the table. So grab your apples, heat up that oil, and get ready for some truly delicious bites—you’ve got this!