Name: Apple Fritters
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/2 cup soy milk; 2 large apples (granny smith, honey crisp or other crisp variety); vegetable oil, for frying*; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1/3 cup soy milk; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Apple Fritters are easy to make at home in 30 minutes or less with NO yeast! These crunchy, sweet donuts are vegan but no one would guess it. Full of fresh apples!

looking down on a donut with more around it

Apple fritters are my favorite donut in the whole world. The soft, fluffy, apple filled filled center and the crunchy outside is simply irresistible!

They also happen to be one of the easiest donuts to make at home. Donuts of all kinds are actually incredibly easy to make without dairy or eggs.

There are a few things you will need to safely make fried apple fritters at home:

Food thermometer – This is a very inexpensive kitchen tool that you really need if you want to fry anything. The oil needs to be hot enough, but not too hot, so a thermometer is essential.
A large pot or skillet for frying. I like a deep pot when frying instead of a shallow skillet.

Ingredients you need

All purpose flour – I haven’t tried them with another flour. A gluten free mix might work, if you try it let me know in the comments.
Granulated sugar
Baking powder
Salt
Ground cinnamon
Unsweetened applesauce – A perfect egg replacer in donut recipes, and so easy!
Soy milk – You can use another plant milk, like almond or cashew.
Apples – Use a crisp apple, like granny smith or honey crisp. Honey crisp is my favorite apple to use here!
Oil for frying – Make sure to use a high smoke point oil for frying, like peanut, vegetable or canola oil.
Powdered sugar – For making the glaze.
Vanilla

cut in half fritter with apples

How to make apple fritters

In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
Now add the applesauce and soy milk to the bowl and mix until just combined, being careful not to over mix.
Add the diced apples and fold them in. I like a LOT of apples!
Heat 2-3 inches of oil (to 375℉) in a deep pot or skillet. Scoop about 1/3 cup of the fritter dough and place in the hot oil, spreading it out a bit. They will puff up as they cook.

collage of how to make fried donuts, step by step

TIP: You can also place 1/3 cup of the dough on a floured surface, and using floured hands, press it down to flatten before using a spatula to carefully transfer it to the hot oil.

Cook 2-3 fritters at a time for 2-3 minutes on one side (maybe less, so watch carefully) until golden brown, then flip using tongs and cook for 1-2 more minutes until both sides are brown, but not burnt.

frying donuts in a large pot

Transfer cooked donuts to a cooling rack with a pan or parchment paper under it, to catch the oil drippings.

Make the simple glaze in a small-medium bowl by whisking the powdered sugar, soy milk and vanilla together until smooth. Dip each fritter into the glaze, then place back on the rack to drip and harden.

dipping donut in glaze

How long do fritters last?

In my house, they are usually gone within an hour! They are best soon after you make them, and while you could eat one the next day, it won’t be nearly as good and crispy. So enjoy these the same day if possible.

Can I bake them?

I tested a few in the oven instead of frying, and while it “worked”, it was quite disappointing. They don’t get crispy, so it’s more of a soft, apple filled cake.

Not my favorite, but if you go this route, bake at 350℉ for about 30 minutes, until cooked all the way through in the middle, and spray them with oil before baking.

many fritter donuts on a rack