Gluten-Free Baked Apple Fritters (with Air Fryer option!)
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these healthier gluten-free baked apple fritters are the perfect fall treat. Made in just under 30 minutes, these fritters contain minimal oil, are easily dairy-free, and also include air fryer instructions.
Servings: 8 fritters
Equipment
- Air Fryer (optional)
Ingredients
Apple Fritters
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum I use Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour (blue bag).
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoon (salted) butter, cold and cut into cubes use dairy-free butter if preferred. Add an extra ¼ teaspoon salt if using unsalted butter.
- ½ cup milk use dairy-free if preferred.
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 granny smith apple, peeled and diced
Glaze
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 2 tablespoon milk use dairy-free if preferred.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF. If using an air fryer, see instructions below.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Add the cold butter cubes to the bowl of dry ingredients and cut them in using a pastry cutter or your hands. Gently squish the butter into the flour until it looks like sand, with only small chunks of butter remaining.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir together with a rubber spatula. Fold in the apple chunks last. The batter will be quite thick. Allow to sit for 2 minutes to absorb.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a large greased ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the baking sheet. You should have enough for 8 fritters. Use the back of the scoop to gently press the batter into discs. Spray lightly with cooking spray for colour. Bake for 12-13 minutes, then broil on high for 1-2 minutes until golden, keeping an eye on the fritters. While the fritters bake, stir together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
- Allow the fritters to cool for 2 minutes until you can handle them, then flip each fritter upside down, dunk in the glaze, then flip back up and rest on a wire rack above a baking sheet for the glaze to drip. Allow the glaze to set for 3-5 minutes, then enjoy warm!
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Prepare the apple fritter batter the same as above. When ready to bake, place a piece of parchment paper the size of the basket inside the air fryer. Ensure the parchment paper does not touch the heating element. Use a large greased ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the parchment. You may have to do 2+ batches to not overcrowd the basket. Spray the tops of the fritters with a bit of cooking oil.
- Air fry for 7-8 minutes until dark and crispy. Mix together the glaze ingredients while they cook. Let sit for 2 minutes until you are able to handle the fritters, then dunk in the glaze and allow to set on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet for 3-5 minutes. Repeat with batches as necessary. Enjoy warm!
Notes
Storage Instructions
Baked apple fritters are best served warm within a few minutes of baking. Should you find yourself with leftover apple fritters, allow them to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Eat cold or reheat in the oven or air fryer at 400ºF for a few minutes. Note that the glaze may change texture.
Freezing Instructions
Since baked apple fritters are best enjoyed fresh, it is not recommended to freeze them. That being said, you could freeze cool, unglazed, baked fritters in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To thaw, reheat in the oven at 400ºF or air fryer at 350ºF until heated through. If you wish, make a glaze and dunk the fritters. Allow them to sit for 3-5 minutes and enjoy!