These baked applesauce fritters have become one of my favorite ways to serve up cozy comfort on chilly mornings or at a relaxed weekend brunch. They’re soft in the middle, slightly crisp around the edges, and brushed with a sweet vanilla glaze that gives you that bakery-style finish, but without any deep frying.
If I’m hosting friends or planning a brunch after church, I often make a double batch. They disappear fast! The smell alone gets everyone gathering around the kitchen, and they’re simple enough to prep ahead, so you’re not scrambling in the morning.
Gina’s Notes For Making Baked Applesauce Fritters
I promise that your kitchen will smell amazing when you bake these apple fritters! They have a warm, bakery-style flavor and tender, cake-like texture, making them a crowd-pleaser for any breakfast or brunch. It’s incredibly beginner-friendly, which means I like to get the grandkids involved helping me make these. Best part is how quickly they come together, just 30 minutes from start to finish, which makes it perfect for busy mornings or last-minute guests. It’s also easy on the wallet, using simple pantry items and fresh apples. To make things even smoother, you can dice the apples and prep the dry ingredients the night before. Plus, you can customize it with a maple glaze, chopped nuts, or even an air-fryer twist.
Very close! The broiled glaze adds that crisp exterior, so you still get that donut-shop texture.
Quick Recipe Tips Before You Get Started
Important Prep Tips Before Starting the Recipe:
- The egg and milk don’t have to be room temperature, but it helps the batter mix more evenly.
- Prep ahead: Dice your apples, toss with some lemon juice, and keep them in the fridge until morning. You could also mix your dry ingredients the night before for quicker morning assembly.
- Equipment? A food processor or pastry cutter is helpful for cutting in the butter. A silicone brush makes glazing easier.
Common Mistakes When Making This Recipe:
- Overmixing the batter: Stir gently just until combined to keep the texture light.
- Skipping the glaze broil: This quick broil step gives the fritters that golden donut-shop finish. Don’t skip it!
Ingredient Tips
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- All-purpose flour: I use unbleached for a natural flavor, but gluten-free 1:1 flour works well too.
- Brown sugar: Light brown gives a gentle caramel flavor, but dark works for deeper richness.
- Baking powder: Make sure it’s fresh so your fritters rise properly.
- Warm spices: A combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice gives that classic apple flavor.
- Cold butter: Cut into small cubes and work it into the dry mix for a tender crumb.
- Milk: Whole milk adds richness. Almond or oat milk also works great.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture and sweetness without overpowering.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together. A flax egg works if you’re baking vegan.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth. Use pure vanilla if you can.
- Tart apples: Granny Smith and Macintosh are my go-to apples. Peel and dice small so they bake evenly.
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How To Make Baked Apple Fritters
Combine Flour, Spices, and Butter
Whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt in a food processor or large bowl.
Next, I add cold butter and pulse or cut in with a pastry blender.
Mix Wet Ingredients
Mix until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, applesauce, egg, and vanilla until frothy.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Whisk until the applesauce, eggs, and milk are creamy.
Stir the dry ingredients into the wet just until combined. Don’t overmix—the batter will be thick.
Add Apples
Gently fold in the diced apples. I like to use a food chopper to get even little cubes that bake up just right.
Bake The Fritters
Scoop about 1/3 cup of batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Space them out, as they will spread slightly. Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes.
Make Glaze and Oven Broil
While warm, brush with a light glaze of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly.
Second Glaze
After broiling the glaze, brush again with a second layer of glaze. Don’t skip this step; it will make them amazing!
Yes! Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 8-10 minutes. Watch closely and adjust the time as needed, since air fryers vary in temperature and time.
Variations, Substitutions, and Recipe Tips
Dietary Modifications: Use gluten-free flour blend and a flax egg for a gluten-free, egg-free version. Just note, the texture will not be as light.
Flavor Enhancements: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cloves for extra spice. A maple extract glaze is also delicious.
Add-In Options: Stir in chopped pecans, raisins, or shredded coconut.
Tips for Recipe Success: Chill your diced apples for extra crispness; they will not cook quite as fast and hold their shape in the fritters. Don’t skip the broil step; it mimics that crispy, fried texture you get at a donut shop.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Store leftover fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5.
- Wrap each fritter in freezer paper, then place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat in a toaster oven or microwave. Add a drizzle of glaze or warm maple syrup if desired.
Baked Apple Fritters Hospitality Tips
“When we take a step of faith in biblical hospitality, we begin to see people through God’s eyes.” — Intentional Hospitality
These warm, bakery-style Baked Applesauce Fritters are cozy comfort food, perfect for peaceful mornings or relaxed weekend brunches. This easy recipe offers a beautiful way to gather your people around the breakfast table with hot coffee and something sweet from the oven. It’s simple, unfussy, and welcoming to all.
Hospitality in Action
This week, reach out to one person who could use a gentle start to their day. Invite them for a casual breakfast of coffee, fritters, and conversation. Let the calm of a shared morning speak grace over both your lives.
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help! If you loved this recipe, please consider sharing what you liked about it & give it a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Your support and time mean a lot to me!
Baked Applesauce Fritters
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Ingredients
For the Fritters
- 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons butter , very cold, cut into 6 pieces
- 1/4 cup milk, regular
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup apples, Use a tart apple such as Granny Smith or Macintosh. Peel, core, and dice the apples into small, even-sized cubes.
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk, higher fat works best
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make the Dough
- In a food processor bowl whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Add the cold butter pieces to the dry ingredients. Pulse the food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You could also use a pastry cutter in a bowl instead.6 tablespoons butter
Mix Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, egg, applesauce and vanilla.1/4 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined.
Prepare Apples
- Peel, core, and dice apples into small, even-sized pieces.1 cup apples
- Gently fold in the chopped apples with the dough.
Shape & Bake
- Drop 1/3 cup sized batter onto the baking sheet. Leave a small space between each fritter.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the bottoms are golden and the centers are set.
- Remove fritters from the pan and place on a wire cooling rack. Then place the wire cooling rack back onto the baking sheet.
Glaze & Broil (Do not skip this step)
- Turn the oven to broil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.1 cup confectioners’ sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Using a silicone pastry brush blot on a thin layer of glaze over the warm fritters.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes until the tops turn golden and the glaze bubbles. (Do not leave the oven, hang out and watch the bubbles to prevent burning!) This is the key to making your baked apple fritter seem like it was fried)
Final Glaze & Serve
- Remove from oven and and allow the fritters to cool for a few minutes. Then brush remaining glaze over fritters.
Gina’s Notes and Tips
- Overmixing the batter: Stir gently just until combined to keep the texture light.
- Skipping the glaze broil: This quick broil step gives the fritters that golden donut-shop finish. Don’t skip it!
fantastic recipes with easy to follow directions.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Pam! :)
What about using honey instead of brown sugar? My sister and I need to watch our sugar intake.
Mike, I suggest skipping the sugar and then using No Sugar Added Pie Filling The canned cinnamon rolls and icing already have a good bit of sugar so you will still have a sweet gooey, yummy dish.