Baked Applesauce Fritters

A blue plate stacked with glazed cookies, each filled with chunks of what appears to be apple, resting on a striped cloth with a glass of milk in the background.

Baked applesauce fritters are a soft, warmly spiced treat that’s quick and easy to prepare, no deep frying needed. Made with fresh apples, applesauce, and a sweet vanilla glaze, these fritters are perfect for cozy mornings or easy brunch hosting. Enjoy them warm out of the oven.

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American

Diet Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegetarian

Keyword baked, comfort food, quick, spiced

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings fritters

Calories 169

Author Gina Dickson

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.

Notes

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!

Nutrition