At a Glance
There’s something impossibly comforting about golden-brown apple fritters: the warm, spiced scent of cinnamon rising from the air, the tender, slightly chewy interior studded with pockets of soft apple, and the delicate dusting of powdered sugar that melts almost immediately on contact. Air Fryer Apple Fritters capture all of that nostalgia with a lighter, quicker spin—crispy edges without deep frying, and a texture that’s pillowy where it should be and crisp where it counts.
These fritters are perfect for cozy weekend breakfasts with a steaming mug of coffee, as an after-school treat that makes the whole kitchen smell like autumn, or assembled on a brunch table when friends come over. If you love the idea of indulgence without the full calorie and cleanup cost of traditional frying, this is a recipe that gives you comfort food joy while being fuss-free. For a playful savory-sweet pairing, try them alongside other air fryer snacks like my take on air fryer fried pickles for a contrast of textures and flavors: air fryer fried pickles.
Nutrition Highlights
Estimated nutrition per serving (recipe yields about 4 servings; see Recipe Information for totals). These are approximate values calculated from standard portion sizes and ingredient data from USDA FoodData Central and rounded to sensible figures. Use them as a guide—values will vary with ingredient brands and portion sizes.
- Calories: ~280 kcal per serving
- Protein: ~7.5 g
- Carbohydrates: ~54 g (includes ~30–35 g sugars)
- Fat: ~3.8 g
- Fiber: ~2.8 g
- Sodium: ~150–200 mg
Notes on accuracy: these estimates are based on aggregated data from government food composition databases (USDA FoodData Central) and typical ingredient profiles. If you need precise nutrition for medical or strict dietary needs, enter your exact ingredients and portions into a verified nutrition calculator or consult a registered dietitian. For general guidance on healthy eating and portioning, reputable sources include the CDC and Mayo Clinic.
Why You’ll Love It
- Aroma & comfort: The smell of apples, cinnamon, and warm batter immediately evokes cozy mornings and family gatherings. These fritters deliver that nostalgic sensory hit in a fraction of the time.
- Lightened indulgence: Using an air fryer gives you crisp, golden fritters without a vat of hot oil—less mess, less fat, same satisfaction.
- Quick & social: Batter comes together in minutes, and the air fryer handles the cooking while you prep coffee or set the table—great for last-minute company.
- Versatile: Serve them plain for a simple treat or dress them up with glazes and dips for a party platter. Seasonally, they shine in autumn and winter menus.
How to Make Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, diced)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional — for extra warmth)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but recommended)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Optional ingredients / substitutions:
- Swap 1/4 cup of flour for almond flour to reduce gluten (texture will be slightly denser).
- Use 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce + 1/4 cup milk instead of pure milk for a fruitier note.
- For a vegan version: replace eggs with 1/2 cup plain, thick non-dairy yogurt + 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water (let sit 5 minutes). Use non-dairy milk.
- Add-ins: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or raisins (fold in gently).
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
Fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients gently until just combined.
Fold in the diced apples.
Spoon dollops of batter into the air fryer basket, spacing them apart.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden brown.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Step-by-step numbered instructions
- Prep apples: Peel, core, and dice the apples into roughly 1/2-inch pieces so they cook through and give bursts of fruit in each fritter.
- Dry mix: In a medium bowl combine 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp nutmeg. Whisk to aerate.
- Wet mix: In a separate bowl, whisk 2 large eggs with 1/2 cup milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Combine: Pour wet mix into dry mix and stir gently until just combined—do not overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy. Fold in the diced apples.
- Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Portion: Spoon golf-ball-sized dollops of batter into the air fryer basket, leaving room for air circulation. Lightly spray the top with cooking spray if you like extra browning.
- Cook: Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through so both sides are evenly golden and crisp. Internal dough should be set and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out cleanish (a few moist crumbs are fine).
- Finish: Transfer fritters to a cooling rack and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Practical tips
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent dense fritters—stir until ingredients are moistened.
- If your air fryer is small, cook in batches and keep finished fritters in a warm oven (200°F/95°C) on a rack to stay crisp.
- Flip carefully with tongs or a spatula to keep shapes intact.
- For extra crispness, give a very light spritz of oil on top before cooking.
Best Pairings
- Classic: A steaming cup of black coffee or a latte enhances the sweetness and spice.
- For brunch: Serve with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey or a quick vanilla glaze.
- Snack board: Pair with savory bites like cheese and sliced charcuterie for a salty-sweet contrast.
- Kid-friendly: Serve with a small ramekin of warm maple syrup or caramel for dipping.
- Seasonal: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream in cooler months for dessert-style fritters.
Keeping it Fresh
Room temperature:
- Keep fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. They’re best the day they’re made for optimal crispness.
Refrigeration:
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Re-crisp in the air fryer at 325°F (160°C) for 3–4 minutes.
Freezer:
- Freeze baked fritters individually on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 6–8 minutes until heated through and crisp.
Expert Tips
- Apple selection: Choose firm, crisp apples that hold their shape—Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn are excellent choices. Softer apples like McIntosh will break down more and give a denser, more apple-sauce-like interior.
- Texture balance: Small dice ensures apple pieces cook through and you get a bit of tender fruit in each bite without soggy batter.
- Doneness cues: Look for an even golden color and that the fritter springs back slightly when tapped. A toothpick near center should have only a few moist crumbs.
- Air fryer spacing: Don’t crowd the basket—overcrowding produces steam and soggy fritters. Cook in batches if needed.
- Sweetness control: Reduce granulated sugar to 3 tablespoons if you prefer less sweet batter; the powdered sugar dusting can be omitted or reduced.
Fun Flavor Ideas
- Brown-butter glaze: Melt 2 tablespoons butter until nutty and brown, whisk in 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk until smooth—drizzle warm over fritters.
- Chai-spiced fry: Replace 1/2 tsp of cinnamon with chai spice blend for an aromatic twist.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and allow a couple extra minutes in the air fryer if batter appears denser.
- Savory-sweet: Add a pinch of sea salt on top and serve with sharp cheddar for a grown-up pairing.
- Maple-pecan: Fold 1/4 cup toasted pecans into the batter and serve with warm maple syrup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make the batter ahead of time?
A: You can mix the dry ingredients and refrigerate the wet mix for up to 24 hours separately; combine just before frying. Pre-mixed batter will thicken as apples release moisture—stir gently and adjust with a tablespoon of milk if needed.
Q: My fritters are raw in the middle while browned outside—what went wrong?
A: Likely the dollops were too large or the air fryer temperature too high. Make smaller portions and ensure the temperature is 350°F (175°C); flip halfway and add 2–3 minutes if needed.
Q: How do I make these vegan or gluten-free?
A: For vegan, swap eggs with flax-egg or yogurt alternatives, and use non-dairy milk. For gluten-free, use a certified 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Expect slightly different texture; adjust cook time as needed.
Q: Can I shallow-fry or deep-fry this batter instead?
A: Yes—if you prefer a traditional fritter, shallow or deep fry in hot oil (350°F/175°C) until golden, but note the calorie and fat content will increase. Air frying offers a lighter alternative.
Q: How should I use leftovers?
A: Re-toast in the air fryer for a snack, crumble over yogurt or oatmeal for texture, or transform into a quick bread pudding by cubing and soaking briefly with custard before baking.
Conclusion
If you’ve been craving the warmth of bakery-style fritters with less fuss and less oil, these Air Fryer Apple Fritters are a delightful place to start—crispy edges, tender apple pockets, and a cinnamon-kissed batter that feels like a hug on a plate. Give the batter a gentle hand, heat your air fryer, and enjoy how quickly your kitchen fills with autumnal aromas. If you enjoyed this lighter technique, you might also like a version with a nutty finish; see this inspired take on air fryer apple fritters to try a brown-butter glaze: Air Fryer Apple fritters with Brown Butter Glaze – Wine a Little, Cook A Lot. For another simple, crowd-pleasing method and variations, check out this easy approach to air fryer apple fritters: Easy Air Fryer Apple Fritters – Just As Tasty.
Happy frying—and if you make them, please drop a comment or a photo so we can celebrate your batch together. For more sweet air fryer snacks that pair beautifully with these fritters, try my recipe for crispy air fryer churro bites.
Print
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Golden-brown apple fritters with a crispy exterior and tender apple interior, made lighter in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, diced)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients gently until just combined.
- Fold in the diced apples.
- Spoon dollops of batter into the air fryer basket, spacing them apart.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden brown.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent dense fritters. Cook in batches if needed. For extra crispness, give a very light spritz of oil on top before cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 175mg
- Fat: 3.8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2.8g
- Protein: 7.5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
