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These easy Air Fryer Apple Fritters are the perfect sweet treat when you’re craving something indulgent without the mess of deep-frying. Made with shredded Granny Smith apples, warm cinnamon, and a sweet glaze, these fritters get all the golden-brown crisp of a classic apple fritter using just a light spray of oil.
If you love homemade apple pastries, try these air-fried apple turnovers, using apple pie filling.
Quick Look At This Recipe
✨ Flavor: Warm cinnamon and tart apple, finished with a sweet glaze with crisp, golden edges and a soft, cake-like center,
⏱️ Prep time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cook time: 10 minutes
⏲️ Total time: 20 minutes (may take slightly longer if cooking in batches)
👥 Servings: Makes about 22-24 fritters
🥄 Tools: Air fryer and mixing bowls
❄️ Freezer friendly: Yes! Freeze unglazed fritters, then thaw and glaze fresh before serving.
👩🏻🍳 Tip: Use Granny Smith apples — their low moisture keeps the fritters from turning soggy.
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I’ve been making apple fritters every fall for years, and I used to dread the deep frying. Between the oil splattering, the cleanup, and standing over a hot pot the whole time, it took the fun out of what should be a simple treat.
Once I started making them in the air fryer instead, that all went away, and to this day, I haven’t gone back to the stovetop version. Looking for more ways to enjoy apples this fall? Try making some of these air fryer fall dessert recipes instead! You’ll find everything from a classic apple tart in the air fryer to healthy air-fried apple chips.
These fritters are soft and cake-like on the inside with crisp, golden edges, and they come together with pantry staples you probably already have on hand. Grab your apples and your air fryer, and let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Less mess, less oil: No standing over a pot of hot oil or dealing with greasy splatters. The air fryer gets you that same golden-brown exterior with just a light spray of cooking spray.
- Quick and easy: From mixing the batter to drizzling the glaze, these fritters come together in about 20 minutes, making them an easy weeknight treat or last-minute dessert.
- Kid-friendly: The sweet apple-cinnamon flavor and soft, glazed bite make these a hit with kids, and they’re easy enough for little hands to help scoop the batter.
Table of Contents
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader View
I just made these and my husband said, “Don’t lose that recipe!” I added 3 tbsp of butter to the glaze as well. That’s the only thing I changed. Soooo good!
-Vicki
Ingredients
- Granny Smith Apples: Their tartness balances the sweet glaze, and their firm, low-moisture flesh holds up well when shredded, so the fritters stay crisp instead of soggy. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Pink Lady apples also work well here for the same reason. Avoid softer, juicier varieties like Red Delicious, McIntosh, or Gala, since they break down more and add extra moisture that can leave the batter wet and the fritters dense rather than crisp. I also love to use Granny Smith apples to make these simple air fryer apples.
- Sugars: Use granulated sugar to sweeten the fritters and contribute to their golden crust, but you can swap it for brown sugar for a slightly different flavor. Powdered sugar works best for a creamy sweet glaze.
- Spices: Cinnamon adds warmth and enhances the apple flavor, while allspice contributes hints of nutmeg and cloves for a more complex flavor.
- Apple Cider: Infuses more apple flavor into the fritters as well as adds moisture needed to create the dough.
See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients with quantities.
Variations
- Apple Butter Glaze: Stir a spoonful of apple butter into the glaze for extra apple flavor and a hint of fall spice. Start with 1-2 tablespoons and add more to taste, adjusting the milk if the glaze gets too thick.
- Cinnamon-Sugar Dusted: Skip the glaze and toss the warm fritters in a mix of cinnamon and sugar instead. It’s a quicker finish and a great option if you want something less sweet. I also use this simple coating to air fry cinnamon sugar tortilla chips.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. The texture will be slightly denser, but the recipe still works well.
- Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free butter substitute in the batter and swap the milk in the glaze for your favorite non-dairy milk, like oat or almond milk.
- Spiced Apple Fritters: For a more complex flavor, add ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice, or a pinch of nutmeg and cloves, in addition to the cinnamon and allspice already in the recipe.ice
How to Make Apple Fritters in the Air Fryer
- Peel and shred the apples. Spread them over a paper towel or cheesecloth, squeeze out the excess liquid, and then pat them to absorb moisture.
- Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and mix in the apples. Combine the eggs, apple cider, butter, and vanilla in a separate bowl and mix well. Then, fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined.
Air Fryer Tip: Once the batter is mixed, preheat the air fryer to 390°F (198°C) for 3-5 minutes. When it’s heated, place a piece of parchment paper inside the air fryer basket before proceeding with the recipe.
- Use a 2-tablespoon scoop to add dollops of the mixture to the parchment paper. No scoop? You can use a tablespoon to measure out the same amount. Don’t stack or crowd fritters in the basket. If needed, cook them in batches.
- Spray the tops of the fritters with olive oil cooking spray and cook for 6 minutes. Flip the fritters and cook for an additional 4 minutes until golden brown.
- Whisk together the glaze ingredients and then drizzle over the top of the fritters. Serve immediately and top with vanilla ice cream for dessert or enjoy as a sweet breakfast pastry along with these air fryer homemade donuts.
Expert Tips
- Glaze consistency: If your glaze turns out too thin, whisk in more powdered sugar a little at a time. If it’s too thick, loosen it up with a splash more milk.
- Air fryer variance: This recipe was tested in a 5.8 qt Cosori air fryer. If you’re using a different brand or size, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. All air fryers heat a little differently, so keep an eye on the fritters the first time you make them.
- Storage: Store cooled, glazed fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze unglazed fritters for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and add fresh glaze before serving.
Air Fryer Apple Fritters Recipe FAQs
Yes! Diced apples will give you a chunkier bite and a slightly crisper texture than shredded apples, since they hold their shape better during cooking. Just be sure to dice them small (about ¼-inch pieces) so they cook through evenly and distribute well throughout the batter.
For the crispiest results, reheat fritters in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. You can also reheat them in the oven at 375°F for about 5 minutes. Avoid the microwave because it softens the crisp exterior and makes the fritters dense and chewy.
This usually comes down to excess moisture in the batter. Make sure to squeeze as much liquid as possible out of the shredded apples before mixing them in, and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. The fritters need space around them for the air to circulate and crisp up the edges. Using a juicier apple variety instead of a firm one like Granny Smith can also lead to soggier results.
Serving Suggestions
These fritters are a great addition to a fall brunch spread. Serve them alongside air fryer poached eggs, air fryer chicken sausage, and other pastries for a spread that covers both sweet and savory.
They’re just as at home on a party or game-day dessert table, served alongside other bite-sized sweets and snacks, like these mini pepper nachos and air-fried sugared pecans.
For a simple dessert, serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or set out a batch on a platter for guests to help themselves.
More Air Fryer Apple Recipes
Desserts
Air Fryer Baked Apples
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Apple Chips
Desserts
Air Fryer Apple Pie
Desserts
Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
Apple Fritter Recipe
- 2 Granny Smith Apples
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- ½ cup Granulated White Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Allspice
- ¾ cup Apple Cider
- 2 large Eggs
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Sweet Glaze Sauce
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ cup Milk
Instructions
- Peel apples and then shred the apples. Spread them over a paper towel or cheesecloth, squeeze out the excess liquid and then pat to absorb moisture.
- Combine the dry ingredients into a medium bowl and mix in the apples. Mix well.
- Mix eggs, apple cider, butter, and vanilla in a separate bowl.
- Fold the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until well combined.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (198 degrees Celsius). Once preheated, place a piece of parchment paper down inside the Air Fryer basket.
- Use a tablespoon and add dollops of 2 TBSP-sized mixtures to the parchment paper.
- Spray the with olive oil cooking spray and cook for 6 minutes. Flip the fritters and cook for an additional 4 minutes until golden brown.
- Whisk the glaze ingredients together and then drizzle over top of the fritters.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Best Apples: Granny Smith apples work best since they’re firm and low in moisture, keeping the fritters crisp rather than soggy. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Pink Lady are good substitutes. Avoid softer, juicier apples like Red Delicious, McIntosh, or Gala.
- Glaze Consistency: If your glaze turns out too thin, whisk in more powdered sugar a little at a time. If it’s too thick, loosen it up with a splash more milk.
- Air Fryer Variance: This recipe was tested in a 5.8 qt Cosori air fryer. If you’re using a different brand or size, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly. All air fryers heat a little differently, so keep an eye on the fritters the first time you make them.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I forgot to leave a rating and they were so delicious, I just had to add.
I just made these and my husband said, “Don’t lose that recipe!” I added 3 tbsp of butter to the glaze as well. That’s the only thing I changed. Soooo good!
I have an air fryer grill and have been baking in mine ever since I got it. It’s so much better here in Sacramento, CA during the hot summer if you want a cake or cookies. Can’t wait to make there fritters – but only have one Granny Smith and one Fuji – so should be interesting. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Recipe calls for 2/3 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar…is this correct?
Yes!