There’s something magical about the combination of fresh apples, warm spices, and a sweet glaze that takes you right back to comforting, homemade treats — and these Apple Fritter Bites deliver that magic in every delicious mouthful. Soft, fluffy, and studded with tender apple chunks, they’re like little nuggets of autumn joy that you can enjoy all year long.
Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack with your afternoon coffee, these bites are baked instead of fried, making them lighter but just as indulgent. Topped with a caramelized apple cider glaze, they’re irresistibly good — and surprisingly easy to make.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Fritter Bites
- Quick and easy – No deep frying required, just bake and broil!
- Wholesome ingredients – Applesauce and fresh apples add natural sweetness and moisture.
- Small, shareable portions – Perfect for entertaining or portion control.
- Deliciously nostalgic – Just like your favorite bakery apple fritter, but bite-sized!
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Apple Fritter Bites:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 ½ cups finely diced Honeycrisp or Gala apples (about 2 medium)
For the Apple Cider Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons apple cider or apple juice
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This warm spice blend brings that classic apple fritter flavor to life.
3. Make the Wet Base
In a larger mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until well combined. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and applesauce, and whisk until smooth.
4. Combine and Fold
Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined — don’t overmix. Gently fold in the finely diced apples. The batter will be thick and packed with apple bits.
5. Scoop and Bake
Using a tablespoon, scoop batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the portions a few inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes, until puffed and slightly golden.
6. Prepare the Glaze
While the fritters bake, whisk together powdered sugar and apple cider in a small bowl to create a thin, pourable glaze.
7. Broil with Glaze
Remove the fritters from the oven and turn your broiler on high. Brush a layer of glaze over the warm fritters and broil for 2–4 minutes, rotating the pan frequently, until the glaze starts to bubble and caramelize.
8. Finish with More Glaze
Once out of the broiler, brush the remaining glaze over the top of the fritters. Let them sit for 15 minutes so the glaze can set — if you can wait that long!
Tips for the Best Apple Fritter Bites
- Use crisp apples – Honeycrisp or Gala hold their shape well and add natural sweetness.
- Watch the broiler – The glaze can burn quickly, so rotate the tray and keep an eye on it.
- Let them rest – Giving the glaze time to set ensures that sticky, shiny finish.
- Chop apples finely – This helps them cook through and disperse evenly in each bite.
Variations and Add-Ins
These Apple Fritter Bites are easy to adapt to your tastes:
- Add nuts – Stir in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
- Spice it up – Add nutmeg or cloves for deeper spice flavor.
- Maple glaze – Replace the cider with maple syrup for a cozy twist.
- Gluten-free – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe gluten-free.
What to Serve with Apple Fritter Bites
These bites are a treat on their own, but here are a few perfect pairings:
- A warm mug of coffee or chai
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert
- Whipped cream and cinnamon for brunch
- Fresh apple slices for a snack board
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Freeze baked (unglazed) fritters for up to 2 months. Thaw and glaze before serving.
- Reheat: Warm briefly in the microwave or a 300°F oven to restore softness and flavor.
Final Thoughts
These Apple Fritter Bites are the perfect combination of cozy, sweet, and satisfying — and once you’ve had one, you’ll want another (and another). They’re fun to make, delightful to eat, and bring all the flavors of fall into a year-round treat.
Whether you’re making them for breakfast, dessert, or a holiday brunch, these glazed, spiced bites are guaranteed to win hearts. They’re a bite-sized way to enjoy all the joy of an apple fritter without the fuss of frying.
Apple Fritter Bites
Ingredients
For the Apple Fritter Bites:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 ½ cups finely diced Honeycrisp or Gala apples about 2 medium
For the Apple Cider Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons apple cider or apple juice
Instructions
Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This warm spice blend brings that classic apple fritter flavor to life.
Make the Wet Base
- In a larger mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until well combined. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and applesauce, and whisk until smooth.
Combine and Fold
- Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined — don’t overmix. Gently fold in the finely diced apples. The batter will be thick and packed with apple bits.
Scoop and Bake
- Using a tablespoon, scoop batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the portions a few inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes, until puffed and slightly golden.
Prepare the Glaze
- While the fritters bake, whisk together powdered sugar and apple cider in a small bowl to create a thin, pourable glaze.
Broil with Glaze
- Remove the fritters from the oven and turn your broiler on high. Brush a layer of glaze over the warm fritters and broil for 2–4 minutes, rotating the pan frequently, until the glaze starts to bubble and caramelize.
Finish with More Glaze
- Once out of the broiler, brush the remaining glaze over the top of the fritters. Let them sit for 15 minutes so the glaze can set — if you can wait that long!
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