How to Make Chef John's Apple Fritters - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's something undeniably comforting about biting into a warm, sweet apple fritter. The crispy exterior gives way to a soft and fluffy center, bursting with juicy chunks of apple and fragrant spices. It's the perfect treat for a cozy weekend morning or a special dessert after dinner. And when it comes to making the best apple fritters, few can rival the expertise of Chef John.

Chef John's Apple Fritters are a delicious twist on the classic donut, and they're surprisingly easy to ma...

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 large Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • ½ cup sparkling apple cider
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
  • ½ cup confectioners' sugar, or more as needed
  • 1 tablespoon sparkling apple cider, or as needed to make glaze

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Additional Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 16 small apple fritters

  • Gather all ingredients.
  • Melt butter over medium-high heat and cook until it turns golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add apples and cook over medium-high heat until apples just begin to soften around the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon sugar and continue cooking another 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Drain in a strainer; let cool to room temperature.
  • Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg together in a mixing bowl until well combined.
  • Whisk egg, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter together in a separate mixing bowl.
  • Add cooled apple pieces and sparkling apple cider; add the flour mixture. Stir just until flour is incorporated.
  • Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spoon about 2 tablespoons batter per fritter, into hot oil, slightly flattening them out. Cook in batches. Fry on one side until small bubbles appear on the surface, about 2 minutes. Carefully flip fritters over and fry the other side until richly browned, about 2 more minutes.
  • Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain grease. Cool slightly before glazing.
  • Whisk powdered sugar and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Add enough apple cider, 1 teaspoon at a time, to form a smooth glaze that is just runny enough to drizzle over fritters. Enjoy!
  • Nutrition

    248 cal.

    • Total Fat: 9g
    • Saturated Fat: 3g
    • Cholesterol: 31mg
    • Sodium: 243mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 40g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 23g
    • Protein: 3g
    • Vitamin C: 3mg
    • Calcium: 62mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 110mg