If you’re craving a sweet treat but want a lighter option, this baked apple fritter recipe is for you! These fritters are made with juicy apples, warm spices, and a delightful glaze—all prepared in your air fryer for a healthier twist. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, this recipe ensures you’ll never miss the deep-fried version.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer, air fryer dessert, apple dessert recipe, apple desserts, apple fritters, apple recipes, baked apple fritters, diet, low calorie
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 12 minutesminutes
Total Time 27 minutesminutes
Servings 10fritters
Calories 243kcal
Author Janine Waite
Equipment
1 Ninja Air Fryer
Ingredients
Apple Fritter Dough
2cupsflour
2tspbaking powder
½tspbaking soda
¼tspsalt
½cupsugar
1tspcinnamon
¼tspnutmeg
½cupunsweetened applesauce
⅓cupwhole milkcan use buttermilk for a tangier flavor
2large eggs
2tspvanilla extract
¼cupunsalted buttermelted
1½cupsapplesPeeled, diced apples (use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for tartness)
Glaze
1cuppowdered sugar
2-3tbspmilk
½tspvanilla extract
Instructions
Apple Fritter Dough
Prepare the Batter:Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients: applesauce, milk, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter. Gradually combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until just mixed. Fold in the diced apples, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Shape Fritters:Scoop about 1/4 cup of batter for each fritter onto parchment paper. Shape batter into rough mounds to mimic traditional fritters.
Air Fry Fritters:Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes. Place the fritters in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one. Spray with light olive oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter as needed.
Glaze
In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle or dip the warm fritters in the glaze. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.