Apple Fritter Bites
These baked Apple Fritter Bites feature nutty brown butter, juicy Honeycrisp apples, and a crisp, broiled cider glaze for a perfect bakery-style finish without the deep frying.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Medium bowl
- large bowl
- Small heavy-bottomed pan
- Whisk
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup no-sugar added applesauce
- 1 1/2 cups peeled and finely diced Honeycrisp apples, about 2 medium apples
Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup plus 2 TBSP apple cider or apple juice
Instructions
Prep the Oven and Build the Base
- Heat your oven to 400 F (200 C) and lightly coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring there is enough space for air to circulate.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until the mixture is uniform and free of spice streaks.
Brown the Butter and Mix the Batter
- Melt the butter in a small heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat until the milk solids turn golden brown and smell nutty; remove from heat to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk the cooled brown butter and granulated sugar until glossy, then incorporate the egg, vanilla, and applesauce until smooth.
- Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, then fold in the finely diced apples without overworking the batter.
Scoop and Bake
- Drop 1-tablespoon mounds of batter onto the baking sheet, spaced apart, and bake for 10 minutes until the tops are set and springy.
Glaze, Broil, and Finish
- Switch the oven to high broil. Whisk the powdered sugar and apple cider together in a small bowl to create a smooth, ribbon-like glaze.
- Brush the warm fritters with some of the glaze and broil for 2 to 4 minutes, watching constantly, until the coating bubbles and turns golden brown.
- Apply the remaining glaze to the tops and let the bites rest on the baking sheet for 15 minutes to allow the shell to harden.
Notes
Apple Choice: Use Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apples as they maintain their firm, juicy texture under the high heat of the oven and broiler.
Broiler Supervision: The glaze can burn very quickly under high heat, so remain by the oven and rotate the pan frequently during the broiling stage.
Reheating Method: To restore the signature crisp shell, reheat leftovers in an air fryer at 350 F for 2 minutes rather than using a microwave.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.