The truth is, I’ve only heard of Apple Fritters over the past year and a half. Since I regularly watch YouTube and follow a few channels from the US, I’ve discovered what Apple Fritters are thanks to Erik the Electrik. I was really intrigued to taste it for myself after seeing him savoring these cute donuts-like fritters in his crazy videos.
Apple fritters are a kind of quick apple donuts that are easily prepared. The donut mix is very similar to cake or muffin mix, and the addition of apple cubes and cinnamon cubes makes it especially fragrant. Similar to sufganiyot eshel, that are super popular in Israel, you pour the batter to the hot oil with the help of two spoons or an ice cream scoop. In the end, you get these fragrant apple donuts that spread the most amazing and addictive aroma in the world around your house.
After frying, you glaze them with vanilla sugar glaze and the result are irresistible Apple Fritters! Crunchy on the outside, sweet and soft on the inside, and with a crackling sugar glaze that makes them especially pretty.
So, if you fancy a little variety of the classic jelly doughnuts of Hanukkah and you love apples – do not miss these delicious apple fritters. You can make them in only five minutes and get a delicious Hanukkah treat. Note the comments at the end of the recipe for the gluten-free, dairy-free version and the variations.
Looking for more Hanukkah desserts? Try these: Churros with Chocolate Sauce | Homemade Donuts | Lukumades – Greek Doughnuts | Grandma’s Traditional Quick Doughnuts | Baked Brioche Doughnuts
Apple Fritters
For the apple fritters:
- 3 small Pink Lady or Granny Smith apples
- 210 grams (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 10 grams (2 tsp.) baking powder
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. salt
- 30 grams (3 tbsp.) sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 60 ml. (1/4 cup) milk
For frying:
- 1 liter of vegetable oil
For sugar glaze:
- 3-4 heaping tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½-1 teaspoon of cold water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple Fritters:
- Peel the apples and cut into small cubes about 2 x 2 cm in size.
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and sugar until combined.
- Add eggs and milk and mix with a wooden spoon just until it starts to come together.
- Add the apple cubes and mix until evenly dispersed over the mixture. It’s fine if there are some lumps or unevenness, but it’s important to be careful not to over-mix – that will damage the texture of the fritters.
Frying:
- Heat oil in a wide pan to a temperature of 160-170 Celsius degrees. You can check that the oil is ready for frying with the handle of a wooden spoon – if small bubbles form around the handle – this is a sign that the oil is hot enough.
- Using 2 tablespoons, pour the apple mixture into the hot oil carefully. Fry for 3-4 minutes on both sides or until a deep golden hue is formed.
- Transfer to a cooling rack and meanwhile prepare the sugar glaze.
Sugar glaze:
- In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, water and vanilla to a uniform mixture with a relatively liquid texture. If it’s too thick – add some water.
- Place the fritters on a wire rack and glaze with sugar.
- Leave for about 10 minutes at room temperature to set and serve.
- The fritters are at their best on the day of frying, but can be kept in a closed container in the refrigerator for up to two days. It is important and highly recommended to reheat before serving.
- Instead of apples you can use pear cubes in the same amount.
- The recipe can also be prepared with spelt flour in the same amount instead of the all-purpose flour.
- If you do not like cinnamon, you can omit it.
- You can add additional spices to the mixture, such as cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, etc. – according to your personal taste for variety.
- Gluten-free version: Use gluten free flour mix in the same amount instead of all-purpose flour.
- Dairy free version: Instead of milk, use the same amount of water or soy milk.