These Air Fryer Apple Fritters are crisp, tender, and full of cozy fall flavor. No yeast, no deep frying — just warm cinnamon, apples, and a sweet vanilla glaze on top!
5 Star Reviews
One reader Tara writes, "These are so easy and so delicious. I made mine with a ripe, luscious pear and I added allspice. Turned out really delicious. Soft soft pillows of spicy deliciousness. I tossed in cinnamon sugar. 💯 will make again." ★★★★★
Another reader Mika writes, "Very tasteful, very easy. Thank you!" ★★★★★
You don’t need yeast to make apple fritters. While traditional fritters are typically made with a yeast-raised dough—similar to homemade donuts—with chopped apples folded in and deep-fried, there’s a quicker way.
Using baking powder instead of yeast works especially well when baking or air frying. It’s faster, easier, and still satisfies that cozy fall pastry craving—without the wait!
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Reasons to love these glazed apple fritters
- No deep frying — skip the oil without sacrificing texture
- Crispy tops thanks to the magic of the air fryer
- Cozy fall flavors from warm cinnamon and vanilla
- No yeast needed — baking powder gives instant rise
- Loaded with fresh apple chunks in every bite, making it a perfect fall treat
Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large apple
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon white or brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg yolk or white
- ¼ cup yogurt, sour cream or buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
- 3 to 4 teaspoons water
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Peel and chop the apple into ¼-inch dice. You want about 1 heaped cup of chopped apples.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 7 minutes. While it preheats, prepare the fritter batter. 👉 Letting the air fryer run empty helps jump-start the cooking process and gives the fritters a better rise and crispier top.
- Whisk the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg white (or yolk), yogurt (or sour cream or buttermilk), and melted butter until well combined.
- Gently stir in the flour mixture until just combined, then fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
- Open the air fryer — it’s okay if the 7-minute preheat hasn’t finished. Generously grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Using two spoons, drop about ¼ cup of batter per fritter into the basket, spacing them evenly apart.
- Gently flatten the tops with the back of a spoon to shape them into fritters.👉 For a crispier crust, lightly spray the tops with non-stick cooking spray.
- Air fry at 340°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops are deep golden brown. Let the fritters cool for at least a minute before gently removing them from the basket.
Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together all glaze ingredients until smooth. Adjust the water as needed — the glaze should be pourable but slightly thick.
- Place the fritters on a wire rack set over a plate or baking sheet. Using a spoon, evenly drizzle the glaze over the tops of the fritters. Let it sit for a few minutes for the glaze to set.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
How to make apple fritters in the air fryer?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
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Best Temperature to Air Fry Apple Fritters
The air fried fritters benefit from a two-step cooking process. First, preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes—this works like preheating an oven, ensuring the appliance reaches the ideal temperature to jump-start the cooking as soon as the apple fritter batter go in.
Next, reduce the temperature slightly to 340°F for cooking. As I mention in my donut recipe, fritters cook best at a moderate temperature. This allows them to cook evenly all the way through without the tops browning too quickly or the bottoms remaining undercooked.
Vanilla glaze
- Let the apple donut fritters cool for a few minutes in the basket. If they’re too hot, the glaze will melt and run off.
- Prepare the vanilla glaze, by mixing the powdered sugar, water, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. You want the glaze to be slightly thick, yet pourable consistency.
- Place the fritters on a wire rack over a baking sheet or plate to catch any drips.
- Using a spoon, drizzle the glaze evenly over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Allow the vanilla glaze to set for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Glaze Variations to Try
- Maple Glaze – Swap water for maple syrup for a fall-inspired flavor.
- Butter– Stir in a tablespoon of melted (or browned) butter for richness.
- Apple Pie Spice – Replace vanilla with ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for that classic apple pie fritter vibe.
- Cardamom – Use ground cardamom instead of cinnamon for a warm, aromatic twist.
Recipe Tips
- Air fryer used: This recipe was tested in the Instant Pot 6qt Vortex Air Fryer, which fits one batch without overcrowding. If you have a smaller appliance, cook the fritters in two batches for best results.
- Fritter size: Using about ¼ cup of batter per fritter makes six medium-sized apple fritters that fit nicely in the basket.
- Prevent sticking: Be sure to grease the basket well with cooking spray to keep the apple doughnuts from sticking.
- Handle with care: They are delicate when hot, so remove them gently to avoid breaking.
- Glaze alternative: Not a fan of glaze? Toss the hot fritters in cinnamon sugar instead.
More easy apple desserts to try for fall
If you love apple recipes, you’ll adore these easy and delicious apple desserts perfect for fall. From handheld treats to quick air fryer desserts, there’s something here for every apple lover to try!
- Apple hand pies have an irresistibly warm, spiced apple filling wrapped in a homemade buttery, flaky pie crust.
- Healthy apple crumble features warm cinnamon apple filling and a perfectly nutty, crumbly topping.
- Air fryer baked apples are quick, easy, and delicious! Just stuff apple halves with a simple sweet cinnamon-oat filling, then air fry until tender and crisp
- Apple mug cake packs an entire apple into a small microwave cake. It is easy, ultra-soft, and fluffy, and is a must-try fall dessert for one!
- Air fryer apple crisp is warm, spiced, and ready in minutes, making it an easy apple dessert made in the air fryer!
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Kitchen at Hoskins on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Jennifer
Um... Where are the wet ingredients?? Only dry are listed when I print.
Maria Doss
Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention and it has been fixed now! We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, Maria
Tara
These are so easy and so delicious. I made mine with a ripe, luscious pear and I added allspice. Turned out really delicious. Soft soft pillows of spicy deliciousness. I tossed in cinnamon sugar. 💯 will make again.
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Mika
Very tasteful, very easy. Thank you!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡