You know that heavenly smell of cinnamon and apples frying in butter? That’s exactly what fills my kitchen when I make these Air Fryer Apple Fritters – except without all the oil splatters and guilt! My family goes crazy for these little golden nuggets, especially during fall when apples are at their peak. What started as a desperate attempt to use up some aging Granny Smiths has become our favorite quick dessert. The best part? These fritters come together in about 15 minutes flat, and the air fryer gives them that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture we all love. Trust me, once you try making apple fritters this way, you’ll never want to drag out the deep fryer again!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Let me tell you why these little beauties have become my go-to dessert:
- Crazy fast – From bowl to table in under 20 minutes (perfect for surprise snack attacks!)
- Almost no oil – All that crispy goodness without the deep-fryer mess
- Kid-approved magic – My picky eaters gobble these up faster than I can make them
- That perfect crunch – Golden outside with little pockets of soft apple inside
- Pantry-friendly – Uses basic ingredients I always have on hand
Seriously – these fritters disappear faster than cookies at my house!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible fritters – I promise it’s all simple stuff you probably already have in your kitchen! The key is using the right apples (more on that later) and measuring carefully. Let me tell you, I learned the hard way that eyeballing the flour leads to hockey pucks instead of fluffy fritters!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – Spoon and level it, don’t scoop!
- 1 tablespoon sugar – Just enough to sweeten without overpowering the apples
1 teaspoon baking powder – Our little rising agent friend
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon – The magic spice that makes it taste like fall
1/4 teaspoon salt – Don’t skip this! It balances all the flavors
1/3 cup milk – Any kind works, I often use whatever’s in my fridge
1 large egg – Room temperature blends better
1 tablespoon melted butter – Unsalted is best so we control the salt
1 cup diced apples – Packed measure (about 1 medium apple) – and yes, diced not chopped! We want little cubes, not chunks
See? Nothing fancy at all. Now let me show you how these simple ingredients transform into something magical!
How to Make Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – turning those simple ingredients into golden, crispy fritters! I’ll walk you through each step exactly how I do it in my kitchen. The key is not to rush the process – even though these come together quickly, each step matters for that perfect texture.
Mixing the Batter
First, grab a big bowl (I always use my favorite yellow one – don’t ask me why, but food just tastes better in it!). Whisk together all your dry ingredients – that’s the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Get them nice and combined so there are no sneaky pockets of baking powder hiding in there.
In another bowl or measuring cup, whisk the milk, egg, and melted butter until smooth. Now here’s the trick – pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined. A few lumps are totally fine! Overmixing makes tough fritters, and nobody wants that.
Gently fold in your diced apples – I use a rubber spatula and pretend I’m giving them a soft hug, not a wrestling match! You want every bite to have little apple surprises, but not mushy batter from overworking it.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 370°F – this is crucial for that instant crispiness when the batter hits the hot air. While it heats, drop heaping tablespoons of batter into the basket, leaving space between them. They puff up as they cook, so don’t crowd them! I usually cook 4-5 at a time in my 6-quart fryer.
Cook for 3 minutes, then flip them over with tongs. You’ll see they’re already getting that beautiful golden color on the bottoms. Cook another 2-4 minutes until they’re evenly golden brown all over and sound slightly hollow when tapped. Every air fryer is different, so peek at the 5-minute mark to check doneness.
Transfer to a cooling rack immediately (they’ll keep crisping as they cool slightly) and try not to eat them all straight from the basket – though I won’t judge if you do!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Apple Fritters
After burning more batches than I’d like to admit, I’ve learned a few secrets for foolproof fritters every time. First – use firm apples like Granny Smith. They hold their shape when cooked and give that perfect little crunch. Second, resist the urge to overcrowd your air fryer basket – give each fritter its personal space to puff up properly. And here’s my favorite trick: poke them with a toothpick after 5 minutes. If it comes out clean, they’re done! If not, give them another minute. Simple, right?
Air Fryer Apple Fritters Variations
Oh, the fun you can have with these fritters! Sometimes I toss in a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch – my husband calls them “apple pie fritters” when I do that. A few raisins plumped in warm water make a yummy addition too. Feeling fancy? Drizzle with warm caramel sauce right before serving – it’s ridiculous how good that is! And for my gluten-free friends, I’ve successfully swapped the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend (just add an extra teaspoon of baking powder to help them rise). The possibilities are endless!
Serving Suggestions
Oh, you’ll want to serve these babies warm – that’s when they’re at their absolute best! My family goes wild when I dust them with powdered sugar or roll them in cinnamon sugar while still warm. For a real treat, plop a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and watch it melt into all those little apple pockets. Breakfast? Dessert? Who cares – they’re delicious any time of day!
Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Apple Fritters
Okay, let’s be real – these rarely last long enough to store at my house! But when they do (miracle of miracles), I pop them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The trick to reviving that crispy magic? A quick 2-minute trip back in the air fryer at 350°F – no soggy fritters here! For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for about a month, though I doubt they’ll last that long once you taste them!
Air Fryer Apple Fritters Nutritional Information
Alright, let’s talk numbers – but don’t worry, these fritters are way kinder to your waistline than traditional deep-fried versions! Here’s the scoop on what you’re getting in each delightful bite. Just remember – these numbers can vary based on your exact ingredients and brands, but here’s my best estimate per fritter (based on making 6 from this recipe):
- 120 calories – Compared to 250+ for oil-fried versions!
- 6g sugar – Mostly from the apples and just a touch of added sweetness
- 20g carbs – Perfect little energy boost
- 3g fat – Just enough from that pat of butter to make them irresistible
- 2g protein – Not bad for a sweet treat!
Now here’s my nutrition philosophy – these fritters pack real apples, minimal added sugar, and way less oil than traditional recipes. That means you can enjoy them without the guilt! Of course, if you go wild with the caramel drizzle or ice cream, those numbers will climb – but hey, life’s about balance, right?
Air Fryer Apple Fritters FAQs
I get asked these questions all the time, so let me save you some trial and error with my hard-earned fritter wisdom!
Can I freeze these apple fritters?
Absolutely! Freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep beautifully for about a month – just reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes when cravings strike.
What’s the best apple to use?
Hands down, Granny Smith wins every time. Their tartness balances the sweetness perfectly, and they hold their shape during cooking. I’ve tried softer apples before – let’s just say we ended up with apple mush fritters (not my proudest moment!).
Can I substitute pancake mix?
Oh honey, I made that mistake so you don’t have to! Pancake mix makes them oddly tough and flat. The magic’s in our simple from-scratch batter – trust me, those extra 2 minutes of measuring are worth it!
If you are looking for other sweet treats to make in your appliance, check out these air fryer donut holes.
For another great fall dessert option, consider trying these air fryer apple cider donuts.
Learning the proper technique for using an air fryer is key to success with any recipe.
Print
Magic 120-Calorie Air Fryer Apple Fritters You’ll Crave
- Total Time: 17 mins
- Yield: 6 fritters
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious apple fritters made easily in your air fryer with minimal oil.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1 cup diced apples
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add milk, egg, and melted butter. Stir until combined.
- Fold in diced apples.
- Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
- Turn halfway through cooking.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith.
- Adjust cook time based on your air fryer model.
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 7 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American