Apple Fritter Bites: A Cozy Fall Apple Recipe in Every Sweet Bite

Is there anything better than warm, cinnamon-laced fritters on a crisp fall day? These Apple Fritter Bites are everything you love about the classic apple dessert—but lighter, baked, and perfectly poppable. They’re soft, fluffy, loaded with diced apples, and coated in a sticky apple cider glaze that caramelizes under the broiler for an irresistible finish.

Whether you’re after a quick weeknight dessert or prepping a fall apple recipe for a cozy gathering, these baked fritters bring all the comfort without the deep-frying mess. Bonus? They fill your kitchen with the most amazing autumn aroma.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Fritter Bites

• Baked, not fried—less mess, same indulgence
• Packed with fresh apples and warm cinnamon
• Glazed to golden perfection
• Quick to make and even quicker to disappear

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1½ cups finely diced Honeycrisp or Gala apples (about 2 medium)

For the apple cider glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ⅓ cup + 2 tbsp apple cider or apple juice

How to Make These Baked Fritters

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In a large bowl, mix melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg, vanilla, and applesauce. Stir until well combined.
4. Add the dry mixture to the wet and stir just until combined. Gently fold in the diced apples.
5. Scoop 1-tablespoon portions of batter onto your baking sheet, spacing them slightly.
6. Bake for 10 minutes or until the bites are puffed and golden.
7. While they bake, whisk together the powdered sugar and apple cider to make the glaze.
8. After baking, switch your oven to broil. Brush each fritter bite with glaze and broil for 2–4 minutes, rotating the pan as needed, until the glaze bubbles and caramelizes.
9. Remove from oven and brush with more glaze. Let set for about 15 minutes before serving.

Tips for Perfect Apple Dessert Bites

• Dice apples finely so they soften and blend into the batter while baking.
• Keep a close eye while broiling—the glaze caramelizes fast.
• Swap in a pear or a mix of fall fruits for fun flavour twists.
• These are best eaten fresh, but they reheat beautifully in the oven or air fryer.

The Fall Treat My Family Begs For

These Apple Fritter Bites first came into my life on a rainy October afternoon when I wanted something warm and apple-y without the hassle of deep frying. My kids were bouncing off the walls, the house smelled like a candle shop, and the moment those bites hit the broiler? Magic. Now they’re a must-bake in our house every fall.

They hit that perfect sweet spot: warm spice, tender apple, and a sticky, sweet glaze that makes you want just one more bite. Or three.

What to Serve With Apple Fritter Bites

• A hot cup of mulled cider or chai tea
• Vanilla bean ice cream for a dessert-worthy treat
• A drizzle of caramel sauce (because why not?)
• Served warm in a bowl with whipped cream

Whether you make them for brunch, dessert, or a spontaneous afternoon craving, these apple fritters will win over every apple lover in the room.

How to Store & Reheat

• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for 1–2 days.
• Refrigerate: Keeps for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 300°F oven to re-crisp.
• Freeze: Freeze unglazed bites for up to 2 months. Thaw and glaze fresh.

FAQs About Baked Fritters

Can I use other apples?

Yes! Any firm variety works well—Granny Smith adds a tart twist.

Can I skip the broiling step?

You can, but it’s what gives that signature caramelized finish.

Can I make them gluten-free?

Yes, with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.

Are these kid-friendly?

Absolutely! They’re fun to eat and easy to pack in lunchboxes.

Cosy, Sweet, and Utterly Irresistible

These Apple Fritter Bites are a little bit of fall magic. Soft, spiced, and kissed with apple cider glaze, they bring big flavour in a tiny package. Perfect for sharing (or hoarding), they’re a sweet little way to celebrate the season—no fryer needed.

Discover more delicious recipes by following me on Facebook and Pinterest.

Apple Fritter Bites: A Cozy Fall Apple Recipe in Every Sweet Bite

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Olivia Hartwellen
• Total Time: 29 minutes
• Yield: About 24 bites 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Apple Fritter Bites are the cosy fall dessert you’ll want on repeat—soft, cinnamon-spiced, and bursting with fresh apple flavour. These baked apple fritters are finished with a caramelized apple cider glaze for all the indulgence with none of the frying mess. Perfect for snacks, brunch, or dessert!

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the fritters:

• Nonstick cooking spray

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp kosher salt

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1½ cups finely diced Honeycrisp or Gala apples (about 2 medium)

For the apple cider glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• ⅓ cup + 2 tbsp apple cider (or apple juice)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

3. In a large bowl, mix melted butter and sugar until smooth. Add egg, vanilla, and applesauce. Stir until combined.

4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just mixed. Fold in diced apples.

5. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto baking sheet.

6. Bake for 10 minutes until puffed and golden.

7. While baking, whisk together powdered sugar and apple cider to make glaze.

8. Set oven to broil. Brush fritters with glaze and broil for 2–4 minutes until the glaze caramelizes.

9. Remove from oven and brush with more glaze. Let set for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

ut apples small so they bake evenly.

Keep an eye on broiling—they caramelize fast.

Great with pears or a blend of fall fruits.

Best fresh but reheat well in oven or air fryer.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Category: Dessert / Snack
• Method: Baking + Broiling
• Cuisine: American