Are you craving the warm, comforting taste of apple fritters but looking for a healthier, less greasy option? Then you've come to the right place! This baked apple fritter recipe delivers all the delicious cinnamon-sugar goodness you love, without the deep-fried guilt. It's a perfect example of homemade cooking at its finest, offering a quick dinner idea or a delightful treat for any occasion. These fritters are surprisingly easy to make, perfect even for beginner bakers, and a fantastic addition to your collection of easy recipes and best recipes.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and diced
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners. This simple step ensures your fritters bake evenly and release easily.
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Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mixing the dry ingredients first ensures even distribution of spices and leavening agents for perfectly fluffy fritters.
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Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, vanilla extract, and milk. Then, gently stir in the melted butter.
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Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough fritters.
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Apple Incorporation: Fold in the diced apples and any optional nuts. The gentle folding motion ensures the apples are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
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Bake: Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full with the batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This ensures the fritters are perfectly cooked through.
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Cool & Serve: Let the fritters cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Tips for Perfect Baked Apple Fritters:
- Apple Choice: Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples hold their shape well during baking and provide a nice tartness to balance the sweetness.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough fritters. Mix until just combined.
- Muffin Tin Size: Using a standard 12-cup muffin tin is ideal. If using a larger tin, adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Storage: Store leftover fritters in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Variations:
- Spiced Fritters: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the batter for an extra layer of warmth.
- Glazed Fritters: Drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice over the cooled fritters.
- Apple Pie Fritters: Add ½ teaspoon of apple pie spice to the batter for a classic apple pie flavor.
Nutritional Information (per fritter, approximate):
- Calories: 150-200
- Fat: 6-8g
- Protein: 3-4g
- Carbohydrates: 25-30g
- Fiber: 1-2g
These baked apple fritters are a healthy and delicious alternative to their deep-fried counterparts. They are a perfect example of easy recipes that deliver big on flavor and satisfaction. Enjoy this delightful and easy recipe for a comforting and delicious treat! They are also a great option for healthy meals and quick dinner ideas. This recipe easily makes it to the list of best recipes for many!