Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these easy gluten-free baked apple fritters are the perfect fall treat. Made in just under 30 minutes, these fritters contain minimal oil, are easily dairy-free, and also include air fryer instructions.
These easy gluten-free baked apple fritters are crispy on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside. They are filled with sweet apple chunks and coated with a luscious glaze.
With minimal oil, no yeast, an easy dairy-free option, and bonus air fryer instructions, these baked apple fritters are the perfect healthy treat. Did I mention they're also made in under 30 minutes? Talk about perfect!
Great for kids and adults, these gluten-free baked apple fritters will be the next thing you do with all of your freshly picked fall apples. Want to learn how to make this incredible easy, healthy, and yummy treat? Keep on reading!
Looking for more gluten-free desserts? Check out some of these:
- Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Pumpkin Tiramisu
- Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
- Super Fudgy Dairy-Free Brownies
- Gluten-Free Butter Tarts
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No frying & minimal oil. These gluten-free apple fritters are baked until crispy to avoid loads of oil. You won't even miss it! This also means easy prep and clean up.
- Allergy friendly ingredients. These apple fritters are gluten-free, easily dairy-free, vegetarian, and nut-free.
- Kid friendly. Have your little ones help you out! This recipe is very easy to mix up.
- Made in under 30 minutes! Did I mention easy? It's also super quick so you can get straight to enjoying your fresh apple fritters. No yeast or proofing necessary.
Ingredients Needed
Here is everything you'll need to make these gluten-free baked apple fritters:
Apple Fritters
- Gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum: I use Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour (blue bag).
- Cornstarch: Makes the batter very thick, sturdy, yet light.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar + apples = best combination ever.
- Baking powder: Lifts the dough and creates a pillowy soft centre since there's no yeast in this recipe.
- Spices: Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg.
- Salt
- Butter, cold and cut into cubes: Use dairy-free butter if preferred. Add an extra ¼ teaspoon salt if using unsalted butter.
- Milk: Use dairy-free if preferred.
- Egg
- Lemon juice: To brighten the fritters and also provide some reaction for rise while baking.
- Vanilla extract
- Granny smith apple: This is my preferred apple for these fritters. It is sturdy enough to handle being put into the batter raw, and comes out of the oven (or air fryer) perfectly soft but not mushy. All around great texture! But feel free to use whatever apples you have on hand.
Glaze
- Icing sugar
- Milk: Use dairy-free if preferred.
- Vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions.
(Prep) Preheat the oven to 425ºF. If using an air fryer, see instructions below.
(1) In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
(2) Add the cold butter cubes to the bowl of dry ingredients and cut them in using a pastry cutter or your hands. Gently squish the butter into the flour until it looks like sand, with only small chunks of butter remaining.
(3) Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir together with a rubber spatula.
(4) Fold in the apple chunks last. The batter will be quite thick.
(5) Allow to sit for 2 minutes to absorb.
(6) Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a large greased ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the baking sheet. You should have enough for 8 fritters. Use the back of the scoop to gently press the batter into discs. Spray lightly with cooking spray for colour.
(7) Bake for 12-13 minutes, then broil on high for 1-2 minutes until golden, keeping an eye on the fritters. While the fritters bake, stir together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
(8) Allow the fritters to cool for 2 minutes until you can handle them, then flip each fritter upside down, dunk in the glaze, then flip back up and rest on a wire rack above a baking sheet for the glaze to drip. Allow the glaze to set for 3-5 minutes, then enjoy warm!
Air Fryer Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Prepare the apple fritter batter the same as above. When ready to bake, place a piece of parchment paper the size of the basket inside the air fryer. Ensure the parchment paper does not touch the heating element. Use a large greased ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the parchment. You may have to do 2+ batches to not overcrowd the basket. Spray the tops of the fritters with a bit of cooking oil.
Air fry for 7-8 minutes until dark and crispy. Mix together the glaze ingredients while they cook. Let sit for 2 minutes until you are able to handle the fritters, then dunk in the glaze and allow to set on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet for 3-5 minutes. Repeat with batches as necessary. Enjoy warm!
Oven Baked vs. Air Fried
I've tested this recipe by baking the apple fritters both in the oven and in the air fryer. If you're curious, this is the air fryer I have.
Both methods turned out delicious, so feel free to use whichever you prefer or is more convenient. Here are some considerations for the oven vs. air fryer.
Pros for the oven
- Just about everyone has an oven. You may not have an air fryer.
- Easy clean up by removing the parchment paper from the baking sheet.
- Can make these fritters in just 1 batch, using multiple oven racks.
Pros for the air fryer
- Preheats faster.
- Bakes quicker! ... but you probably need to do 2+ batches.
- These fritters are crispier, as the air fryer is smaller and circulates the heat better. I find this simulates the texture of a fried fritter a little better.
- Easy countertop appliance. No need to turn on the oven.
Overall, both methods are delicious and easy. When taking into account preheating and batch time, they are probably equivalent in the total bake time. It all depends on what machine(s) you have, which you want to heat up, and how crispy you want your baked fritters. I have to say I like the air fried fritters a little bit more, because the outside is so nice and crisp.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions: Baked apple fritters are best served warm within a few minutes of baking. Should you find yourself with leftover apple fritters, allow them to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Eat cold or reheat in the oven or air fryer at 400ºF for a few minutes. Note that the glaze may change texture.
Freezing Instructions: Since baked apple fritters are best enjoyed fresh, it is not recommended to freeze them. That being said, you could freeze cool, unglazed, baked fritters in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To thaw, reheat in the oven at 400ºF or air fryer at 350ºF until heated through. If you wish, make a glaze and dunk the fritters. Allow them to sit for 3-5 minutes and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for successful gluten-free baked apple fritters:
- Squish the butter into the flour, but leave some chunks! These butter chunks will melt beautifully and keep the fritters tender.
- Allow the batter to rest for a few minutes before scooping. This helps the batter hydrate and thicken slightly so it is easier to handle. The batter will be quite thick.
- Watch the fritters as they bake! In the oven, I like to give them a quick broil at the end to add some crispiness. Be sure to watch so they don't burn. In the air fryer, the fritters will cook a lot quicker and brown more, so keep an eye on them and cook to your desired colour and texture.
- Use a fork or spoon to help you dunk the fritters. I grip the fritter from the sides, then turn upside down to dip the top in the glaze, then flip it back over to place on the wire rack to set.
- Allow the glaze to set for 3-5 minutes. You'll notice the glaze will solidify. That means they're ready to eat!
- Enjoy warm! Fritters are best when consumed a few minutes after glazing.
- Double the recipe for a crowd. Some people may come back for seconds... or thirds. So double up on this small-ish batch recipe for a crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typical fried apple fritters may not be the healthiest thing you can eat, but for the every once in a while you have them, they are fine to eat. These gluten-free baked apple fritters contain minimal oil and are easily dairy-free and nut-free, making them very allergy-friendly and a slightly healthier option.
Absolutely! All you need to do is use dairy-free milk (I like almond or cashew, or soy for nut-free) and dairy-free butter (use one in brick form that stays very solid when cold).
Granny Smith is my preferred apple for these fritters. It is sturdy enough to handle being put into the batter raw, and comes out of the oven (or air fryer) perfectly soft but not mushy. All around great texture! But feel free to use whatever apples you have on hand.
If fritters are left to sit for more than an hour after being baked, or are put in an airtight container, they may soften up. It is recommended to store any leftover fritters in the fridge and consume within 24 hours. To re-crisp them, reheat in the oven or air fryer at 400ºF for a few minutes. Note that the glaze may change texture.
Since baked apple fritters are best enjoyed fresh, it is not recommended to freeze them. That being said, you could freeze cool, unglazed, baked fritters in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To thaw, reheat in the oven at 400ºF or air fryer at 350ºF until heated through. If you wish, make a glaze and dunk the fritters. Allow them to sit for 3-5 minutes and enjoy!
These easy gluten-free baked apple fritters are the perfect easy fall dessert. In just 30 minutes, you could be snacking on a fresh, healthy, allergy-friendly apple fritter. The perfectly delicious way to use up all of your fall apple pickings!
Have you made these gluten-free baked apple fritters? Be sure to leave a comment telling me how much you loved them, and tag me on instagram @livglutenfree. I hope you enjoy as much as I do!
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Recipe
Gluten-Free Baked Apple Fritters (with Air Fryer option!)
Equipment
- Air Fryer (optional)
Ingredients
Apple Fritters
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour with xanthan gum I use Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour (blue bag).
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoon (salted) butter, cold and cut into cubes use dairy-free butter if preferred. Add an extra ¼ teaspoon salt if using unsalted butter.
- ½ cup milk use dairy-free if preferred.
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 granny smith apple, peeled and diced
Glaze
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 2 tablespoon milk use dairy-free if preferred.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF. If using an air fryer, see instructions below.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, spices, and salt. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Add the cold butter cubes to the bowl of dry ingredients and cut them in using a pastry cutter or your hands. Gently squish the butter into the flour until it looks like sand, with only small chunks of butter remaining.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir together with a rubber spatula. Fold in the apple chunks last. The batter will be quite thick. Allow to sit for 2 minutes to absorb.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a large greased ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the baking sheet. You should have enough for 8 fritters. Use the back of the scoop to gently press the batter into discs. Spray lightly with cooking spray for colour. Bake for 12-13 minutes, then broil on high for 1-2 minutes until golden, keeping an eye on the fritters. While the fritters bake, stir together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
- Allow the fritters to cool for 2 minutes until you can handle them, then flip each fritter upside down, dunk in the glaze, then flip back up and rest on a wire rack above a baking sheet for the glaze to drip. Allow the glaze to set for 3-5 minutes, then enjoy warm!
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Prepare the apple fritter batter the same as above. When ready to bake, place a piece of parchment paper the size of the basket inside the air fryer. Ensure the parchment paper does not touch the heating element. Use a large greased ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop the batter onto the parchment. You may have to do 2+ batches to not overcrowd the basket. Spray the tops of the fritters with a bit of cooking oil.
- Air fry for 7-8 minutes until dark and crispy. Mix together the glaze ingredients while they cook. Let sit for 2 minutes until you are able to handle the fritters, then dunk in the glaze and allow to set on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet for 3-5 minutes. Repeat with batches as necessary. Enjoy warm!
Let us know what you think!