Air Fryer Apple Fritter Bites
These delectable little bites deliver all the comforting flavors of traditional apple fritters but require just a fraction of the time and effort. With their perfectly crisp exterior giving way to tender, cinnamon-spiced apple chunks, these Air Fryer Apple Fritter Bites transform your quick dessert cravings into reality.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowls
- Cooling Rack
- Cookie Scoop
Ingredients
For the fritter bites
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples peeled and diced into ¼-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or substitute cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1/3 cup milk plant-based alternatives work well too
- 3 tbsp butter melted and slightly cooled
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- cooking spray for the air fryer
For the glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk or cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Peel, core, and dice your apples into small, uniform ¼-inch cubes. If your apples seem particularly juicy, gently pat them dry with a paper towel.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until thoroughly combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs lightly, then add milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined – about 12-15 strokes with your spatula. Gently fold in the diced apples until they're evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded tablespoons of batter into the air fryer basket, leaving about 1 inch between each for expansion. Avoid overcrowding – typically 6-8 fritters per batch. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray for extra crispiness.
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes or until the fritters are golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Check at the 7-minute mark for your perfect level of golden crispness.
- While the fritters cook, mix the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and salt in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency with additional milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- Transfer the cooked fritter bites to a cooling rack and drizzle or dip them in the glaze while still warm.
Notes
For a more nutritious twist:
- Swap all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour for 25% more fiber
- Replace half the sugar with monk fruit sweetener to reduce calories
- Use Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples as sweeter alternatives to Granny Smith
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut oil instead of butter and almond milk in both batter and glaze
- Store completely cooled fritter bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days
Nutrition
Calories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3.5gSodium: 180mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 21g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!