Amazing Homemade Apple Fritters with Apple Cider Glaze

Homemade apple fritters with apple cider glaze are the ultimate Thanksgiving treat, bringing warm spice, crispy edges, and gooey apple goodness to the table. These golden fritters combine tender caramelized apples with fluffy dough, then get dunked in a tangy-sweet apple cider glaze that clings to every bite. They’re easier than they look and come together with simple pantry ingredients, yet taste like something from a bakery. Perfect for holiday mornings, cozy gatherings, or as a sweet ending to your feast, these fritters will disappear in minutes.

Why You’ll Love Homemade Apple Fritters with Apple Cider Glaze

You’ll love this recipe for homemade apple fritters with apple cider glaze because every fritter balances texture and flavor beautifully. The outside fries up crisp and golden while the inside stays soft and fluffy. Caramelized apples bring sweetness with just enough tartness from Granny Smiths, and warm spices wrap it all in cozy holiday flavor. The apple cider glaze makes them shine with a tangy-sweet finish that feels festive and indulgent. Using boiled cider gives a deeper, richer apple taste than regular glaze. These fritters are also perfect for sharing, whether you’re hosting family, bringing dessert to a potluck, or treating yourself after a long day of holiday cooking.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Fritter Dough

• Milk (½ cup, warmed): Activates the yeast for a fluffy rise.
• Instant yeast (1 tsp): Gives the fritters their light, airy structure.
• Granulated sugar (2 tbsp): Feeds the yeast and adds sweetness.
• Melted butter (2 tbsp, salted): Adds richness and flavor.
• Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Rounds out the flavor with warmth.
• Egg (1 large, room temp): Binds and enriches the dough.
• Salt (¼ tsp): Balances sweetness.
• All-purpose flour (1¾ cups + 1 tbsp): The base for the dough.
• Cinnamon (½ tsp) & nutmeg (¼ tsp): Warm spices for cozy flavor.

For the Caramelized Apples

• Baking apples (2 large, Honeycrisp + Granny Smith mix): Balance sweet and tart.
• Butter (1 tbsp, salted): Helps caramelize the fruit.
• Brown sugar (3 tbsp, packed): Sweetens and deepens flavor.
• Lemon juice (½ tsp): Brightens the filling.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves: Create the holiday spice blend.
• Pinch of salt: Keeps the filling from being overly sweet.
• Cornstarch slurry (½ tsp cornstarch + ½ tsp water): Thickens the mixture if needed.

For the Apple Cider Glaze

• Butter (4 tbsp, melted, salted): Base for the glaze.
• Powdered sugar (1½ cups): Makes it smooth and sweet.
• Apple cider concentrate (3 tbsp, boiled cider): Rich, tangy apple punch.
• Vanilla (2 tsp): For warmth.
• Milk (1–2 tbsp): Thins glaze to dipping consistency.
• Pinch of cinnamon and salt: Balance and spice.
  Variation: If you don’t have boiled cider, swap in apple cider in place of milk when making homemade apple fritters with apple cider glaze.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Homemade Apple Fritters

Prepare the Dough

Warm the milk to about 110°F. Mix with yeast, sugar, melted butter, vanilla, egg, salt, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until a soft dough forms. Knead lightly until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled.

Caramelize the Apples

While the dough rises, melt butter in a skillet. Add diced apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, and spices. Cook until apples soften and caramelize. If too runny, stir in a cornstarch slurry to thicken. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

Assemble the Fritters

Roll risen dough into a rectangle. Spread two-thirds of the apple mixture across the surface, then fold into thirds like a letter. Flatten again, add the remaining apples, and fold side-to-side. Flatten once more to about ¾-inch thick. Cut into 24 pieces, then group into 8 fritters, pressing apples firmly into the dough. Let rest for 15 minutes.

Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil to 365°F in a heavy pot or Dutch oven. Fry each fritter for 90 seconds per side, until deep golden and crispy. Use a thermometer to check the center reaches 212–220°F. Drain on a wire rack.

Glaze While Warm

Whisk together glaze ingredients until smooth. Dip warm fritters fully into the glaze, letting excess drip off. This final step is what makes these truly taste like homemade apple fritters with apple cider glaze from a bakery. Place back on the rack to set.

Tips for Success

Keep oil temperature steady—too cool and fritters soak oil, too hot and they burn. Use a thermometer for accuracy. Press dough pieces together firmly so they hold while frying. Prep apples and glaze up to two days ahead to save time. A Honeycrisp and Granny Smith mix works best for balanced flavor. For a deeper apple note in your homemade apple fritters with apple cider glaze, use boiled cider instead of regular cider. And don’t skip resting the fritters before frying, as it helps them puff properly.

Serving and Storing

These fritters taste best fresh and warm, when the glaze is still slightly sticky. If storing, place in an airtight container in the fridge for 1–2 days. Reheat briefly in the microwave to bring back softness. You can also prep the fritters ahead of time—assemble but don’t fry, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bring to room temp before frying for best results.

FAQs

Related Recipes to try

• soft and cozy amish apple fritter bread
• easy crescent roll apple turnovers for fall
• ultimate apple crisp with buttery topping
• flaky and sweet apple pie bites

Conclusion

Homemade apple fritters with apple cider glaze bring the spirit of Thanksgiving right into your kitchen. Try this recipe for homemade apple fritters with apple cider glaze once, and it may just become your new holiday tradition. They’re warm, spiced, and sweet in all the right ways, with a crisp bite that gives way to tender apple-filled dough. Whether you serve them for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack, these fritters guarantee smiles around the table. Try them once, and they may just become your new holiday tradition. Find more cozy recipes on my Pinterest page.

Print