Description

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these mini apple fritters are cooked in an air fryer for a healthier twist on a classic treat, finished with a rich vanilla bean glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1 medium apple, finely diced (Honeycrisp or Gala)
Cooking spray
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2–3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Pinch of salt
Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar mixed with ½ teaspoon cinnamon for rolling

Instructions

Dice the apple into tiny ¼-inch cubes. Melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Measure out dry ingredients.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, vanilla extract, melted butter, and applesauce until smooth.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the diced apples.
Preheat air fryer to 370°F (190°C) for 3 minutes. Spray the basket generously with cooking spray.
Drop spoonfuls of batter into the basket, leaving space between each fritter. Cook for 6 minutes, then flip gently. Cook for another 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (total 12-15 minutes).
While fritters cook, whisk powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Add more milk or sugar to adjust consistency.
Remove fritters to a cooling rack. Let cool for 2-3 minutes, then dip or drizzle with glaze. Roll in cinnamon-sugar if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Dice apples small to prevent them from falling out. Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough fritters. Preheat the air fryer for best results. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze unglazed fritters for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 mini fritter
Calories: 95
Sugar: 10
Sodium: 80
Fat: 2
Saturated Fat: 1
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 1
Protein: 1

Keywords: air fryer, apple fritters, mini fritters, vanilla glaze, fall recipe, easy dessert, breakfast treat