Sourdough Apple Fritters Recipe make warm, spiced fritters with fresh apples and sourdough for a cozy fall treat topped with maple glaze or cinnamon sugar.
One of our favorite family traditions we enjoy every fall is to go apple picking! Though the crunch and taste of freshly picked apples is unmatched, the moment I get home, I’m looking for ways to use them in a warm treat.
One of my favorite go-to recipes to make every fall is Sourdough Apple Fritters! Not only does this recipe help you enjoy the sweetness of this in-season fruit, but it is quick to make after a day of picking fruit.
Crisp and tart apples are mixed together in a fall-infused sourdough batter with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and then fried until perfectly golden brown on the outside and warm and fluffy on the inside. The apples are tender, and it is just magical.
Top each fritter with a simple and sweet maple glaze or cinnamon sugar to make this dessert even better.
I promise you, these won’t last long!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick
You’re going to love how quick and easy this Sourdough Apple Fritters Recipe is! After all, after a long day of picking apples, you can have these warm, spiced fritters ready in no time. In fact, it only takes about 10 minutes from chopping those fresh apples to pulling golden-brown fritters out of the oil. Moreover, frying each batch takes just 2-3 minutes, so you won’t be stuck in the kitchen all day. And the best part? You don’t have to deal with any complicated fermentation steps. Ultimately, this recipe is perfect for those busy fall days when you just want a cozy treat without all the hassle!
Easy
This recipe is so simple that even your kids can jump in and help out! To start, you just need a few basic ingredients—think all-purpose flour, sugar, and sourdough discard—plus some spices to give it that classic fall flavor. What’s more, mixing everything takes just a few minutes, and frying them up in a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven is a piece of cake. In addition, there’s no need for any fancy equipment; just grab a frying thermometer to keep an eye on the oil temperature. As for cleanup? Super easy! You’ll only need a couple of paper towels to soak up any extra oil. Overall, it doesn’t get much better than that!
Fall Flavor
With cozy flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these sourdough apple fritters really bring fall to life in every bite. You can taste the crispness of Granny Smith apples mingling with that warm, fluffy batter, creating this perfect mix of sweet and tart. Whether you’re having them as a comforting dessert drizzled with maple glaze or rolling them in cinnamon sugar, you’ll be savoring every moment of the season. Once you take that first bite, you’ll be hooked on this warm, spiced treat that feels like a cozy hug!
Ingredients Needed
Flour: I used all-purpose flour for this recipe
Sugar:Just a touch of sweetness is added to this batter. White sugar can be substituted with cane sugar, light brown sugar or even honey!
Bakingpowder: double-check your leavener! If it is expired, these apple fritters will not be fluffy and light.
Salt: To bring some contrast to the sweetness of these fritters.
Spices: Adding cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove brings the perfect fall flavor to this batter. You can add or remove based on your taste preferences.
Milk: For added moisture.
Eggs: For moisture and structure to the batter.
Sourdough discard: For sweet treats like these Sourdough Apple Fritters, use fresh discard, only a few days old. For an extra tangy flavor, use older discard.
Vanillaextract: For the best flavor, use vanilla extract over imitation.
Apples: My favorite apples to use are Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, but you can use any of your favorites.
Neutral oil: Go for a neutral oil like avocado oil, lard, tallow, or vegetable oil.
For the Glaze
Confectioners’ Sugar
Milk
Maple syrup
Vanilla extract
Or
Cinnamon sugar
Sugar
Cinnamon
Supplies
Wire rack
How to Make Sourdough Apple Fritters
Peel and dice the apples. Since these apple fritters will be fried for only a few short minutes, it is best to keep the apple pieces fairly small so they can become tender. If they are too big, they will remain crunchy.
Tip: If you’re looking for more brightness from the apples, squeeze the juice of half a lemon on top and mix before adding the apples to the batter.
Pour 1 ½ inches of neutral oil into a heavy pot. I recommend using aDutch ovensince they are better at conducting heat. Using adeep frying thermometer, heat the oil to 350 degrees F.
I highly suggest using a frying thermometer to help regulate the oil’s temperature during the frying process.
While the oil heats, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt to a medium bowl and mix until combined. Set aside.
To a large bowl, add the milk, eggs, discard, and vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combined. Then add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until there are a few streaks of flour left. Add in the diced apples and mix until incorporated.
Once the oil is hot, use acookie scoopor two spoons to scoop about¼cup of the batter and drop it into the oil. Use the back of the scoop to flatten and spread out the fritter. This helps for more even frying.
Don’t overcrowd the pot and only fry about3-4 frittersat a time. The temperature of the oil will drop once you add the fritters to it, so you may need to adjust the heat setting to keep the oil at 350 degrees F.
Tip: It’s important to keep an eye on the oil temperature. If it gets too hot, your apple fritters will be burnt on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside, or perfectly golden brown on the outside and raw and runny on the inside.
After2 minutes,use aspider wire spoonto turn the fritters to the other side to continue to fry for2 more minutes, or until the fritters are golden brown all over.
Remove the sourdough apple fritters from the hot oil and place them on top of a wire rack with a paper towel underneath to help drain off the excess oil.
Repeat the frying process with the remaining batter.
Toppings
For extra sweetness, these Sourdough Apple Fritters are incredible with a maple glaze or cinnamon sugar. To start, for the glaze, add powdered sugar, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a small bowl. Next, whisk together until smooth. Then, you can dip the warm fritters to be fully covered or use a spoon to drizzle the glaze on top. If you’re dunking them, place the fritter on top of a wire rack to remove any excess glaze.
On the other hand, for a bit of extra crunch, skip the glaze and dip the apple fritters in cinnamon sugar. Simply add a cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon together and mix until combined. Finally, roll the warm sourdough fritters in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
How to Serve
You’ve got to serve those sourdough apple fritters warm for the best taste. First, dust them with a little powdered sugar for that sweet touch, or if you’re feeling indulgent, go ahead and drizzle some maple syrup on top. They’re awesome on their own, but if you really want to treat yourself, throw in a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Plus, they pair perfectly with a nice cup of coffee! Whatever you choose, just dig in and enjoy every bite—these fritters are a real crowd-pleaser!
How to Store
If you want to keep those sourdough apple fritters tasting great, you’ve got to store them right. Of course, they’re always best when they’re fresh, but if that’s not possible, you can leave them out at room temperature in an airtight container for about 2 days. However, if you want to keep them longer, just throw them in the fridge; they’ll be good for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to dig in again, just toss them in a 350°F oven until they’re warm and crispy. This way, you’ll get that fresh-out-of-the-oil vibe back, and they’ll taste delicious!
FAQs
What kind of apples work best for sourdough apple fritters?
The type of apples you use can really change things up. Personally, I love using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples because they have that nice tart flavor that balances out the sweetness of the fritters. However, if you want something sweeter, Gala apples are a great option too. Either way, just make sure to chop the apples into small pieces so they cook through in the fritters. That way, every bite will be full of that yummy, sweet apple flavor.
Can I make sourdough apple fritters without a sourdough starter?
For sure! If you don’t have your own sourdough starter hanging around, don’t worry—you can use sourdough discard instead. Ideally, just try to use some that’s fresh, maybe just a few days old, for the best results. Alternatively, if you want to switch it up, you can even go for a non-sourdough version with commercial yeast. The main thing is, regardless of which leavening agent you pick, to mix your wet ingredients and dry ingredients well. Overall, it’s super simple.
Can I make sourdough apple fritters in an air fryer?
Absolutely! You can whip up a different take on sourdough apple fritters in an air fryer. While the classic method usually involves frying them up in a frying pan or Dutch oven with a few inches of oil, air frying gives you a lighter option. Just make sure you preheat that air fryer and lay the fritters out in a single layer. Keep an eye on them, since they might cook a bit faster than you think. They may not have that same crispy, deep-fried vibe, but trust me, they’ll still taste amazing!
What kitchen tools do I need to make sourdough apple fritters?
Making sourdough apple fritters is a breeze with just a few handy tools. First off, grab some large mixing bowls to combine your ingredients. You’ll want a Dutch oven for frying, too—it does the job well. A frying thermometer is super useful to make sure your oil is hot enough—aim for about 350°F. For flipping those fritters, a slotted spoon or a spider spoon is what you need to get them in and out of the oil safely. And don’t forget a wire rack to drain off any extra oil after frying. If you’ve got one, a cookie scoop makes portioning the sourdough apple fritter batter so much easier. Simple as that!
Happy baking!
More Recipes Like This
Apple Cinnamon Sourdough Muffins
Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies with a Sourdough Crust
Apple Galette with a Sourdough Pie Crust
Sourdough Apple Pancakes
Sourdough Apple Fritters
Yield: about 10 fritters
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
This Sourdough Apple Fritters Recipe makes warm, spiced fritters with fresh apples and sourdough for a cozy fall treat topped with maple glaze or cinnamon sugar.
Ingredients
Sourdough Apple Fritters
- 230 grams (about 2 large) apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith
- 140 grams (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- 50 grams (1/4 cup) sugar
- 10 grams (2 teaspoons) baking powder
- 2 grams (1 teaspoon) cinnamon
- 1 gram (1/4 teaspoon) nutmeg
- 1 gram (1/4 teaspoon) cloves
- 3 grams (1/2 teaspoon) salt
- 140 grams (scant 2/3 cup) milk
- 100 grams, 2 large eggs
- 120 grams (1/2 cup) sourdough discard
- 4 grams (1 teaspoon) vanilla extract
- Neutral oil for frying
Maple Glaze
- 260 grams (2 cups) powdered sugar
- 60 grams (1/4 cup) milk
- 4 grams (1 teaspoon) vanilla extract
- 20 grams (1 Tablespoon) maple syrup
Instructions
1. Peel and dice the apples. Since these apple fritters will be fried for only a few short minutes, it is best to keep the apple pieces fairly small, about 1/4 - 1/2 inch cubes, so they can become tender. If they are too big, they will remain crunchy.
Tip: If you looking for more brightness from the apples, squeeze the juice of half of a lemon on top and mix before adding the apples to the batter.
2. Pour 1 ½ inches of neutral oil into a heavy pot. I recommend using a Dutch oven since they are better at conducting heat. Using a deep frying thermometer, heat the oil to 350 degrees F.I highly suggest using a frying thermometer to help regulate the oil’s temperature during the frying process.
3. While the oil heats, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt to a medium bowl and mix until combined. Set aside.
140g (1 c) flour, 50g (1/4 c) sugar, 10g (2 tsp) baking powder, 2g (1 tsp) cinnamon, 1g (1/4 tsp) nutmeg, 1g (1/4 tsp) cloves, 3g (1/2 tsp) salt
4. To a large bowl, add the milk, eggs, discard, and vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combined. Then add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until there are a few streaks of flour left. Add in the diced apples and mix until incorporated.
140g (scant 2/3 c) milk, 2 large eggs, 120g (1/2 c) discard, 4g (1 tsp) vanilla
5. Once the oil is hot, use a cookie scoop or two spoons to scoop about a ¼ cup of the batter and drop it into the oil. Use the back of the scoop to flatten and spread out the fritter. This helps for more even frying.
6. Don’t overcrowd the pot and only fry about 3-4 fritters at a time. The temperature of the oil will drop once you add the fritters to the oil, so you may need to adjust the heat setting to keep the oil at 350 degrees F.
Tip - It’s important to keep an eye on the oil temperature. If it gets too hot, your apple fritters will be burnt on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside or perfectly golden brown on the outside and raw and runny on the inside.
7. After 2 minutes, use a spider wire spoon to turn the fritters to the other side to continue to fry for 2 more minutes, or until the fritters are golden brown all over.
8. Remove the sourdough apple fritters from the hot oil and place them on top of a wire rack with a paper towel underneath to help drain off the excess oil.
9. Repeat the frying process with the remaining batter..
Toppings
For extra sweetness, these Sourdough Apple Fritters are incredible with a maple glaze or cinnamon sugar.
10. For the glaze, add powdered sugar, milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract to a small bowl. Whisk together until smooth. You can dip the warm fritters to be fully covered or use a spoon to drizzle the glaze on top. If dunking, place the fritter on top of a wire rack to remove any excess glaze.
260g (2 c) powdered sugar, 60g (1/4 c) milk, 4g (1 tsp) vanilla, 20 g (1 T) maple syrup
11. For a bit of extra crunch, skip the glaze and dip the apple fritters in cinnamon sugar. Add sugar and ground cinnamon together and mix until combined. Roll the warm sourdough fritters in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.
200g (1 c) sugar, 8g (1 T) cinnamon
12. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
How to Store
If you want to keep those sourdough apple fritters tasting great, you’ve got to store them right. Of course, they’re always best when they’re fresh, but if that’s not possible, you can leave them out at room temperature in an airtight container for about 2 days.
However, if you want to keep them longer, just throw them in the fridge; they’ll be good for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to dig in again, toss them in a 350°F oven until they’re warm and crispy. This way, you’ll get that fresh-out-of-the-oil vibe back, and they’ll taste delicious!
FAQs
What kind of apples work best for sourdough apple fritters?
The type of apples you use can really change things up. Personally, I love using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples because they have that nice tart flavor that balances out the sweetness of the fritters.
If you want something sweeter, Gala apples are a great option too. Either way, just make sure to chop the apples into small pieces so they cook through in the fritters. That way, every bite will be full of that yummy, sweet apple flavor.
Can I make sourdough apple fritters with active sourdough starter?
For sure! If you don’t have your own sourdough discard hanging around, don’t worry—you can use active sourdough starter instead. Ideally, just try to use some that’s fresh, maybe just a few days old, for the best results. Just make sure to use the same amount in grams.
Can I make sourdough apple fritters in an air fryer?
Absolutely! You can whip up a different take on sourdough apple fritters in an air fryer. While the classic method usually involves frying them up in a frying pan or Dutch oven with a few inches of oil, air frying gives you a lighter option. Just make sure you preheat that air fryer to 400 degrees F and lay 1-2 fritters out in a single layer. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side. Keep an eye on them, since they might cook a bit faster than you think. They may not have that same crispy, deep-fried vibe, but trust me, they’ll still taste amazing!
What kitchen tools do I need to make sourdough apple fritters?
Making sourdough apple fritters is a breeze with just a few handy tools. First off, grab some large mixing bowls to combine your ingredients. You’ll want a Dutch oven for frying, too—it does the job well. A frying thermometer is super useful to make sure your oil is hot enough—aim for about 350°F. For flipping those fritters, a slotted spoon or a spider spoon is what you need to get them in and out of the oil safely. And don’t forget a wire rack to drain off any extra oil after frying. If you’ve got one, a cookie scoop makes portioning the sourdough apple fritter batter so much easier. Simple as that!
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