Apple Fritter Bites Recipe (Baked, Not Fried!)
These homemade Apple Fritter Bites are mini versions of your favorite fall bakery treat — soft, cinnamon-spiced dough with juicy apples inside and a sweet apple cider glaze on top. They’re baked instead of fried, making them a lighter and easier option you’ll want to make again and again!
Ingredients
For the batter:
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Nonstick cooking spray
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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2 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp kosher salt
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2 tsp ground cinnamon
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¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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½ tsp vanilla extract
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½ cup unsweetened applesauce
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1 ½ cups finely diced apples (Honeycrisp or Gala, about 2 medium)
For the Apple Cider Glaze:
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2 cups powdered sugar
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⅓ cup + 2 tbsp apple cider or apple juice
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
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In a separate large bowl, whisk butter and sugar together. Add the egg, vanilla, and applesauce, mixing until smooth.
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Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Fold in the diced apples.
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Scoop 1 tablespoon of batter for each fritter bite onto the baking sheet, leaving space between them.
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Bake for 10 minutes.
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Turn on the broiler (high).
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Make the glaze: whisk powdered sugar with apple cider/juice until thin and smooth.
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Brush the warm fritter bites with a little glaze. Broil 2–4 minutes, rotating pan often, until lightly caramelized.
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Remove from oven and brush with the remaining glaze.
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Let sit for 15 minutes so the glaze sets before serving.
Notes
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Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized bites.
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If the glaze feels too thick, add 1 tsp apple cider at a time until pourable.
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Want extra crunch? Add a small pinch of nutmeg or chopped pecans to the batter.
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These are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated for a few seconds in the microwave.