Gluten-Free Apple Fritters

These Gluten-Free Apple Fritters are crisp, golden, and packed with tender apples, then finished with a sweet cinnamon glaze. Make this easy gluten-free treat for a cozy breakfast, brunch, or fall dessert.

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These Gluten-Free Apple Fritters have crisp, craggy edges, a soft apple-studded center, and a cinnamon glaze that makes every bite feel bakery-worthy. They are ideal for a cozy weekend breakfast, fall brunch, or an easy homemade dessert.

These Apple fritters have always been one of those treats I find impossible to walk past at a bakery. There is something about the uneven golden edges, warm apples, and sweet glaze that feels more special than an ordinary doughnut.

This gluten-free version gives you all of that comforting texture without a heavy or gummy batter. I love making a small batch when apples are in season, especially when I want something warm to share with coffee after a slow weekend breakfast.

Why This Gluten-Free Apple Fritters Recipe Works

This recipe uses a small amount of cornstarch alongside an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend. That combination keeps the fritters light and helps create those crisp, slightly jagged edges that make apple fritters so good.

The apple is diced small enough to soften while the fritters cook, but not so small that it disappears into the batter. Buttermilk adds a little tang and keeps the center tender, while the cinnamon glaze adds the classic sweet finish without overwhelming the fresh apple flavor.

Can I Use the Oven or Air Fryer Instead?

I do not recommend baking or air frying this particular batter if you are hoping for a true apple fritter texture. The batter is soft and needs the quick heat of frying oil to set its shape, crisp the outside, and cook the apple pieces evenly.

You can bake the batter in a greased muffin pan at 350 ∘F for a softer apple-cake style treat, then drizzle it with the glaze. It will still be delicious, but it will not have the craggy, crisp exterior of a traditional fritter.

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Which Apple Is Best for Apple Fritters?

A firm apple with a sweet-tart flavor works best. Granny Smith is a favorite because it holds its shape and adds a bright contrast to the sweet glaze. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Jonagold are all great choices, too.

Skip softer apples like McIntosh, which tend to break down too much during cooking. For the best texture, cut the apple into pieces about the size of your thumbnail so they become tender without turning mushy.

What’s the Best Gluten-Free Flour to Use?

For dependable results, use a well-balanced all-purpose gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Better Batter works especially well here because it creates enough structure to hold the apples in the batter while keeping the finished fritters tender.

I would not substitute a single-ingredient flour such as almond flour, coconut flour, or plain rice flour. These flours absorb moisture differently and will change how the batter holds together in the hot oil. If you use another gluten-free blend, choose one designed as a cup-for-cup replacement and expect slight texture differences.

Ingredients and Substitutions

For the fritters, you will need all-purpose gluten-free flour blend, cornstarch, granulated sugar, baking powder, kosher salt, buttermilk, an egg, a large firm apple, and neutral oil for frying. I use Better Batter for the flour blend, and I like frying in grapeseed oil or a mix of grapeseed oil and nonhydrogenated vegetable shortening.

If you do not have buttermilk, add a little lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and let it sit briefly before using. For a dairy-free option, use unsweetened dairy-free milk with lemon juice or vinegar. The fritters will still work, although the flavor may be slightly less rich.

For the glaze, you need confectioners’ sugar, ground cinnamon, and lukewarm water. Add the water gradually so the glaze is thick enough to cling to the fritters, but thin enough to drizzle into those crisp little crevices.

More gluten free desserts to make ASAP!

• Gluten-Free Apple Turnovers (Easy, Flaky, Golden)
• Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
• Gluten-Free Baked Apple Cider Donuts
• Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Rolls

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook and Pinterest to see more of the delicious food I’m making!

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Yield: 6 Fritters

Gluten Free Apple Fritters

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These Gluten-Free Apple Fritters are crispy on the outside, soft inside, and filled with tender apples. This easy recipe is perfectly spiced and finished with a sweet cinnamon glaze.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

For the fritters

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• ⅜ cup (53 g) all-purpose gluten-free flour blend (Better Batter recommended)
• 2 tablespoons (18 g) cornstarch
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 7 tablespoons buttermilk
• 1 egg (50 g out of shell), room temperature
• 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced (firm apple)
• Neutral oil, for frying (grapeseed oil or blend with vegetable shortening)

For the glaze

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• 1 cup (115 g) confectioners’ sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon lukewarm water (plus more as needed)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, cornstarch, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
2. Add the peeled, cored, and diced apple (cut into thumbnail-size pieces) to the dry ingredients and toss to coat evenly.
3. Pour 3 inches of oil into a medium heavy-bottomed pot. Attach a thermometer and heat to 350∘F over medium-high heat.
4. Whisk together the buttermilk and egg in a small bowl. Add to the dry ingredients and apples, mixing just until combined.
5. Once the oil reaches the temperature, scoop the batter into the hot oil in ¼-cup portions. Do not overcrowd the pot. Gently flatten each portion slightly.
6. Fry for about 2 minutes until lightly golden on the bottom, then flip and cook another 2 minutes until golden brown. Turn again if needed for even browning.
7. Remove fritters and place on a wire rack over paper towels to drain and cool. Repeat with remaining batter.
8. In a small bowl, mix confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon. Stir in 1 tablespoon water until a thick glaze forms. Add more water drop by drop until it reaches a drizzle consistency.
9. Drizzle glaze over cooled fritters and let set before serving.

Notes

• Keep oil steady at 350∘F to avoid greasy or undercooked fritters.
• Dice apples evenly so they cook through properly.
• Do not overmix the batter to keep fritters tender.
• Best enjoyed fresh the same day.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 209Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 197mgCarbohydrates: 74gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 3g