Applesauce Fritters Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a warm, sweet, and slightly crisp fritter to start your morning on a delicious note! These baked applesauce fritters are a cozy treat, packed with warm spices and fresh apple bites, then finished with a perfectly sweet glaze.

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Unlike traditional fried fritters, this version is baked, making them a lighter yet equally indulgent option for breakfast or brunch.

A blue plate filled with glazed apple fritters rests on a white and blue striped cloth. The fritters are coated in a light glaze, capturing a glossy sheen under the light.

Great Reasons You Will Want to Make Applesauce Fritters

Skip the donut shop! You can make applesauce fritters at home that are amazing!

  • Baked, not fried! No deep frying required, making this a healthier alternative.
  • Easy to make with simple pantry staples and fresh apples.
  • Perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
  • Budget-friendly! Made with affordable ingredients like flour, applesauce, and spices, these fritters are a cost-effective breakfast option verses going out and buying donuts.

Here’s Your Grocery List For Applesauce Donuts

Simple pantry ingredients and fresh apples will make these fritters an easy, indulgent breakfast the whole family will enjoy.

Top-down view of baking ingredients arranged on a light surface. Includes powdered sugar, brown sugar, flour, egg, butter, milk, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, allspice, vanilla, nutmeg, applesauce, and three apples (two green, one red).
  • All-purpose flour: Look for unbleached flour for a more natural flavor and texture.
  • Brown sugar: Opt for light brown sugar for a milder sweetness or dark brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor.
  • Baking powder: Ensure your baking powder is fresh for the best rise.
  • Spices: You will need a few warm spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
  • Butter: Use very cold butter for the best texture. Cut it into small pieces before mixing.
  • Milk: Whole milk adds richness, but you can use low-fat or plant-based alternatives.
  • Unsweetened applesauce: Choose a high-quality, natural, smooth applesauce without added sugar for the best flavor.
  • Egg: You will need one large egg. Check for freshness by placing it in water (fresh eggs sink!).
  • Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract gives a better flavor than imitation varieties.
  • Tart apples (such as Granny Smith): Pick firm, crisp apples for the best texture. Peel, core, and dice them into small cubes.

Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

How To Make Applesauce Fritters

Top view of a food processor bowl filled with baking ingredients, including flour, brown sugar, and various spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, on a light surface.

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a food processor bowl whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.

A food processor bowl containing flour and several cubes of butter, viewed from above. The processor blade is visible at the center. The background is light, enhancing the visibility of the ingredients.

Step 2: Add Butter

Add the cold butter pieces to the dry ingredients.

A clear food processor bowl containing a light brown, powdery mixture. The processor blade is visible at the center. The bowl rests on a white surface.

Step 3: Pulse

Pulse the food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

A white mixing bowl contains an egg yolk, applesauce, and other wet ingredients. A whisk with a light blue handle rests inside the bowl, positioned to mix the contents.

Step 4: Add Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla.

A white mixing bowl with a light orange batter being whisked. A metal whisk with a light blue handle rests inside. The batter shows signs of being mixed, with small bubbles visible on the surface.

Step 5: Whisk

Whisk until frothy and combined well.

A white mixing bowl containing beige, thick batter with a white spatula resting inside. The batter appears partially stirred, with some streaks visible. The bowl is placed on a clean, white surface.

Step 6: Add Dry To Wet

Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined.

A white vegetable slicer with diced potatoes inside is placed on a white cutting board. Three larger pieces of potato are on the board next to the slicer.

Step 5: Dice Apples

Peel, core, and dice apples into even-sized pieces. I like to use a food chopper to ensure squares of even size.

A white mixing bowl filled with brown batter and topped with chopped green apple pieces. A white spatula rests inside the bowl, which is placed on a white surface.

Step 6: Fold In Apples

Gently fold in the chopped apples into the dough.

A baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds twelve dollops of uncooked cookie dough. The dough appears chunky, likely containing pieces of fruit or nuts, and is evenly spaced on the tray for baking.

Step 5: Form Fritters

Drop 1/3 cup-sized batter onto the baking sheet. Leave a small space between each fritter. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove to cooling rack.

A mixing bowl containing a pile of white powder, likely flour or sugar, sits on a white surface. A metal whisk is partially submerged in the powder, ready for mixing.

Step 6: Make Glaze

Turn the oven to broil. In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Icing-coated apple cookies cooling on a wire rack over a baking sheet. A bowl of icing with a red pastry brush is next to them.

Step 5: Add 1st Layer of Glaze

Using a silicone pastry brush, blot on a thin layer of glaze over the warm fritters.

Pro Tip: Do not skip this step. It makes your fritters taste like a donut shop fritter.

Close-up of apple cinnamon cookies with icing on a cooling rack. The cookies are golden brown with irregular shapes, and the icing adds a glossy texture on top, highlighting chunks of apple and a crumbly surface.

Step 6: Broil and Cool

Broil for 2-3 minutes until the tops turn golden and the glaze bubbles.  The glaze will look dry and crusty.

Step 7: Add 2nd Layer Of Glaze

A red silicone brush is glazing icing onto oatmeal cookies with pieces of apple. The cookies are placed on a black wire cooling rack. The icing is white and glossy, covering most of the cookie surfaces.

Brush the remaining glaze over the fritters and serve.

Illustration of a caramel syrup bottle with a brown label. The label includes the words "Caramel Syrup" and features an image of caramel cubes. The bottle has a handle and a screw cap.

Tips and Variations

  • Add a crunchy twist: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter.
  • Switch up the glaze: Try a maple glaze by replacing the milk with maple syrup.
  • Spice it up: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cloves for extra warmth.
A plate of apple cookies topped with a white glaze. The cookies are piled on a light blue plate, with one cookie broken in half, revealing a moist interior with apple chunks. The plate is set on a light blue striped cloth.

My Favorite Tools For Making For Making Applesauce Fritters

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use sweetened applesauce instead of unsweetened?

Yes, but you may want to reduce the brown sugar slightly to balance the sweetness.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

It’s best to bake them fresh, but you can prep the dry and wet ingredients separately and mix them just before baking.

Can I freeze these fritters for later?

Yes you can make a batch of fritters and freeze for later. After baking, allow the fritters to cool, and do not glaze them. Wrap each fritter with parchment paper and place them in an airtight container for up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat, allow them to thaw to room temperature and then do the two-step glaze in the recipe instructions.

Serving Ideas

These applesauce fritters pair beautifully with a warm and cozy Hot Cocoa or Spiced Chai toped with Non-Dairy Whipped Cream for a delightful balance of flavors.

If you’re looking for a savory contrast, try serving them alongside Turkey Bacon, which adds a crispy, smoky bite that complements the sweetness of the fritters perfectly.

A blue plate filled with frosted apple cookies is shown. The cookies are glazed with a white icing and placed on a white and blue striped cloth. A glass of milk is visible in the background.

Applesauce Fritters Recipe

A blue plate holds a stack of glazed apple cookies with chunks of apple visible. A striped cloth and a glass of milk are in the background. The cookies have a shiny, sweet glaze covering them.
These baked apple fritters are soft, warm spiced, and topped with a sweet glaze. They’re simple to make and perfect for a breakfast treat!
Gina Dickson
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 12 fritters

Ingredients

For the Fritters

  • 1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons butter very cold, cut into 6 pieces
  • 1/4 cup milk regular
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup apples use a tart apple such as Granny Smith. Peel, core and dice the apples into small cubes.

Glaze Ingredients

  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk higher fat works best
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat & Prep

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make the Dough

  • In a food processor bowl whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
    1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Add the cold butter pieces to the dry ingredients. Pulse the food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You could also use a pastry cutter in a bowl instead.
    6 tablespoons butter

Mix Wet Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and vanilla.
    1/4 cup milk, 1 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Stir just until combined.

Prepare Apples

  • Peel, core, and dice apples into even-sized pieces. I like to use a food chopper to ensure squares of even size.
  • Gently fold in the chopped apples.
    1 cup apples

Shape & Bake

  • Drop 1/3 cup sized batter onto the baking sheet. Leave a small space between each fritter.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the bottoms are golden and the centers are set.
  • Remove fritters from the pan and place on a wire cooling rack. Then place the wire cooling rack back onto the baking sheet.

Glaze & Broil (Do not skip this step)

  • Turn the oven to broil.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
    1 cup confectioners’ sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Using a silicone pastry brush blot on a thin layer of glaze over the warm fritters.
  • Broil for 2-3 minutes until the tops turn golden and the glaze bubbles. (Do not leave the oven, hang out and watch the bubbles to prevent burning!) This is the key to making your baked apple fritter seem like it was fried)

Final Glaze & Serve

  • Remove from oven and and allow the fritters to cool for a few minutes. Then brush remaining glaze over fritters.
A blue plate with a stack of iced apple cookies. The cookies are glazed, showcasing chunks of apple and a light brown color. The plate is set on a white and blue striped cloth.

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