Description
These Healthy Air Fryer Apple Fritters are a delicious and guilt-free treat made with fresh apples and lightly sweetened batter. Using an air fryer reduces the amount of oil needed, resulting in crispy, golden fritters that are perfect for breakfast or a snack. With simple ingredients and quick preparation, this recipe is an easy way to enjoy classic apple fritters with less fat and calories.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Fruit
- 1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced
For Cooking and Serving
- Cooking spray
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well to ensure the dry ingredients are well-blended.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter until smooth.
- Make Batter: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until the batter is just combined. Do not overmix to keep the fritters light and tender.
- Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the diced apple pieces, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Basket: Lightly spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray to prevent the fritters from sticking.
- Form Fritters: Using a spoon or a small ice cream scoop, drop small mounds of the batter into the air fryer basket, leaving space between each fritter for even cooking.
- Air Fry: Cook the fritters for 6-8 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Cool and Handle: Once done, carefully remove the fritters from the air fryer with tongs or a spatula and transfer them to a cooling rack to prevent sogginess.
- Serve: If desired, dust with powdered sugar before serving. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the fritters tender.
- Preheating the air fryer helps achieve a crispy exterior.
- Depending on your air fryer size, cook the fritters in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- You can substitute the apple with pears or other firm fruit for variation.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
- Allow fritters to cool slightly before dusting powdered sugar to prevent melting.
