Description
These easy air fryer apple fritters with brown butter glaze offer a healthier twist on the classic fritter dessert. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they combine warm cinnamon-spiced apples with a rich, nutty brown butter glaze for a deliciously satisfying treat made quickly in the air fryer.
Ingredients
Brown Butter Glaze
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- ¼ cup Butter (½ stick)
- ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tbsp Milk (if needed)
Apple Fritters
- 1 ½ cups All Purpose Flour
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ⅓ cup Milk
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 Eggs
- 2 large Apples (such as Honey Crisp or Green Apples), peeled, cored and diced small
- Canola or Vegetable Oil, for brushing/spraying
Instructions
- Make Brown Butter Glaze: Place butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Melt the butter until it foams and turns brown with a nutty aroma and brown specks visible. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, browned butter, vanilla extract, and milk (adding milk only if necessary) and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and allow the basket to heat for 3-4 minutes to ensure optimal cooking temperature.
- Prepare Fritter Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Create a well in the center and add milk, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and eggs. Stir until combined, then gently fold in the diced apples.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or an air fryer liner cut to fit the basket without overlapping edges. Lightly brush or spray with canola or vegetable oil to prevent sticking and encourage crisping.
- Cook Fritters: Drop about ¼ cup portions of batter into the basket without overcrowding (usually 2 fritters at a time). Lightly dab the tops with oil using a pastry brush or sprayer. Cook at 400°F for 4-5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until the other side is similarly golden and the fritters are cooked through.
- Serve: Remove fritters and place them on a cooling rack. While still warm, drizzle generously with the prepared brown butter glaze. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use firm apples like Honey Crisp or Granny Smith for the best texture in the fritters.
- Make sure the air fryer basket is preheated to get a crispy and golden crust on the fritters.
- If the brown butter glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar to thicken it to your desired consistency.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Use parchment paper cut to fit the basket to prevent batter from dripping through and to ease cleanup.
