These delicious applesauce fritters are a fun twist on traditional apple fritters, offering the same cozy flavors with a softer, cake-like texture. Made with real applesauce and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, they deliver rich apple flavors in every bite. This easy recipe is the best way to use up extra applesauce and whip up a batch of homemade fritters in no time, no yeast or fancy tools needed. Whether you’re craving something sweet for breakfast or a comforting snack, these are the perfect treat. Serve warm with a vanilla glaze or dusted in cinnamon sugar for a nostalgic, fall-inspired indulgence.

Close-up of a sliced apple fritter showing soft apple chunks, warm spices, and a shiny glaze.

I’ve never really been much of a donut person. Growing up, my dad would treat us to Saturday morning goodies from a local bakery called Sandy’s Donuts. My usual pick? A donut with strawberry icing—definitely not chocolate, even back then. And while they were way better than the mouth-coating donuts you find on shelves today (anyone else notice that?), they still weren’t my favorite treat.

Freshly fried apple fritters on a wire rack, covered in sweet vanilla glaze and cooling

Even with all that bakery nostalgia, I never truly fell in love with donuts… until I started making my own. My Fresh Milled Whole Wheat Sourdough Discard Donuts and Whole Wheat Donuts with Fresh Milled Flour completely changed my mind. Now I have to pace myself—I could easily eat the whole batch!

After admitting to my mom that donuts had never been my go-to, she introduced me to something new: the fritter. One bite and I was hooked. Fritters quickly became my pastry of choice at the donut shop—and eventually in my own kitchen.

For a slight twist on the classic, be sure to check out my Sourdough Discard Apple Fritters Recipe—it’s a cozy, tangy variation that makes the most of your discard and delivers that perfect bakery-style crunch.

Flat lay of ingredients for homemade applesauce fritters, including chopped apples, flour, brown sugar, spices, butter, egg, milk, and applesauce on a marble countertop.

Ingredients for Applesauce Fritters Recipe

1 ½ cups (188g) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (24g) packed brown sugar
1 whole egg
2 tablespoons (28g) butter
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon (1.5g) cinnamon
¼ teaspoon (.5g) nutmeg
¼ teaspoon (1.5g) salt
⅓ cup (85g) applesauce (unsweetened plain applesauce works best)
⅓ cup (78g) whole milk
1 teaspoon (4g) vanilla extract
1 ½ cups chopped apples--about 1 large apple (We prefer Honey Crisp or Pink Lady but Granny Smith apples are delicious too!)

For Frying

Oil for frying (We prefer to fry with coconut oil but a neutral oil like vegetable oil will work too.)

For the Simple Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Apple Fritter Recipe

Wet ingredients for fritter batter in a bowl: milk, applesauce, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract

STEP 1: Core and chop apples into no bigger than ½ inch pieces, place in a small bowl then set them aside. Then, in a large bowl whisk milk, egg, softened butter, brown sugar, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla until well combined.

Dry ingredients for applesauce fritters in a glass mixing bowl, including flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder.

STEP 2: In a separate medium bowl, stir together the flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, and nutmeg. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined—be careful not to overmix. Gently fold in the apple chunks.

Pressing the fritters with a potato masher while they are frying.

STEP 3: In a deep pot or Dutch oven, heat 2–3 inches of oil over medium heat to 350°F (175°C). Once the oil is hot, drop in ¼ cup scoops of the fritter batter. Gently flatten each scoop with the back of a spoon or a potato masher.

STEP 4: Fry for about 2 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Fry in small batches to maintain the oil temperature. Transfer the fritters to a wire rack or paper towels to drain.

STEP 5: While they’re still warm, whisk together the glaze ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over the fritters or dip them directly into the glaze. Place on parchment paper or a wire rack to set. These apple fritters are best enjoyed fresh and warm!

Tips

For best results make sure your oil stays at a consistent temperature for even cooking.
For more of a cinnamon flavor swap out the regular applesauce for cinnamon applesauce!
These are best served warm but can be reheated in the oven to crisp up again!

More Delicious Apple Recipes

Zoomed-in shot of a perfectly baked apple cinnamon muffin with a golden, crunchy streusel topping, ideal for cozy fall mornings.

Sourdough Discard Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe

Close-up of golden-brown apple cobbler topped with whipped cream, fresh from the oven.

Easiest Sourdough Discard Apple Cobbler Recipe

Sourdough Discard Apple Crumble Coffee Cake Recipe

Best Homemade Old Fashioned Apple Butter Recipe

Tried this recipe?

I would love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @idiesfarm and #idiesfarm so I can share your beautiful creation!