Copycat Dunkin Donuts apple fritter recipe is here! Homemade cinnamon batter with Granny Smith apples inside that tastes very close to your favorite breakfast restaurant. Fried with a crispy outside but tender and moist insides, another family favorite treat next to our fun Dunkin Donuts Muffins.
As the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, there’s one item at Dunkin’ Donuts that captures the hearts and taste buds of many, the Old Fashioned Apple Fritter. A golden brown masterpiece that perfectly balances a crispy exterior with a soft, cinnamon spice interior, these are fried but we also have Air Fryer Apple Fritters instructions for breakfast lovers. (affiliate links present)
Apple Donuts
Dunkin’ Donuts Apple Fritters are more than just pastries, they include our favorite flavors and textures that come together to create an unforgettable experience. At its core lies a tender, doughy interior filled with cinnamon and baked apples. A bit like homemade apple pie but you can take them on the go. 😉
What sets this doughnut apart is achieving the perfect balance of texture. The exterior has a delicate crispness that adds an element of surprise as you take your first bite. This layer of golden brown goodness not only provides a satisfying crunch but also serves as a delightful contrast to the tender interior.
Copycat Dunkin Donuts Apple Fritters
While each one of these is a standout on its own, it finds its perfect partner in a cup of freshly brewed or frozen coffee. The contrast of the fritter’s rich, sweet flavors with the smooth bitterness of coffee creates a delicious balance that’s both satisfying and gets you going in the morning!
- All purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Cinnamon and sugar
- 2 room temperature eggs is best
- Milk or dairy free alternative
- 3 tbsp applesauce is used instead of melted butter for more moisture
- 2 apples peeled and diced
- Vegetable oil is used to make deep fried
- Glaze
- 2 c powdered sugar
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- 1/4 c milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Another alternative to the topping could be just 1 cup of powdered sugar with enough milk, water or apple cider vinegar to make it the consistency you want. Above is closer to what they use at the restaurant but use what you like. We have even used easy cream cheese frosting at times.
Fried Apple Fritters
Biggest question of all is; what are the best apples to make apple fritters? Right?? There are differences for sure. When it comes to this classic baked or fried donut, choosing the right type of apples is crucial to achieving the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and sweetness. Here are some of the best varieties:
- Granny Smith apples are a popular choice for apple fritters due to their tart and slightly acidic flavor. Their firm texture holds up well during cooking, and their tartness contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the fritter batter.
- Honeycrisp apples are known for their juicy and crisp texture, making them a delightful choice for apple fritters. Their natural sweetness adds a delicious flavor element to the fritter.
- Fuji apples are both sweet and crisp, making them a versatile choice for apple fritters. They add a balanced sweetness to the fritters without being overly tart.
- Gala apples have a pleasant sweetness and a relatively tender texture, making them a great choice for fritters. They contribute a milder flavor that pairs well with the fritter batter.
- Cortland apples are known for their slightly tart and slightly sweet flavor, making them a versatile option for apple fritters. They hold their shape well during cooking.
Remember that different varieties can impact the overall taste and texture of your fritters. Choose ones that are crisp and firm, as this will ensure they hold their shape during frying. The batter is great if you want to fill the insides too like our Lemon Filled Donuts are.
Homemade Apple Fritter Recipe
Before using them, make sure to peel and core them. Cut them into small, bite-sized pieces that are suitable for mixing into the fritter batter. With the right variety, yours will be a delicious and comforting treat that highlights the natural sweetness and flavor.
- Start by dicing the apples into small pieces and set aside. Start heating the frying oil in a frying pan on medium high heat.
- In a mixing bowl whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Incorporate all dry ingredients and then create a well in the center.
- Add the wet ingredients like eggs, milk and applesauce. Whisk this mixture together until a thick batter forms. Pour in the diced apples and fold together until combined.
- How to Tell When Oil is Hot Enough to Fry is vital to the success of this dish!
- Take ¼ cup full of the fritter batter and place into the hot oil once it reaches 370 degrees F.
- Spread batter slightly in the oil, about 3 fritters at a time can be cooked.
- Cook about 2 minutes on each side or until each fritter is a deep golden brown.
- Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Repeat until all fritters are cooked. While the fritters cool, make the glaze.
- In a separate bowl add the powdered sugar, cinnamon and brown sugar. Whisk together until combined. Pour in the milk and vanilla extract. Whisk until a thin glaze has formed. If you feel it is still a bit too thick, add another tablespoon or so of milk.
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and a cooling rack on top. This is where we will place the apple fritters after dipping in the glaze, so any excess can drip off. Take each fritter and dip into the glaze, flipping over and coating both sides thoroughly. Shake off any excess frosting and place on the prepared cooling rack. Then enjoy with Dunkin Donuts Chocolate Stout Cold Brew!
Dunkin Donuts Apple Fritter
Equipment
- 1 pan
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Spoon
- 1 cooling rack on baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1.5 c all purpose flour
- 1/4 c sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1.5 tsp cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 c milk, or dairy free alternative
- 3 tbsp applesauce
- 2 apples, peeled and diced
- Glaze
- 2 c powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 c milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Start by dicing the apples into small pieces and set aside. Start heating the frying oil in a frying pan on medium high heat.
- In a mixing bowl add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Whisk together these dry ingredients. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the eggs, milk and applesauce. Whisk this mixture together until a thick batter forms. Pour in the diced apples and fold together until combined.
- Take ¼ cup full of the fritter batter and place into the hot oil once it reaches 370 degrees F. Spread batter slightly in the oil. Cook about 2 minutes on each side or until each fritter is a deep golden brown.
- Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Repeat until all fritters are cooked. While the fritters cool, make the glaze.
- In a separate bowl add the powdered sugar, cinnamon and brown sugar. Whisk together until combined. Pour in the milk and vanilla extract. Whisk until a thin glaze has formed. If you feel it is still a bit too thick, add another tablespoon or so of milk.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and a cooling rack on top. This is where we will place the apple fritters after dipping in the glaze, so any excess can drip off.
- Take each fritter and dip into the glaze, flipping over and coating both sides thoroughly. Shake off any excess frosting and place on the prepared cooling rack.
- Repeat with all fritters and let the glaze set on them for 15 minutes. Enjoy the apple fritters!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
