These gluten-free apple fritters are crisp and golden on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, and packed with warm apple-cinnamon flavor. Each bite has that bakery-style sweetness with a hint of tart apple, finished with a simple glaze that melts right into the fritter while it’s still warm.
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❤️ Sandi’s Recipe Summary
I am really excited about this new gluten-free apple fritters recipe. These gluten-free apple fritters are crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, and bursting with warm cinnamon-apple flavor. If you have avoided making fritters because of oil splatter, the air fryer version gives you that crispy texture without the mess.
These glazed gluten-free apple fritters are a family recipe that I tried to modify to make them gluten-free. My air fryer apple fritter version isn’t quite the same, but I used her process. The only difference is that I adapted it to be gluten-free and cooked it in one of two ways: either air-frying or oil-frying.
If you love apples as much as we do, check out all of my incredible gluten-free apple recipes!
I made my crispy apple fritters in the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer in order to cut down on calories and fat. You can easily fry these fritters in oil; I have included the directions below. I discuss air fryers and gluten-free options in more detail in my article on the best air fryers for gluten-free diets.
Ingredient Notes and Easy Swaps:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 and King Arthur Measure for Measure. Many other blends should work, but you may need to adjust the moisture levels depending on the blend. Read Why Gluten-Free Flour Blends Vary to learn more about this.
- Xanthan Gum – If your gluten-free flour blend does not contain a binder, such as xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 3/4 teaspoon. See the Substitutions section below for a gum-free flour blend.
- Baking Powder – Use aluminum-free.
- Sugar – I used cane sugar.
- Apples – The best apples to use for these gluten-free fritters are sweeter, tart varieties like Granny Smith, Fuji, and Pink Lady. Peeling the apples is optional.
- Eggs – Use large eggs.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter.
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract.
Substitutions:
- To make this recipe dairy-free, use plant-based dairy-free butter.
- Use my All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour Blend if you want a gum-free version without xanthan gum.
- Feel free to experiment with other fruits, such as peaches and blueberries.
A Note From My Kitchen
This is one of my favorite “quick win” recipes. There is no yeast, no rise time, just simple batter and lots of apple flavor. I tested this recipe with two flour blends. Both worked well. If your batter looks too wet, add a tablespoon of flour at a time; if it’s too thick, a splash of melted butter will help loosen it.
I also tested Earth Balance as a plant-based butter, and while it worked well, it gave the fritters a slightly creamier texture compared to dairy butter.
As for cooking methods, oil frying always wins on flavor, giving that nostalgic fair-style fritter with the crispiest crust. But the air fryer version came surprisingly close when I sprayed the batter generously with coconut oil before cooking.
When it comes to apples, I tested Granny Smith and Fuji. Granny Smith gave the best balance of tart flavor and texture, while Fuji made a sweeter fritter with a softer interior. Both are delicious-it just depends on your preference.
How to Make Gluten-Free Apple Fritters (Step-By-Step)
Step 1: Add the dry apple fritter ingredients to a large
Step 2: Melt the butter until it is warm but not hot, then add the other wet ingredients. Whisk to blend them.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and add your apple chunks.
Step 4: Mix the wet and dry ingredients together to form a batter. Compare your batter consistency to mine. If you used a flour blend that I didn’t test and it is really runny, you may need to add more flour.
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Step 5: Spray parchment paper with spray oil. I used coconut oil. Use a
🔑 Sandi says: If you are frying your fritters in hot oil, see below for the oil frying directions.
Step 6: Take a pair of scissors and cut around each fritter. You want to do this so that air can circulate all around each fritter. They will fry more evenly this way.
Step 7: Place the fritters into your air fryer basket. My air fryer has two sections, allowing me to fry 6 items at a time with the two baskets.
Spray them liberally with oil so the outsides get crisp when air-frying. If you are air-frying your fritters, be sure to spray them liberally with high-heat oil. Here are the recommended oils for the air fryer. If your oil doesn’t tolerate high heat, it will leave a rancid taste on the fritters. This also goes for oil frying!
Step 8: Air-fry the fritters at 375°F for 10 minutes. Open the air fryer and look to see if they are done. They should look golden on the outside. (These will take between 10 and 12 minutes to cook. This time greatly depends on how large your fritters are.)
Add the glaze ingredients to a small bowl.
Mix well. You want your glaze to be a bit runny. Put your fritters on a wire rack and drizzle each with the glaze. Allow the glaze to dry, and enjoy!
👀 Sandi Says: I drizzle the glaze while my fritters are still hot. This helps the glaze coat the fritters more evenly.
I also recommend you try my Gluten-Free Delicata Squash Cheddar Fritters recipe for a savory fritter.
Oil Frying Directions:
- To fry fritters in oil, heat a pan with enough oil for shallow frying. Once the oil reaches the temperature of 350°F (180°C), drop spoonfuls of the fritter batter into the hot oil. Use a digital thermometer to check the oil temperature.
- Fry until golden brown on one side, then flip and cook on the other side.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the fritters from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Enjoy your deliciously crispy gluten free fritters with apples!
Storage Tips:
- Store leftover fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To recrisp them, pop them in the air fryer at 325ºF for 4-5 minutes.
- You can also freeze leftover fritters if you like. This is a great way to meal-prep later. I recommend omitting the glaze to prevent it from softening the fritters when you recrisp them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you are trying to reduce calories by cutting down on frying, I personally recommend using an air fryer instead of an oven. This will give you the texture of fried food but without the oil and calories.
You can use any baking apple. You want a firmer apple, so when you cook it up, it holds up and doesn’t get too mushy. Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Courtland are great options.
You don’t have to add the glaze, but it does make it taste better. A slight drizzle helps add the perfect amount of sweetness to these fritters. However, if you are not a fan, feel free to leave it off.
You may also love these Gluten-Free Apple Dumplings with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Syrup!
More Gluten-Free Apple Recipes:
- Gluten-Free Apple Bundt Cake
- Easy Gluten-Free Apple Crisp
- Fool-Proof Gluten-Free Apple Cake
- Gluten-Free Apple Muffins
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. Please include which flour blend you used. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Gluten-Free Apple Fritters (Air Fryer or Oil-Fried)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups gluten free flour * see note
- ¼ cup cane sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup unsalted melted butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup apples peeled and chopped
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375º F for 5 minutes. Leave it closed so it stays warm.
- While the air fryer preheats, wash and chop your apples into small pieces. It is optional to remove the peels.
- Add 1 1/4 cups gluten free flour, 1/4 cup cane sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a large mixing bowl and whisk to blend.
- Put 1/3 cup unsalted melted butter into a microwave-safe dish and cook for 25 seconds so it is warm, not hot, and add 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 2 large eggs. Whisk to blend.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and add 1/2 cup apples.
- Mix the wet and dry ingredients into a batter. HINT: Do not overmix your dough or your fritters will turn out denser.
- Spray a piece of parchment paper with a coconut oil spray. Use a cookie scoop to drop balls of apple fritter dough onto the piece of parchment paper. If you are frying, see below for the oil frying directions.
- Take a pair of scissors and cut around each fritter. You want to do this so that air can circulate all around each fritter. They will fry more evenly this way.
- Place the fritters into your air fryer basket. My air fryer has two sections so I can fry 6 at a time with the two baskets. Spray the tops of the fritters with the same coconut oil spray.
- Air fry the fritters at 375º F for 10 minutes. Open the air fryer and look to see if they are done. They should look golden on the outsides. (These will take between 10-12 minutes to cook. This time greatly depends on how large your fritters are.)
Glaze
- Add 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract to a bowl. Mix well. You want your glaze to be a bit runny. Put your fritters on a wire rack and drizzle each with the glaze. Allow the glaze to dry, and enjoy!
- See notes for air frying directions.
Notes
- I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work; I just have not tested other flours.
- Xanthan gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 3/4 teaspoon.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter with vegan butter.
- These fritters will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
- I made my fritters in my Air Fryer in order to cut down on calories and fat. You can easily fry these fritters, and I include directions below. Many often ask which air fryer I use, right now I primarily use my Ninja Foodi Air Fryer. If I need a larger basket area for a recipe, I use my Corsori Air Fryer.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
This post was updated from an older August 2021 post with more recipe details.
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
I’m in Denver CO so always concerned about baking in altitude. Used Bob’s Red Mill 1 for 1. Added 1/2 tsp psyllium husk. 1 large and 1 small apple, did not peel. Have Cosori toaster oven air fryer (includes other features). Made 12 fritters. Baked 9, then 3. Each batch about 12-13 minutes. Overall I thought turned out really well. Not dry but could have added a tad more liquid before forming into fritters. Good flavor. My first time at your site. Great recipes, information and presentation. Thanks Sharmain
I am so glad you tried the recipe. It is possible the psyllium sucked up extra moisture. The Bob’s 1:1 already has xanthan gum, so you didn’t need the psyllium powder.
Can we freeze the preparation without cooking it?
Hi Julie, you should be able to freeze the dough.
These look and sound delicious. Have you tried or can you suggest an egg substitute? I usually use ground flax. (Egg allergy).
Thank you.
Hi Sylvia, I haven’t tested an egg replacer, but I would say try Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer and see how it goes.
Can I use egg replacer in this recipe? I don’t eat eggs.
Hi Elayne, I haven’t tested any egg replacer, but as I mentioned in your other question on my cookie recipe, I would recommend Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer.
Can these be baked? I don’t have an air fryer, and don’t want the extra calories and fat oil frying would add.
Hi Rebecca, they can be baked, but they won’t have that fried outside crisp. It would probably be more donut like.
So delish! I made in my Ninja Foodi this morning. I used Melt dairy free butter and oat milk in the icing and they were a hit!
I am so glad you enjoyed them, Stephanie. Thank you for letting us know what dairy-free butter you used!
Would love to try this recipe. I don’t see instructions for frying.
Hi Linda, Frying instructions are in the post. if you go to the table of contents at the top, you can click on Oil Frying, you will be taken to the directions.
The first cool, rainy day of the summer, so it was a perfect day to try this recipe. It is very easy to work with thanks to the terrific instructions. My fritters turned out a bit more with a bisquit texture. In saying that 10 minutes may have been a bit long in my air fryer as they were ‘very’ golden. Next time I will try less time. The fritters were still very tasty and I really loved the icing!
Hi Sabine, It may be the air fry time needs to be different. It will vary by the size of the fritters everyone is making. Did you spray the tops of each dough ball with oil?