These gluten free apple fritters are full of delicious fall flavors! Each sweet bite is full of apple cinnamon flavors! They cook in just minutes in your air fryer. (I also include oil frying directions for those who don’t have an air fryer!)
I am really excited about this new gluten free apple fritters recipe. It is a huge bonus that you can make these in an air fryer instead of frying them in oil. Oil frying can be so messy.
I tried to modify an old recipe of my grandmother’s…my version isn’t quite the same, but I used her process. This is an old-fashioned apple fritter recipe. The only difference is I adapted it to be gluten free and cooked one of two ways. Air frying or oil frying.
If you love apples as much as we do, check out all of my incredible Gluten Free Apple Recipes!
Why This Recipe Is Great:
- One of the things I love most about this gluten free apple fritters recipe is how adaptable it is. You can make in the traditional way by frying them in a light oil or make them low-fat by cooking them in your air fryer.
- You can also use or add different fruits like peaches or blueberries for even more flavor.
- They have great texture. The outside is crispy with a soft, moist interior.
If you air fry them, they will be a lot healthier than if you deep fry them, but again…you have options! If you love having healthier options, you will want to try my Paleo Apple Cinnamon Donuts recipe too!
Allergen Information:
This recipe is gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free. See the Substitutions section below for dairy-free and gum-free directions.
I made my apple fritters in my air fryer in order to cut down on calories and fat. You can easily fry these fritters, and I include directions shown below. Many often ask which air fryer I use. I primarily use my Ninja Foodi Air Fryer, but if I need a larger basket area for a recipe, I use my Corsori Air Fryer. I talk more about air fryers and gluten free in my best air fryers for gluten free post.
This is one of my favorite gluten-free flour blends for cookies, cakes, pie crust, biscuits, and muffins! (Do not use this flour blend for yeast recipes.)
Ingredient Notes:
- Gluten Free Flour Blend – I tested this recipe using Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour Blend and King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten Free Blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work; I just have not tested other blends in this recipe.
- Xanthan Gum – If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon. See the Substitutions section below for a gum-free version.
- Baking Powder – Use aluminum-free.
- Sugar – I used cane sugar.
- Ground Cinnamon
- Apples – The best apples to make these gluten free fritters are the more sweet tart apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, and Pink Lady. Peeling the apples is optional.
- Eggs – Use size large.
- Butter – Use unsalted butter.
- Lemon Juice
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract.
Substitutions:
- To make this recipe dairy-free, use plant-based dairy-free butter.
- Feel free to experiment with other fruits like peaches, blueberries, etc.
Tips For Sucess:
- If you are air frying your fritters, be sure to spray the fritters liberally with a high heat oil. Here are recommended oils for the air fryer. If your oil doesn’t tolerate high heat, it will leave a rancid taste to the fritters. This also goes for oil frying!
- Note that every gluten free flour blend has a different grain-to-starch ratio. If the batter is too thick or too runny, you will need to adjust with more flour or liquids.
How To Make Gluten Free Apple Fritters:
Gather your ingredients and preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 375º F. Keep the air fryer closed after preheating to keep the heat in.
Step 1: Add the dry apple fritter ingredients to a large
Step 2: Melt your butter so it is warm, not hot, and 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 into 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.
Step 5: Spray parchment paper with a coconut oil spray. 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, so I can fry 6 at a time with the two baskets. Spray the tops of the fritters with the same oil spray.
Spray them liberally with oil so the outsides get crisp when they air fry.
Step 8: 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.)
Step 8: Add the glaze ingredients to a small bowl.
Step 9: 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!
HINT: I drizzle the glaze while my fritters are still hot. This helps the glaze coat the fritters more evenly.
I love sweet fruity fritters, but I also recommend you try my Gluten Free Delicata Squash Cheddar Fritters recipe for something savory!
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.
- 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!
Recipe Q&A:
If you are trying to cut some of the calories out from frying, I personally recommend using the air fryer instead of the oven. This is going to give you the texture of fried but without the oil and the 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. But if you are not a fan, just leave it off.
I find with the fresh apples in this recipe, it is best to be stored in the fridge. It will help prolong the shelf life of these fritters. You can eat them cold or toss them in the microwave for a quick reheat for a fresh, out-of-the-oven taste.
You can also freeze leftover fritters if you would like. This is a great way to meal prep down the line. I recommend leaving off the powdered sugar glaze so it doesn’t soften up the fritters.
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
Gluten Free Apple Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups gluten free flour * see note
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 eggs large
- ½ cup apples peeled and chopped
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375º F for 5 minutes. Leave it closed so it stays warm.
- Add the dry apple fritter ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend.
- Melt your butter so it is warm, not hot, and add the other wet ingredients. Whisk to blend.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and add your apple chunks.
- 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.)
- Add the glaze ingredients 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 1 teaspoon.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter.
- These fritters will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight 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 down 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, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
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’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?