These easy homemade gluten-free apple fritters are soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and full of apples and cinnamon! They come together in just 25 minutes with 8 ingredients! You won't believe how easy these are to make at home!
This recipe is also naturally vegan and free of the top 9 allergens.
If you miss the fried treats at the fairgrounds, carnivals, and fall festivals, these Gluten-Free Apple Fritters will hit the spot. I love making them most in Fall and Winter, when apples are in season and that craving for warm fried dough really kicks in (usually after a trip to the pumpkin patch or apple farm).
These apple fritters are crisp on the outside, soft and apple-packed on the inside, and feel like a true treat rather than an everyday bake. They're perfect for weekends, special mornings, and anytime you want something nostalgic and indulgent.
For another recipe that's very similar and also super simple, check out my Gluten-Free Fried Pumpkin Donut Holes.
If you're deciding between different apple desserts, check out my Apple Crumble Without Oats or browse all of my gluten-free apple recipes here.
How to make it (with photos)
Just 8 ingredients, 25 minutes, and a really simple one-bowl method will have you biting into a crisp gluten-free apple fritter in no time!
Ingredients Notes + Substitutions
You need 8 common Fall baking ingredients to make this gluten-free apple fritters recipe.
Gluten-Free Flour Blend
I used Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Flour. This flour already has xanthan gum in it so you don't need to add it.
Other Gluten-Free All Purpose flours with xanthan gum or guar gum will work well as a replacement. I also like Pamela's All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour.
If your flour blend does not include xanthan gum or guar gum, add ¼ teaspoon per cup and whisk in well.
Apples
Any sweet apple variety will work! I used Envy apples. Honeycrisp apples are one of the best apples to use in this recipe. You can also use chopped granny smith apples in combination with a sweet apple variety for a sweet and tarte taste.
Avoid any apples that are particularly bitter without sweet apples to balance it out.
More Ingredient Notes
- brown sugar - You can substitute regular granulated sugar or coconut sugar for this recipe. If using coconut sugar, I recommend measuring by weight or adding 2 extra tablespoons since it is naturally less sweet than regular sugar.
- gluten-free baking powder - Clabber Girl and Rumford brands both make baking powder that is gluten-free in the USA.
- apple juice - For extra spice, use apple cider. Using apple juice enhances the apple taste and cuts down on the added sugar.
- vegetable oil - Vegetable oil is my frying oil of choice. I don't recommend using canola oil as a replacement because it leaves a strong aftertaste.
You also need cinnamon, salt, and maple syrup to make this recipe.
See the recipe card for full ingredients and quantities.
Variations
This gluten-free apple fritters recipe is sweet and simple, which leaves plenty of room for you to make it your own! Here are some variations to consider:
- Lemon Zest - Adding a little bit of grated lemon zest tastes amazing in this recipe!
- Nutmeg - â…› teaspoon of nutmeg adds a nice spiciness.
- With Glaze - Traditional apple fritters typically have either a sugar glaze or powdered sugar on top. We preferred powdered sugar, but I left a recipe for a simple glaze in the comments of the recipe card for you to try.
- Chocolate Sauce - A little bit of melted chocolate makes a great dipping sauce for apple fritters.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Learn how to make gluten-free apple fritters with these 6 steps! Pay attention to the consistency of the batter and color of the final fritters (undercooked fritters can be goopy).
- Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk together.
- Wet Ingredients: Add the diced apples, apple juice, and maple syrup to the dry ingredient mixture. Stir until just combined. The batter will be very sticky.
- Oil: Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large deep fry pan or dutch oven.
- Form the fritters: Use a ¼ cup measure, ice cream scoop, or large cookie scoop to scoop the fritter batter and place it into the hot oil. Add 4-5 fritters to the pan at a time. After about a minute, use a spatula to gently slide under each fritter so they don't stick to the bottom.
- Fry: Cook the apple fritters for 2-3 minutes per side, flipping with a spatula or turning with two forks, until they are crispy and golden brown on all sides. Meanwhile, put a wire cooling rack on top of a baking sheet.
- Cool: Transfer the cooked fritters from the oil to the wire cooling rack. Allow to cool for 7-10 minutes before sprinkling with powdered sugar if you like. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Make amazing gluten-free apple fritters on the first try with these expert tips!
Keep them small.
Keep the apple fritters small (about ¼ cup of batter per fritter) and allow them to cook until they are golden brown and crisp on the outside. This will make sure the centers cook through.
Did you know that you can reuse the vegetable oil for frying in the future?
To do this, strain out any food particles first. I like to use a strainer covered with a nut milk bag so that it is filtered well.
Then pour the oil in a sealable storage container and keep it in a cool dark place in your kitchen. Use it up to 8 times over no longer than 2 months. Always inspect the color and smell the oil before use to make sure it is not rotten or rancid.
Recipe FAQs
Here I answered some frequently asked questions about this Gluten-Free Apple Fritters recipe. Don't see your question? Leave it in the comments at the end of this post and I'll answer within two business days.
Store leftover gluten-free apple fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat in the oven, place the apple fritters on a wire rack on a baking sheet and set the oven temperature to 350 degrees (using a convection setting if possible). Allow them to warm through and watch carefully to make sure they don't overcook.
I prefer reheating them using the air fryer set to 350 degrees.
All apple fritters are made with apples, flour, baking powder or soda, oil for frying, and a sweetener. Other ingredients that are sometimes included are salt and spices, eggs, applesauce, and milk.
Fritters are fried with the fillings inside (apple pieces, for example) whereas the fillings are added to donuts after they are fried.
More apple dessert recipes
Each of these apple desserts offers a different option depending on how indulgent or simple you want to go.
- Gluten-Free Apple Pie - classic holiday dessert
- Apple Crumble without oats - cozy baked alternative
- Gluten-Free Apple Coffee Cake - great for brunch or guests
- Baked Cinnamon Apple Slices - simple, unfussy option
- Pie Iron Apple Pie - fun camping dessert
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the comments below. Thank you!
📖 Recipe
Gluten-Free Apple Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons gluten-free all purpose flour with xanthan gum (250 grams)
- ½ cup lightly packed brown sugar (75 grams)
- 2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups apples, peeled and cored and cut into a small dice (about 2 medium apples)
- ¾ cup apple juice (175 ml)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (30 ml)
- 7 cups vegetable oil (1600 ml)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar to sprinkle on top , optional
Instructions
- Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the gluten-free flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk together.
- Wet Ingredients: Add the diced apples, apple juice, and maple syrup to the dry ingredient mixture. Stir until just combined. The batter will be sticky.
- Oil: Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large deep fry pan or dutch oven.
- Form the fritters: Use a ¼ cup measure, ice cream scoop, or large cookie scoop to scoop the fritter batter and place it into the hot oil. Add 4-5 fritters to the pan at a time. After about a minute, use a spatula to gently slide under each fritter so they don't stick to the bottom.
- Fry: Cook the apple fritters for 4-7 minutes total (2-3 minutes per side), flipping with a spatula or turning with two forks, until they are crispy and golden brown on all sides. Meanwhile, put a wire cooling rack on top of a baking sheet.
- Cool: Transfer the cooked fritters from the oil to the wire cooling rack. Allow to cool for 7-10 minutes before sprinkling with powdered sugar if you like. Enjoy!
Nancy says
This is a great recipe! These gluten-free apple fritters are always a hit. I made them last year and pulled up the recipe to make them again this year. My grandkids love them.
Jana says
We loved these gluten-free apple fritters and will be making them again!
Cori says
This is without question a five star recipe. Thank you so much for showing me that gluten-free apple Fritters can be easy to make!
Kevin says
These gluten-free apple fritters are also vegan and we love the flavor from the apple juice. We will definitely be making these again.
Jessica says
These gluten free apple fritters are divine! My cousin said they’re better than the non gf recipe he usually makes. We’ll all be making these again!
Cheryl says
I’m truly in love with this super simple gluten free apple fritters recipe! I can’t believe how easy and delicious they are. I’ll be making them many more times. Thank you!
Jean says
I’m currently drowning in nostalgia and happy tears because these gluten free apple fritters are BETTER than I remember the gluten ones being. My family loves them.
Mara says
These gluten free apple fritters are just amazing! Loaded with apples and flavor and so crisp.
Camela says
Wow these are incredible! So crispy and so flavorful. I think these apple fritters are way better and have much more flavor than what I used to get at carnivals (when I didn’t eat gluten free). They warm and crisp nicely when reheated in the air fryer!
Jana says
These are amazing! I’m going to make them again for thanksgiving guests to snack on when they arrive. I’m so excited to share!!
Braden says
These are delicious! The apple fritters are more flavorful than ones I remember. I think it's because of the apple juice and that they are loaded with apples. The recipe is very easy too. I'll be making these many more times!