These easy homemade gluten-free apple fritters are crisp on the outside, soft and packed with apples on the inside, with plenty of cinnamon flavor. The simple 8-ingredient batter is yeast-free and comes together in just 25 minutes.
Apple juice and maple syrup add sweetness and apple flavor without eggs or milk, so this recipe is naturally vegan and dairy-free, too.
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).
Recipe Overview: Gluten-Free Apple Fritters
- ⭐️ Difficulty: Easy
- 🕓 Total Time: 25 minutes
- 👥 Yield: 9 servings
- Key Features: Maple syrup and apple juice, fried batter, under 30 minute recipe
- Method: Quick scoop-and-fry batter; no yeast or rising
- Texture: Crisp and golden outside with a soft, apple-packed center
- ✅ Diet: Gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan
⚠️ Most Important Tip: Keep each fritter to about ¼ cup of batter and let the oil return to 350°F between batches. This helps the centers cook through before the outsides get too dark.
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FEATURED REVIEW ★★★★★
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!
- Braden
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Why This Recipe Works
- No yeast means no waiting. These fritters use a simple scoop-and-fry batter, so there's no proofing, rolling, cutting, or shaping. Mix the batter and they're ready to fry.
- Apple juice puts apple flavor in the batter, too. Along with plenty of diced apples and maple syrup, the apple juice gives the fritters extra apple flavor without requiring milk or eggs.
- Small fritters cook through before the outside gets too dark. About ¼ cup of batter per fritter gives the center enough time to cook while the exterior becomes crisp and golden.
Key InGredients & Substitutions
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. I recommend using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that already contains xanthan gum.
If your flour blend does not include xanthan gum or guar gum, add ¼ teaspoon per cup and whisk in well.
Apples
I tested this recipe with Envy and Honeycrisp apples. Both work well because they're sweet, crisp, and hold up nicely in the short fry time.
For more apple recipes using those types, check out my Gluten-Free Apple Pie, Apple Crumble Recipe Without Oats, and Gluten-Free Apple Coffee Cake.
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 - This is the main liquid in the batter and adds apple flavor without needing milk.
- 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 quantities.
How to make gluten-free apple Fritters
These fritters come together in six simple steps. The batter should be very sticky, and keeping each fritter to about ¼ cup helps the center cook through before the outside gets too dark.
- 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 4-7 minutes total, about 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!
Tip for frying gluten-free apple fritters
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 helps the centers cook through.
Let the oil return to temperature between batches.
Aim for 350°F before adding each batch. The oil temperature will drop when you add the batter, so let it return to 350°F before frying the next batch. A heavy pan or Dutch oven helps hold the heat more steadily.
reuse the vegetable oil.
Vegetable oil can be stored and reused after frying. To store, first strain out any food particles first. I like to use a strainer covered with a nut milk bag so that its 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.
You can use the same oil to make my Gluten-Free Pumpkin Donut Holes -another fall-fair-inspired treat to make after these.
How to Store and Reheat Apple Fritters
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 F.
More Gluten-Free Apple & Fried Treats
When you make this recipe, please leave a rating and review below. I always appreciate the feedback! ❤️
📖 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, about 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!