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Let me tell y’all something: fall baking just hits different. The minute the weather hints at sweater season, I’m digging through the pantry for cinnamon, brown sugar, and my apple peeler. And this year? Oh honey, I’ve got something real special for you. These Apple Fritter Bites might just be the best thing to come out of my oven since I figured out how not to burn banana bread.
I first stumbled on this little gem of a recipe thanks to my friend Courtney — you might know her as the fabulous Baker Mama. Her cookbook Brilliant Bites landed in my lap and let me tell you, I barely made it past the first few pages before I was elbow-deep in flour. “Baked Apple Fritter Bites” practically screamed my name. And the second I tasted one? Baby, it was game over.
These bites are soft, warm, and bursting with real apple goodness — no fake pie filling nonsense here. And don’t even get me started on the apple cider glaze. It’s glossy, tangy-sweet, and sets into that perfect crackly shell that just shatters when you bite into it. You know the one.
And the kicker? They’re baked. Not fried. So yes, you can eat three… or five. Who’s counting?
Why You’ll Love These (Trust Me)
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No frying mess! Just bake ’em and broil for a golden, caramelized finish.
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One bowl wonder. Less mess, more apple fritters in your mouth.
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Applesauce + fresh apple = double apple flavor punch.
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That glaze? Tart apple cider magic.
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Snackable, sharable, and perfect for cozy gatherings or solo nibbling.
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Kid-friendly, adult-approved. (Though my husband polished off half the batch before the kids even saw them…)
A Few Notes Before You Get Whisking
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Apples: Go for something firm and tart. I love Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. Dice ’em teeny-tiny — we want little bursts of apple in every bite.
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Applesauce: Unsweetened works best so things don’t get cloying.
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Spices: A little cinnamon goes a long way. Nutmeg adds warmth too, if you’re feeling fancy.
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Flour: All-purpose does the trick here. No need to overthink it.
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Cider glaze: Use real apple cider, not apple juice. If you only have juice, reduce it down first on the stove to concentrate the flavor.
Substitutions? Of course:
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No applesauce? Try Greek yogurt or mashed banana — though you’ll lose that classic apple depth.
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Gluten-free flour blends work pretty well here, just don’t skip the baking powder.
Let’s Get Baking! (No Fryer Required)
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Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a mini muffin pan. Don’t skip that step — they like to stick.
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In a big ol’ mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, applesauce, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and a splash of milk.
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Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir gently — don’t overmix, a few lumps are totally fine.
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Fold in those beautiful little apple bits.
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Spoon into your prepared muffin tin — fill them nearly full. They puff up beautifully.
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Bake for about 12–14 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
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While they’re cooling slightly, whip up your glaze: powdered sugar, apple cider, a pinch of salt, and just a kiss of cinnamon.
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Dip each fritter bite top-down into the glaze, then set them back on a rack or parchment.
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Pop ‘em under the broiler for 30–60 seconds to get that caramelized glaze — but keep an eye on ‘em! Broilers are sneaky.
Now go pour yourself a mug of cider or a hot cup of coffee, and try — just try — to stop at one.
Mix It Up! (Because You Know You Wanna)
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Caramel Apple Bites: Drizzle a little melted caramel over the glaze.
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Maple Glaze: Sub cider for maple syrup and add a splash of bourbon if you’re feeling bold.
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Pumpkin-Apple Fritter Bites: Stir in a bit of canned pumpkin and bump up the spices. Hello, fall mash-up!
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Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a little crunch.
How to Store ‘Em (If You Somehow Have Leftovers)
Honestly, these are best the day they’re made, especially with that broiled glaze. But:
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Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat for 10–15 seconds in the microwave.
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Fridge: Keep for up to 5 days, but they’ll get a little more muffin-like.
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Freezer: Freeze unglazed fritters and glaze after reheating for best texture.
If you’re planning to make them ahead, skip the broiler part and do that step fresh when serving — it really makes a difference.
Okay, So When Are You Making These?
I mean, can you think of a better way to ring in fall? Whether you’re hosting brunch, packing lunchbox treats, or just need something cozy with your cup of tea, these Apple Fritter Bites are a surefire win.
If you give them a try (and I really hope you do), come back and let me know how they turned out! Did you tweak the glaze? Toss in nuts? Eat them all standing at the stove like I did? I’m all ears.
Until next time, stay cozy and keep that oven warm.
Apple Fritter Bites
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 1/2 cups Honeycrisp or Gala apples finely diced, about 2 medium apples
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp apple cider or apple juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar until combined. Add the egg, vanilla, and applesauce, then whisk until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just combined. Fold in the diced apples gently.
- Drop 1-tablespoon scoops of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn broiler on high.
- Meanwhile, whisk together powdered sugar and apple cider to make a thin, pourable glaze.
- Brush the warm fritters with some of the glaze. Broil for 2–4 minutes, rotating the pan often, until the glaze bubbles and caramelizes slightly.
- Remove from the oven and brush the remaining glaze over the tops. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition