• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chelsea Peachtree
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Portfolio
  • Freebies
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Portfolio
  • Freebies
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Vegan Apple Fritters

    Vegan Apple Fritters

    Published: Sep 30, 2020 · Modified: Apr 25, 2022 by Chelsea Peachtree · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Share With Your Friends!

    25 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    DIET: Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian

    These Vegan Apple Fritters are filled with fresh gala apples, deep fried until crispy and golden, then generously coated in cinnamon sugar. Serve these delicious vegan donuts warm with a scoop of vegan ice cream or as a decadent breakfast treat. All you need is 30 minutes to make at home.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Quick and easy! Making homemade vegan apple fritters is just as convenient as driving to your local donut shop. All you need is 30 minutes to have these fresh donuts ready for family and friends.
    • Air fryer option. Although the most classic apple fritter flavor is achieved through deep frying, you can make these vegan apple fritters in the air fryer with a very minimal amount of oil for a healthier treat.
    • Authentic tasting vegan donuts. Although I absolutely love baked donuts (try my Peanut Butter Jelly Donuts, Maple Pecan Vegan Donuts, or Chocolate Peanut Butter Doughnuts)), nothing compares to a deep fried donut. These apple fritters have the most authentic, doughy donut texture that cannot be achieved in the oven.

    Ingredient Notes

    All ingredients for vegan apple fritters in individual bowls with text labels on a white surface
    • Apples - My favorite apples to use when making homemade vegan apple fritters is gala apples. They are soft enough to cook quickly and create the perfect textured filling. If you can't find gala apples, I also recommend using fuji apples. Avoid granny smith or red delicious apples - they are too hard in texture and can be on the tarter side.
    • Maple syrup - Maple syrup compliments the sweetness in the gala apples and makes the best flavored fritters. I do not recommend substituting with another sweetener, especially not a granulated sugar. The liquid is necessary for the correct consistency in the batter.
    • All purpose flour - Using all purpose flour is going to create the lightest, fluffiest donut batter. I don't recommend using whole wheat flour as it will be much denser of a donut dough. The only other flour substitute I recommend is Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour.
    • Flax egg - The flax egg in this recipe is helping to bind the dough together and keep the batter together as it fries. I have not tested another vegan egg substitute.
    • Plant-based milk - Any plant-based milk will work in this recipe, just make sure to use an unsweetened milk. I like oat milk or soy milk best because they are the creamiest.

    Step by Step Instructions

    Prepare the batter

    1. Peel the apples - In order to make the smoothest textured apple fritters, you want to completely peel your gala apples before dicing them into very small, chocolate chip sized pieces. You can do this easiest with a y-shaped peeler or if necessary, a simple chef's nice will work as well.
    2. Whisk together the wet ingredients - In a large sized mixing bowl, whisk together the melted vegan butter, maple syrup, vegan milk, and flax egg until evenly incorporated.
    3. Whisk together the dry ingredients - In a separate medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sea salt.
    4. Mix together the wet and dry ingredients to form a batter - Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and fold together gently with a spatula until a semi thick batter forms.
    Process shots to make apple fritters, the first being the flax egg and plant based milk mixed together and the second with the dry ingredients combined with wet to make a batter.
    1. Add the apples to the batter - Fold in the diced apples until evenly dispersed throughout the batter. The batter should be thick, soft, and sticky. It will be loose, and not hold its shape on its own.

    Frying the Fritters

    1. Heat your frying oil - In a larger sauce pan, heat 2 cups of neutral frying oil until 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not own a thermometer, you can test the hotness of the oil by dropping a small piece of bread into the oil. If the bread immediately begins to form bubbles around it and starts frying, the oil is hot enough.
    2. Fry your apple fritters in batches - Gently drop 1 tablespoon scoops of apple fritter batter directly into the hot oil. Continue until the frying pan is full, but not overcrowded. Fry each apple fritter on each side for roughly 1 minute, or until the fritters are crispy and golden brown.
    The next process shots for make vegan apple fritters, with the first being a clear bowl on a white surface with the apple fritter batter and apple chunks, then the next with the fritters frying in a pan with oil
    1. Transfer the apple fritters to a paper towel - Once golden, remove the fritters from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer the apple fritters to a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
    2. Coat the apple fritters in cinnamon sugar - After the apple fritters have rested on the paper towel and drained any excess oil, transfer the apple fritters to a paper bag or a large Tupperware. Sprinkle the coating mixture over them and gently shake to coat the apple fritters.
    3. Serve immediately while hot! Apple fritters are always best when served as fresh as possible. If you do need to reheat them, gently reheat them in the microwave for 30 seconds or the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 450 degrees, Fahrenheit.
    The fritters on a paper towel after being fried. They are golden brown.

    FAQs

    Can I make apple fritters in the air fryer?

    Yes! If you prefer to make a healthier, baked style apple fritter, you can make these vegan apple fritters in the air fryer. First, lightly grease the bottom of the air fryer basket. Place 1 tablespoon scoops of batter in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 450 degrees, Fahrenheit for 8 minutes. Remove and sugar coat as usual.

    Can I make these apple fritters gluten free?

    Yes, these apple fritters can be made both vegan and gluten free. If gluten free, substitute the all purpose flour for Bob's Red Mill 1-1 Gluten Free flour. These apple fritters have not been tested with another gluten free blend, but if you have success, leave a comment below!

    How long is an apple fritter good for?

    As with any donuts or fried foods, apple fritter donuts are really best served fresh. If necessary, they can be kept for up to three days at room temperature. Refrigeration or freezing is not recommended.

    Are apple fritters a donut?

    Yes! Apple fritters are a type of donut. They are essentially a kind of donut dough with fresh apples stuffed into it.

    Expert Tips

    • Choose a frying oil with a high smoke point - When you are deep frying at home, it is important to use an oil with a high smoke point. I recommend using a vegetable oil or canola oil. Do not use olive oil or coconut oil. Instead, reserve olive oil and coconut oil for light pan frying and sautéing of vegetables.
    • Use a wide, large pot for frying. It is always better to use a pot that is on the larger side as opposed to the smaller side when frying to reduce any chance of splashing over the side of the pot.
    • Never leave a hot pot of frying oil unattended. Frying at home is something to take seriously. Always stay nearby while the oil is heating up to prevent any accidents. Once the apple fritters are done frying, turn off the burner and cool the oil completely before transferring the oil to an empty container.
    Apple fritters stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one and sugar on top.

    More Vegan Donuts to Try

    • Vegan Peanut Butter Jelly Donuts
    • Vegan Maple Donuts
    • Vegan Blueberry Lemon Donuts
    • Peanut Butter Doughnut with bite taken out of it on a gray plate on a pink surface with a towel and other donuts surrounding it
      Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Doughnuts (vegan)

    Vegan Apple Fritters

    Chelsea Peachtree
    These Vegan Apple Fritters are filled with fresh gala apples, deep fried until crispy and golden, then generously coated in cinnamon sugar. Serve these delicious vegan donuts warm with a scoop of vegan ice cream or as a decadent breakfast treat. All you need is 30 minutes to make at home.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Diet Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings 18 fritters
    Calories 71 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups gala apples chopped into bite size pieces
    • 1 ½ cup all purpose flour
    • 1 tbsp maple syrup
    • 1 cup plant based milk
    • 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 2 ½ tbsp water)
    • ¼ cup butter melted
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp all spice
    • ½ tsp nutmeg
    • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
    • 1 tbsp brown sugar
    • Frying Oil Canola

    Coating

    • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
    • 1 tbsp brown sugar
    • ¼ tsp cinnamon

    Instructions
     

    • Peel the gala apples and cut them into bite size pieces, approx. the size of a chocolate chip.
    • Make the flax egg by combining 1 tbsp of ground flax and 2 ½ tbsp of water. Mix in a small bowl and allow to sit for 10 minutes. It will be jelly like.
    • Mix the melted vegan butter, plant based milk, maple syrup and flax egg until well combined.
    • In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients (not apples) and mix until well combined.
    • Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until a dough forms.
    • Gently fold in the apple chunks. The batter will be soft, sticky + thick. It will not be moldable.
    • Heat 2 cups of frying oil in a pan over medium high heat. I used a sauce pan.
    • Heat the oil until 350 degrees. If you do not have a thermometer, throw a small piece of bread (crouton size) into the oil. If it becomes crispy and fried, the oil is hot enough.
    • Dump 1 tbsp of the batter into the frying pan. Repeat until you fill the frying pan, but do not overcrowd it. I fit approx 3 comfortably in my pan.
    • Fry for 1 minute on each side, until the fritters are golden brown.
    • Remove the fritters from the frying pan using a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel, allowing the towel to absorb all additional oil.
    • Repeat with the rest of the batter.
    • Place all fritters into a brown paper bag or a tupperware container. Place the cinnamon sugar coating ingredients into the bag or container and gently mix to coat the fritters.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Important Tips:
    I used Gala Apples to make this recipe. Gala apples will turn soft from baking quickly and also break down nicely so they are easy and soft to eat.  You may use another soft apple as well, such as fuji. Do not use Granny Smith or Red Delicious, they are too hard.
    Clean debris out of the frying pan between each fritter batch. Use a slotted spoon to do so. 
    Substitutions:
    You may use any plant-based milk. 
    You may use Bobs Red Mill 1-1 GF flour for gluten free option. 
    Air Fry:
    If you would like to air fry, place 1 tbsp of batter onto the air fryer and fry for approx 8 minutes at 450 degrees. 
    Storage:
    These fritters are best served immediately due the frying nature. If you do need to reheat them, gently reheat them in the microwave for 30 seconds or the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 450 degrees.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 71kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 43mgPotassium: 39mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 39IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
    Follow Me on Instagram!@ChelseaPeachtree #chelseapeachtree
    « Just Egg French Toast
    Easy Vegan Hand Pies (Apple) »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 ChelseaPeachTree

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT