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Apple Fritter Donuts Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 641 reviews

Delicious homemade Apple Fritter Donuts with a soft, tender dough filled with sweet cinnamon apple filling, fried to golden perfection, and finished with a luscious apple glaze. These fritters combine the best of classic apple pie flavors in a doughnut form, perfect for breakfast or a sweet treat anytime.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 1 cup 2% milk (warmed about 120º-125º Fahrenheit)
  • 1/2 cup salted butter (melted)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4–4 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons Red Star Platinum Superior Baking Yeast (instant yeast)

Apple Filling

  • 6 cups Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored, and chopped; about 6 medium apples)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple juice
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter

Glaze

  • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup apple juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For Frying

  • 1 quart vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: Pour the warm milk, eggs, melted butter, sugar, and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add two cups of bread flour and instant yeast, then mix with a beater blade just until combined. Add another 2 cups flour, reserving remaining flour to add if needed. Mix briefly again, then let rest for 5 minutes to allow the flour to absorb liquids.
  2. Knead the Dough: Attach the dough hook and beat the dough on medium speed, adding up to 1/2 cup more flour as needed to form an elastic, tacky, and smooth dough. Knead for 5-7 minutes. Transfer the dough to a greased large bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until nearly doubled.
  3. Prepare the Apple Filling: Place chopped apples and sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often for about 10 minutes until apples soften. In a small cup, whisk apple juice and cornstarch together, then add to the apples along with cinnamon and butter. Stir until thickened, then remove from heat and cool completely in the fridge.
  4. Assemble the Doughnuts: Turn risen dough onto a floured surface and pat into a 2-inch thick rectangle. Spread half the apple filling down the center, fold top and bottom over the filling, then rotate dough so folds are on the sides. Pat again into a 2-inch thick rectangle, spread remaining apple filling, and fold as before.
  5. Shape the Fritters: Let the dough rest while heating oil. Then pat dough out to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into 1-inch squares with a pizza cutter, gather scraps and form a 14-inch log, slicing into about 14 pieces. Shape each piece into a compact ball, adding flour to prevent sticking. Allow resting while oil heats.
  6. Heat Oil for Frying: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven to 375ºF. Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature.
  7. Fry the Fritters: Carefully drop 4-5 fritters into hot oil without overcrowding. Fry for about 3 minutes until golden brown, then flip and fry for an additional 4-5 minutes until both sides are golden. Remove fritters to a wire rack over paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining fritters, maintaining oil temperature.
  8. Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, heavy cream, apple juice, vanilla bean paste, and salt until runny enough to drizzle. Add more apple juice as needed for consistency.
  9. Glaze the Fritters: After frying, let fritters cool for about 5 minutes, then dip each into the glaze to coat thoroughly. Allow glaze to set before serving.

Notes

  • Use instant yeast for a quicker rise and better dough texture.
  • Keep the oil temperature steady at 375ºF to ensure even frying and avoid greasy fritters.
  • Allow the apple filling to cool completely before assembling to prevent dough from becoming soggy.
  • Dust hands and surfaces with flour to manage sticky dough during shaping.
  • The glaze consistency is important; it should be pourable but not too thin to properly coat the fritters.

Keywords: apple fritter donuts, apple doughnuts, homemade apple fritters, fried donuts, cinnamon apple donuts, sweet fried dough

Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/apple-fritter-donuts-recipe/