Apple Fritters Recipe (Baked, Not Fried!)

Name: Apple Fritters Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped; 1 tablespoon coconut oil; 1 cup pecans, chopped; 4 tablespoons coconut sugar (optional); 2 cups Paleo flour; 2 tablespoons homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 4 tablespoons maple syrup; 4 tablespoons flax meal; ⅔ cup water; 1 cup unsweetened almond milk; ⅓ cup maple or coconut sugar; ⅓ cup coconut butter; 2 tablespoons water

November 13, 2022 by Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN

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When you think about fritters, the first words that come to mind probably aren’t “healthy” and “nutrient-dense,” but these apple fritters are a little different than what you’re used to. They are made with Paleo-friendly ingredients, and these apple fritters aren’t prepared with a deep frier either, so they aren’t greasy and don’t contain as many calories as your typical apple fritters.

By baking these fritters, you still get that crunchy texture, but you don’t have to worry about the affects they may have on your mood, energy and waistline.

What Are Apple Fritters?

An apple fritter is a small, fried cake that’s commonly made with a batter consisting of egg, flour and milk. Sliced apples are dipped in the batter and pan- or deep-fried to make a crunchy, tasty fritter.

Of course, the traditional American apple fritter is made with ingredients that can be hard on your digestion, waistline and overall health. That’s why I use a Paleo flour, flax meal, almond milk, coconut sugar and maple syrup in my recipe.

I also fry the apples in coconut oil instead of using rancid oils, like vegetable or canola oil, that are highly processed and can interfere with normal cell metabolism when eaten. And then I bake the fritters, cutting down on the amount of oil that’s needed to prepare this delicious dessert.

The foods and spices used in my apple fritters recipe are packed with healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. These fritters are not only a comforting fall dessert, but they are completely gluten-free, gentle on your digestive system and Paleo-friendly.

Key Ingredients

Here’s a quick glance at some of the top health benefits associated with the ingredients in this apple fritters recipe:

Apples: Apple nutrition contains a good amount of fiber, and eating apples can help to reduce inflammation and support the health of your heart.

Pecans: The healthy fats found in pecan nutrition impact your grehlin hormone, which plays a role in weight management and affects your hunger levels.

Coconut oil: Using coconut oil in your cooking can help to prevent heart disease and high blood pressure, fight infections, reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.

DIY pumpkin spice blend: My DIY pumpkin spice blend is made with a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and cardamom — all anti-inflammatory spices that contain powerful antioxidants.

How to Make Apple Fritters

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Then, take out a large frying pan and add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, 2 chopped Granny Smith apples, 1 cup of chopped pecans and 4 tablespoons of coconut sugar (which is an optional ingredient if you’d like to skip the added sweetness).

Fry the mixture for about 10 minutes until the ingredients become soft. Then set it aside so it can cool.

Next, in a large bowl, mix together 2 cups of Paleo flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 4 tablespoons of maple syrup, 4 tablespoons of flax meal, ⅔ cups of water, 1 cup of almond milk and your DIY pumpkin spice blend.

I like to use a spatula to make sure the batter is smooth and well-combined.

Then add in your fried apples and pecans mixture.

Fold it into the batter until the apples are covered.

Then, take out a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Scoop about ⅓ a cup of batter onto the baking sheet, creating a round fritter shape. Fill the sheet with fritters, leaving some space in between them. Bake them for 15 to 20 minutes.

The last step is to make your glaze. To do that, you need a small saucepan over medium heat. Combine ⅓ cup of coconut sugar, ⅓ cup of coconut butter and 2 tablespoons of water. Stir the ingredients often until the mixture becomes a thick but runny glaze.

When your fritters come out of the oven, top them with the glaze.

I know you are going to love these sweet, gooey yet crunchy treats… Enjoy!

Dig apple baked goods and want to try others as well? Make up our apple galette, apple crisp or apple cinnamon muffins.