Vegan, Paleo Apple Fritters Recipe

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.

Apple Fritters: A Comforting Fall Dessert

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 gluten-free 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.

Nutrition Facts

One serving of my apple fritters made using this recipe contains roughly the following (1, 2, 3, 4, 5):

• 320 calories
• 42 grams carbohydrates
• 5 grams fiber
• 16 grams sugar
• 16 grams fat
• 1.7 milligrams manganese (85 percent DV)
• 76 milligrams magnesium (19 percent DV)
• 177 milligrams phosphorus (18 percent DV)
• 0.26 milligrams thiamin (17 percent DV)
• 0.3 milligrams copper (15 percent DV)
• 1.8 milligrams zinc (12 percent DV)
• 0.21 milligrams vitamin B2 (12 percent DV)
• 1.9 milligrams iron (10 percent DV)
• 322 miligrams potassium (9 percent DV)
• 1.6 milligrams vitamin B3 (8 percent DV)
• 5.8 micrograms selenium (8 percent DV)
• 80 milligrams calcium (8 percent DV)
• 0.15 milligrams vitamin B6 (7.5 percent DV)
• 3.9 micrograms vitamin K (5 percent DV)
• 17.9 micrograms folate (4.5 percent DV)
• 0.43 milligrams vitamin B5 (4 percent DV)

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. They contain four types of beneficial antioxidants that work to combat free radicals that can cause degenerative diseases, and they provide pectin, a type of soluble fiber that binds to fatty substances in your digestive tract and helps to lower cholesterol levels. (6)

Pecans: The healthy fats found in pecan nutrition impact your grehlin hormone, which plays a role in weight management and affects your hunger levels. Pecans are also rich in antioxidants, so they can help prevent oxidative stress, reduce your risk of developing degenerative diseases and boost the health of your heart. (7)

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. Some other coconut oil benefits are potentially helping to improve brain function and boost your energy levels. (8, 9)

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 that may boost the health of your heart, brain, digestion and immune system. (10)

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!