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!
Total Time
25–30 minutes
Serves
7–9 Fritters
Meal Type
Diet Type
Ingredients:
- BATTER:
- 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 almond milk
- GLAZE (optional):
- ⅓ cup maple or coconut sugar
- ⅓ cup coconut butter
- 2 tablespoons water
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large pan, on medium, fry apples, coconut oil, pecans and coconut sugar for about 10 minutes or until soft. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, maple syrup, flax meal, water, almond milk, pumpkin spice blend and apple mixture.
- Scoop batter (about ⅓ cup) onto a lined baking sheet, creating the fritter. Repeat until you run out of batter.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, on medium, combine glaze ingredients: coconut sugar, coconut butter and water.
- Stir often until the glaze becomes thick but runny.
- Top fritters with the glaze and serve.
These are awesome! I made them for thanksgiving and everyone loved them, including those who would never touch a “healthy” dessert! Next time I make them I might throw in another apple so you can taste them a bit more
I used cassava flour and they were a bit dense, but so far I am getting good reviews. I’d like them chewier. I only put a couple of teaspoons of coconut sugar in it, so they are thinking breakfast. I think Bob’s Mill makes a paleo flour
Please tell us what exactly is in the Paleo Flour & the measurements.
I just read another comment that inquired about “paleo” flour, too. I have a ton of almond and coconut flour, but what are you using in this recipe? I would like to make these in the next couple of days. So, if you’re able to provide us with clarification before then, that would be great! Thank you
Any recommendations for the “paleo flour”? Thanks! Looks delicious!
Dr. Axe,
Please explain, how this is a healthy recipe, 42 grams carbs, 16 grams sugar, 16 grams fat etc. for one serving. Do the other ingred. offset the harm of the above ingred.?
Do we used Almond Flour or Coconut Flour? All I see is Paleo Flour?????
Bobs red mill makes a paleo flour, it’s made out of almond flour, arrowroot starch, coconut flour and tapioca flour
https://draxe.com/recipes/paleo-flour-blend/
I agree, Cindy. I’ve been on a 20 -25g low carb diet for about a year now. Finding good recipes that fit the “low carb” lifestyle is challenging at time. That being said, recipes like these are very healthy ones and can be adjusted for the lower carb style. I’m not a fan of Paleo but I am of clean, healthy eating, so don’t reject it because of the carb count. Adjust the recipe to lower the carb count and remember this is a treat, not a daily dessert. Just keep it healthy.
I do not understand how someone that is wanting to follow a Low or No Carb diet, can
eat an Apple Fritter that has 42 carbs in one serving and loose any weight. Is that something you could eat after you loose all of your weight and you are just trying to maintain your weight ?