Applesauce Fritters

These Applesauce Fritters are made with unsweetened applesauce instead of chopped apples, then fried in small portions until golden. Roll them warm in cinnamon sugar or serve with Maple Caramel Dip for dipping.

Course Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword apple fritters, applesauce fritters, cinnamon sugar fritters, fried apple fritters

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings to 24 fritters

Calories 66kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Equipment

Dutch Oven or other heavy, deep pot. Choose one with enough room above the oil to safely contain bubbling and splattering.
thermometer for frying The easiest way to maintain the oil at 350°F (175°C).
small cookie scoop Helps keep the fritters close to tablespoon-size so they cook evenly.
slotted spoon or spider strainer. For safely removing the fritters from the hot oil.
wire rack with rimmed baking sheet Useful for holding the fritters after frying.
paper towels For draining excess oil.

Ingredients

Applesauce Fritters:

1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
2 tsps (8 g) baking powder
¼ tsp (1 g) baking soda
½ tsp (3 g) table salt
1 tsp (2.5 g) ground cinnamon
¼ tsp (0.5 g) ground nutmeg
2 tbsps (25 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 cup (245 g) unsweetened applesauce
¼ cup (60 ml) milk
2 tsps (10 ml) vanilla extract
1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter melted
canola oil or peanut oil for frying

Optional Cinnamon Sugar:

1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
2 tsps (5 g) ground cinnamon

For Serving:

Maple Caramel Dip optional

Instructions

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and granulated sugar in a medium bowl.
1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour, 2 tsps (8 g) baking powder, ¼ tsp (1 g) baking soda, ½ tsp (3 g) table salt, 1 tsp (2.5 g) ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp (0.5 g) ground nutmeg, 2 tbsps (25 g) granulated sugar
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, unsweetened applesauce, milk, vanilla extract and melted butter until well combined.
1 large egg, 1 cup (245 g) unsweetened applesauce, ¼ cup (60 ml) milk, 2 tsps (10 ml) vanilla extract, 1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. The batter should be thick enough to hold together when dropped from a spoon or scoop.
Pour 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) of oil into a heavy, deep pot and heat to 350°F (175°C).
canola oil
Fry one test fritter before cooking the full batch. Drop a tablespoon-size portion of batter into the hot oil and fry for 2–3 minutes, turning as needed, until deep golden brown and cooked through. If the batter spreads too much, stir 1–2 tablespoons of additional flour into the batter. If the batter is too firm, stir in a small amount of milk or applesauce.
Working in small batches, carefully drop tablespoon-size portions of batter into the oil. Fry for 2–3 minutes, turning as needed, until deep golden brown and cooked through. Maintain the oil temperature as close to 350°F (175°C) as possible between batches.
Transfer the fritters to a paper-towel-lined tray to drain. If using the cinnamon sugar, roll the fritters in it while they are still warm.
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 2 tsps (5 g) ground cinnamon
Serve the applesauce fritters warm, with Maple Caramel Dip for dipping if desired.
Maple Caramel Dip

Notes

Applesauce varies by brand. The batter should be thick enough to hold together when dropped from a spoon or scoop.
Fry one test fritter before cooking the full batch. Add 1–2 tablespoons (8-16 g) flour if the batter spreads too much, or a small amount of milk or applesauce if it’s too firm.
Keep the fritters tablespoon-size and maintain the oil at 350°F (175°C) for even cooking.
Fry in small batches, allowing the oil to return to temperature between batches.
The optional cinnamon sugar and Maple Caramel Dip are not included in the nutritional calculation. Nutrition includes an estimated amount of oil absorbed during frying; actual absorption will vary.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary, and Noble Pig makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition