Description
These Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters combine flaky puff pastry with a sweet cinnamon apple filling, finished with a luscious vanilla glaze. Quick to prepare and perfect for autumn, these fritters deliver all the cozy flavors of classic apple desserts with minimal effort, making them an ideal treat for apple picking season or any time you crave a comforting snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Spice Mixture
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Pastry and Filling
- 4 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons apple butter
- 3 cups chopped Honeycrisp apples
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1-3 teaspoons instant coffee powder (optional)
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 425° F (220° C). Arrange 12-15 paper cupcake liners on a baking sheet to keep the fritters contained and easy to handle after baking.
- Mix cinnamon sugar: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon thoroughly. This mixture will coat the pastry layers and add the warm spice flavor.
- Assemble the fritters: Lay one sheet of thawed puff pastry flat on a clean surface. Brush evenly with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, then spread 1 tablespoon of apple butter over the buttered pastry. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the surface, then evenly distribute half of the chopped apples on top.
- Seal and roll: Place a second sheet of puff pastry directly over the apples to cover them completely. Gently press down to seal the layers together. Roll the layered pastry into a log shape, similar to a cinnamon roll, making sure the filling stays enclosed.
- Slice into rounds: Cut the rolled dough into 6 to 8 round pieces and place each piece into one of the prepared cupcake liners on the baking sheet. Repeat the process with the remaining pastry sheets and apple filling. Using your palm, gently press down each round to approximately half its original height, creating a flattened fritter shape. Lightly sprinkle the tops with any leftover cinnamon sugar.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is deep golden brown and cooked through. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Prepare the glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, whole milk, vanilla extract, and optional instant coffee powder. Add more milk as necessary to achieve a smooth, drizzle-friendly consistency.
- Glaze and serve: Once the fritters have cooled just enough to handle but are still warm, dip or drizzle the glaze over the top. Optionally, sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt to enhance the flavors. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, sweet, flaky apple fritters.
Notes
- If you’re heading out apple picking this fall, these fritters are perfect to make with your fresh harvest—they’re delicious and embody the flavors of the season.
- Using Honeycrisp apples provides a great balance of sweetness and tartness, but feel free to use your favorite crisp apple variety.
- If you prefer, you can omit the instant coffee in the glaze for a pure vanilla flavor.
- Make sure the puff pastry is fully thawed before assembling to ensure easy handling.
- These fritters are best enjoyed warm on the day they’re made but can be gently reheated in the oven the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 622 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
