Name: Air Fryer Apple Fritters – air fryer desserts easy recipes apple
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/3 cup milk; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup diced apples (peeled); Cooking spray; Optional: powdered sugar or glaze for topping

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These air fryer apple fritters are everything I love in a fall treat—warm, spiced, slightly crisp on the outside, and full of apple chunks on the inside. The best part? You don’t need to deep-fry anything. Just a trusty air fryer and a little bit of time. I remember making these with my kids on a rainy Saturday afternoon. The kitchen smelled like cinnamon and childhood. If you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to turn on the oven or make a mess, this recipe is your friend. It’s a dessert that checks all the boxes—quick, easy, and ridiculously good. And if you’re like me and think apples belong in everything once September hits, you’re going to be obsessed.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Air Fryer Apple Fritters Recipe
3) Ingredients for Air Fryer Apple Fritters
4) How to Make Air Fryer Apple Fritters
5) Tips for Making Air Fryer Apple Fritters
6) Making Air Fryer Apple Fritters Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Air Fryer Apple Fritters
8) Try these Desserts next!
9) Air Fryer Apple Fritters
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Quick, 20-minute sweet treat with simple ingredients.
Uses the air fryer for a lighter, less oily finish.
Perfect for apples that need using up—fresh or slightly soft.
Flexible enough for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and practically mess-free.

2) Easy Air Fryer Apple Fritters Recipe

I never thought I’d be the kind of person who makes fritters on a weeknight. But once I discovered the beauty of air fryer easy recipes, that changed fast. This recipe takes everything we love about apple fritters—warm spices, crisp edges, soft apple chunks—and removes the need for hot oil and mess. No standing over a fryer. No splattered stove. Just mix, scoop, and walk away while the air fryer does the work.

It’s amazing how something so fast can still feel cozy. The scent of cinnamon and apple is like a little autumn memory that floats through the kitchen, whether you’re making these in September or smack in the middle of summer. This is one of those quick and easy recipes you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. We do. Maybe too often, if that’s a thing.

And if you’re someone who hoards apples from the farmer’s market or forgets about that last one in the crisper, this is the rescue recipe. It doesn’t ask much. Just one bowl, one machine, and a few pantry staples. That’s the magic of sweet easy recipes like this.

3) Ingredients for Air Fryer Apple Fritters

All-purpose flour – This is the base that holds everything together. Don’t pack it too tight. A gentle scoop will do.

Granulated sugar – Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overdoing it. You can use coconut sugar too if you’re into that.

Baking powder – This lifts the batter a little as it cooks, so you get those lovely puffed fritters instead of dense little dough blobs.

Ground cinnamon – Warm and slightly sweet, cinnamon brings that cozy flavor that makes apple fritters feel like fall in a bite.

Salt – Just a pinch. It balances the sweet and sharpens the overall flavor.

Milk – Adds moisture to the batter. Whole milk works great, but almond or oat milk are fine swaps too.

Egg – Helps bind everything and gives the fritters some structure. One large egg is perfect here.

Vanilla extract – Adds depth and a lovely aroma. You’ll miss it if you skip it.

Apples – Choose a firm variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Peel and chop them into small chunks so they soften evenly as they cook.

Powdered sugar or glaze – Totally optional, but highly recommended. A quick dusting or drizzle finishes them beautifully.

4) How to Make Air Fryer Apple Fritters

Step 1 – In a big bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together. This sets the foundation, so get it evenly combined.

Step 2 – Add in the milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until just mixed. The batter should be thick but not dry. Lumpy is okay—overmixing is not.

Step 3 – Fold in your chopped apples. Make sure they’re evenly coated in the batter but don’t go wild with the stirring.

Step 4 – Line your air fryer basket or tray with parchment. Scoop heaping tablespoons of batter and place them with space between each one.

Step 5 – Cook at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes. They should be golden brown on the outside and cooked through in the middle. A quick poke with a toothpick will tell you.

Step 6 – Let them cool for a few minutes before dusting with powdered sugar or glazing. That part’s up to you. (We say yes to both.)

5) Tips for Making Air Fryer Apple Fritters

If the batter feels too dry, add a splash of milk. Apples can vary in moisture, so it’s okay to adjust. The goal is scoopable, not pourable.

Don’t crowd the air fryer. Leave room for the hot air to circulate or you’ll get soft sides instead of a crisp edge. Cook in batches if you have to.

If your fritters are browning too fast, lower the temperature slightly or check your air fryer’s hot spots. They all run a little different. And remember, powdered sugar is your friend. Even the imperfect ones look fancy with a dusting.

6) Making Air Fryer Apple Fritters Ahead of Time

These fritters are best warm, but they reheat surprisingly well. You can make a batch earlier in the day and warm them in the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes at 350°F.

If you’re prepping for the next morning, mix the dry and wet ingredients separately and combine right before cooking. Chopped apples can be tossed in lemon juice and stored covered in the fridge overnight.

The batter doesn’t sit well, so hold off on mixing until you’re ready to cook. That said, if you’re okay with a slightly denser fritter, it’s fine in a pinch.

7) Storing Leftover Air Fryer Apple Fritters

Store any extras in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about three minutes to bring back the crispiness.

You can freeze them too. Let them cool fully, then wrap individually and place in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to a month. Reheat straight from frozen with a few extra minutes added.

Avoid microwaving if possible—it makes them chewy instead of crisp. Air fryer desserts easy recipes like this deserve a proper crisp finish.

8) Try these Desserts next!

9) Air Fryer Apple Fritters