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Welcoming Friday and September apples with these Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters. Sweet Honeycrisp apples baked in between layers of extra buttery flaky puff pastry with cinnamon sugar and a sweet vanilla glaze. These shortcut fritters are so delicious and just perfect for autumn. If you’re heading out apple picking this fall, you must make these fritters. They’re simple to make and beyond delicious.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

I say this every single season, but this is my time of year. These are the days I love so much. It’s funny because I’m in New York this week for multiple events and meetings, but it feels more like summer here. It’s 90 degrees and humid, but I’m still in my fall mode and so happy to be!

With September here, it’s time to focus on our apple recipes! Too many people jump ship and go right to pumpkin everything. But as I say every year, September is for apples, October is the time to break out the pumpkin recipes.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

With that in mind, I have so many new apple recipes coming up – both sweet and savory! But per usual I had to share one of my favorites first. These apple fritters are the best treat!

When I set out to make these, I had every intention to make a more traditional fritter, but baked, not fried.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

I adore a really great apple fritter made with local apples. Especially a New York State Empire apple (perfection). Just like the ones we used to get in western New York when I was little. Those memories inspired me to want to share a baked fritter recipe that would be just as delish.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

Unfortunately, the baked fritters I was attempting to make weren’t turning out so great, so I kept thinking. And then while I was hiking I had this idea.

They aren’t classic fritters, but they’re so delicious. And they’re the easiest way I could think of to bake up a delicious apple fritter.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

Details

Step 1: layer the pastry

We’re working with puff pastry for these fritters. The idea is to sandwich chopped-up apples between two sheets of puff pastry.

You’ll first want to layer the pastry with butter, apple butter, cinnamon sugar, and then the apples.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

Next, roll the pastry up into a log and cut it into cute little rolls. As I type this out, it sounds kind of tricky, but it’s one of the easiest things.

Use the photo as guidance. And what I love about a fritter is that they’re naturally messy. The more not perfect they are, the better!

Don’t stress.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

Step 2: flatten the pastries

Now that you have cute little apple rolls, you need to flatten them down so your fritters will be perfectly baked all around.

Use the palm of your hand to flatten each roll down.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

Step 3: bake the fritters

Next, bake each fritter inside a paper cupcake liner. I ordered these on Amazon. Of course, you can skip these if you prefer and just bake the fritters directly in a sheet pan.

The liner just helps contain any apples that fall out.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

Step 4: the glaze

I kept this glaze simple. These fritters are pretty darn yummy just as they are.

Powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and sea salt. I sometimes add a touch of coffee too, which highlights that delish vanilla flavor.

You can dip or drizzle each fritter in the glaze or just skip the glaze altogether. I do one quick dip and always an extra sea salt sprinkle. Tis so delicious.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

With all this apple talk, I’m going to encourage everyone to spend the first weekend of September out enjoying the nice weather and apple picking. Then come home and bake up these sweet shortcut easy apple fritters. How’s that for a plan!

See you guys on Sunday for another Favorite’s post.

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

Looking for other sweet apple recipes? Here are a few ideas: 

Cinnamon Spiced Apple Fritters

Salted Maple Apple Tarte Tatin with Cinnamon Pumpkin Seeds

Sweet and Salty Chocolate Drizzled Cider Caramel Apples

Double the Streusel Apple Butter Bars

Lastly, if you make these Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters with Vanilla Coffee Glaze be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 fritters
Calories Per Serving: 622 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Vanilla Glaze

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Arrange 12-15 paper cupcake liners on a baking sheet.
    2. Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a bowl.
    3. Lay one pastry sheet flat on your counter. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 tablespoon apple butter, then sprinkle with 1/2 of the cinnamon sugar. Arrange 1/2 of the apples over the sugar. Place a second sheet of pastry directly over the apples to cover. Gently press down to seal everything inside. Roll the dough into a log, like a cinnamon roll.
    4. Cut the log into 6-8 rounds, placing each in the prepared paper cupcake liners. Repeat with the remaining pastry/apples. Use the palm of your hand to smoosh the round down to about 1/2 it's size (see photos). Sprinkle the tops lightly with any remaining cinnamon sugar.
    5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the pastry is deep golden brown.
    6. To make the glaze, whisk all ingredients in a bowl, adding additional milk as needed to thin. Dip or drizzle the glaze onto the fritters. Eat warm. And enjoy.
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Shortcut Easy Apple Fritters | halfbkedharvest.com

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Easy and so good! Turns out I didn’t have puff pastry so I found a recipe and made my own. I also didn’t have apple butter so used what I had, which was unsweetened applesauce. Shockingly good! My husband told me to take them to the neighbors so he wouldn’t eat all of them in one sitting. And, we think they are even better cold the next day. Winner!

  2. 5 stars
    A home run! So quick and simple. The only change I recommend is to avoid using paper muffin cups as the filling oozes and becomes stuck – making it hard to fully remove the paper. I’ll opt for a silicone pan made for 6 small loaves instead next time. Served with vanilla bean Häagen-Dazs. Brilliant all around!

    1. I should also add that these were for dessert after making your sweet potato pierogis with brown butter and crispy sage – which were to die for! I served them with caramelized onions and sour cream for those that wanted it, alongside a nice apple garlic sausage and a hot shaved & roasted Brussels Sprouts salad I made up with a maple Dijon lemon dressing topped with pomegranate arils and roasted, salted pistachios.