These little fried apple munchkin gems will grab you by the aroma through the whole event and these are freshly made either glazed, rolled in cinnamon sugar, or powdered sugar and come in a paper bag with around 6 to 8 donut holes and are totally addicting.
The fair wouldn't be complete without these little apple fritter bites they are over the top melt in your mouth delicious bursting with apples!
Often these are larger apple fritters fried but these little style fritters are the perfect size when you're taste-testing so many other wonderful apple delights at the State Fair.
There's no rolling or cutting, and by just dropping this batter into hot oil these little apple bundles are done in minutes!
I know you're thinking these aren't the healthiest way to have a donut but to get that true State Fair experience it's worth that once-a-year plunge to fry them.
Since you've insisted on the healthier version, I will leave a baked or Air Fryer method as an alternative to make these little Apple Fried Donut Holes with that method below.
Scroll down to our recipe card for this easily printable recipe for fried or air-fried apple donut holes!
Simple Mini Apple Fritter Holes
These mini apple fritter donut holes are perfect for a quick-to-go breakfast when you're rushing in the morning.
The donuts are great with milk for a snack and great with apple cider especially around Halloween if you're hosting a party.
I like a little something with my coffee and these are the perfect solution for folks on the go.
Ingredients You Will Need
- flour
- white sugar or brown
- whole milk
- baking powder
- salt
- eggs
- finely chopped apples
- softened butter
- cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger
- vanilla
Other Additions or Substitutions
- chopped or diced fruits strawberry, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, cherries, banana, pineapple, mango, fig
- dried fruits,
- nuts
- coconut
- mini chocolate chips
Tips
- just fold the apples into the batter and don't overmix it
- always test the oil to make sure it's hot
- any extracts can be used vanilla, orange, lemon, maple, almond anisette or whatever else you love
- make sure you dice the apples fine so they cook quickly
- the best apples are McIntosh, Rome, Cortland, always use pie apples
- drain them after frying in paper towels to remove grease
- Air Fried: you will need to use a heavy oil sprayed mini muffin pan and have a toaster oven-style air fryer. Set the air fryer to 350 and preheat. Place the filled mini muffin pan in the fryer for 7 to 10 minutes check the middles with a toothpick.
- Bake: preheat the oven to 350 degrees, heavy oil sprayed a mini muffin pan, and bake for 25 minutes.
Try More Recipes We Love
Apple Brownies
Apple Pie Topped Muffins
Apple Cider Donuts
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A Great Fall Treat
When apple season is upon us, I get right to the farmers market the first chance I get, to buy a huge bag.
These are also perfect for decorating when Halloween comes for the kids, they love those little apple donut holes rolled into powdered sugar and it's a fun easy festive project.
As long as you get baking apples or those on the little tart side, these will have that authentic "Fair" taste!
Just remember there are two recipes to follow one for frying one for baking but more like a muffin than fritter of course!
Easy to make in no time, delicious and compliments that first season of delicious Central N.Y, apples we love.
Don't forget this recipe around Halloween the kids go crazy for these.
Apple Fried Donut Holes
Yield: 24
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 4 MinTotal time: 14 Min
Apple fried mini donut holes are usually found at State Fairs in the fall. Little donut bites bursting with central N.Y. apples.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon ( I love cinnamon, sometimes I use more since I don't measure, oh well they are still wonderful)
- pinch of salt
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of cloves
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla (or you can also use another flavored extract, grated lemon peel, orange peel)
- Garnish Ideas: powdered sugar, cinnamon, and sugar mixture glaze them with powdered sugar and water frosting or leave them plain if you prefer
Instructions
- 3 small apples (around 2 cups, I use McIntosh or Honeycrisp)
- finely chopped
- Combine the flour, brown sugar, and spices in a large mixing bowl. Use a fork, to mix everything together. Add the milk, butter, and eggs to the dry ingredients and blend them all together.
- Fold in the diced apples and stir till moistened.
- Tip: Dip the fork tines in batter place into the hot oil, if it sizzles and starts to cook quickly the oil is ready for frying!
- Using a medium-sized melon ball scoop or a tablespoon, drop the batter into hot oil and fry turning once frying until lightly browned.
- Place on paper towels to absorb the grease.
- You can glaze them, roll them into powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar after they cool completely.
- Baked or Air Fryer Recipe:
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon each ginger, nutmeg, cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup butter, cold
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup apple, grated
- Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, flavoring, and salt together.
- Cut in the butter with a fork until sandy-looking.
- In another bowl whisk together the egg and milk and set aside. Peel and finely mince 2 small apples Add to egg mixture and stir until coated.
- Pour the wet apple mixture into the dry mixture and stir.
- This is more a muffin batter will be thick.
- Spoon into prepared mini muffin tin (lightly sprayed with cooking spray)
- .Bake at 375 degrees 12 to 15 minutes or until beginning to turn golden brown.
- Air Fried: you will need to use a heavy oil sprayed mini muffin pan and have a toaster oven-style air fryer. Set the air fryer to 350 and preheat. Place the filled mini muffin pan in the fryer for 7 to 10 minutes check the middles with a toothpick.
Notes:
Tips
- just fold the apples into the batter and don't overmix it
- always test the oil to make sure it's hot
- any extracts can be used vanilla, orange, lemon, maple, almond anisette or whatever else you love
- make sure you dice the apples fine so they cook quickly
- the best apples are McIntosh, Rome, Cortland, always use pie apples
- drain them after frying in paper towels to remove grease
- Air Fried: you will need to use a heavy oil sprayed mini muffin pan and have a toaster oven-style air fryer. Set the air fryer to 350 and preheat. Place the filled mini muffin pan in the fryer for 7 to 10 minutes check the middles with a toothpick.
- Bake: preheat the oven to 375 degrees, heavy oil sprayed a mini muffin pan, and bake for 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
155.16Fat (grams)
2.47Sat. Fat (grams)
1.29Carbs (grams)
32.03Fiber (grams)
1.11Net carbs
30.92Sugar (grams)
22.42Protein (grams)
2.05Sodium (milligrams)
73.73Cholesterol (grams)
20.16
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Apple Recipes We Love
Apple Streusel Cake
Apple Scones
Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing